I know that for he effect I want I should use a lighter bullet.

I want a .30-06 load to hunt seals. To comply with the law I am required to use a bullet of 140 grains or heavier.

The ideal bullet would be a 110gr Vmax as fast as the -06 can push it. I have tried; it is very effective, but illegal.

So, what would you guys recommend?
I've been thinking of 150grs Nosler ballistic tip. But is it as explosive in .30cal as in the smaller calibers?

regards,
beefeater

Sierra match bullets are pretty wild. Might try them.

quote:

Originally posted by beefeater:

So, what would you guys recommend?
I've been thinking of 150grs Nosler ballistic tip. But is it as explosive in .30cal as in the smaller calibers?

regards,
beefeater

The Nosler Ballistic tip in that weight is more for big game, and may not give you the results you are looking for.

I haven't tried this but I wonder how the Hornady 150 gr. round nose would do? It is made for the 30-30 and speeding it up might get it to expand the way you want.

Good luck.

Jim

Find a box or two of the original Nosler BTs. They were so violent opening up that Nosler re-engineered them...

Hornady 150 Single Shot Pistol Bullet

30/30 bullet of 150 gr any manufacture.

speer 130 gr hollowpoint

Beefeater 2, That's an interesting dilemma you've got.... I once read an article by JD Jones where he went on a seal hunt. Seems like he used 125 gr NBT in a rifle. Unfortunately, that doesn't help you to much. Re: the Hornady 150 gr Single Shot Pistol bullets, that would probably be a good idea if you can find some, but I don't recall them making one in that weight recently; there's not on listed in my Hornady Handbook 5th Ed. (2000). They've made a 130 gr SSP in years past (I shoot them in my 300/221 Contender), but I don't even see it anymore on the Hornady website. The Matchking might work, but I remember reading an old thread on this site where Bobby Tomek won a $100 bet by retrieving a shot Matchking that did not expand. The 30/30 bullets might work; Sierra makes 150 gr FN (#2000). Although I've never shot any, I wonder if the 150 gr.Hornady A-Max might work here? As the 150 NBT is a big game bullet, I doubt it would be explosive enough for you at most rifle velocities. You might also pose your question to the individual bulet manufacturers. You may well end up having to shoot some bullets at the intended impact velocity into water soaked bundles of newspaper to see how explosive they are. I did that recently w/ my son for his science fair project and it turned out pretty neat (using 125 gr NBT in 308 Win). Maybe you could "borrow" a few bullets of each type from friend/forum posters so you wouldn't have to buy a whole box just for teting purposes. Wish I could be of more help.... Gary T.

I have had devistating efects with 168 gr A-Max bullets in my .308 at 2770 ft/sec. Not one coyote has made a single step after being hit. I have shot them at 60 yards out ot 340 yards and same effect. Also in my M-70 Varmiter they are extreamly acurate. I also use this load on PD's out to 600 yards. Great bullet!!!!

I would be hesitent to try them on deer.

I shoot PD's with a .25-06 Rem with 100 grain Sierra Match Kings. They are not reliable! Most blow up many do not.

Will

I once hit a coyote broadside with a 300 win mag using 150 ballistic tips. He ran for about 50yds before tipping over. When I got to him I couldnt believe he made it that far. He looked like he was nearly split in half. As I remember, it looked like the bullet blew up on impact and then continued on through. Large hole on both sides. This is what I was using for deer that year. after that shot I put that gun away and used the .243 as not to damage too much meat.

Yes, it's an interresting dilemma...
The reason for it is that the bureaucrats in the Directorate of Fisheries decided to make some rules for what weapons and ammunition to allow for the hunting. They just copied and pasted the rules for moose-hunting...(seals are categorized as "fish", to hunt them you must have the Directorate issue you a quota. It's easy and costs nothing, btw).

In the real world there's a huge difference between shooting Moose and seals..
Seals are taken exclusively with headshots. If they're not killed instantly they'll sink. Their skulls are very thin, and varmint bullets are ideal for the job.

Anyways, Since I plan to take some youngsters hunting I want to hunt by the book, not grumble about politics.

The suggestion to use 30/30 or pistol bullets sounds interresting! I'll order some. Matchkings or Scenars might be another option. Maybee they're more reliable if the hole in the front is opened up a bit?? I think I've seen a tool for doing that for sale somewhere..

Thank you all for your suggestions!
beefeater

What about the trick with 45/70 bullets, making the hollowpoint bigger and filling it with grease?

I have had great luck with the Barnes 168gr. TSX they are very explosive. After trying these bullets I wont use anything else but, that is my thoughts

Thats quite some dilemma you have there, i must say im glad we dont have these laws here in Iceland..

I have tried some bullets from 125gr to 180gr in 300 win mag on Land seals here and the 125gr sierra sp has been the most explosive bullet i have tested yet.
I know that dosnt help you much but that little bugger i like a bomb from my 300wm.

The bullets id like to try are the hornady 150gr round nose and 160gr leverevolution, those might be pretty explosive if pushed fast.

Regards

Has anyone ever tried taking the plastic tip out of a Nosler BT, to shoot it as a hollow point?

I remember that also Lutz Moeller manufactures and sells quite explosive brass bullets.

From personal experience, I can tell you that a 150 gr. flat nose or hollow point, designed for 2000fps from a .30/30 Win., is devastatingly EXPLOSIVE when applied to coyotes at approx. 2900 fps from a .30/06!!

I don't know much about seals but the best .308 bullet for defence is the 155 A-MAX that Gary T mentioned because of it's explosive fragmentation and deep enough penetration. I've never heard of anyone having to defend themselves from a pack of crack smoking, looting seals but it should work fine it they were. What would seals loot? Well, besides the fish market.

Arn't you worried about pelt damage?

hawk bullets are very soft and can be ordered with a extremly thin jacket thereis a reason they are known as hawk grenades.

I have killed +30 coyotes with the 178 Amax at 2750fps, and you could put a boot in every one of the exits. Ranges have been from 50 to 400yds. Always the same, BIG HOLES!

I have also killed a few with the 110 Vmax but the 178 leaves bigger holes.