Loading General Purpose .30-06

One more thing to consider: Hornady makes the Interlock SP in both flat base and boat tail versions; I have found more than a couple of rifles in my circle of influence that did not shoot the BT very well, but do very well with the flat base design. I usually try the BT first as its ballistics are a little better for long range, and generally if a rifle will shoot the BT well it will also shoot the flat base (although a slightly different POI). FWIW anyway.
 
Any 165 hunting bullet, be that an SP, Partitions(Noslers really just cost more), Interlocks or any other bullet, will kill any game in North America. Think IMR4064.
There is absolutely nothing in North America, big bears included, that requires a magnum of any kind to kill.
 
I have used 180gr Nosler Accubonds on Blue Wilde Bees and must say it was a pleasure. On Kudu it was just as easy. I load Nosler Ballistic Tips for shooting in a rifle and use the Accubonds for all my hunting. At be price of game these days it is better to make sure you have a one-shot-kill.
 
Having shot numerous elk with 150gr cup and core bullets and also with heavier premium bullets I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that 165-180gr premium bullets are far and away better at killing elk than 150gr and 165gr cup and core. I will never go back. It's a night and day difference.
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I didn't say use 150gr cup and core bullets. The link listed several bonded or all copper 150gr projectiles.

165gr is my personal minimum for a cup and core bullet for elk (partial to the Hornady interlocks which aren't a real premium bullet in my opinion), although 180gr is better if they shoot accurately from your rifle.

Still, I'd rather have someone put together a lot of a load they can shoot well and practice with than spend a lot of money on premium bullets that don't shoot well and don't have enough to practice with. Accuracy, penetration, tissue disruption. All the things you need for an ethical hunt.

Jimro
 
Still, I'd rather have someone put together a lot of a load they can shoot well and practice with than spend a lot of money on premium bullets that don't shoot well and don't have enough to practice with. Accuracy, penetration, tissue disruption. All the things you need for an ethical hunt.
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For sure, wasn't trying to argue per se, but I assert that it is worth the money to shoot a premium bullet accurately and comfortably because they are so much better for penetration and just as good for accuracy. They are worth every extra penny. For a spine shot or a perfect lung shot, anything from a 30-06 will do the trick. Hit bone and you never know what a cup and core is gonna do. A bonded or monolithic copper bullet has consistently broken the bone and punched thru for me.

The interlock is has always been an accurate bullet for me in numerous rifles. It is not a premium bullet, it is cup and core. It sucks on elk compared to bonded or monolithic copper. Barnes and Nosler bullets have been just as accurate for me, have not tried Partitions.
 
Thanks guys, good stuff here.

I guess I forgot to say in my OP that I try to shoot through the shoulders, as I like eating the hearts, so good penetration definitely desired. I say try because sometimes I've put bullets through the heart-lungs of a deer either through bad bullet placement or that was just the shot that was offered. That tended to turn the heart into mush; not good eatin'.

Also the powders I'm going to test are IMR4350 and IMR 8208 XBR. My research indicates that I should get better results in terms of accuracy with the 4350 (Hornady and Nosler manual), so that's where I plan to start.

And I didn't mean to throw my buddies under the bus in my OP; they just like their rifles and I just like mine. And my lady would give me the business if I bought another rifle right now.:rolleyes:
 
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