30-06 ammo

[federali]

It's been my experience that 180 grain bullets are a bit too strongly constructed for whitetails as I have seen, or have had friends report that their buck traveled 25 or more yards after being hit. This can cause a problem on crowded state lands as another hunter might shoot at your mortally wounded deer. In .308 or .30-06, a think the 150 grain bullet puts down whitetails like they were hit by a train.

[Dan Salmon]

I've used all sorts of bullets and bullet weights in the .30-06 Springfield and .308 Winchester and have settled on the non-premium 180's for both.  No, they don't always drop the deer dead, but neither do the premium bullets and any bullet that is put in the right place ends up in a dead deer.  What I like about the heavier for caliber bullets is that they seem to create less blood shot meat around the bullet entry and exit holes. 

That's why I prefer 180 grain non-premium bullets for deer hunting.

Dan

[nhdeerchaser]

I shoot 165 grain hornaday SST interlocks. They are super accurate. The downside is the price. Around 31 dollars a box.
However, I can pound tacks at 100 yards with them. My BAR is a snob, and won't shoot cheap ammo very well.

Mike

[Dan Salmon]

Any of the old cup & core bullets offered by the major manufacturers are plenty good for Whitetail deer. What you need to remember, is for the longest time, Remington Core-Loct bullets were the gold standard in controlled expansion bullets and were preferred for tough and dangerous game. While I won't say that today's premium bullets are not worth the cost, I do think that there is definately a point of diminishing returns with them.

[nhdeerchaser]

Good point Dan!

With the economy taking such a downturn, I wish I still had my Rem 700! I shot corelocks out of her and she shot beautifully!
I regret selling her not thinking I would not need two .30-06's.

Stupid.

Mike

[mightyfofaad]

ORIGINAL: scotman

Anyone have any  ammo recommendations for 30-06 rifle? Never hunted with a rifle so don't know where to begin with grain size or brand. I will be hunting black bear and deer with it.

Keep it simple. the 30-06 is more than you need so there is no reason to get fancy. Don't let anyone sucker you into buying premium ammo which for deer or black bear is pure horse pucky ... the only difference between a $25 box of ammo & a $50 box ... is $25.

I've been shooting 30-06 for 40 years & have never found anything better than Remington. Their "Express" line is perfect. If you're shooting under 100 yds, use a 125 gr PSP so you don't destroy more meat than necessary.

Over 100 yds, use the 150 gr Bronze point for deer & 180 Bronze point for bear at any range. But any bullet type will do when using an "06" on deer.

[Mac]

I use winchester ballistic silvertip - see my explination in the "Balistic tip bullet" post
http://forum.deeranddeerhunting.com/tm.aspx?m=53188

[Mlong84]

I just got the oppurtunity to try Hornady's new 150 gr GMX Bullet in .30-06. Its their answer to the Barnes tipped triple shock. My Remington 700 shot a 1/2 inch group with the new hornady. Also killed two deer this past week with them. Decent expansion and excellent penetrtion on whitetail deer. Price was cheaper than most premium grade bullets.

[Rittenhouse Rigby]

IMHO Remington Express core lokt in 180 gr. was made for my Rem 721. 1.5 inch groups @100 yds.common. And in my Remington 788 in .308,again Remington Express core lokt 150 gr. These are not fancy rifles.In fact some might say plain jane.This is inexpensive off the shelf ammo.I`m a cheapskate,and I preach SHOT PLACEMENT! These rifle/ammo combinations have never let me down.