|
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57,474
Campfire Kahuna
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57,474 |
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.
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. 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.
We can keep Larry Root and all his idiotic blabber and user names on here, but we can't get Ralph back..... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over....
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 663
Campfire Regular
|
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 663 |
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.
An armed member in a country is a citizen, an unarmed member is a subject.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 8,854
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 8,854 |
165 gr Hornady Spire Point flat base whether in the 06 or 300 Win is all you need. MB
" Cheapest velocity in the world comes from a long barrel and I sure do like them. MB "
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 3,730
Campfire Tracker
|
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 3,730 |
It’s a 06. Pick any bullet 150 grain and above and kill a deer. Damn simple. Ed k
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,736
Campfire Regular
|
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,736 |
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.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 20,494
Campfire Ranger
|
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 20,494 |
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.
"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Prov 4:23)
Brother Keith
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,927
Campfire Ranger
|
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,927 |
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.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,008
Campfire Savant
|
|
Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,008 |
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 911
Campfire Regular
|
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 911 |
Another vote for the 155 Skinner
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,421
Campfire Regular
|
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,421 |
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.comA 180 grain spitzer has got to be near the top of the list, with 300 yard zero.
"Behavior accepted is behavior repeated."
"Strive to be underestimated."
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 10,901
Campfire Outfitter
|
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 10,901 |
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
Last edited by memtb; 01/25/20.
You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel
“I’d like to be a good rifleman…..but, I prefer to be a good hunter”! memtb 2024
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18,880
Campfire Ranger
|
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18,880 |
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.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 8,638
Campfire Outfitter
|
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 8,638 |
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.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 16,908
Campfire Ranger
|
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 16,908 |
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 This.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 10,393
Campfire Outfitter
|
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 10,393 |
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.
I prefer classic.
Semper Fi
I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,997
Campfire Tracker
|
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,997 |
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.
I am continually astounded at how quickly people make up their minds on little evidence or none at all.
Jack O'Connor
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 708
Campfire Regular
|
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 708 |
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.
Isaiah 6:8
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,927
Campfire Ranger
|
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,927 |
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. 😴
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 3,728
Campfire Tracker
|
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 3,728 |
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 +3  100, 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.
Last edited by Jim_Knight; 01/27/20.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,556
Campfire Regular
|
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,556 |
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.
You did not "seen" anything, you "saw" it.
A "creek" has water in it, a "crick" is what you get in your neck.
Liberals with guns are nothing but hypocrites.
|
|
|
|
|
609 members (01Foreman400, 160user, 2500HD, 204guy, 257 roberts, 257Bob, 56 invisible),
2,387
guests, and
1,194
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,190,637
Posts18,455,290
Members73,908
| |
Most Online11,491
Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|
