Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Canada 30-06 bullets for NF moose

Going back to Conne River outfitters this fall and taking a new SAKO S 20 in .30-06. Curiously as to bullets size you guys are using. I have used a 300 wsm the last 2 hunts. Taking the .06 as a back up gun.

Thanks.

I've never used an 06 on moose, but I've had great results with 180 grain core lokts out of a 308. I'd have zero issues using the same bullet in my 30-06.

I have a good supply of 180gr NPs just for that occasion in a 30-06. Speer GSs if they shoot better.

One thing I noticed in SW Newfoundland while there hunting a couple yrs ago is that one really should carry a set of shooting sticks as there is the potential of a longer shot and not much to shoot from. Shooting prone didn't seem to be much of an option as the low scrub would prohibit this. The moose I shot was at about 275 yds. I was lucky as there was a huge rock we could hide behind and shoot from off my hat.

I had a nice rock to shoot 267 years with a 7 mm rem mag Browning lever.

I was thinking of the NP’s in 180. I ‘ll try them. Waiting for a new S&B scope to mount on it.

Didn't you hunt with Westwoods with Stewart Butland?

Conne River in 2018 and Tuckamore Lodge in 2021

I have killed many moose with these. As in "Dead In Their Tracks", Dead.

Devastating.

I have mostly used 180 Corelokts. Used 165 Fed Hi-shok? Once, never again. Immediate expansion and separation. Somehow, I think those things are for 100lb deer and coyotes or wolves! . 2 shots, tho either would have killed, fortunately the second one through a washtub-size opening broke his spine as he bolted away through heavy cover. Snap shot.

Also 150 a couple times, Superperformace one of those, dunno about the other. Worked.

I used 220 Core Lokts. Bad medicine.

200 Nosler PT or Accubond is never a bad choice.

Like most handloaders, I split hairs. Always looking for the ideal bullet when any number of regular ones will work fine. Most any 180 grain soft point would be deadly in the 30-06. Actually anything between 165 and 200 would probably be dandy. We have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to bullets today.

I killed a lot of moose with the 30-06, in the early days we used Winchester Silver tips.

The optimum bullet for the 06 is 165 gr, Hornady BTSP or SST work like a charm on moose. Avoid fed blue box and winchester

My 06 shoots the 200 grain Partition better than the 180 of same make. My 06 has a 1-11 inch twist; Lilja barrel.

Our extended group has taken several with handloads 180gr AccuBonds from several different 06 rifles. No complaints from any of the hunters. We use the same bullet in the 300 WSM's. 200gr in Win and RUM rifles. Just got a .340WBY and am having a 300 Norma built right now, they will both be going to Buchans with me in 2024.

Have more than a few with a number of different bullets. Barnes X of about any model, 165 or 168 gr. I have never recovered one and the difference in meat loss is significant. Literally you can "eat right up to the hole" and not worry about lead particles in your food.

Noslers of every type kill just fine... but the mess they leave is ridiculous. I have used many 30 calibers including 308Norma, 300H&H, 300SAUM, 300WM with a number of different bullets. The difference is so stark the 30-06 is the only rifle I have moose hunted with for a decade or so.

I have seen a number of Accubonds used on lots of different critters and have never seen an exit. I insist on exits virtually every time.

Been using a 165 Nosler Ballistic tip for NF moose out of my 308 at 2740 MV… Hole in one shoulder and out the other shoulder… Bull made it 40 yards? After the shot.. Took a couple bull elk with this bullet,will be using the same this year outta my 30-06 for another 2023 NF moose hunt… Tough enough projectile in IMO.

Entrance

Exit

Bullet sectioned

In the next month or so we will be off to the range and break in the new rifle. I’ll pickup a box of NOsler 165 BT. Back in the 60’s and 70’s we had Core Lokt and Silvertips!!!

For the fun of it you should buy a box of Winchester SuperX PowerPoints, they are inexpensive and are absolute Moose Slayers. Your rifle just may love them, like mine does. I use 180 gr.

Best of luck

My Dad and I have shot 7 with the 180 grain winchester Power Point.


This is a very underrated bullet

Yeppers, deadly on Moose!

Used to be inexpensive until recently as well, from $28.00 to $52.00, gotta love inflation.