Good bullet for a 30.06?
- Thread starter Monkey Spanker
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Monkey Spanker
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Uncle Norm
Well-Known Member
165 grain Speer SPBT with Viht N160, 2800 fps that I use for Fallow. I have shot several opportunist Muntjac with it and it is fine unless I pin the shoulders, in which case it makes a mess with little front end left.
Paul at Fechan
Well-Known Member
big bullets at normal speed are bad news for small animals, slow them down or you'll really pop them
Brithunter
Well-Known Member
I found that the 165 grain bullet weight about ideal in the 30-06 and the 300 Win Mag. The ballistic Tip in this weight is not so frangible that it blows up yet is expands well. I only stopped using them in the .308 (before I acquired the 30-06 this was) because the keeper I stalked with did not like an Ballistic Tips used. So I switch to the Speer 165 #2035.
In fact I only explored the lighter weight bullets in the .308 after acquiring the 30-30 bolt action rifle and starting using the 130 Grain Hornady's in that. The Brno ZKK 601 did not like the lighter bullets but the P-H 1100 Lwt did
.
The 165 grain bullets have always worked fro me at least.
In fact I only explored the lighter weight bullets in the .308 after acquiring the 30-30 bolt action rifle and starting using the 130 Grain Hornady's in that. The Brno ZKK 601 did not like the lighter bullets but the P-H 1100 Lwt did
.The 165 grain bullets have always worked fro me at least.
csl
Administrator
That's a valid point and the answer is - quite possibly not! I do get a hell of a muzzle blast without a mod but the trouble is that the load works so well (accuracy and performance-wise) so I have been loath to tinker with it.... if it ain't broke etc...
Monkey Spanker
Well-Known Member
I've noticed that there are a good few 168 gr bullets available which seems a rather random weight?!
I'm sure it was chosen for good reason? Anybody know the logic behind 168gr?
MS
I'm sure it was chosen for good reason? Anybody know the logic behind 168gr?
MS
Tamus
Well-Known Member
MS... What twist rate does your .30-06 rifle have?
At a 1 in 11" you may find 165 grain (conventional, jacketed bullets) and lighter are your best options. I have a 1 in 10" twist in mine and it certainly loves 180 grainers but I've heard of slower twists having difficulty stabilising a longer bullet.
ps. never tried mono-metals.... wouldn't sully my barrels... or endanger the innocent, with such things
At a 1 in 11" you may find 165 grain (conventional, jacketed bullets) and lighter are your best options. I have a 1 in 10" twist in mine and it certainly loves 180 grainers but I've heard of slower twists having difficulty stabilising a longer bullet.
ps. never tried mono-metals.... wouldn't sully my barrels... or endanger the innocent, with such things
Uncle Norm
Well-Known Member
Just to clarify, the 165 grain at 2,800 fps will shoot Muntjac very cleanly if shot through the ribs properly. I agree that they sometimes do much less damage than the .243. Where the problem comes with a heavy bullet at this velocity is if solid bone (eg. shoulders) is hit, which is when it makes a mess. As I mainly use them for Fallow, which can be standing out in the middle of open fields, the trajectory of this load gives me confidence that I can place a good shot. I am not recommending them for Muntjac and agree that slowing them down would lessen the damage from a shoulder shot. Having said that I would expect any powerful round to do serious meat damage if the shoulders of a small deer are pinned ?
How far are you shooting and how heavy the game?~Muir
Monkey Spanker
Well-Known Member
Varies a lot!
From very close up to couple of hundred metres or so.
500lb red stags down to 10 lb muntjac or fox, and various inbetween. Has to cover all options really.
MS
Monkey Spanker
Well-Known Member
MS... What twist rate does your .30-06 rifle have?
At a 1 in 11" you may find 165 grain (conventional, jacketed bullets) and lighter are your best options. I have a 1 in 10" twist in mine and it certainly loves 180 grainers but I've heard of slower twists having difficulty stabilising a longer bullet.
ps. never tried mono-metals.... wouldn't sully my barrels... or endanger the innocent, with such things
As far as I'm aware, it is a standard Sako 75 hunter which shows a 11" twist on their website.
MS
Offroad Gary
Well-Known Member
thats easy, its 3 more than 165, much like 123 is 3 more than 120.
3 is a magic number!
Monkey Spanker
Well-Known Member
Ahh, I get it!
That's why they went .243 even though .240 is the minimum deer calibre?
MS
Brithunter
Well-Known Member
.30 calibre 168 grain bullets were match/target ones and it's the nose tail profile that causes the weight difference.
MS
You are shooting some big Stags there mate so i am not sure my 175 Berger would give an exit if that is what you like. Another Bullet i have used is the Sierra 165 Grain HPBT Game King. According to Sierra they are stouter than the Soft Point Game King with the Accuracy of a Matchking but in a proper Hunting Bullet.
Yorkie.
You are shooting some big Stags there mate so i am not sure my 175 Berger would give an exit if that is what you like. Another Bullet i have used is the Sierra 165 Grain HPBT Game King. According to Sierra they are stouter than the Soft Point Game King with the Accuracy of a Matchking but in a proper Hunting Bullet.
Yorkie.
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