To me the first consideration for hunting should always be terminal ballistics over aerial ballistics - just because you can hit something at six or seven hundred yards, doesn't mean squat, if the bullet doesn't consistently and quickly kill the animal. So if you are concerned with long range, I agree with JG Raider - both Barnes and Nosler have long-range versions of their respective 'flagship' rounds, the TTSX and the Accubond.
After speaking with a Barnes tech rep, I was surprised to learn that the mettalurgy/bullet composition of the TTSX and LRX is relatively unchanged and differ only in the shape/BC. Further, I was told that the minimum impact velocity across all caliber for both the TTSX and LRX is in the range of 1750-1900fps (smaller caliber to larger caliber) so I would assume 1850 or so for the 308 bullets. My personal experience with Barnes TSX-TTSX-LRX has been mixed in that I'm of the opinion, their expansion performance is just as dependent on impact resistance as impact velocity - in other words, I've lung shot a deer at calculated impact velocities of 2500+ consistently resulting in clean pass-through, even after impacting rib bones; however, when shooting through the shoulder(s) the bullet always performed as designed.
Nosler states the impact velocity for In the regular Accubond, as well as the Partition and Ballistic Tip is 1800fps. However, for the long-range Accubond (LRAB) the minimum effective impact velocity 1300fps with no maximum velocity listed. That gives you a lot more versatility - and much more effective range than the Barnes. I (or family members) have shot two deer with LRAB bullets (6.5-142gr) but more with regular AB's in 25, 6.5, 284, and 308 and all mushroomed well with soft-tissue hits as seen by the significant wound channels. I have not heard or read anywhere that the 'softer' LRAB's have performed any less than the traditional.
I can not speak for the Berger bullets as I have not done enough research to be comfortable with the "grenade" effect of their bullet line - not putting it down, it's just not something I know enough about to put my reliance on; however, it goes without saying that everything being equal, the Berger line of bullets are very accurate and many swear by them.
To summarize, I would recommend the 168 Long Range Accubond - it's 1.39" long with G1 BC of .525. If your rifle has a twist of 12" or quicker, it should stabilize well in your 30-06 if you are handloading. If you are looking for loaded ammunitions, Nosler sells this in their Trophy Long Range line with the ballistics below:
Yards MV (FPS) Energy(FT-LBS) Drop(Inches) with 200-yard Zero
MUZ: 2800 2924 -1.5
100: 2652 2623 +1.8
200: 2504 2338 0
300: 2360 2078 -7.5
400: 2222 1841 -21.7
500: 2088 1625 -43.5
600: 1958 1430 -74.1
700: 1834 1254 -115.0
800: 1715 1097 -167.9
Last edited by Offshoreman; 01/19/19.
