Quick one re factory 30-06 loads

[Antonyweeks]

About to pick up a new rifle (2nd hand) and will end up trying some different factory rounds through it to see what it likes. However will he used for roe & red/fellow stalking. I’m after a slower heavier bullet I think as, assuming my shot placement is decent, my understanding is that heavier & slower rounds cause less meat damage at the ranges I’ll be shooting. Just wondered if anyone has any suggestions? I’m currently using RWS 100gn soft points in my .243. So was going to try Norma and RWS again. The thing is there is a bewildering amount of options!! Hence the question....

 

[palmer_mike]

I’d say you’re right regarding the heavy slow bullet thing.

i use 168gr bullets in my .308 and usually have very little meat damage. The deer on the other hand fall down dead on the spot more often than not. (Muntjac to Reds)

 

[delta wolf]

165 grain federal fusion

 

[jonnah]

I use Geco 170 grain Plus , there is also a cheaper 170 grain soft point I believe is marketed as Telemantel .

 

[Jono 4]

I use the Sako 150gn soft points. Happy with them Not to much meat damage and shot everything from muntjac to lowland reds.

 

[MountainStalker2]

Any projectile from a .30/06 will be reasonably brutal on small deer, you want some expansion for a quick kill so rule out 180+ for small deer like fallow. The 150 - 165 grain range is where you want to be. Go with what ammunition shoots best in your rifle and a softer projectile / conventional cup and core would be my choice. If your shot placement is decent and you put them in the crease behind the shoulder meat damage will not be too bad. Not unusual to take out the farm shoulder though.

 

[big ears]

Any projectile from a .30/06 will be reasonably brutal on small deer, you want some expansion for a quick kill so rule out 180+ for small deer like fallow. The 150 - 165 grain range is where you want to be. Go with what ammunition shoots best in your rifle and a softer projectile / conventional cup and core would be my choice. If your shot placement is decent and you put them in the crease behind the shoulder meat damage will not be too bad. Not unusual to take out the farm shoulder though.

As above. Watch out for federal ammo with partitions. They are too hard and will pencil through roe. Likewise a soft bullet can be brutal on small deer. Federal fusion can run a bit hot and therefore brutal. I’d try PPU/GECO first as they are cheap and could work.

 

[1894]

I use a 150gr pro hunter. Shoot muntjac forward through both shoulders to avoid rupture of rumen and all else normaly. Shorter worn barrel =2800fps. They work very well

Sako soft points used to be called game heads and were sierra prohunters. You could try them

 

[Kalahari]

As above. Watch out for federal ammo with partitions. They are too hard and will pencil through roe. Likewise a soft bullet can be brutal on small deer. Federal fusion can run a bit hot and therefore brutal. I’d try PPU/GECO first as they are cheap and could work.

+1 on the PPU and GECO. Use GECO TM in my 7 x 64 and they seem to work. Reasonably priced too.

David.

 

[Uncle f]

RWS DK 165gr in gods calibre. Lovely round to compliment a great calibre

 

[Trufflehunting]

Mine likes 180gr SP PPU not issues