What bullet should I try in my 30-06

Drjones65 · Sep 17, 2019

Greetings from Northern Utah!
We are a 30.06 shooting family. In our family hunting group there are at least 15 30.06 rifles. We reload and have used the same "recipe" for over 50 years:

52 GR of IMR4895
Speer 150 GR SPBT
CCI large rifle primer

We hunt mule deer and elk. We hunt at around 8,000 - 9,500 FT. We have never had an issue with putting an animal down.

I personally have used a Browning A-Bolt II with an original Nikon Monarch 3x9x40 scope. I have taken more animals in my life with that rifle and reload combination that every other gun in my safe combined.

436 · Sep 17, 2019

I think I'd go old school here; 30 Caliber 180 Grain Partition Bullet Part# 16331
Spitzer Point and I wouldn't overlook "round nose" bullets if you're just looking for a hunting bullet at true hunting ranges. Powder I'm thinking H-4831SC. Just my 0.02

rem7600_2 · Sep 17, 2019

rem7600_2 said:
while I have one rifle that while I have one rifle that likes the ttsx I can't agree with the above post at short range they just don't perform as well as a lead bullet.

Even the interlocks or the locked bullets don't perform as well at Short ranges they do it let's say a hundred yards

been there done that reloaded been there done that reloaded for almost 40 years now

My 338 will drive up 180 ttsx just as fast as it will probably go my 300 Winchester short has killed many,

546 yards with my 338 it worked lost my hearing. Oh BTW that range was taken with a pro grade GPS after the fact.

I've a few Elk under my belt and they were all less than 45 yards with a bow

cajun said:
If it won't shoot a ballistic tip over 4350. Sell it. It's just going to be a source of frustration.

rem7600_2 · Sep 17, 2019

nicely nicely said Cajun but I'll probably never sell a firearm

riflelooney · Sep 17, 2019

Do yourself a favor....Try a Sierra 165 HPBT Gameking and H-4350 with a fed 210 primer... Get the data from Hodgons website....Most do well around 58 grs or so....each is different....but if you don't find what you want somewhere with this combo not sure that you will....has worked in many 30-06's over the years....best of luck.

MThead · Sep 17, 2019

Hammer 166... Initial cost is somewhat offset by ease of development. Here is the first five out of the 06, each is a one grain increment, not too finicky. 4350 and enjoy

Goring2358 · Sep 17, 2019

No generalities can be made for hunting ammo, as the load needs to match the game, range, etc., and the 30-06 can be used for anything in NA. My recommendation would be to handload with bulk bullets or even cast lead bullets for the most savings if you're gonna shoot it a lot. For store bought, whatever is on sale in Remington, Winchester or Federal is gonna be the cheapest. Look for under $20 a box for 20 rounds.

thwatson2 · Sep 17, 2019

My 30-06 shoots imr 4350(56gr) with 165 gr hornady sst. It's a browning Abolt with 1:10 twist. It is my only rifle that shoots those bullets better than Accubonds. I do load them to the lands with all fireformed brass, but it will shoot almost as well with factory ammo from hornady in their light magnum line. But not all guns shoot the same, so I think if you are not going beyond 300 yards, give flat base bullets a try.

rem7600_2 · Sep 17, 2019

forgot about the Hornady Factory loads there good forgot about the Hornady Factory loads there good stuff too

greenejc · Sep 17, 2019

Joefrazell said:
Hey guys I've got a bergera b14 Hunter in 30-06 that is super finicky with ammo. I've tried 165 gmx, 165 interlocks, 180 ballistic tips, 178 eldx. Tried them with imr 4350, h4350 and the heavy two with h-4831sc. Also tried rl16. Anyways the only bullet I've been a able to get to shoot was a 190 gr nosler custom competition with h4831sc. It shoots around .7 moa. It's not a hunting bullet but my wife shot her black bear and deer with it last year and it killed them both very well. Both shots were around 250 yards. Anyways its looking like I'm going to be borrowing her rifle for an up coming elk hunt I've got. I was really wanting to use a bullet I'd have more confidence. Are there any other bullets that you guys know of that I should try? Maybe something similar? Would an accubond be worth a shot? I was hoping the 180 ballistic tips would be build close to them but they didn't shoot well. All these other bullets are around 1.5-2" at 100 yards. Should I just go hunt elk with these target bullets?

Try the Sierra 180 grain Game Kings and the Speer 180 grain Hotcor or BTSP bullets. Also, get a torque driver, and check the torque on your action screw on the rifle. I re-torqued my Ruger 77MKII at 50 inch-pounds and it tightened groups with both bullets by about 20 to 25%. For 30-06 velocities, these bullets will work just fine on elk.

rem7600_2 · Sep 17, 2019

if you're going if you're going to reload the 180 hot course as the previous poster put it they're perfectly decent

dougduey · Sep 17, 2019

Bravo 4 said:
I would try Hammer bullets. Talk to Steve and see what he recommends for your twist and application. I have used the 166 out of a 30-06 and a .300 WSM. They have done a great job on elk and deer. They have also been some of the most accurate bullets I've loaded, and definitely the easiest to find a load for (in 6 different rifles).
They are the only bullet I can get a somewhat problematic .338 RUM to shoot well (consistently). Those wreaked havoc on an elk last year too.

Another vote for the Hammers. I shoot the 166gr in my 06 and 300 WSM just like Bravo 4. I load them in all of my hunting rifles. They are easy to load develop and are extremely accurate. Absolutely devastating on game.
Hard to believe you're having such a hard time finding an accurate load for the '06. Mine was very easy. It likes everything I feed it, and it's an old inexpensive Savage 110. IMR 4350 has been the go to powder. W760 & RL17 have worked really well, too, with bullets ranging from 150-180 gr.

rem7600_2 · Sep 17, 2019

I second the vote for IMR 4350

sorry sorry for the voice Rec post but my fingers don't work the way they used to

luckily I have one good one guess which one

michael carlucci · Sep 17, 2019

try sierra 165 game changer bullets and powder like 4064 although reloader 16 is a great powder .there are a few more you can try like nosler partition bullets.with all those different powders and bullets and you cant find anything better than an1.5 or 2inch a1.5 is useable to 400 yards especially on elk.if you tried all thos combos you might have to look at the rifle itself block bedding or rebarreling.its trial and error i have had duds one gun i full length bedded the barrel in glass before it would shoot and that only with 150 gr.bullets.

What bullet should I try in my 30-06

Drjones65

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436

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riflelooney

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MThead

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