Guys,

I am busy with load developments for my 30 06 and I am interested in finding a good quality 150gr bullet...

I am looking to shoot the bullet at 2900fps.

What do you recommend ??

All depends upon what you want to shoot with the gun. Since you're in RSA I would say the Hornady Interlock would work fine on antelope up to Blesbok size. If you're going to shoot Kudu, Hartebest, Gemsbok with this weight bullet, I'd move up to a Nosler Partition or one of the many bonded core bullets like the Accubond or the Hornady Interbond. Anything bigger than that go with the Barnes TSX. Of course you want to go with one that shoots good in your gun.

quote:

Originally posted by Labman:
All depends upon what you want to shoot with the gun. Since you're in RSA I would say the Hornady Interlock would work fine on antelope up to Blesbok size. If you're going to shoot Kudu, Hartebest, Gemsbok with this weight bullet, I'd move up to a Nosler Partition or one of the many bonded core bullets like the Accubond or the Hornady Interbond. Anything bigger than that go with the Barnes TSX. Of course you want to go with one that shoots good in your gun.

pretty good reply.....but one wouldn't go wrong with the Swift Scirocco II for everything!

I have 150gr Nosler BT's for load development and to practice with but I do not want to hunt with them.

The TSX and Hornady GMX and Nosler E Tip is also options I am look at but they are expensive...

The Partition, Accubond and Interbond are also on the list.

I would like to know what has worked for hunters using the 30 06 in the 150gr class.

For kudu and bigger the 375 H&H will be my caliber I am hunting with.

If you are developing loads with the Nosler Ballistic Tip, then the Accubond of corresponding weight would be the natural choice. In several applications I have found the Accubond to use identical powder charges and shoot to the same point of impact as its BTip cousin. In terms of terminal performance, it is much like the Partition, giving good expansion coupled with greater than average penetration.

For deer-sized animals like whitetails, mule deer, and pronghorn (and by extension, springbok, blesbock, impala, etc.) I've only used the 150 grain BTip in the .30-06, but in the couple of instances of using a 180 grain Accubond in a .300 H&H on deer, the Accubond exhibits adequate expansion for lighter game, combined with adequate penetration for larger game.

don't know what you are planning on shooting, but the good old nosler partition is awfully hard to beat. My standard load of 57 gr 4350 and a 165 gr partition has been my favorite for a long time. i won't shoot ballistic tips at game, that's a varmint bullet. accubonds are good, but partitions have been the standard of the industry for years and with good reason

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
don't know what you are planning on shooting, but the good old nosler partition is awfully hard to beat. My standard load of 57 gr 4350 and a 165 gr partition has been my favorite for a long time. i won't shoot ballistic tips at game, that's a varmint bullet. accubonds are good, but partitions have been the standard of the industry for years and with good reason

+1
I've owned more than 1 '06 and every one of them has performed well with that recipe. Another bullet often overlooked is the common, old, garden variety 165gr Core Lokt. When I travel to hunt, I use the NP 'cause of the warm fuzzy feeling it gives me but I've never sent a Core Lokt after game that it didn't fetch it.

Thank you for the information guys...

It helps a lot keep it coming.

quote:

Originally posted by Gerhard.Delport:
The TSX and Hornady GMX and Nosler E Tip is also options I am look at but they are expensive...

The Partition, Accubond and Interbond are also on the list.

I'm not clear regarding the first sentence. Are you saying that the monometals are options or not even though you point out the cost?

If they are on the list, then the TSX/TTSX is my recommendation among everything you have listed. Stuff as much IMR4064 or 4350 in the case that is safe for your rifle and the 150 bullet and get your load.

Among the bonded bullets, I favor the Scirocco as well, mentioned already. I've killed game with it and the AB and the Scirocco has done more damage though they both work well. Plus, I've broken bear bones with the Scirocco and they always pass through. I've recovered ABs in bears, so that's enough to help me with the choice b/w those 2.

We're discussing deer sized game, mostly? What's wrong with a plain old Core-Lokt? 60 years at #1, can't go wrong.

Gerhard,

The thing about shooting game is that things vary. Besides the size of the beast we have its temperment, distance and how it presents itself. If only a raking or end on shot is possible then would the hunter pass it up and only take the classic broadside?

Fancy 'partition' type bullets have more flexibility in this regard.

One writer posted that the Berger VLD type bullets stopped deer (whitetail deer) faster than any other bullet and that the mono type Barnes were the slowest.

What do you favor?

Thank you for all the info guys.

I am leaning towards a bonded bullet. I will be mostly hunting animals like blesbuck, red hartebees, black wildebees size animals at 200 yards +.

For this reason I am looking at the 150gr class bullets.

I also want to try and minimize meat damage by selecting a strong bonded bullet that hopefully shoots the same or very close to the Nosler Balistic Tip.

My choice for the 1st test will go to the Nosler Accubond in 150gr...

Would you guys agree?

As a bow hunter I have learned to take it easy and wait for the correct broad side shot. There is no need to rush a shot most of the time when hunting in the mountains or high veld plains...

.

I've a slightly different take on it Gerhardt, if it's a longer distance culling rifle then go with a nice and soft boat tail cup and core bullet, especially if you're planning on neck shooting for biltong.

I like Speer boat tails for this sort of work, they are not ideal for breaking bones at close range but expand very nicely at longer ranges. It also seems to have the best ballistic coefficient of the 150 grain bullets, the trouble with using lightweight bullets for longer range shooting is that the small gain in drop is quickly negated and the wind has a more pronounced effect.

I'm not sure that one would need premium for the animals you mention.

quote:

Originally posted by ALF:
Gerhard:

You are sitting right on the doorstep of arguably the best 150 gr 30 cal hunting bullets in the world.

GS Customs ! try them you will not be sorry ! They are consistent in all aspects !

GC Custom will NOT be an option...

I will not shoot or hunt with these bullets.

I never use bullets for best case scenarios.
I always use bullets for worst case scenarios.

I want to use bullets I know will give me great penetration and decent damage. No matter what angle or what it hits on its way inside the animal.

I really don't understand why it should matter how much a bullet costs for hunting.
The price difference is not huge anyway.

One shot kills from high quality bullets will be cheaper than needing several shots with a low quality one.

My choice for a 150 grain 30 caliber hunting bullet would be Barnes TTSX or Swift Scirocco II.
Both great bullets that will never let you down in performance.

Tough choices because there really aren't any truly bad bullets to choose from, Given that you want a lead core bonded bullet, the one I've been using lately with success in my 308 is the Woodliegh Weldcore 150 gr Protected Point.

Accubonds, Remington bonded Core-Lokts, Partitions, A-Frames, A-Frames are all good. Bothing to lose with any of them.

For years I shot Winchester plain old SILVERTIPS in the 150 and 165 gr. The 150's took many deer and a few Elk. My supply has run out of 150 silvertips and now I have had good luck with 150 Sierra SP boat tails as of late. Ultimatly my preference would be the Nosler Partitions.
I have had real good luck with Nosler in other rifles.

I do prefer the 165g out of the .06 but have shot many rounds of 150's as well

Good Luck.

quote:

Originally posted by Gerhard.Delport:
My choice for the 1st test will go to the Nosler Accubond in 150gr...

Would you guys agree?

That makes perfect sense. Assuming you can come up with a good load for the Ballistic Tips, then the Accubond should be interchangable and result in similar velocity, trajectory, and point of impact. For the game you are targeting, the Accubond should perform as well as any bullet and better than most. If it proves otherwise, please let us know.

Here is the 1st test loads for the 30 06



150gr Ballistic Tip, Hornady 165gr and Hornady Match 168gr.

A friend send me a few of the Hornady's to shoot as well.

Have a bow competition this coming weekend but will try to get to the range after the competition to test these loads.

I will give a range report.

I know the 180gr's shoots well in this rifle.

I shoot 150 grain Accubonds from my -06 nowdays and just at 2900 FPS and love them

When I hunted in ZA, one of the PH's used the 168gr. TSX with a stiff load of IMR 4350 in his '06. Killed very well, mostly full penetration, and was very accurate. If I were planning to kill larger game like wildebeest with a 150 gr., I'd put the 150 gr. TSX or TTSX near the top of my list.

Clarence

What is wrong with just shooting the 180's for everything? They sure shoot well! Keep things simple.

quote:

Originally posted by DIs:
What is wrong with just shooting the 180's for everything? They sure shoot well! Keep things simple.

Yup! I'm a find a good load and use it on everything guy myself. If I need a heavier or lighter bullet, I buy a different rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by wasbeeman:

quote:

Originally posted by DIs:
What is wrong with just shooting the 180's for everything? They sure shoot well! Keep things simple.

Yup! I'm a find a good load and use it on everything guy myself. If I need a heavier or lighter bullet, I buy a different rifle.

One load per rifle is good advice and something I generally practice, but it is much more easily done in the U.S. than in South Africa where a person is handicapped by regulations limiting the number guns you may own and how quickly you may obtain another (not to mention their relatively high cost). It is understandable that Gerhard would want to make his already versatile .30-06 as broadly adapted as possible.

All else being equal a 165 grain bullet shoots flatter than a 150 at longer ranges. Look up some ballistic charts if you dont believe me.

Thanks for the info guys...

Yes in South Africa I can not go and buy another rifle for a different load.

I know this rifle is a tack driver with the 180's but I want to see what is the best I can get with 150's now.

One of the reasons why I want to do this is that I want to use this rifle to compete in the SA Hunting Rifle competitions where you shoot out to 350 meters and you are not allowed to range distances. I need to beat the wind and judge distance as best as possible with the '06

I will also play with 165gr bullets and see how the rifle likes it.

When it comes to hunting everything from a Blue Wildebeest class animal and bigger the 375H&H will come out of the gun bag.

quote:

Originally posted by Gerhard.Delport:
Thanks for the info guys...

Yes in South Africa I can not go and buy another rifle for a different load.

I know this rifle is a tack driver with the 180's but I want to see what is the best I can get with 150's now.

One of the reasons why I want to do this is that I want to use this rifle to compete in the SA Hunting Rifle competitions where you shoot out to 350 meters and you are not allowed to range distances. I need to beat the wind and judge distance as best as possible with the '06

I will also play with 165gr bullets and see how the rifle likes it.

When it comes to hunting everything from a Blue Wildebeest class animal and bigger the 375H&H will come out of the gun bag.

Gerhard, are you a member of Sportjag?

I participated in a hunting competition in 2010 and enjoyed it very much.

I am a member of the SA Hunters Association.

It might be the same...

quote:

Originally posted by DIs:
What is wrong with just shooting the 180's for everything? They sure shoot well! Keep things simple.

Thats what I do in my rifle.
The 180's shoot so well that I kill everything with that load. Deer and Antelope never know they were just killed by an Elk bullet, Coyotes don't mind either.
The 180's also have more remaining energy down range (if that even matters) and the holdover to 400-450 yards is easy if you shoot your rifle enough.

I second the Rem.Core-Lokt idea. Accurate, inexpensive, and kills well.

If I were looking for a versatile hunting bullet to be used out to 350 meters in a 30-06, I would first reach for the 168 grain Barnes TTSX.

quote:

Originally posted by Gerhard.Delport:
One of the reasons why I want to do this is that I want to use this rifle to compete in the SA Hunting Rifle competitions where you shoot out to 350 meters and you are not allowed to range distances. I need to beat the wind and judge distance as best as possible with the '06

Have you considered the Berger 155 hybrid match VLD bullet? Think about that with Varget, IMR4064 or IMR4350.

quote:

Originally posted by graybird:
If I were looking for a versatile hunting bullet to be used out to 350 meters in a 30-06, I would first reach for the 168 grain Barnes TTSX.

That would be one of the last bullets I would shoot at deer. Here is a report on bullets:

Here is a report on TSX type bullets by John Barsness. "To everybody who has shared their experiences with TSX's, thanks very much. Most of the time they will kill deer-sized game very well, especially in larger diameters like 7mm and .30. I was specificaly addressing my experience with the .25 caliber 100-grain TSX--which is considerable, both in the .257 Roberts and .257 Weatherby. I have seen it do very well, in fact once saw it drop a 3x3 mule deer buck right now with a high lung shot at about 150 yards. But I have also seen some animals not drop so fast with similar shot placement. The reason for our "disagreements" probably lies in the fact that I have seen a whole lot of game taken with TSX's. Most of the time they kill very well, but sometimes they do not, and when they don't the animal is likely to go a ways, in my experience further than with any other type of bullet. I have been pacing off how far animals have gone after a solid double-lung hit for many years. Animals hit with Barnes X's (whether the old-style or TSX), Fail Safes, E-Tips or whatever "petal" type bullet have gone an average of just over 50 yards. Those hit with bullets that expand wider, or lose some weight, haven't gone as far. The bullet that had dropped animals the quickest with lung shots has been the Berger VLD, at around 20 yards. Those averages include lung hits that drop animals instantly--and the highest percentage of instant drops also goes to the VLD, a bullet that normally comes completely apart, but only after penetrating a couple of inches. I am primarily a meat hunter and do not deliberately aim for the shoulder/spine unless there is some real reason to drop it right there. But I have used that shot on a bunch of animals, and it doesn't take a TSX or other super-bullet to do the trick. I've done it with a bunch of bullets, including such "ordinary" bullets as the Hornady Interlock to the round-nosed Remington Core-Lokt. All I am doing here is relate my experiences with various bullets. I've seen around 150 animals taken with TSX's, and my statements that it sometimes doesn't kill as quickly as wider-expanding lead cores are based on that experience. If you are a TSX true believer, who's convinced that exit holes in the hide somehow kill quicker than massive destruction of the lungs, then you are also welcome to your opinion. You're also welcome to shoot shoulder-shoot all the deer you want. But I happen to disagree on both counts, and my disagreement is based on quite a bit of experience. Please note that I NEVER said TSX's are bad bullets, anwyhere in this thread. They are very fine bullets, and paricularly good for certain jobs, especially on really big game. But I have not found them ideal on deer." _________________________

Well, you need to decide are you hunting or are you wanting a target bullet?? If you're concerned about competitive shooting, a Sierra MK is hard to beat but it is NOT a hunting bullet.

150's are my choice in 30-06 and I third the good old Core Lokts.

quote:

Originally posted by Savage_99:

quote:

Originally posted by graybird:
If I were looking for a versatile hunting bullet to be used out to 350 meters in a 30-06, I would first reach for the 168 grain Barnes TTSX.

That would be one of the last bullets I would shoot at deer. Here is a report on bullets:

Here is a report on TSX type bullets by John Barsness. "To everybody who has shared their experiences with TSX's, thanks very much. Most of the time they will kill deer-sized game very well, especially in larger diameters like 7mm and .30. I was specificaly addressing my experience with the .25 caliber 100-grain TSX--which is considerable, both in the .257 Roberts and .257 Weatherby.

Which is all fine and good. We disagree. I have been using this bullet for a few years now and my experiences are just the opposite. The furthest of any animals I've shot to date went about 75 yards on a quartering to kudu at 168 yards. The bullet hit the point of the shoulder and exited in front of the last couple of ribs.

Notice he is also talking about .25 caliber bullets and his response to anything 7mm and 30 caliber. Guess what? This is a thread about a 30 caliber round!!!

I haven't shot my 30-06 at anythig but paper for quite a few years. Not because there is anything wrong with the cartridge, but too busy playing with a bunch of others. On the other hand, I've have probably shot more der sized game with th 30-06 than anything else in over 50 yars of hunting and shooting.
For more years than I care to count I've use the 150 gr. Sierra 150 gr. Pro-Hunters in both the 30-06 and .308 Win. They never failed to bring down my game, although sometime the meat damage was more than I care for. Finally I went to the 165 gr. Speer Hot-Core for the .308 and the 180 gr. Sierra Pro-Hunter for the 30-06 and haven't looked back.
Maybe some of these bonded bullets in the 150 gr. weight will be kinder to eating meat, I dunno. As some people say, "It's better to lose 5 pounds of meat due to bullet blowup than the whole damned animal." so I guess they do make a point.
maybe I should dig out that old FN Mauser that's been retired for way too many years and try some of the 165 gr. Sierra game King hollow point bullets tht I got on the cheap.
The longest shot I ever took withthose 150 gr. Sierras was from my 20" barreled Remington 660. My hunting buddy had wounded an fairly large Mule Deer and I took a shot that luckily hit the shoulder and brought the deer down. We paced it off and the distance was 426 paces. The shoulder, even at that long distance was pretty badly mangled. FWIW, that was back in 1973 and IIRC, Sierra did not cll them Pro-Hunters back then.
Personally, I would use a 165 gr. bullet at the minimum these days in a 30-06 for deer sized game if using a plain cup and core bullet. Probably a bonded bullet would be fine, but I haven't used any on game yet. The only bonded bullet I've shot so far is the Nosler 165 gr. Accubond and accuracy from the rifle I used was not up to the standards of the rifle. (A very accurate Winchester M70 in .308 Win.) I think I still have a few so maybe I'll try them in an 06 just for spits and grins.
Paul B.

quote:

Originally posted by Gerhard.Delport:
I am a member of the SA Hunters Association.

It might be the same...

I don't know to be honest with you mate, these guys: http://www.sasportjag.co.za/

Guys,

Awesome...

You have a wealth of information in experience with 30 caliber bullets for hunting and paper punching...

Thanks for sharing I appreciate it.

Please keep the info coming.