30-06: 150gr, 165gr, 180gr?

This is similar to my previous question to you gun nuts.
Along with the mule deer hunt, I have the option to shoot aoudad. Now, if this were ranch aoudad, I'd 64gr their butts. But these are wild aoudad of N. TX (Palo Duro Canyon), so that ain't happenin'. I don't know shot distances, but I won't shoot past 250, and likely to top off at 200yd.

Now my questions is, as the title says, what grain bullet to use? I have 150gr Fusions and TTSXs. At first I figured, okay, I'll up to 180gr Fusions, no problem. Then my dad brought up a good point: it has a higher trajectory. So then I'm confused 'tween 180 and 165/8, because I can't figure it out. We've only really shot 150s out of our rifle anyway, since we've not needed any more. mulie_mike's video from a couple of years back of a huge W. TX bruin getting hit 2-3 times with a 338-06 and still not piling up, at way past 250yd is telling me 180gr. But then the yardage factor tells me 165/8gr. So what should I do!?!?!?!

Also, looking at both the Fusion and the TTSX, I'm really like the first T of the Barnes. The polymer point seems/looks to be advantageous in this situation. What would you say to that?

Thanks for any help.

Depends a lot on the twist of the barrel, not just what you're shooting at. Generally with tougher things like elk, you'll want to stick to something like the hornady GMX or the TSX, so you're on the right track.

If you set your rifle an inch high at 100 yards, I wouldn't worry too much about a 250 yard shart with 180 gr bullets.

In the great scheme of things a 200 to 250 yard shot isn't a particularly long shot and well within the normal everyday trajectory for the .30-06 with 150, 165 or 180 grain bullets. I have never used the Fusion bullets but to be honest with an aoudad I would not hesitate to use the TTSX in any of those weights as you are going to have pretty good retained velocity out to 250 with all of them.

In the old days with all cup and core bullets I would have stuck with a 180 but these days with the mono-metal bullets I probably would go with the 165 and use if for everything.

My last moose was taken with a .30-06 and 168 grain TTSX. Double lunged and complete pass through at 240 yards. At the hit it jumped and turned in a tight little circle of just a few yards, wobbled and fell over. Aoudad are tough, but not that tough if a good bullet is put in the right place.

I shoot the Hornady Customs 165 PSP because they work and perform well in my rifle.

Good luck on your hunt.

Push a 208 A-max in it at 2500 fps!! It'll thump em good!

A 180 Accubond or similar would be great medicine. I'm not a Barnes fan, but some are. I like the lead bullets.

Whatever grain your rifle shoots best.

I use 165 grain for everything in mine. A bear or bobcat isn't going to know the difference between a few grains.

At that range, trajectory isn't an issue. I would go with the 150ttsx if they shoot well in your rifle. Auodad are pretty tough and that barnes is perfect.

So basically, whatever the rifle likes?

It's only shot 150s, but dad said he'll move up to a 180 if we get enough range time. I think I'll compare boxes of 165/8 with 180 and 150 when I go to the store and figure it out from there.

Thanks a ton, y'all. Really cleared stuff up for me.

I'd either look at the 165 or 180, with a nod to the 180. Chad's loading some accubonds right now for my 06. That's a deadly combo!

200-250 isn't anything to fret over. 165 or 180 is where I would start. If you are bound by mass produced ammo, the one that shoots the tightest wins.

Cool, cool. Good stuff, Thanks y'all

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/380133/...d-tip-box-of-20

Saw a huge nilgai drop like a sack a' pataters from 287yd with hart shot with one of these. Thoughts?

Or this
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/739969/...ition-box-of-20

Look at Academy, they had a 168gr "hog hammer" ammo by Remington with a Barnes TSX for $20/box.

This is what I'm using this season for whitetail: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/194532/...rlock-box-of-20

I've read that on heavier animals the GMX is the way to go: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/911909/...-free-box-of-20


I like hornady a lot and feel like you get a lot for the price, other than that I've had really good luck with plain old 150 gr power-shok softpoints from federal (all federal ammo has been good to me). You can't go wrong with a nosler partition even though it doesn't look as fancy. They get the job done.

165 gr. Hornady SP.........

X2 on this. Im having a 30/06 built just to shoot these big heavies

What kind of a twist do you need for those?

1-10 works

But will the youngster learn the proper holdover, and/ or zero at the proper height, for such a change in trajectory?

Not in time for the hunt in January...

Well.... no .... he'll probably just be convinced to buy a huskamaw and put it on his 26 nosler so he can shoot lights out to 415... but if he had a decent mentor, they'd make sure he knew how to dope his rifle

I've taken large game with nothing more than the cheap Federal blue box soft points. As long as it's rated for the game pursued you're good. It'll tell you on the box what the rating is.

I don't buy commercial ammo, but I load Sierra Gamekings for hunting most of the time followed by regular Nosler ballistic tips. They're simple bullets that work. I know Federal makes ammo with both.

You're overthinking this. If 150 grain Remington Core Lokts group the best out of your gun that's what you use.

150 or 165 core locked or interlocked.

The Barnes TTSX is a very strong bullet, however, I have seen animals drop faster with Berger and Hornady bullets that expand rapidly.

If you are shooting a Barnes, go with a lower gr. because you will need the higher FPS so the bullet expands. If you are going to shoot a cup and core bullet go with a 165 gr. The 165 gr SST bullet Hornady has puts the hammer down!

I asked a legitimate question and you decide to go straight to smart azz?

He even answered it honestly. And who ever said a hold over can't be done with a duplex reticle? Not me, and it would work just fine to 200-300 yards and stay in vitals. Plus I would never try to get anyone to change cartridges if they are happy with what they have.

If you know you want to shoot the heavier bullet why would you not got 300 for the velocity?

To me a 220 grain isn't going to hit an animal any "harder" than a 150. To me the biggest function of the heavier bullet is deeper penetration, it can shed more weight and still retain more at the same time. Also heavier bullets are going to be moving slower wich will decrease expansion and increase penetration all else equal.

I would roll the 150 fusion or ttsx and not look back.

I could load up some 110 Barnes TAC-X at about 3550 fps! That would hammer em!

Because I can push the 208 at 2678 in my 30-06 for the times I dont want/need to be shooting a 230 berger in the Ultra Mag.

Yes, those 208's were running 2680 fps!

I have tried a plethora of bullets in my 06's over the years, and I keep coming back to 180gr SGK. I have used the 180gr Partitions & Accubonds a fair bit and have tried out stepping up to 200gr in both the Sierra & Nosler offerings, but 180gr seems to be the sweet spot for my rifles. Whitetail just about fall over dead if you look at them right, so I tend to use hogs to judge performance, and I have hit hogs at just about every conceivable angle and the 180 SGK just keeps dropping them. It has no problems going lengthwise on a 200lb hog or wrecking both shoulders. If there is a problem with it, it is like virtually all lead bullets that expand well, is that it wrecks a fair bit of meat when you start breaking bones more substantial than ribs. The SGK just flies so well, performs so well, and does so at such an outstanding price. It makes it really hard to load up a dedicated hunting load with a premium bullet, especially when the SGK is cheap enough to plink with.

-ww

Another reason I load SGK's.

A couple years ago a buddy of mine drew a tag, and took a 4 day guided hunt. He didn't get a shot until the last day and it lazered 400-some odd yards. He was shooting a .308, and he got his sheep, but he told me if he had it to do again he would have used a flatter shooting cartridge.

its a aoudad, not a eland.

just shoot it with the 150 grain fusions and your going to be fine.

tons and tons and tons of aoudad and other sheep have hit the dirt from regular cup and core 150 grain bullets from a .270 and a 06'

but, but, but.....I thought the .308 was the perfect north American big game cartridge?

Change in scope and "flat shooting" is no longer a factor. Then you're just down to wind, and retained energy/ velocity.

Haha, way to flood everything everyone else has said.

I'm thinking 165gr Partitions. They have higher velocity than the Trophy Bonded tips and almost as much energy.

If you are going by the velocity on the box, don't. The velocity often does not match up to actual speeds.

Yes, I was. Really? Still, it's an approximate, right?

No reason the fusion or ttsx you already have isn't completely adequate for the task at hand. Run what you got.

It will get you in the ball park. I've seen it as low a 200 fps less than advertised, and 100 fps faster than advertised. It is generally lower than what the box says.

I handload 165 grain SGK's for my Tikka 1 in 11" twist. It's a tackdriver and hits hard. I also load a 180 grain for it and it's just as accurate.

Yep. I always use the bullet that is the most accurate in the rifle and could care less about the weight of the bullet.

I would agree, to an extent. But you don't want to use a bullet designed for varmints on big game.

If you are using 150's and you gun likes them then use that bullet. I killed a bunch of sheep using my 280 with 140 Partions. Put the bullet where it belongs and you'll be fine. Are you hunting the State Park near Quitaque? If so be prepared to take a long shot. Hunted it twice and took a sheep off of it. After the 1st morning sheep will be very wary. Did see some good MD on the east side.

This.

I tried out some nosler ballistic tips in my .30-06 back when they first came out and had a few bad experiences. They would come apart real bad if you hit the shoulder blade and fail to leave a blood trail. Happened on 3 or 4 animals and eventually lost a nice buck that way so I threw the things in the trash.

150gr Corloks(sp?) for the win

Chital,

shot placement trumps power.

The ability to reliably place shots is far, far more important than power.

As for studying paper, quit focusing on marketing hype and start studying basic marksmanship and the fundamentals of how to make corrections for elevation and wind.

A 30-06 with 180's carries substantial recoil. Go with a good 150 - 165 grain and practice first at 100, then 200, and on out. Practice from field positions, not just the bench.

Also consider a 260, 6.5-284, 7-08 or 308 and quality ammo from Chad.

They all will provide reliable terminal results if you provide reliable shot placement. Without reliable shot placement, power is worthless.

Also, as already pointed out, the info on the box is only vaguely accurate.

I chronographed five different boxes of 30-06 ammo a few years ago. Most were 100 - 150 fps below the advertised velocity, and running almost identical to 308 velocities - or less in one instance.

For practice, you would be well served to buy a good 223 bolt rifle, (try a Ruger American, good accuracy at a good price although the stocks are flimsy) good ammo, good scope and then take a lesson or two from FJG, or I'd be happy to help you in Austin.

But but the Auodad is the official tough animal of the THF. You must sprinkle magic dragon poop on your Bullets to bring them down

Yes they do or did
and I definitely took advantage of it.

I figure these should be perfect deer and hog rounds for the next few years!

Which is why I started this thread in the first place!

Thanks for all the replies. I will shoot 168 Hog hammer TSXs and the 150 Fusions out of the gun at 200yd and see which groups better. That'll be the decider.

I shot mine with nosler custom 150 gr accubond out of a 308 and he didn't make a step

Was it in the mountains or on a hill country ranch? By

What does that matter?

Idk. I've seen a ranch aoudad being taken with a 25-06 with 117gr SSTs. Great heart/double lung shot. Also a ewe with 30-06 180gr Trophy Bonded Tip. POTATOES.

The difficulty of hunting free range vs. animals that are under feeders is usually a decent sized gap. I'd assume that animals that are out in the desert are substantially more hardy as well, but that's an assumption.

Not the difficulty, but the hardiness.

I shot him off sticks in a cedar gap. The nosler bullets in the accubond would be a good one

160 Remington Core-Lokt for hogs and deer. Shot placement is the key. If you can't shoot where you aim no amount of primo ammo will help you unless you are using a bazooka.

Cool. Good to know.

"160 Remington Core-Lokt"....160gr in a 30/06??

Yeah didn't wanna answer that

5 yd penalty - Facts in a No Fact zone!

That is tacit. I was talking about bullet weight, not the type of bullet. There are 6mm bullets in the 80-87 grain range that are designed for varmints and some that are designed for deer. Use what is appropriate. The OP was specifically talking about bullet weights for a 30-06. My 30-06 prefers 150 grain federal blue box and my son's prefers 165 grain Corelokts. So that is what is used in each rifle no matter what big game is hunted.

So you saw one shot with a .25-06 and a light bullet and your questioning if a 06' will work with 150 grain bullets?


A aoudad in the hill country is not any less hardy than a aoudad in the palo duro canyon. Still the same animal.

Just cause one may eat at a feeder from time to time does not mean you can knock him over with a down pillow


Think about it....how would a hill country aoudad be easier to kill than a aoudad of the same size where your hunting? Just cause he has a different zip code?

Hill country animal probably eats better than a wild one for sure

I would have killed 10 auodad by now in the time this thread has been going on! Sometimes, it's best to get out into the woods and shoot [censored]. Make a good shot, and let the bullet do it's thing!

165gr Sierra GameKing BTHP is deadly in .30-06 and my son shoots the 140gr GameKing HPBT in 7mm-08.

You shouldn't have any problems with a 165gr for deer-sized animals at 300yds.

Haha, yeah, I feel you. Hunt's not until January.

Verdict: 30-06 fusion 150 gr for both aoudad and mule deer.

Should have bought accubonds they kill better

Should have stayed with 165gr. Better BC. Just messin' with ya'. I like the fusion bullets. They are accurate in the gun I shoot them in (6.8 SPC AR15) and have done well on hogs.

I wouldn't worry too much about what bullet in your 30-06. Whatever shoots good will more than likely do the job just fine. However, hunting them in Palo Duro Canyon, I for sure would not put my range limitation at 200 or even 250. They have excellent eyesight and learn quickly. If they have been shot at much at all, being able to shoot out to 400 would be very much in your best interest. I know several folks who have shot a bunch of them on the Cap, and one of those guys used to guide in PDC. The more you can extend you range, the better odds you have.

I've been wanting to try the Fusion ammo in my .308 and 7mm-08. I tried it in my .270 and it wouldn't group under about 5", but a friend of mine shot it in his .270 and it shot lights out. For whatever reason, my rifle just didn't like it.

My RRA 6.8 groups five 115gr Fusion into .5" at 100 yards. My Ruger American 7-08 will group Fusion 120gr into .75". So far I am impressed with the ammunition.