Considering using my very accurate 30-06 for a daylight Coyote hunt. Rifle & scope very capable out to 500 +/-. Never shot / experimented with anything lighter than 150 gr.

Can anyone share their first-hand ACCURACY experience with this 125 gr TMK bullet? Hand-load around 3,100 fps.

THANKS.

May as well stay with the 150 grain. You possibly going 125 thinking less recoil? If so it wont happen. I shot 110 grains in 30-06 and they were very close to the 150's in recoil.

Understood.........but no, not about recoil. Trying to stay with a lighter varmint "type" bullet...that's all.

THANKS.

Unless you have a bunch on hand.

It is not worth the time and effort to go with a different bullet.

In the past I have shot a lot of 125's.

Both well destroy yotes.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by p dog shooter:
Unless you have a bunch on hand.

It is not worth the time and effort to go with a different bullet.

the past I have shot a lot of 125's.

Both well destroy yotes


+1
No doubt a 30-06 will anchor coyotes. I get a varmint rifle if that is what you are seeking.

quote:

+1
No doubt a 30-06 will anchor coyotes.

Blows big holes in them.

Pelts are not worth much afterwards.

A friend is a benchrest shooter and one of his rifles is chambered in .30-30 Win. It is extremely accurate using 125gr. Speer TNT hollow point bullets.
If they work I don't know why the Sierras wouldn't!

Have Fun! You've got nothing to lose!

P.S. The Speer TNTs are cheap!

Hip

Heck, I would go lighter, with a Barnes 110 TSX, TTSX or TAC-TSX flat base. They show that bullet well past 3500 FPS with 4895 and Varget. That's serious varmint rifle territory and it would be fun to see how well they shoot.

https://www.barnesbullets.com/...30-06Springfield.pdf

Thank you all. Much appreciated.

Accuracy has always been a very high prority for me. Will be taking the '06 and .243 to the range later this week or early next. Secretly hoping the '06 with the lighter bullet will shine. We'll see.

My only experience with this bullet was making some low recoil loads in the 06. I held it down to 2500 FPS, and got 5 shot groups under 1” from a bolt action sporter.

I assume it would kill coyotes fine at that velocity as long as they were close.

It’s interesting as a way to introduce a recoil shy person to the .30-06.

If you want a low recoiling 30-06 use cast bullets and Unique powder around 1600 fps and you'll think missfire.

Again...thank you all.

Spent some long hrs ar the range testing 2 rifles with various loads. Primary goal: accuracy.

With the 75 & 85 gr bullets - the .243 won - over the '06 with lighter bullets. Sorry - just don't have the time or extra $ to work with cast. Thanks tho. :-)

Cheers!!

A bit late to the party, but worked up a load for my M1 Garand that worked very well on the only coyote I shot with it (@ 175 yards).


Very accurate in that rifle (Sight in target, shot 5 shots, adjusted scope and fired 5 shots center POI. Square grid on target = 1". 5 shot group measured .665" @ 100) using a 3x Primary Arms Prism Optic.

.30-06, 27" barrel, 110 grain VMax at just under 3,350 fps. Too dang much fun.

quote:

Originally posted by Puddle:
.30-06, 27" barrel, 110 grain VMax at just under 3,350 fps. Too dang much fun.

Or 110 gr. Varmageddon.

The problem with light for caliber bullets is that the ballistic coefficient sucks.

If you shoot at 300 yards or less it doesn't matter as much, maximum devastation is the goal. But, once you start reaching out past 300 yards, the priority changes to maximum accuracy.

All of my really long range varmint shooting is done with heavy for caliber/high BC bullets.

My furthest coyote kill was with a 142 grain Sierra matchking from my 6.5x284 at 732 yards.

I call predators in S TX brush country. Longest shot(s) I can recall has been across a roller chopped pasture overlooking a bone yard @ some 300 and change. Most of the time I'm looking down a narrow sendero and can't see past 300; some you can see 600 or so but the coyotes get across the narrow senderos too fast to get on them at extended range, so BC not an issue.
This is one of the wider ones.

Yep,

I'm looking at this. It's 550 yards to my back fence.

Beautiful view Frank.

George

Back many years ago when I did some coyote hunting, I often switched from my 222 REM to my 6.5x55 FN Husky. Used 77 grain SP bullets and was suprised at their accuracy at 200 yards. Yes, it ruined the hides.

Well.......my extremely accurate '06 did not get along with with 125 gr. Closing that chapter of testing for accuracy / Coyotes. Will be keeping this rifle...180 & 200 gr...Elk etc.

Older than most of you, I've purposely been trimming my rifle battery over the last 2 years. Down to 2. Am a bit grumpy about accuracy...well under 1 MOA required for my rifles...necessary or not. Personal preference.

For all the unlimited good reasons, the 22's, 24's, 25's and 6.5's are ALL great cartridges. Have owned and used them successfully. Great memories on paper and game! Kudos to ech of you who are enjoying their use.

What cartridge to join my '06? To handle Coyote, Deer & Black Bear sized game? And meet the personal accuracy standard? BOTH.

308 Win. Advantages? 1) High standard of accuracy? Proven. 2) Bullets? I have in stock and can share with the '06 in the safe. 3) Am now becoming familiar with similar trajectories. One man...one rifle theme...almost.

Have the 125 TMK's. Unsure about opening that box for testing?? Along with the 180's and 200 gr, I have multiple boxes of 150/155 gr...being reloaded with Varget and RL 15. Will likely (?) continue testing with the 150's next week when our weather finally gets out of the teens.

Your thoughts on Wiley bullet selection always welcome. Yes...the 308 is a bit much on Coyotes. Don't care. Bought the rifle / cartridge for their proven accuracy and effectiveness...paper and game.

Cheers.

Looks like ya have the load dialed in.

Is that 44 or 49 grains?

Hello TC.

I am not an advanced reloader but I am competent. 50+ years experience always following the reloading Manual to the letter. Not always but I get my rifle / load / bullet under an inch @ 100 - typically much better than that. MOA further out.

Regrettably, after multiple attempts with the limited time I have to be shooting - I cannot get this rifle to shoot MOA. Neither 150's or 125's. I've checked and rechecked everything I know how - still a mediorce performance. OK for Deer - not OK for Wiley at extended distances. Have replaced the rifle with a .243.

Thanks for asking. Wish I had a better report for you.

Cheers.