best B.C. for 30 cal is 165 grains. out to 300 yds you will get a little better sectional density from a 180, but the 165 is the best at slicing through the air.
Posts: 554 | Location: CT | Registered: 17 May 2008
Anything under 180gr I'd rather shoot from a 308Win. Longer 200gr and 220gr pills I'd rather from a magnum. The 180gr is the all-rounder in the 30/06 ... something like a Nosler Partition or Woodleigh at 2700fps. It's a sight-in and hunt for the rest of your life proposition. Cheers... Con
Posts: 2198 | Location: Australia | Registered: 24 August 2001
Actually the Ballistic Coefficient for a 180 spbt is better than a 165. (.505 compared to .405). A quick check anywhere will prove it I checked Sierra which happens to be the brand I use in my '06. I have done a lot of math to figure this same thing out years ago and came up with the 180 as the best at retaining energy, velocity and bucking the wind. Additionally I spent years testing it on game at ranges from 25 yards to 425 yards and it simply works. I had never recovered a single Sierra 180 grain SPBT from any animal (Marmots, Coyotes, Ravens, Jack Rabbits, Deer, Elk, Antelope, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goats etc.) from any of the above named distances. I switched to 180 Accubonds for 2 Elk seasons and recovered both bullets and have switched back to 180 grain Sierra's. On the ground it is doubtful you could tell the difference between the effects of a 165 or a 180 but if you do the math the 180 comes out on top if distance performance like remaining energy and wind drift are a factor. If you are talking Deer at 100 yards 150, 165, or 180's would all have similar effects if of the same construction. Good luck with yours.
Posts: 5604 | Location: Eastern plains of Colorado | Registered: 31 October 2005
yeah, but were talking 308 winchester here. a 180 takes too much space in the case. If hunting moose at short ranges, I might use a 180, anything smaller the 165 gets the nod.
Posts: 554 | Location: CT | Registered: 17 May 2008
I vote for the 180 @ about 2800fps.. In fact I have seen a bunch of elk shot at various ranges out to 200+ yards with Nosler Partitions, and all passed thru.
Until I shot a couple and saw a few more shot with Barnes 130 grain TTSXs I would have been in the 150-168 grain camp. There's nothing in North America I would hesitate to use them on. Nothing.
If I have to shoot beyond 500 yards where bullet speed is getting down there then I might reconsider a softer 165/168 but that wouldn't be so useful for less than 100 yards either.
Posts: 966 | Location: Minnesota | Registered: 25 January 2008
My default load for my 30'06 rifles is the Federal Premium 180 gr Nosler Partition. When I've had special plans and/or the time to handload I've played with everything from 125 gr spitzers through 250 gr roundnose softs, but I keep coming back to 180s.
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Posts: 28849 | Location: western Nebraska | Registered: 27 May 2003
The best bullet weight is the one that shoots the best in your rifle I would think. I have three 06's an old Rem 721 that likes the 150's, a Browning safari grade the will shoot only the 180's and a Sauer 200 that really likes the 165's. The Sauer will shoot any of them will.
Originally posted by M 98: The more i use the 200 gn nosler @ 2700 in the 06 the more i like it this combination
Yeah, were I to take a 30'06 back to Africa that's the load I'd carry, as my Remington M700 doesn't feed 220 gr roundnose softs worth a hoot. The 200 gr spitzer will feed reliably and range better (if that ever matters). Of course there are several other rifles waiting in line for the next trip...none of them 30 caliber and none of them Remingtons.
What is the best grn. wt. bullet for the 30-06 all around. Speed/Energy out to 300 yrds.
As already mentioned the 180 gr is the best "all around" bullet weight for the '06.
I prefer the Hornady 180 gr SPBT over the Nosler Partition. I have shot enough elk and deer with both of them. They both kill extremely well so it is just a matter of preference. I never did like the Nosler's front half blowing off on the closer shots as it creats much more meat damage (reference eating not killing). The Hornady's have all the penetration necessary, even for raking shots on elk (I do not do Texas heart shots with either bullet) and they expand even out at 500 yards. Just my preference is all.
BTW; the green and yellow bx 180s along with CorLoks are also very good in the '06. I've never felt the need for a "premium" bullet in the '06. Hell, I thought Hornady InterLoks were "premium".
Larry Gibson
Posts: 1489 | Location: University Place, WA | Registered: 18 October 2005
"Go-To" Load for my .30/06 Sprg. is the 165 gr. Nosler Partition.
Been around the world a couple times with this load and it's never let me down yet; near or far, small or large. Just works good.
It's pretty accurate too, but even more precise is the Combined Technology 168 gr. Ballistic Silvertip; this is hands down the most accurate bullet I've ever shot out of a .30/06 Sprg.
If you only had to use one bullet...mmm sounds like the movie clip on the Remington website...in 30-06 (or 300 H & H)?
I'd say 140 grain (or even 155 grain) in the 270 and 180 grain in the 30-06 (or 300 H & H).
I cannot see the point of the 150 grain bullet in the 30-06. It is too fast and a short range too destructive. Keep it for the 308 where that shorter case needs a lighter bullet.
I agree with Ray Sendero's post. Heavy and overlong for the calibre gives a better longer range carry. 180 in 303 Mk8z was the "go to" cartridge in the Vickers machine Gun for the British Army for long range fire for that reason.
And didn't the US Army only adopt the 30M2 load with the 150 grain bullet because of concern about the excessive long range of the 180 grain WW1 Browning MG load?
Posts: 6831 | Location: United Kingdom | Registered: 18 November 2007
don't make it a habit of shooting out to that range but thus far all around is the 180 grain. I have pumped out and wrung the most in regards to velocities but accuracies fail so....I go for "X" in the field or range.
Posts: 1019 | Location: foothills of the Brooks Range | Registered: 01 April 2005
When I talk about shooting I'm talking about killing.
Match kings are not intended for hunting and there are far to many bullets to choose from for me to consider them....
match kings have and will in the future kill more game, but not from any of my rifles.
Besides the type and the name brand have nothing to do with the topic of this thread I want opinions of the best grain wt. for the best blend of energy/speed out to 300 yrds. max.
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Posts: 7364 | Location: South East Missouri | Registered: 23 November 2005
