Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting 30-06 loads?

Hey guys first time poster long time reader...LOL

Finally getting to make the first trip to CO this fall and it's been a long time coming. I'm looking for a good load for my 06, I'm currently shooting Hornady 167g for whitetails. I'm planing to bump up to 180g. Any brand suggestions, I'm really questioning bullet type?

I have two 30-06s that will shoot 180 grn Sierra Pro-Hunters with 54 grns IMR4350 pretty good, but I don't know if the experienced elk hunters here would recommend the Sierra bullets for elk or not.

I would recommend a premium bullet. The 06 with a 180gr Partition loaded to 2750-2850fps is the quintessential elk getter--from point blank out to 400yds. A Barnes TSX, Speer Grand Slam are reasonable and work well. A lot of people are liking the bonded bullets (Accubonds, etc). North Forks, A-Square, Failsafe are good--but more pricey.

I am trying out some Partition Golds in my 270W.

But if you are really comfortable with your Hornaday's, they will indeed kill an elk.

Casey

You sure don't need premiums in an .06. I have worked up two loads that have served me very well for many years and many elk. 180 gr Sierra Prohunters, backed with H4831, and 220 gr Sierra RN, back with 4831. Both loads are just shy of maximum, so I won't post the exact amount. My loads shoot dead on at 100 yds with 220's and 2" high with the 180's without changing scope settings. I carry 10 rds each, If I'm setting and there is a chance for long shots, I put in the 180's . For timber work I use the 220's. In all truthfulness though, all the elk I have killed in the last 15 years with the .06 has been with 220's . Furthest was 340 yds lasered, closest was about 10 yds. The 220's always give me flop bang kills, none going over 10 yds. However, if $2 a pop/ bullet rings your bell, go for it.

N2MyWake,
Welcome! I have 2 '06's that love 56-58grs of H4350 and a 168gr. Barnes Triple Shock bullet. Devastating combo out of my all time favorite cartridge.

Good luck on your hunt this fall! What part of Co. are you headed to?

Huntr

I've used Hornady's 165 gr bt interloc in my 06 pushed by a max charge of H414 on a dozen elk. I have no complaints. Premium bullets aren't necessary in the 06 , but if that's the route you want to take, I don't think they get any better than Northforks.

Boy-hi-dee!!, Saddlesore. I don't know nothing about them elks but that is sure what I'd want to use was I ever to go and shoot at one. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Flop bang you say! Old elk knows it is dead and just falls down before the bullet gets there. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Hot Doggies, I'd say you couldn't ask for no better than that. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


BCR

BCR.I think I have dyslexia, huh, maybe. I actually had an elk come past me once and fall over dead. Seems someone shot it up above me quite aways, and it came down the mountain. Just as I was about to shoot it, it went down and skidded another 400 yds down the mountain.
The fellow came skiddingdwonthe mounatin, I guess worried that I was going to tag it. Since everything was up, in almost all directions, I pointed out his elk to him and wished him luck getting it out.

61 grains of RL19 works very nicely in my 30-06 Model 70, my Remmy Model 6 and a buddy's Model 7600 with either Sierra 165 grain GameKings or Nosler Partitions. This would be a good load with the Noslers for Elk. It gives about 2900 fps.

I don't shoot my 06 much anymore, but I shoot 57 to 58 grains of H4350 (depending on lot #) under a 180gr Partition at right around 2800 fps for everything. It just works well, and shoots well in multiple rifles.

I'd not want to be a critter in front of that load.

So where in CO are you going?

Actually, a guy doesn't "need" an .06 for that matter. Of the 3 dozen + elk I've killed, one has been with a .257Rob, three with a .243W, two with 55# Bear Grizzly recurve, two with a 56# Balck Widow recurve, then there is the episode with the circa 1947 John Deere Series B tractor....but I digress.

I used the Sierra 150gr BT and FB quite a bit in the 70's/early 80's, but when I began finding the jacket and core a few inches from each other in the critter, I switched to bullets better suited for elk. I still use Sierra's when working up loads and messing with. Plugged a Pronghorn with one in recent years <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Casey

If they'll shoot, I don't think you could do any better than a 168 TSX at 2,850 fps (+)...

Ranch - good to see another H414 fan.

5s it does work for me in several cartridges. I used 760 before I tried 414 I know they say they're the same but my rifle don't think so, and a close check of data that uses both powders shows a bit of difference as well.

Ranch - I wandered down into the Reloading section (Big Game Rifles) and pretty much said the same thing about H414 relative to 760. Interesting to find someone with similar experiences.

I think I have dyslexia, huh, maybe.

Hey Saddlesore, I can relate -I know I have it, but you got it right with "flop-bang", at least from the elk's perspective. That bullet hit him before the the sound waves from the muzzle blast did.

Going to the flat tops area 25 & 26.

Thanks guys, I'm definitely wanting to bump up to 180g. It took forever to find the current Hornady 167, I tried several diffrent loads, but my encore was a little picky. the groups settled right in once I tried these Hornadys.

Consider just switching to the 165 TSX or Partitions. that would be the easiest thing.

"flop-bang". Is there no mercy on this site?

You guys leave off my sex-life!

180 gr plain-jane or Partitions have worked just fine for me on moose out to 100 yards. Never shot an elk, so can't comment on that species, or farther range. Works good on caribou in excess of 300 yards, tho.

If I was packing a .30-06 for elk, I'd go with a 180 gr. Premium. I think the 180 is probably the ideal '06 bullet weight.

Based on our own JJHack's experience with them, I'd look at the 165 Interbonds, IF I ever get that chance! If they shot well with my 06, I would give them the chance, since they worked so well, on the large critters he's shot in Africa, I doubt our elk are any tougher???

BTW welcome over here N2MyWake, a super place with some of the very best people you'll ever "meet" IMHO (sent you a welcome PM also) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />