Which Berger VLD in 24" 30-06?

[The Oregonian]

Curious if folks gravitate towards one or the other...am considering 168, 175, and 185 grain bullets. BC of 168 and 175 are similar, but 185 jumps up a bit but would be at lower velocity.

Will be on deer sized game for the most part...assume the 185 would be better for elk.

This is for hunting 500 yds and in.

Thx

Tom

 

[HARPERC]

To confuse it more I gravitated towards 200 grain bullets in the 30-06 a long time ago. I would look at Berger's 190 or 210's as well. For the way you want to use it, pick the one that shoots best for you. All should retain enough velocity to expand on deer.

 

[Deleted member 46119]

190 Hunting VLD looks really nice but I've only done a little testing with the 190 VLD.

 

[MudRunner2005]

If you have a 12" twist, the 185 VLD is about perfect. I have a 26" 12-twist .30-06 AI, and it loves the Berger 185 VLD. That's about the heaviest you'll be able to properly stabilize in a 12" twist. If you have a 10" twist, you can stabilize all the way up to 230gr Berger Hybrids.

 

[jonthomps]

190 Hunting VLD looks really nice but I've only done a little testing with the 190 VLD.

This would be my recommendation as well. That should be a great bullet for your '06.

 

[Corey Schwanz]

The 185 to 190 seems to be a popular choice for the 30-06, but unfortunately there is not one universal best bullet. You'll need to find which bullet shoots the best from your rifle. Some prefer lighter bullets while others like to shoot heavier bullets better. Just have to feed the rifle what it wants, not necessarily what we want

 

[The Oregonian]

The 185 to 190 seems to be a popular choice for the 30-06, but unfortunately there is not one universal best bullet. You'll need to find which bullet shoots the best from your rifle. Some prefer lighter bullets while others like to shoot heavier bullets better. Just have to feed the rifle what it wants, not necessarily what we want

Thanks...makes sense.

 

[roninflag]

if it is for deer. i would try the 168 and 175 first. what rifle? scope?

 

[The Oregonian]

if it is for deer. i would try the 168 and 175 first. what rifle? scope?

Darrell Holland rifle on his action, which I think is a Borden. Will have a March 2.5 x 25 x 52. Not ready yet but should be soon.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Darrell Holland rifle on his action, which I think is a Borden. Will have a March 2.5 x 25 x 52. Not ready yet but should be soon.

I have heard they are ****-fine optics. Can't afford one myself, or I'd have a few of their 8-80x56 scopes for LR shooting with my heavy-hitter big magnum rifles.

 

[roninflag]

Very nice! my 30-06s are light 6.5 pounds ( except for the garands) so recoil of the heavier bullets would be a distraction. with your rifle/scope get some lapua brass and pick a berger bullet that fits your needs !

 

[Trnelson]

I too gravitated to the heavy 230g Berger in my rifle. I use it with my 30/338 and one day I just wondered how it would run in the old '06. I found a consistent 1/2 MOA load at 2440fps using H4831sc. I've taken three whitetail with that set. One at 80 yards, the most recent at 419 and one at 703 last fall. All DRT. Previously I had been using Nosler 150g BT but wasn't using it beyond 300, it performed very well and usually a DRT, one made it a few steps before tipping over. Lots of great choices for .30/06 from 150g to 230g!! A 185g Berger may be a nearly perfect compromise.