Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 30-06 elk load

Well I am taking the plunge and going after elk in two years. The plan is to hunt Montana for Elk and Mule deer. I plan to use my 30-06, I don't see a point in buying a different rifle, all set up it's a touch under 8 pounds. I've killed a bunch of deer loading a gameking 165 at 2800ish. I've considered loading up a 165-180 grain interbond. Is that necessary or is my current loading sufficient. Simple question and complex answer Im sure! And yes Ive been reading up on loads and folks swear by 150 balistic tip to 220 solids.

If you want a factory load go with Federal Premium 180 grain partition. If you want to hand load use Nolser 180 grain partition.

If u don't reload check out the Fedral Premium with the 165gr NPT. Zeroed at 200yd outta my T3 superlite they group right at MOA n will handle any size Elk at any sane range...ScottyO.

Handload some 165 NPT's To match your Game Kings or what Bob said.

I have been using 180 NPT's for a long time [1980+-] in the '06. I also use a .338 Win Mag with 225's but it isn't needed.

When I used a .308 I used 150's and 165's cup and cores. They worked fine. Only through some study did I determine that the elk that had died from them were victims of miraculous kills.

A 180 NPT from an 06 has likely killed a gazillion elk over the years for good reason - it plain works. I use a 30-06 for elk and load enough H4350/Re16/Re17/Hunter under a 180 Partition to get 2800 in a 24" barrel. Other powders will work but normally one of those powders will give 1-1.25 MOA if the gun/shooter is capable of such.

I've hunted with guys that have successfully used Corelokts, Hornady, Accubonds, TSX/TTSX in 165 to 200 grains in the 06. If you like 180 Interbonds use them - I never have but its a bonded bullet. I tend to start with Nosler products and only change if they don't shoot less than 1.25 MOA.

Like any other animal, elk tend to die rather expeditiously if a suitable bullet is placed through the lungs. The 'issue' is the travel path - elk are big animals and may require 2 feet of penetration for severe quartering shots. Elk bones are also bigger than deer so frangible bullets aren't the best answer when bones get involved. Dead broadside shots can be done with about any bullet shot in the 06. Plan for a bit of penetration and realize you'll likely get a broadside or similar shot where you only need to get inside the rib cage. The 180 Partition is ideal for about any elk shot situation you'll encounter with an 06.

Good luck and pics are required!

I'm currently loading the 165 Horny Interbond and Barnes TSX.

The Interbond at a bit over 2800fps does just fine on elk.

Recovered just under the hide of the off shoulder.

If I ever own a 30-06, it will shoot 180 Partitions.

So far a general consensus is 180 NPs or 165 NPs. I've never shot a Nosler bullet, no need to on eastern whitetails. I've heard that NPs can be difficult to find an accurate load. That being said I will be happy with anything in the 1" region, current load is half that. The reason I suggested Hornadys is my past experiences have been great shooting sst bullets in my 7mm RM.

Worry less about ammo and more about boots.

I imagine the OP is capable of worrying about boots AND bullets?

I vote 200gr partitions. 180's are great also

Nosler 200 gr Partition with H4831

My first choice for taking elk with the 30-06 is the 180 NP. My second choice is the 180 NAB.

I bought boots this summer, I'm currently breaking them in. This also give me a finess goal. I hunted goats in Hawaii on the volcano. We went from sea level to parking the truck at 6500', then hiked up to 9000 feet for the day. I learned what kind of man I wasn't that day. I think that gave me an idea of what kind of shape I need to be in and how valuable boots are.

I am possibly the odd one out, but I've had good luck with Partitions and accuracy. Accubonds, on the other hand, have been a complete PIA for me. On average, the ABs are the worst shooting bullets in three different rifles.

I have harvested 8, guided guys to 40 elk. the 165 and 180 interbonds are fine.

My hunting partner is fond of the 180 gr. Hornedy Interlock in his 30-06. Pushes it to about 2850 FPS from a 24" barrel using H4350. My custom 30-06 will not shoot180 gr. bullets due to a slower twist barrel but is deadly accurate with 165 gr. Accubonds. I'm running about 2800 FPS using W760 with groups in the .70's. I've killed one elk with that load. Didn't have time to try anything else before it was time to go hunt so went with that load.
I can get 2800 FPS with the 180 gr. Hornady's from a Remington M700 Classic 22" with H4350. I would have used it on this year's hunt but my wife had a stroke and I had to cancel the hunt. I'm not even sure I'll get to go this year unless I can get one of the kids to take care of her while I'm gone.
Now that I had a starting point for both rifles, I'd like to try switching to the partitions in both weights for each rifle, the 165's for the Mauser and the 180's for the Remington. Just back off a bit and work back up.
Paul B.

Whatever you do don't use 165 NP around 2900 fps, they bounce off. Just kidding but anything from 150NP to 200NP will kill elk from your .06. I couldn't get 180's to shoot well so that is why I used the 165's.



150gr Hornadys work too.

I shot my bull this year with 180gr BTSP's and H4350. My son shot his with 165gr BTSP's and H4350 also. Both in the freezer. I don't see the need for expensive bonded bullets at 30-06 velocity. FWIW I plan on switching to 165gr SP this year as I feel that is still plenty for an elk bullet and a better deer bullet.

Any controlled expansion 165/8, 180 that your rifle likes.
Elk are not bullet proof but they won't go down with a bad shot placement.

I don't hunt elk with an ought six, but if I did,
I would go with a 180 or 200gr Partition or Accubond.

I think the 168 gr Barnes TTSX punch above their weight.

Plenty of good 30 caliber elk bullets already mentioned & you wouldn't go wrong with any of them.

I like the 168 TSX & the 180 NPT.

MM

Use the 165 Partition then.

Gamekings and Partitions of equal weight almost always track each other in POA/POI/trajectory. Make your life easy.

I agree with both of you.

200 gr Partitions and enough RL-22 for 2700 fps, how sweet it is.

165 or 168 Barnes TTSX or Nosler Ballistic Tip with IMR 4064 or H414.

180 grain TTSX w/ RL22

Took a 4x5 with it, passed through the chest, second on took out the apricot (brain stem) @ 350-400 yds.

Elk aren't very hard to kill, but occasionally they are hard to hit, so stay with what you shoot well and are comfortable with.

If I was headed out with you, I would grab a box of 180gr Nosler Partition or if the cupboard was empty of them my Nosler Partition 165gr both over a nice load of IMR 4064 and not look back or have the slightest concern about it.

Good Luck to you.

The Gameking bullets wouldn't be in my list of top 10 choices but they will do the job.

Among others, these would be on the my list of preferred bullets:
Nosler Partition, AB, BT
Barnes TTSX, LRX
North Fork SS
Speer Grand Slam

Thanks fellas, I'm not taking the Gamekings. I will probably develop a load for some 165 or 180 interbonds (which ever the rifle like) and get to shooting off sticks and improvised rests.

Bisley: I know the answer to your inquiry as I used my faithful pre-64 Model 70 in 30/06 to do what you are asking and i did it for decades.
The answer is the wonderful and reliable Nosler 165 grain Partitions.
I have killed scores of Elk, Mule Deer, Blacktail Deer, Black Bear, Mt. Goats, Antelope and Whitetailed Deer with this bullet!
I highly recommend it to you for Mule Deer and Elk.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I've only killed two elk with a 30-06

One with a 150 grn Accubond at about 2900 fps mv

One with a 180 grn Accubond at about 2700 fps mv

No complaints

^^^^^^^^^
This

Also don't forget the Hornady 180 IL very good bullet.

Work on shooting off your pack, you won't want to carry any extra stuff on the second day...........180gr BTSP's and H4350 took care of this guy last fall.

Stunning photo Centershot!

Congrats, nice bull!

Lot's of different brands... specifically, which 180?

Nice bull, and congrat's!

Sounds like a good plan bisley. Remember if those interbonds don't shoot well, try some partitions. Dang near any partition made for a 30 cal will work well on elk, providing they shoot well in your rifle... Good luck on your hunt...

This guy fell to a 180 grn Accubond out of one of my 30-06 700's

Since you seem interested in them, I'd see how the 165 and 180 interbonds shoot. They're a good bullet, and should serve you well. If they don't work out, then any bonded bullet in the 150-180 range, or any mono bullet in the 150-168 range would work just fine. Partitions, Accubonds, E-tips, TSX, TTSX, GMX, Swifts,etc.

Alex- That's my plan!

I limit myself to say 250 yds where ever I hunt and whatever I hunt.... with the 06, I reach for the 220 grain Round Nose, fueled along with a stiff load of H 4831SC.... 62.5 grains.... the bullet running at about 2650 fps plus...

zeroed 3.5 inches high at 100 yds...

I've killed a pile of elk with Partitions and TSX/TTSX in several calibers, including a few in 30-06. In the 06 I prefer the 165 and 180 grain Partition and 168 grain TTSX. I like full penetration to ensure a good blood trail. I've only needed a good blood trail twice, but I was very happy to have them. Might have lost the elk if I didn't. They can run for a long way through very bad stuff with prefect shot placement. Mostly, they have fallen within a few yards of impact with either bullet.

I have had no problem quickly finding an accurate load with either the Partition or TTSX in my 30-06s. I've used H4831, H4350, IMR4831, H4831, Re17, and Re19. I now prefer H4350 for either the 165 Partition or 168 TTSX.

I've killed most of my elk with Partitions, and most of those have been 180s.





P

Good old Hornady Interlock 180gr BTSP's. I have shot a couple with Partions also. They work excellent, just getting very expensive.

I go along with the theory that you should shoot whatever your rifle likes. It never ceases to amaze me how different rifles like different ammo. My 30-06 loves Hornady Interbonds in 160 GR. It also shoots Federal Fusion's 180 gr. nicely. The last Elk that I shot was so close, I could have shot it with a BB Gun, but the Federal Fusion did the trick and they are reasonably priced. I have not seen much difference in the High priced ammo than hype. I have shot over the years a lot of Deer, Elk and Hogs. If you are loading yourself, the price should not be too big an issue, so go with the consensus is on this thread. A lot of knowledge here.