Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting 300-350 yard 30-06 bullet weight?

What do you guys prefer and why?

For deer out to 300-350 yards using a 30-06, which bullet is flatter and which performs best? 150 or 165 grain bullets.

I like accurate bullets that realiabily expand and completely passes through a deer. Deer in the 200-250 pound weight range.

Sierra, Nosler, Hornady, Barnes?

Anyone have a pet load that checks all these boxes?

150 or 168 ttsx would be mine, though there seem to be no issues with 130ttsx for a lot of folks. I just can't quite get to really light bullets in my head yet...

168 has worked really well in our 308 out a fair bit past 300.

Barnes TTSX 150 gr.

I don't do a lot of shooting beyond that, and often as not pass at that distance, but...Barnes 130 TSX or TTSX bullets driven at laser beam speeds make hitting at that distance easier. They always go through and bone doesn't phase them. At short range they do not wreck a lot of meat, even at that kind of speed.

I started killing deer before it was even legal for me. I was 8 and my dad and mom had me shoot some on their tags. I am now in my 60s and I can't begin to count how many I have killed in the last 50+ years. In many of those years I could get several tags per seaason and probably about 20 years I was able to hunt in several states with several tags per season, per state. I have used a LOT of different calibers too but the 30 cals I have used:
300 Savages, (3 of them)
30-30s, (3 of them)
30-40 Krag,
7.5 Swiss,
308 Winchester, (8 of them)
30-06, (6 of them)
300 Win Mag,
300 Weatherby mag
300 H&H, (2 of them)
308 Norma mag, (2 of them)
and 300/378 Weatherby.
And in the rifles listed above I have also used numerous bullets and weights to kill deer.

The faster you shoot them the stronger a bullet should be if you don't like them shattering and doing a lot of meat damage, but from most 30 cals, any bullet from 125 grains up to 220 works fine for killing deer. It's easier for me to list the bullet I would stay away from then those that are fine.
All bullets will kill because there is no good way to get shot. But the ones that work very well and still don't do odd things inside the deer and don't come apart like metal sand are quite numerous.

The ones I dislike compleately are:
The old 150 grain Winchester Silvertips. Shot from 300 Savage, 308 and 30-06
The old solid base Nosler Ballistic Tips in 150 and 180 grains both. Shot from 30-06s
The 125 grain Sierra flat base. Shot from 30-40 Krag and 308 Winchester.
And although I have not killed with them, I have seen about 8 deer shot with Bergers from 150 to 180 grains and all have broken up badly. (so far) Shot from 308s 30-06s 300 Win Mags and 300 Ultra mag.

Bullets I have used to kill deer that were erratic with some working perfectly and some of the same blowing up or peeling back on one side and doing weird things inside the body at least 1/3 of the time:
150 grain Sierra Boat tail (not the hollow points, which seemed to work perfectly every time. I know that seems backwards, but that what I have seen)
Remington 150 grain Bronze Points.
Speer 150 grain Boat Tail.
Sierra 165 grain Boat tails. Lead points not HPs. (note...these were shot at high velocities from 300 mags, including the 30/378, so the fault with them breaking up could be my fault for shooting them too fast and they may be fine in a 30-06)

In a list of bullet that are good about 90% of the time I think the list would be too long to write here. But you probably could pick about any one from the list in a Midway catalog and be just fine.

And in the list of those that (in my personal experience) were as close to perfect as you can get there would be:
150 165 180 and 200 grain Nosler Partitions. Shot from 308s 7.5 Swiss 30-06s 300 mags and not one ever was less then perfect.
130, 150 and 165 grain Barnes TSX. Also shot from the rifles listed above, including the 30/378. All worked as well as I could ask for.
*Old 150 grain Remington RNs. Always shot from 30-06 300 Savage and 308 Winchester. All worked as well as I could ask for.
220 grain Sierra and Hornady RNs, Shot from a loaded down 30-06 for use in an M-1 Garand, (2300 FPS) used on deer and elk and also one bear,and also 3 shot from 30-40 Krag to kill deer. Perfect performance every time.
*180 grain Remington Core-Lokt RNs Shot form various 30-06s.
180 grain Sierra RN shot from 300 Savage and 308 Winchester. Perfect performance every time. 100 and 200 yard accuracy was so good as to be "shocking" with them too. You'd have to try them to believe how well they shoot, at least that's what I saw from 2 of my 308s I used to own.
180 grain Speer Grand Slams Shot from 30-06s and 300H&H. Perfect performance.
*180 grain Speer Mag Tips. Shot from 300 Savage, 7.5 Swiss, 308s and 30-06s. Perfect performance but even with a lot of retained weight these sometimes didn't exit, but opened up REAL wide.
*220 grain Remington Core Lokts. Shot from 300 H&H. Perfect every time.
220 grain Nosler Partitions. Shot from 300 Win Mag, 308 Norma mag and 30-40 Krag. All exited including the ones only fired at about 2100 FPS from the old Krag. Large diameter holes.

What I consider "perfect" for a bullet is 75% or more weight retention and/or a large STRAIGHT hole clear through, even if bone is hit with exits. Others may disagree, but that what 1/2 century of deer killing (and lots of other game too) has convinced me of.

*The sad this is that some of those in this "list of the perfect" are not made anymore.

165 gr GameKing

Gotta say I’m a fan of Barnes and lead free steaks.

300 to 350yds really isn't all that far considering today's technology. You should be able to do it with whatever good hunting bullet that shoots well in your gun. Case in point. I have a Savage 116 in 30 06. It likes 180 grain Corelokt hand loads the best. Tested several different bullets. It shoots right at an inch group 5 shots. Top that off with a SS 3x9 scope. My 350 yd group is 4" . My 500yd group is between 5.5 and 6" . All shooting is from the prone position.Nothing very fancy but good enough for consistent killing at those ranges.

Great post....thank you!

I too like complete penetration for deer bullets. I wasn’t even going to consider Berger bullets for the same retro mentioned.

Sounds like Nosler Partitions and Barnes TTSX or TSX either in the 150 or 165 grain range.

Avoiding away from the softer Sierra or Speer type bullets 150/165.

All I load and shoot in 06 for several years are 165 H B T S P.
No reason to change.

Jerry

ps: for deer hunting

Max load of H4350 with 155 scenar seems pretty proven.

I shoot 165/168 ttsx out of my 06.
I shot a deer with 130 ttsx out of 270 and even though it’s heart was turned into burger. He ran off and I thought I missed.
For deer I switched to cup and core and keep the ttsx for elk.
Plus it’s a lot cheaper reloading game changers or SST than Barnes

Me, 06, 180 grain Ballistic Tips or Partitions...

stiff charge of 4831SC, then either a 200 grainer ( Speer or Nosler)

or my favorite... 220 grain RN...that one will penetrate thru a deer like a hot knife thru butter..

I have used many different bullets to kill deer with the 30-06 cartridge and none have performed better than Barnes TTSX 130, 150 and 165 grain bullets......Good luck...Hb

165gr interlocks, or accubonds have worked great for me.

1 week ago to the day I killed a 125 lb doe at 230 lazered yards with a 7mm Wby 150 grain ballistic tip that started at 3300 from the muzzle. I saw white belly when the gun recoiled. 2 days later I shot a 9 pt buck at 60 yards with the same combo, it looked like a hand grenade went off in the heart lung area, even the diaphragm was destroyed with a 4" exit hole. Just bear that in mind if the Deer shows at close range. I will have to handload that 7mm because of this experience and most likely use accubond or partitions.


Using an 06 any decent quality cup and core bullet will work reliably. I have had more bullet blowups with Winchester factory bullets and Hornady factory bullets FWIW.

Try the 180 gr Sierra game king bt. Been using it for years in my 30-06 for elk and deer . Many dead deer and elk. They shot well in any 30 caliber rifle I own.

Flatter doesn't mean anything to me at those ranges, a 200gr partition at 2700 fps with RL-22 or H-4831 will completely wreck any white tail deer at any angle presented, zero three inches high at 100 and have at it, that's the route I run with my old pre-64 '06.

180 grain Partition and a stiff dose of H4350 is all I've ever used.

Yet in 185( was not aware Berger made 180s even) in the 308 we have never had a bullet not completely penetrate and kill deer well. Granted nothing much over 500 yards so far. They just flat work and I dont' care much for lots of damage from bullets but the bergers just work. Enough though I'm a barnes man, the first thing we put hands on for the Creedmoor were Berger 140s. They have worked really well this fall. And not that much damage at all.

Past the use of the Berger I fall back to TTSX or a barnes of some flavor for hunting 99% of the time then.

I don't think there's anyone on this forum that could convince me to switch from 165gr Nosler Partitions in an '06. Killed my first elk with that load farther away than what you're asking about. I've shot other bullets including Barnes but there is a reason everything is compared to partitions.

165 gr Hornady Spire Point flat base whether in the 06 or 300 Win is all you need. MB

It’s a 06. Pick any bullet 150 grain and above and kill a deer. Damn simple. Ed k

I have to agree with tmax264 based on years of experience and dozens of dead elk, deer and such with Nosler's Partition. There is a reason it's world-famous. Yes indeed, use the 165gr. NP, go shoot stuff, be happy.

I've been shooting a 30-06 of one ilk or another since I was 15 years old. Didn't even know anything about bullet weights or trajectories. Dad's first '06 was a JC Higgins with terrible iron sights on it. It came with a small cigar box full of ammo with various types of projectiles of 150 to 220 grains, some RN and some PSP and a handful of bronze tip expanding. I shot a nice bull moose with that combo at 400 yards. One shot, dropped dead where he stood.

About 10 years later I started reloading, and it opened up a whole new world of shooting. I started with 180 grain Winchester Power Points and H4831. Shot a little over an inch rested at 100 yards. Then some old target shooter mentioned I might like to try some 165-168 grainers. I hve shot Sierra, Speer, Hornady, Nosler, and Barnes. For the longest time, I shot mostly Hornady 165 gr BTSP Interloks at just under 2,900 ft/sec. Accuracy was good 10 shots into 1.25" at 100 out of a hunting rifle. My load was a stiff charge of IMR4350 out of an older Tikka M65hat load has laid sevealr freezer loads of moose and deer over the years. I loaded a similar charge for a number of other guys about a grain and a half less, and they all reported excellent results on mostly moose.

Then I discovered Barnes TSX bullets, and I started loading the 168 TSX with H414, at 2,900 ft/sec. Deadly accurate and consistent. Longest shot on a deer has been 250 yards. Eat meat right up to the bullet hole, and dropped at the shot. My wife gets a lighter bullet -- 150 TSX at 2800 fps (recoil reduced) and she has shot a buck at 200 yards DRT and a cow and a bull moose at under 100 yards DRT.

I like the Barnes even in my 300 Win Mag. out to 250 yards. (farthest shot presented to me.) one shot one kill. every time. I use RL22 in the magnum.

The '06 is a killing machine.

I’d bet a 30-06 with any of the bullets mentioned, at the OP’s range of 300-350 yards, will do 99% of what gets done.

150 TTSX

Another vote for the 155 Skinner

Do an internet search for a ballistic calculator that you like. Plug numbers into it for MV, ballistic coefficient, and zero range, and make your decision on bullet choice.

Here is one example:

http://www.shooterscalculator.com


A 180 grain spitzer has got to be near the top of the list, with 300 yard zero.

A good cup and core in the 165 to 180 range, Swift A Frame, Nosler Partition, perhaps the Hornady Interlocks. Or the Barnes or the Hammer mono’s in 150 to 165 grain range. Many folks like to drop down into the 130 grain range with the mono’s, I just prefer to keep them a bit heavier. memtb

165 Gameking, Ballistic Tip, Hornady BTSP or Speer BTSP.

Doubt many deer ever take a step after one of these through the front running gears.

I have more trouble finding a 200-250lb deer than finding a good bulllet
A 165 Accubond or regular Ballistic Tip will def make mEaT.

This.

The best bullet in my opinion is Nosler Partition! But I've killed more deer with Hornady Interlock and Remington C. L. 180 grain bullets.

The worst bullet I've ever shot out of the '06 is Sierra Game King 165 grain - the bullet didn't enter the rib cage after hitting the doe's shoulder.

I shot a running away Whitetail buck with 180 grain Interlock. It entered the hip, broke the hip traveled the length of the deer and the bullet was lying under the skin of the shoulder.

Any hunting bullet from 150 to 180 will do fine. Most of my experience is with Barnes and for the situation the OP has given I would go with the 165 or 168TTSX.

A .30-06 shooting Barnes 150s is more than enough for any Deer that walks, at any sane distance. I have shot plenty with that combo and most dropped in their tracks. If not, they made it less than 50 yards.

Milque toast magnum. 😴

I've never shot a deer that far with a 30-06. Back in the mid-80s, I loaded for a friends 30-06. It was 58gr IMR 4350 and the 165 Speer BT. He later sent me a picture of a buck he killed right at 350yds. It was "big" by East, Texas standards, and my friends first (LR for him) LR shot. I had him zero for +3100, then shoot it out to 500yds on a private range we had then. It was a revelation to him! I DID use the older, softer Nosler 165 BT in a 308 for an axis @230. Closest I've come to the OPs question. That would be comparable "terminal effect" I'd think, if you go by the 308 being a 100yds behind the ol '06. I have since dropped my own "zero" down to +2"@100 as I have a tendency to "hold up" when the shot looks long ( and I've missed far more shooting over than under) Ha What I liked about the 165s in 30 cals back then was the "flat as a 150, hits as hard as a 180" talk of the time. Pretty much so! I too found ( again in another friends rifle) the 168 TTSX in the '06 was a bit tough on hogs, but worked.

If you want the flattest possible trajectory at your state range, with predictable results, it would be hard to beat the 130-grain coppers. I have shot a number of deer with the Hornady Interlock 150s at 3000 fps and they do real well, but may not always exit on large deer. It just depends on what your priorities are. If you are wanting the best trajectory, the lighter bullets will definitely give you a better path, but not by much.

165 or 168 Nosler bt and a case full of H4350

That’s where I’d start also.

Dixie Rebel: I would go with the wonderful Nosler 165 grain Ballistic Tips from your 30/06 on Deer.
Best of luck to you with whichever you choose.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I tried a bunch of different bullets in my 300 saum (basically a 30-06+p) about 10 years ago. Settled on the 150 grain ballistic tip loaded in Nosler Custom Ammo. killed a pile of southern white tails with it at ranges from spitting distance to 350 yards - 30 pounds still nursing to 200lb mature trophy bucks. It worked every single time without fail. Only one time did a bullet stay in a deer and it was a quartering shot on a 200lb buck at about 30 yards (keep in mind that load was about 3200fps). I used to post pictures of all of the trophy bucks when someone would ask about that bullet on deer but the photos became too numerous and I’m too dumb to post pictures now.

I had the same results with the 150NBT in the .300SAUM at those speeds. It was a great whitetail killer. The 150gr and 168gr have always treated me right in any .30cal offering.

For what it's worth I put a 165g Speer Hotcore through a cow elks shoulders at a little over 280 yards. The only reason she went s far as she did was because she rolled downhill. If accuracy is there that would be a possible alternative to the more expensive option.

I hunt deer and elk with a 30-06 and 180 grain Nosler Partitions with Spitzer points, hand-loaded to perform like a .300 magnum (61 grains RL22 – 2,870 fps).

Most of my shots are under 300 yards, but a couple of years ago, I shot a big coues deer at 400 yards. Shot twice and hit it twice.

what rifle? sako? garand? ?

This is what I’d use, along with some IMR-4350.

I like Game Kings regardless of what some on here say. They're just tough enough to penetrate most any deer size game in North America but not so tough they won't expand inside, much like Nosler Ballistic Tips. In fact I prefer the cheaper Game King.

But this whole thread is kinda dumb. About any decent 06 bullet will penetrate and expand properly at those ranges. "That's no Step for a Stepper" and the old girl is quite the stepper.

350 yards isn't that far for a 30-06. Lots of great bullets to choose from. Personal favorite is Accubond.

Since I like keeping chit simple, I'd use a 200 grain partiton, since that's what I use for elk. I've also used that bullet on deer as well. Works like a damn champ, near and far. The OP's 350 yard limit is an easy distance to shoot with that bullet in the ol 06. I wouldn't be scared to stretch that distance out to 500 yards with that bullet in the 06.... Easy decision for me. 1 bullet for all kinds of critters...

350 yards is a good solid number...at least until you get on the internet and realize it’s not.

Or to the range, dealers choice

I don't know CaCa about elk hunting since in South Texas we have a rather Chronic shortage of them, unless you pay big bucks to hunt on a big ranch, and that ain't me, but a 200 grain Partition sounds like a dream load for elk. The Partition is a hammer, especially a 200 grain Partition.

Would you believe that on the internet I've seen people that kill elk at 1000 yards with a .22-250? Amazing ain't it? LOL!

For deer? Fill the mag and let er buck. My fav in 06 is a 165gr something or other. Deer don’t like it. With a 200 ya zero you’ll be 6” low at 300.

Where do you find 200-250 lb deer anymore?
In 60 years I have only killed one that went over 200 with just a bullet hole in him .
But to stay on thread. 165 game kings or partitions and you don't have to think twice.

I have used a 30.06 to hunt with for a long-long time and the 165gr Hornady interlock has always worked great, my long shot was 385yrds ---75yrds was my closest !!!!

150...151, whatever it takes

Miles knows from whence he speaks here. The 130 gr. TTSX is very bad juju on whitetails. I haven't shot at one with that load yet that I couldn't reach out and freezer train, and this from a 300 Savage.

Can't imagine needing a 150gr or heavier bullet for deer. Forever I have been taking large mature muley buck's with a 6.5 & 120gr Sierra's. Have shot muley's with every thing from a 243 up to a 338 mag. A 270 with a 110 gr bullet is an absolute deer killer out to 500yd. Have my own range & this works. With a 30-06 & the Sierra 125 gr , an absolute proven killer. 350 yds with the 30-06 & the Sierra 125 gr a chip shot with DRT results. If for what ever reason you feel you need a heavier bullet & that gives you confidence , go for it. The lighter bullets will give the quicker kills .

Solid choice, use them in 308 loads, be better in a 30-06

Would use the 168 Ballistic Silvertip. The black coating makes cleaning the barrel MUCH easier. Very little to no copper fouling.

I loaded up some 125 NBT for a friends 30-06, way back in '89. He was moving to Yakima WA and wanted a 'coyote load" he said. I told him it would work on anything they had around there! He shot a few called in coyotes and the following year he shot a Blacktail around 300yds ( he wasn't sure exactly) but he said it dropped. This was back when they were "softer", but I figured that the lighter weights had less soft lead in the nose and more jacket. They behaved well. I used a 308 and a 165 NBT on a big axis around 240yds and he rolled over too. However, in mid 90s I tried the 180 NBT from my first 300WM and what a mess it made, ha. I went back to Barnes in it.

Hornady 165 BTSP

I think the 165 gr bullets and the ‘06 are a match made in heaven. Been using ballistic tips for practice and the accu bond for hunting . Both shoot to the same POI.