Need help, set in my ways kinda and need some coaxing

trapoholic

trapoholic

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Hey guys, I use a 30-06 pump (best gun In the world in my eyes);) But I use 180 grains usually, and no matter what they're a big ball for deer. But all the old lads in my gang which make up bout 95% of it, tell me that 180 Is the only way to go and the smaller grains blow em up...Now, I been told this since I was a kid. So I wanna try the remington core lokt 165 grain psp's, I'm just set In my ways of whats been pounded into my head. Ya'll think I should try them? I really like the idea of destruction to innards and small hole out rather then carnage end to end...But how do they hold up on say a 20-50 yard shot?

Any experience and especially pictures of this particular load would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks a bunch guys and gals!!:D Oh and the reason for the switch my gun shoots them in the same hole all day long there pretty fricken sweet!!
 
If they are just as accurate in your rifle, I rather doubt that you will find much appreciable difference between a 165 gr and a 180 gr pointed soft point bullet.
 
I think, if you know it's just a bias that has been "pounded" into your head, you should ignore it and do whatever experiments you want to try to find out the truth. If it doesn't work, try something else.

Why would you live any other way?
 
I have used both bullets to shoot both deer and moose, and there is very little difference one way or the other. 150's seem to open up a bit faster and penetrate less, in my experience. There is very little risk in trying some Remington 165's.
 
It Is a very bias decision to use 180's, I just want somethin that's gonna knock em down a little harder and I know the shock from a lighter bullet will anchor a critter quicker. My cousin uses 150's outta his BLR 308 and it hits them HAAAARD. Lookin pretty hard at the Federal Fusion 165's too, either way I'm gonna use a 165 flavor this deer season, I'd just really like to hear all the input and reviews I can before then...Like I said before I'd effin love to see pictures of animals you guys have shot with 165's out of a 30-06 and any bullet recoveries you may have!! :D
 
If the heavy bulets have been working for you, then don't change a thing. But realistically 15 grains is less than ten percent difference, shot placement will make more difference every single day than 15 grains of bullet weight will.
 
blasted_saber said:
A deer wont notice 15gr of difference. Nor will it make much difference in trauma.

What will make a difference is bullet type. Federal Fusions are a extreme rapid expansion bullet bonded bullet. They are not the same as a Rem Core Lokt or a traditional Federal soft point.
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What you mean Saber? You mean the core lokt is tougher then the fusions? Don't really understand what you mean I apologize. I mean the 180's I shoot are good but they just wreck meat from one end to the other on a head on shot, and when you got dogs movin em you don't always got time for a broadside shot! Although when I do get a broadside runnin deer it's usually more then one shot gets drove in them, when that adrenalin gets goin you gotta knock em down hard cause they can run a loooong way before they realize they're dead...I'd rather boom boom boom down then boom and get run by a dog a 100 yards or to the water!
 
trapoholic said:
What you mean Saber? You mean the core lokt is tougher then the fusions? Don't really understand what you mean I apologize. I mean the 180's I shoot are good but they just wreck meat from one end to the other on a head on shot, and when you got dogs movin em you don't always got time for a broadside shot! Although when I do get a broadside runnin deer it's usually more then one shot gets drove in them, when that adrenalin gets goin you gotta knock em down hard cause they can run a loooong way before they realize they're dead...I'd rather boom boom boom down then boom and get run by a dog a 100 yards or to the water!
Click to expand...

The Fusions are tougher and at the same time expand faster. They're meant to plow through a deer and cause as much damage as possible the whole way through. Winchester Powermax works on the same concept. Rem Core Lokts are a traditional cup and core bullet (Federal Power Shock and Winchester Power Points are comparable cartridges).

Deer arent big critters in the grand scheme of things. The truth is that pretty much any expanding bullet from a 3006 will wreck lots of meat if you hit heavy muscle. The ideal shot is just behind the shoulder in the ribs but still hitting vital organs. Beyond that the bullet choice really wont matter all that much.
 
trapoholic said:
I mean the 180's I shoot are good but they just wreck meat from one end to the other on a head on shot, and when you got dogs movin em you don't always got time for a broadside shot! Although when I do get a broadside runnin deer it's usually more then one shot gets drove in them, when that adrenalin gets goin you gotta knock em down hard cause they can run a loooong way before they realize they're dead...I'd rather boom boom boom down then boom and get run by a dog a 100 yards or to the water!
Click to expand...

Sounds like you need to slow down rather than speed up... the higher the velocity the more bloodshot meat you're apt to get, all other things being equal. The 165's won't be any improvement over the 180's in that respect. If you have any handloading buddies, get them to load some 180's down to around 2500 fps., or get an old pump in .300 savage. Or go up in size to .35 whelen and use tougher bullets. Not so much meat loss that way either.
 
blasted_saber said:
The Fusions are tougher and at the same time expand faster. They're meant to plow through a deer and cause as much damage as possible the whole way through. Winchester Powermax works on the same concept. Rem Core Lokts are a traditional cup and core bullet (Federal Power Shock and Winchester Power Points are comparable cartridges).

Deer arent big critters in the grand scheme of things. The truth is that pretty much any expanding bullet from a 3006 will wreck lots of meat if you hit heavy muscle. The ideal shot is just behind the shoulder in the ribs but still hitting vital organs. Beyond that the bullet choice really wont matter all that much.
Click to expand...

I understand the the fusions is bonded and the core lokts is cup and core bullets, thank you for the advice though saber It's much appreciated your a nice fellow not a #### with advice like most armchair experts here. I do know the 165's will kill em and hit them harder in a sence that's more what I'm lookin for, But I'm also lookin for a exit hole for tracking sake If nesessary. Like I said b'fore shots are gonna be 100 yards max, most in the 20-60 yard range here in our thick swampy country.

9.3mauser said:
Sounds like you need to slow down rather than speed up... the higher the velocity the more bloodshot meat you're apt to get, all other things being equal. The 165's won't be any improvement over the 180's in that respect. If you have any handloading buddies, get them to load some 180's down to around 2500 fps., or get an old pump in .300 savage. Or go up in size to .35 whelen and use tougher bullets. Not so much meat loss that way either.
Click to expand...

I had a old 300 savage pump but I give it to my grand daddy for his birthday last year, he been lookin for one most his life. I don't got no handloadin buddies unfortunately, I wanna try it myself but don't really got the time or money to get started at this point in time :( I'd love to get a 35 whelen though!:cool: but my 30-06 is the meat seeker, It's just beyond lucky I see game every time I take it out! I used a different gun for one season...Nothin, nadda, didn't even see a damn squirrel! I got my 30-06 back and shot a 550 pound black bear first trip out, I can't lose her again!
 
The Fusions will leave a nice big hole on exit. I shot a big doe with one from my .308 a couple years ago and it sprayed blood like a hose until she keeled over. The load caused immense damage to the organs it hit (her heart was.....gone!). Luckily it did not hit the shoulder or im sure the meat damage would have been considerable.

The advice above of slowing your load down is a good one. I shot a small deer with a 270WSM a few years ago and left a hole on exit almost big enough to get my fist through without getting it bloody.
 
blasted_saber said:
The Fusions will leave a nice big hole on exit. I shot a big doe with one from my .308 a couple years ago and it sprayed blood like a hose until she keeled over. The load caused immense damage to the organs it hit (her heart was.....gone!). Luckily it did not hit the shoulder or im sure the meat damage would have been considerable.

The advice above of slowing your load down is a good one. I shot a small deer with a 270WSM a few years ago and left a hole on exit almost big enough to get my fist through without getting it bloody.
Click to expand...

Well you pretty much just sold me on the 165 grain fusion pills, I been doin lotsa readin on the core lokt and it seems in 30 cal, any lighter then a 180 is kinda unpredictable...On the huge hole deal, I shot a 188 pound doe (gutted and hung for a week before the scales) I hit her just behind the shoulder with a 180 grain round nose core lokt...And the exit I literally put both my fists in with room to spare, there was at least 3 pounds of meat just gone! I might add I got gorilla hands:eek:
 
I've always used 180gr Corelokts in my .30-06.

Why?

Because I've always used 180gr Corelokts in my .30-06, no other reason. My rifle likes them, the deer were dead. What's not to like? I say, if it's been working for you, why change?
 
I change because my usual core lokt soft points I use ain't shoot for **** since I bought 3 new boxes. Why? Your guess Is as good as mine. I always been a Remington die hard, but after I bought a 750 It was the biggest POS I ever did see (My versamax was a close second) All the bad press and eye witness accounts of junk these days...I am literally swearing off Remington until big green smartens up. I love my 7600 It's a tank and Is what I'm asking about 165's for, It's my do all big game gun and the only one I'll ever need, mind you It's the same age as I am so It was back when stuff was built to work and last forever and a day.
 
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