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Favorite light hunting bullet for the .30-06?

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12 June 2025, 18:34
Bill/Oregon
Favorite light hunting bullet for the .30-06?
I haven't any experience with bullets lighter than the conventional 150-grain JSPs, but am wondering if any '06 fans have used some of the lighter monometals at higher velocity on medium game such as pronghorn and deer. Thinking of the Cutting Edge Raptors, the Barnes TTSXs, etc. Seems the added velocity and flatter trajectory would be useful assuming the bullets are accurate.


There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.
– John Green, author
13 June 2025, 14:52
p dog shooter
I standardized using 180's in my 06's.

I went the light bullet route for awhile decided the 180's seem to work the best.
13 June 2025, 16:22
Uncle Grinch
I’ve not used any of these premium bullets, but have used Remington Cor-lok 125 grain very effectively on deer and hog. It did tend to create more meat damage but worked very well.


Shoot Safe,
Mike

NRA Endowment Member

13 June 2025, 18:28
p dog shooter
I was not satisfied with the pentation of the lighter bullets.
13 June 2025, 20:45
SDSpink
I've used the .308 130 grain Barnes TTSX in .30-06. I have shot two large South Dakota whitetail bucks with this load. One of my brothers has taken a mature whitetail and a pronghorn. The bullet was devastating in all four cases.
14 June 2025, 00:05
MARK H. YOUNG
There ain't no flies on the 30-06 and the 150 TTSX at 3000 fps and .5" accuracy.


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14 June 2025, 04:09
30.06king
Barnes TTSX 130 gn in my 30.06 is a great Sika Deer and feral Goat killer. But for most hunting have settled on the TTSX 165 gn which kills as effectively plus shoots with better accuracy.


Hunting.... it's not everything, it's the only thing.
14 June 2025, 15:22
M 98
200 Partition for everything...all bases covered
been using it for years
14 June 2025, 16:51
Brandon.Gleason
I've been using 130gr Raptors (flat base) out of a .300 win mag with great results on whitetail.

I'm debating dragging it to Zambia this year for plains game, but the $5/round ammo "tax" on arrival has me thinking to just take one gun (375H&H).
14 June 2025, 20:30
Atkinson
Ive used the 130 gr. Barnes and a couple of others and they work fine on deer but I still prefer the Accubonds, partitions, in 150s and 180s, and still lke the correlokts in my 06s..I like the 200 gr. Accubonds on elk and larger animals..I have no "favorites" lots of great bullets out there for the old 30-06, the 06 is my favorite!


Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
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15 June 2025, 08:11
sambarman338
quote:
Originally posted by Brandon.Gleason:
I've been using 130gr Raptors (flat base) out of a .300 win mag with great results on whitetail.

I'm debating dragging it to Zambia this year for plains game, but the $5/round ammo "tax" on arrival has me thinking to just take one gun (375H&H).


I would be reluctant to use a really light bullet for plains game, just in case something more formidable raised its head.

However, since your rifle is in a common calibre, perhaps you could ask your PH if he might buy at some discount any factory ammo you don't fire, to reduce your expenses and those of some later client.
18 June 2025, 19:20
Wstrnhuntr
quote:
Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
I haven't any experience with bullets lighter than the conventional 150-grain JSPs, but am wondering if any '06 fans have used some of the lighter monometals at higher velocity on medium game such as pronghorn and deer. Thinking of the Cutting Edge Raptors, the Barnes TTSXs, etc. Seems the added velocity and flatter trajectory would be useful assuming the bullets are accurate.


I dont think it matters. What one 150 gn .30 cal bullet will kill any of them will kill. I would give the edge to accubonds though, because they offer a nice mix of bullet integrity and exceptional accuracy.



AK-47
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20 June 2025, 05:10
Bill/Oregon
Ordered a box of the Barnes 130 TSX. I am curious about velocity and accuracy from my Springfield. (Thank you DCPD for welding on a new bolt handle!)
I'll never return to Africa and probably won't hunt elk again, so this would be just for pronghorn and deer in New Mexico. Nothing more.


There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.
– John Green, author
20 June 2025, 06:57
sambarman338
quote:
Originally posted by Wstrnhuntr:
quote:
Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
I haven't any experience with bullets lighter than the conventional 150-grain JSPs, but am wondering if any '06 fans have used some of the lighter monometals at higher velocity on medium game such as pronghorn and deer. Thinking of the Cutting Edge Raptors, the Barnes TTSXs, etc. Seems the added velocity and flatter trajectory would be useful assuming the bullets are accurate.


I dont think it matters. What one 150 gn .30 cal bullet will kill any of them will kill. I would give the edge to accubonds though, because they offer a nice mix of bullet integrity and exceptional accuracy.


Just make sure you buy fresh-stock Accubonds. I bought some and found most of the noses fell off.
23 June 2025, 00:46
hydehunter
I have been using for the last 4 years and 21 animals so far, 18 in Africa and 3 is SD. 150gr Powder Hammer bullets in my Rem 721 suppressed with 18 in barrel running 2965 out to 335 yards on a Zebra great bullets only 3 recovered.
23 June 2025, 04:32
swm
I'm a 180 gr Partition fan but the 168 gr Nosler E-tip shoots very well in a few of my 30-06s. I've never shot game with it yet but it should work as well as all the other monometal bullets.
24 June 2025, 23:23
desert dog
I've used a 130gr TTSX in my 30-06 on California Blacktail deer for my son to use when he was younger. Bang-flop with complete pass-through on both shoulders. Crazy flat trajectory and very little recoil.
25 June 2025, 00:32
Bill/Oregon
Desert Dog, that's exactly the kind of experience I would expect from that bullet. Thanks for sharing yours.


There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.
– John Green, author
28 June 2025, 07:25
lavaca
I've always used 180 grain AFrams with my .30-06 light rifle and it works great. That M70 stainless with a customized synthetic stock is extremely light weight, cut as to length, has irons and a detachable 1X6 Swaro Z6. Not the most accurate rifle I have, but a great hunting rifle. I'd never use anything lighter than 180 grain with it.
02 July 2025, 18:20
jmm01
I have been using the 110 grain TTSX in the 30-06 for many years. I use it as a culling round for whitetail deer and cow elk. 3500 fps out of my 24" barrel. Works like a lightning bolt. A couple hundred deer/elk have dropped to this bullet.
04 July 2025, 03:47
Bill/Oregon
That's impressive jmm01. What do recovered bullets look like -- if you have recovered any.


There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.
– John Green, author
06 July 2025, 01:15
jmm01
Never recovered one. Based on exit holes, there is expansion. Culling is a numbers game and tracking a deer/elk takes up too much time. 90% drop in their tracks. I can only remember 1 deer making it 60 yards.
09 July 2025, 01:21
POP
130 TTSX at 3000+ fps

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09 July 2025, 11:00
Brian Canada
CEB Safari Raptor. !00 grain to 130 Grain. They are amazing killers. We used them in Africa, grandson on PG. Fast twist rate is required. CEB Website tell you what you need for twist of each bullet.


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09 July 2025, 11:54
Saeed
I have tried many bullets, of different weights, from different calibers, on game animals of all sizes.

Example is a 270 Ackley I used extensively for hunting for many years.

I tried 130, 140 and 150 Barnes X.

Tried Trophy Bonded Bear Claws 140.

Tried Jensen 150 solid shank.

Shot animals from duikers to eland and everything in between.

And I honestly can’t say any of them made any difference.

I have many friends who hunt all over the world, and they keep asking for my recommendations in what bullet weight is best.

My recommendations are like this.

270 130 grains.
7mm 150 grains.

308 Winchester 150
30–06 165

30 magnums 180

338 225

375 300.

416 400

458 500.

This formula seems to work very well.


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12 July 2025, 06:11
Cazador
150gr Partition Gold. As much residual weight as a 165gr Partition with the flight speed of the 150gr