.30-06 factory loads for small game?

J

jdthaddeus

New member
'06 for javalina without destroying the meat?

I am contemplating getting a 30-06 for my "only" hunting rifle.

The dilemma is that this rifle needs to pull double duty as a small game gun.

The game I hunt currently includes varmint, coyote, javalina, mountain lion and mule deer. Obviously the '06 will work great for the tougher game, but I am concerned about finding a load for the small game.

My friend shot a javalina with his 7mm Mag and blew it to shreds and lost a lot of the meat. I will be hunting javalina and coyote and would like to find a load that will not blow them to pieces.

Is there a factory 30-06 load that can accomplish these goals of shooting small game without destroying it?

Thanks,
thaddeus
 
Unless you're saving the hides for a jacket or some such, I wouldn't worry about coyotes. The "hide-guys" over at varminter.com say you can just sew up the exit wounds, anyway.

IMO, the ONLY valid target on a piggylina is the head. Given that they are only some 40 pounds at most, on the hoof, a .357 is ideal. For the '06, a GI load or a heavier bullet which won't expand so dramatically would work better than any 110-grain or 150-grain load.

Sorta vaguely: I recall a couple of coyotes I shot with the 150-grain Sierra flat-base Spitzer. The exit wounds were not particularly dramatic. Both were ribcage hits.

I've taken several javelina with head shots, both .243 and '06. Hold for the eye...

Good hunting!

Art
 
The 30/06 is indeed the do it all round, but to maximize its usefulness you need to reload. For small game, a 110 grain bullet at reduced velocity should do the job.

If you arn't into reloading you should look into it. The 30/06 is a very easily reloadable cartridge.
 
Alright alright alright already....I will reload 30-06! ;)

I can't count how many time I have been advised to reload 30-06 (so it must be the way to go) and I keep trying to avoid it. I have a Dillon 550 sitting ten feet from me in my living room that is calling out to me.

The only reason I was hesitant is that I have only loaded handgun so far and did not want to get into rifle because it seems more difficult (headspacing, bottlenecks and all that). I guess I will just have to pick up some '06 dies and start playing with it.

Until then, I have gotten a few good suggestions here and elsewhere to just use FMJ ammo or something that will go on through without exploding the poor piggy. And, I will take headshots when possible.

Thanks!

[Edited by jdthaddeus on 03-13-2001 at 02:31 PM]
 
Wonder if Remington still makes the Sabot Rounds for the 06... They were 22cal 55gr FMJ's bullets seated in a sabot. They would exit the muzzle at over 4000fps :)

Accuracy would be on par, from what I have heard, with standard 30 cal loadings.

I think those round would work real nice on small game.
 
Pssst, did anyone mention to reload? Lots of nifty ways to download the 06. Then, start casting. Might as well for your pistols, too.

Got a pretty nifty 170 gr cast at about 15-1600 fps outa the .30 cals that nicely duplicates a fast .357 mag that should be just the ticket for a 100 yd li'l piggly wiggly. & that way, you don't have to limit yourself to just head shots.
 
Lyman's 311041 & actually, Art, since I'm using somebody else's throw away military brass, I cyfer the load at about a nickle. Yup, a cheap date. ;)

&'ve turned in some surprisingly tight groups - 'bout as good to 100 yds as can be done with some jacketeds & SD is better than for a .357

Can shoot these things all day long on the cheap - easy on you, the rifle & will do in a surprising # of critters post haste.
 
Cast, then Reload. I've used cast 170 grain flat points at 1100-1400 fps for things like turkey, Javalina and other small stuff that I wanted eat.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top