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I typically use 150gr bullets when I reload for my 30-06. I have had a couple of folks tell me over the last few weeks that I should use 180gr instead as I will get much better groupings and consistent performance over the 150gr.
Any truth to this? I need to buy bullets and spend some time out in the shop and am willing to make changes for better performance.
Thanks
TD
What you will get the most of with the 180 grain bullet is more recoil. I just worked up a load using 150 grain hornady sst bullets for an old sporterized springfield. Best group I ever shot with this rifle just under one inch at a hundred. Federal factory loads with this gun shoot 3.5 inches at hundred yards. Bill
+1 on 150's, in my gun anyways
My '06 hates 180 Nos BT's and anything else in a 180gr bullet. All I got was a sore shoulder from the recoil. With 150's & 165's it does very well.
I seem to recal a guy at my local range mentioning to use 180's. Sorry, they're not for me. I tried 3 different powders - IMR 4895 - H4830 & lastly IMR4350. No luck.
I think I'll stay with what I know. My shoulder can't take any more experimenting....
mine shoots 130's just as well and will probably be what I go to. No need for those big bullets on a 300lb animal.
I've always wanted to try a lighter bullet like the 125 in my '06. I wonder how it would do in the wind?
with a stiff load of 4064 @ 3400fps it does pretty good against the wind
Sounds like I should stick with my 150gr!
Thanks for the input!
TD
TDWhite.... If you come up with anything, either by luck or the grace of God, come on back & share the wealth. I'd really like to load up the 350 Nosler BT's I have left but haven't had any luck with an accurate charge.
Merry Christmas to all...
Frank
...I'ld like to try some 165gr Nos BT's in 1...They shoot holes in the .308... ;)
The '06 is no different from any other 30 caliber, you shoot what shoots best in your rifle. Whether that means 110gr bullet or a 220gr bullet each barrel will tell you what to shoot. Of course as stated before recoil will tell you what YOU can shoot.
You do need to pay attention to what the application for the bullet is. If I were elk hunting, I would want at least a 165 gr bullet, and possibly a 180 or 200 gr. It depends. I wouldn't go on a brown bear hunt with 110 gr or 150 gr bullets. Nor would I feel 200 gr bullets were necessary for an 80 pound whitetail deer or 40 pound coyotes.
If all I was doing was punching holes in paper, I would just shoot whatever bullet gave me the smallest group.
Since no one even asked the OP,
TD,
What are you shooting that 30-06 at?
Paper, deer, elk, moose, antelope, grizzly bear, chipmunks?
I will be shooting at whitetail, hogs, paper, and the odd coyote. All of which a 150 grain has easily taken care of in the past.
+1, I use the 130 gr in my 308 and it will perform well on deer out to 300 yards loaded to a mild 2900 fps, 300 yard drop is only 7.8" with a 200 yard zero. Energy is still in the 1300 ft/lb range.Quote:
Originally Posted by keeki