What 30-06 ammo do you recommend for Deer?

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Brooks

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This pass fall I used the 30-06 Spring Federal 165-grain Sierra Gameking Boat-Tail bullet on a small-medium bull Moose and a small-medium doe Mule deer. The deer was at 200m and the moose maybe 180m. Both took a few steps after being hit and settled down and both were hit in the ribs. There was no meat lost on the moose but where the bullet hit the deer, low on the rib cage and just behind the fore leg, there was considerable blood shot in the muscle of both legs and shoulders. Needless to say I was disturbed with the destruction and now would like a solution, hence the question: What grain of bullet do you recommend I use in my 30-06 when hunting for deer?(comments also welcome on a bullet for moose).

Thanks in advance,
Brooks
 
well i use a 180 gr fail safe for my last deer in my .308 with very no meat damage for moose i would use nuthing less then a 180 gr but 165s work to.
for deer i would use something like a 150 gr power point or something like that.
talk to ya all later
Riley
 
Why do people think they should use a lighter bullet for a deer than a moose? Do you think a deer can outrun those heavier bullets? Figure out what bullet you are going to use for moose. I would suggest 180's or 200's even, of a "robust" construction. Then learn it's trajectory so you can place it with pin-point accuracy. (Or the hunting version of such accuracy!:D )

Then use the same bullet for deer. Heavier, slower bullets = less bloodshot meat.
 
some recommend lighter bullets (150 gr) for deer. in my view its only because of higher muzzle velocity hence less drop at long ranges. If you habe a good 180gr for moose & you shoot it well stick with it - especially if you use the same gun & scope you don't have to worry about which trajectory - less chance to screw up when the adrenalin starts pumping...

Cheers
 
Brooks - do you reload or will you be buying your ammo?

I used the federal loaded sierra 165 once and got the same thing as you - it's an accurate bullet, but really soft. Since I've been loading my own, I've really come to love the 165 SP flat base Hornady Interlock. It's my favorite deer bullet. I've also used the 180 old style Wincester silvertip and the 180 remington corelok. Both were okay. My favorite moose and bear bullet is the 180 Nosler partition.

If I wanted to use only one bullet in the 30-06 for everything, I'd use the 180 Partition. It works well for deer and it's great for big stuff too. It's also available in ammo from both Federal or Remington.
 
Mike,

I do not reload but your remark about the federal loaded sierra 165 being accurate and soft strikes me as been right. The shot on the deer was well placed but the entry hole was about 2 inches or more in diameter. I would have thought that even though the bullet did hit a rib bone, it would have passed on with little or no expansion but reading your comment about it being soft must explain I suppose why it expanded so quickly.

I will certainly take your and the other member’s advice about what bullet to use and put it to good use next fall. Right now your suggestion about the Federal or Remington 180 Partition sounds good to me.

I post little at this site but read it often and often recommend it to other hunters I know as it is truly a wonderful forum.

Thanks one and all for your replies.

Brooks
 
keep in mind that bone fragments can make an entry wound look like the bullet blew up on impact. Saying that, it would not suprise me that a 165 gr. GameKing would expand fast and make a big wide wound channel, sacraficing some penetration (but plenty for deer under most circumstances).

the 165 gr. Accubond should probably find its way into Federal Premium factory ammo as well as the Winchester Supreme CT line for fall 2006. Failing that, I would go with the 180 gr. Accubond loaded by the above ammo makers.
 
I bought a box of the new Fusion in 150gr to use on deer this year.

They shot very well.

My hunting season dissapeared like a nocturnal buck, so I couldn't tell you how they worked.
 
I have not had the pleasure of trying the new Accubonds on game yet, but I hear they are fantastic.

But I have found the 180gr Partition to be an excellent bullet for both moose and deer. I have not had either one go more than 25 or so yards after a hit, and there has been very little wasted meat. They are fantastic bullets, and held together for a few deer hit at less than 20 yards. Im my mind, it is the most versatile bullet and weight for anything in NA, excluding some of the bigger bears.
 
Remington Corelokt factory loads, 150 for deer and 180 for moose. Never had one fail, and have shot LOTS of game with them over the last 35 years. They are as good as anything out there and still under 20.00 a box. Accubond, Partition, Xspitzer etc. etc. .........just over priced ammo.
 
shoot a big buck at 30 yards quartering towards with a 150 gr. Cor Lokt out of your rifle and let us know how it works.
 
It never fails to irk me when some criticize the premium bullets [Partition, X, etc] with a comment that they are overpriced. Overpriced compared to what? Ammo is such a minute part of the overall cost of hunting that it is absolutely inconsequential. If one reloads, even more minute the cost. Practice with an inexpensive bullet if you want, but hunt with the best you can get. That being said, I will endorse the 165 or 180 Partitions or Accubonds for all round deer/moose medicine. If your rifle shoots them well, an X-bullet in 165 grain weight would also serve well without destroying a lot of meat. Regards, Eagleye.
 
todbartell said:
shoot a big buck at 30 yards quartering towards with a 150 gr. Cor Lokt out of your rifle and let us know how it works.
Click to expand...
I shot one square on thru the brisket last year with a 150 gr. corelokt. He was uphill 50 yards away. The bullet exited 6 inches in front of his genitals.
 
hal1955 said:
. They are as good as anything out there and still under 20.00 a box. Accubond, Partition, Xspitzer etc. etc. .........just over priced ammo.
Click to expand...

Please tell us your expereinces using the bullets that you have named..
 
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