Sighting in with different powders

[slamman190]

Hey all,

So as a newb to guns and hunting, I have been making trips to the range to practice with my recently acquired rem 700 cdl 30.06. I bought it lightly used, and it was never sighted in by the previous owner.

So through trial and error, I have gotten it kind of where it needs to be. This last trip out I was able to get a 2" 3 shot group at 100yds. now this is good for me as I have only shot the rifle a few times.

I am sure the rifle can shoot better, I just need more trigger time to improve my skills.

So I had been shooting 150 grns, and they were shooting maybe 6-7 inches high, so i switched to a 180grn, and they were bang on at an inch high, which is what I was wanting to sight in at.

So now the real question is, I am planning on doing mainly deer hunting, and is 180 grn too much, ie will it cause a lot of meat damage? or should I stick with what the gun seems to like best?

Or is it best to have the gun sighted in with 150 grns and go from there?

Do you all resight in your gun each time you will be using a different grain, or do you just know how your gun shoots that cartridge and hold high/low etc?

Thanks,

Dan

 

[Kilo Charlie]

I always sight in with the bullet I will be hunting with.
The 180 is not too much for deer and will not destroy more meat than a 150 grain; it will likely expand less and more slowly, and thereby damage LESS meat. Lots of hunters shoot deer with .30-06 180-grain loads every year.
If I were using a 180-grain load just for deer hunting, I'd be inclined to use a cup'n'core bullet like the Rem Cor-Lokt, Win Power-Point, Federal blue-box or what have you, than to go with a premium bullet designed for controlled expansion. With that much weight you'll want it to expand easily.
Your idea about using what the gun likes best is sound as a dollar. Choose any accurate load between 150 and 180 grains and call 'er done.