Optimal Bullet Weight

[Noel]

Thanks Guys,

Just what I was looking for!

I knew this was going raise some discussion over "What is Optimal", but I know that some calibre's perform better with different weights. I can't recall a 270 owner telling me he prefered the 150 to the 130, yet I know of no one with a 30/06 who would prefer the 150 to the 165. It just works better!

Actually one guy I know has only ever used 150's in his 30-06s no matter what his quarry. He is no weekend warrior either. From his three rams to high country Elk and bears I'd put him in my mentor list any day.
Go from him to the fellow who actually taught me the ropes said thee ONLY bullet to use in the 06 is the 180gr. My Great Uncle only shot this weight ever. Having said that, I think used 165gr the most for the few years I carried that chambering in either the Speer, or more often the Hornady Interlock and Grand Slam a couple times.

 

[Boomer]

To my way of thinking the optimal bullet weight is the heaviest bullet that is available in any given caliber. That being said a 240 gr .308 Sierra or Woodleigh is a bit much for a .30 Mauser. Lets say then that the optimal bullet weight is the one that produces the flattest trajectory or the best terminal performance when game is the target.

 

[broadhead67]

45 gr. in .22 hornet
50 gr. in .222
100 Gr. in .250 sav.
120 gr. in 25-06
160 gr. in 7x57
175 gr. in 7x57R
160 gr. in 7x64
165 gr. in 308
180 gr. in 30-06
158 gr. in .357 mag
250 gr. in 35 Whelen
405 gr. in 45-70
that's what's worked best for me, strictly for hunting not targets.

I've also noticed the 45/70 is much more manageable in 405 gr. perhaps not as accurate as the lighter leverevolution but definately nicer to shoot

 

[Eagleye]

As H4831 so eloquently stated, there are various factors that weigh in [pun intended] to help us make the optimum choice for any given situation. That being said, I do like the 165 in the 30-06, but with the caveat that it needs to be a decent, proven bullet, since a 24" barrelled '06 will approach 3000 fps with that bullet, using certain powders. I was a 130 grain fan in the 270 until they started making good bullets in 140 grain weight. This has become my go-to bullet in the 270 for the past 8 years or so. Big 30's are capable, and seem to work best with 200 grain pills. the 6.5x55 is "happy" with the 140 grainer in most applications. In the 7x57 I use 140-145 grain bullets for "light" game, but step up to the 160 if hunting Elk or Moose, even though the 140 will do the job. I have several rifles that are true gems, and will shoot more than one weight to the same POI at 100. If you have a fussy rifle that has a new point of Impact for each bullet weight, it is advantageous to shoot one weight only. Regards, Eagleye.

 

[mbogo3]

Noel........try the 100gr bullet with the shortest ogive that would be Speer.I had some old Dominion RN that would cloveleaf till the cows came home .Put the last one in a respectable 4x4 WT dead within two body lengths....in a 99 try IMR 4895 /3031 for moa.,,,,,....Harold

 

[Noel]

Noel........try the 100gr bullet with the shortest ogive that would be Speer.I had some old Dominion RN that would cloveleaf till the cows came home .Put the last one in a respectable 4x4 WT dead within two body lengths....in a 99 try IMR 4895 /3031 for moa.,,,,,....Harold

Hey Harold,
It is actually a Savage bolt action built in 1928 that we are working with.
I have been using 3031 and the 87gr Hornady. Haven't shot the gun a whole lot but it wasn't doing very good with the load we tried. Good enough for hunting but not good enough to be content with. The rifle is a shooter with 87gr Normas so I know it will shoot if I fiddle with it more.

First time trying the rifle when I bought it using the Norma load, 100yds using the arperture sight!

I wish I could find some of the Dominion 100gr pills you speak of. Would love to buy a bunch of them.

Thanks for the help!

 

[pope_face]

I've put a few rounds through my .30-06, and I tend to go for the 150 grain, but that's partially because A) that's what it was sighted in with, and B) they don't have too much recoil. I find 180 gr put some strain on my shoulder after three or four rounds, so it's hard to practice with them. Haven't tried the 165's, although I've got a box. I suspect that, until I start reloading my own, I'll stick with the 150 gr.

Not a rifle, but I use 124 grain FMJ's in my 9mm.