Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Is a 30-06 too much gun for deer?

I prefer 180 grain jacketed bullets for deer in the 30-06. They are a bit slower than lighter bullets (around 2700 fps) and tend to do less damage. They also tend to penetrate more reliably than lighter bullets. I loaded 150 grain bullets in my first 30-06 many years ago and found that they are more destructive than necessary, especially if you hit meat or bone.

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I run 165gr bullets out of my 30-06 at 2700fps or so. It kills deer just fine without making a big mess.

Is a 30-06 too much gun for deer?

NO.

These threads are quite funny. If it were someone asking if a 223 is to light for deer, people would be saying- The 223 is too way too light for a 300LB deer, you need at least a 30/06 class cartridge or a big boomer for quick, clean, ethical kills. Now a 30/06 is a wee bit too heavy.... LOL!

Right on 7mmRM! The .30-06 is just right! But then again, so is a .22LR, as long as I drop the bullet in the heart...
Selmer

HB, that would be an average 308 Win velocity with that weight projectile. Nearly perfect IMO.

no / and not too much for bighorn sheep @340 yards either!!!LMAO

Care to elaborate what "no" means? Most of us here aren't of the MENSA quality mind it takes to decipher your "answer"

nope

So you are as stupid as you seem... and have quality editing skills to boot.

I say there is no gun too big for a deer!!!! There are probly more .06s in the deer woods than any other cal. out there.

look at the big brain on Brad / dude where do you get off insulting my intelligence. /
since you your neurons seem to be firing slow this evening I will explain the �NO� answer in my earlier post. The title of the post is �Is a 30-06 too much gun for deer?� and my reply was simply �no�. I answered the question asked by the post in the most accurate and concise way possible.

When you respond with "NO" (and nothing else) to me and my post I wonder what's up... just asked for simple clarification, not your snide BS. Even you should be able to grasp that...

OK Bwana / I grasp that....../

If the Quick Reply is utilized, it automatically assigns the post as addressed to the previous poster. Brad, I don't think he was specifically answering your post. You just happened to be the last poster before he entered his...

I used the 30-06 to kill my first 8-10 deer and i came to the conclusion that for MY style, geography, and deer size it was a little too much of a good thing.

After catching a couple of shoulders, and then having to throw them away because of the total destruction did not make me happy. Yes, it was my fault, and yes, the 30-06 is probably the best single cartridge ever developed but it just seemed like a little too much for 40yd shots on a 150 lb animal.

Sure i could have down-loaded, or use a heavier bullet, but at the time i didnt hand load. I switched to a 6.5X55 in a Rem 700 classic and it was the answer to my conundrum. I have drilled deer right through the shoulder and could eat up to the hole. The animals didnt run any farther than when shot with the 06 and the recoil and sound was a lot less.

I love the 30-06 and if i could(god forgive the thought)only have one rifle it would be chambered in the venerable 06.

I have only used a 30-06 for years but last fall bought a .243 and am itching to try it this deer deason, but still like my 30-06.

chrissum,
I have access to both a .30-06 and .243. My mother usually uses the .243 for deer hunting, so I either use my .260 Rem or .30-06. But I would encourage you to go after deer with the .243. It's a great round when loaded up with 100 gr. Partitions, and from all accounts, 85 gr. TSX's. I've never personally used the TSX, I have lots of Partitions and they shoot into 2" at 250 yds for me. Have fun with it, it's a great little deer rifle.
Selmer

Thanks for the info selmer, I've put several hundred rounds down range already and like the feel. Deer season here in mo starts Nov 15 and I cant wait!

Mississippi,

Don't take it too badly. These huntin' forums always get really weird right before huntin' seasons. Its an annual event!

If a .30-06 is what you have and deer season is upon you, by all means, go out and let the air out of one or two. If you don't succeed, it won't be the fault of the cartridge, that is for sure.