Not exactly sure why but when I started reloading for a 30-06, (you couldn't find 165gr bullets in store bought ammo) I thought the 165 would be a good "middle of the road" bullet -if I recall correctly, the carry up was slightly better than the 150. Anyway, it worked so well that I never got around to seeing what a 150 would do. When I went elk hunting, I switched to a 200gr bullet.

I like the 165s pretty well in the .308 and in a partition design it works well on deer and elk...

In 06 and up I really like the 180s and 200s, the 180 is a good weight in a 308 also at 2600 plus a little it is deadly...

I don't use the 165s much anymore as the 180s have done me a better job, but I don't argue with anyone who likes the 165s either.

In my 300 H&H I only use 200 gr. and 220 gr. Noslers, Woodleighs and some Northforks.

165-168 gr. is my favorite round for elk in .308 Win. I wish it was available in factory 300 WSM.

I think I'd like to try 165 grain bullets in my new 308. Has anyone had good luck with Varget or Ramshot TAC?

I can get as much velocity from a 165 as a 150 in my 99 savage, thus it shoots flatter and retains more energy. I believe this is true with a lot of rifles.

I used a Hornady 165gr SP over a good dose of RL-22 in a stock Remington ss/syn 700 to take my Wisconson deer this year. It did 3 shot groups well under 1/2 MOA and put the deer right down with an 80 yard broadside heart shot.

I'm building a 300 WSM on a MRC 1999 action and plan on useing a "premium" 165gr bullet exclusively. This will be my first and only big game rifle for North America, said Rem 700 was borrowed. I'll mostly use it on deer but hope to do an elk hunt with in five years. I think a good premium bullet will allow me to cover a lot of ground. I'll have only one load and now it well.

Chris

A 165 grain Partition over 57.0 gr of IMR-4350 is my standard go-to load in my old Model 70 30-06. My rifle just seems to like that combination. I've taken whitetails, pronghorn, and mule deer with that setup at ranges from 15 to 420 yards and it has worked perfectly in every case. The 420 yard shot was this year in Idaho on a nice mulie buck. I was hunting with Customstox and we got busted sneeking across a slope trying to get closer. There was no wind, we had a rangefinder, and I cobbled together a good rest using a packframe, jacket, and Chic's shoulder. At the shot the buck staggered about 10 feet and fell over. The bullet hit square in his chest and gave complete penetration. Can't ask for more.

Jeff

When Nosler came out with the 165 gr. Partition I quit using 150 or 180 gr. in all of my .30 caliber rifles(except .30-30). I use the 165 gr. Partition for everything from deer up to and including moose. Lawdog

165 grain Noslers Partitions shoot in the same place as the 168 grain Matchkings in my .308. I'm using XMR 4064.

In my oversimplified view, as a heavy bullet for the .308 Win.



I feel the optimal weight for the .308 in the game field is 150gr. Maybe that little extra speed will yield some added shock effect on the closer shots on deer. On elk I feel 165gr would be preferable at any range, but on smaller game those ranges where the 150 is ballistically disadvantaged to the heavier bullet in the .308Win velocity is getting low enough where penetration has become marginal with either bullet weight. Of course if ranges are held short enough, it's a wash on muleys and smaller.



With the .270 and larger I feel differently because now you're getting to the "sho'-nuff" elk+ calibers and penetration is the burning question regardless of range or bullet weight so I opt for the heavier bullet in those calibers. Those loads adequate for elk are fine for smaller game of course.



This will make sense to those out there like me who buy a rifle, choose a heavy bullet weight, find a load it likes and load only that load for that rifle. Keeps life simple.

I've always felt the modern version of the /06 was designed with the notion in mind that a 165gr bullet should be about optimum. And indeed it DOES make an excellent bullet for the 30/06! Both superb accuracy and fine hunting bullet.

But as you suggest, as it turns out most /06 shooters want to either load up or down from this. And in so doing they have discovered the obvious, i.e. that the /06 recoils less, travels faster, and kills like a death ray with lighter bullets. Or a person can go UP from the 165 and throw bigger/heavier bullets at tougher, thicker-skinned game with equally good effect.

It all boils down to the fact that the 30/06 is such a wonderfully versatile rifle that it's hard to stick with anything for most shooters.

A. In .30 caliber, the 165-grain is good for anything a 150 or a 180 grainer can be used for.



B. The Nosler Partition is NOT, contrary to the opinions of some, a "regular" bullet. It is the FIRST of the U.S.-made premium bullets, and will perform as well as, or better than, ANY of the rest of them, regardless of price!!

I thought this would take off my .02 the one bullet concept from antelope to moose flat shooting enought with enought of a punch its the El Camino of 30 cal bullets not truck not car

I agree with BillMc
I shoot either 168MatchKings or 168BallisticTips for competition with my .06 and just jump over to the 165Partition when it's time to hunt.
The 168 has been considered the perfect bullet for .06 competition for years- Although the military LakeCity match bullet is now a 177grn for the longer range shots out to 1000yds- for the CampPerry WimbeltonCup comp..