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Need 30 cal hunting bullet.
- Thread starter BC Buck
- Start date
There is nothing wrong with either the Winchester 150 grain Power Point or the Remington 150 grain "Core-Lokt"
For reloading the old Hornady 165 grain Inner-lock is quite good.
Nosler Partitions are outstanding, but expensive and honestly on Whitetails, you only need standard bullets in a 30-06
I have found the Sierra and Speer bullets to be fine for killing deer in the 30 cals, but they come apart a bit more than I'd like. If that doesn't bother you then they are fine too.
For reloading the old Hornady 165 grain Inner-lock is quite good.
Nosler Partitions are outstanding, but expensive and honestly on Whitetails, you only need standard bullets in a 30-06
I have found the Sierra and Speer bullets to be fine for killing deer in the 30 cals, but they come apart a bit more than I'd like. If that doesn't bother you then they are fine too.
My go to bullets for big game are:
6mm 95 gr Nosler Ballistic tip
257 115 gr Nosler Ballistic tip
6.5mm 120 gr Nosler Ballistic tip
270 130 gr Nosler Ballistic tip
7mm 140 gr Nosler Ballistic tip
308 150 gr Nosler Ballistic tip
8mm 165 gr Nosler Ballistic tip
338 250 gr Nosler Partition
I use the ballistic tips and aim for the lungs broadside at 400 yards from a prone bipod with an 8 to 12 pound rig. Exit holes are 1" and the lungs are liquified.
A person of higher skill than me or much heavier rifle would go to a heavier bullet and shoot at longer ranges.
The SST would be my second choice, as it is a bullet of similar design.
I am surprised you got a pencil hole.
With a not so good 308, 30-06, 300 WM, ect, I go down to a 125 gr Nosler ballistic tip, and it works well and requires even less skill.
6mm 95 gr Nosler Ballistic tip
257 115 gr Nosler Ballistic tip
6.5mm 120 gr Nosler Ballistic tip
270 130 gr Nosler Ballistic tip
7mm 140 gr Nosler Ballistic tip
308 150 gr Nosler Ballistic tip
8mm 165 gr Nosler Ballistic tip
338 250 gr Nosler Partition
I use the ballistic tips and aim for the lungs broadside at 400 yards from a prone bipod with an 8 to 12 pound rig. Exit holes are 1" and the lungs are liquified.
A person of higher skill than me or much heavier rifle would go to a heavier bullet and shoot at longer ranges.
The SST would be my second choice, as it is a bullet of similar design.
I am surprised you got a pencil hole.
With a not so good 308, 30-06, 300 WM, ect, I go down to a 125 gr Nosler ballistic tip, and it works well and requires even less skill.
As mentioned already, the 150 gr. Nosler Partition should fill the bill.
I normally load up on them at Shooters Pro Shop to save lots of coins.
They are listed now at $14.95/50 as blems, but there ain't a dang thing wrong with them. They shoot just as good as the regulars. They show 27 boxes in stock.
http://www.shootersproshop.com/shoo...ler-30-150gr-partition-spitzer-blem-50ct.html
Another good one is the 168 gr Bonded Solid Base if you want something a little heavier. They are listed @ $29.95/100. They show 6 boxes in stock. If you want them, don't fart around 'cause they can go quick.
http://www.shootersproshop.com/shoo...olid-base-bullets-w-cannelure-blem-100ct.html
I normally load up on them at Shooters Pro Shop to save lots of coins.
They are listed now at $14.95/50 as blems, but there ain't a dang thing wrong with them. They shoot just as good as the regulars. They show 27 boxes in stock.
http://www.shootersproshop.com/shoo...ler-30-150gr-partition-spitzer-blem-50ct.html
Another good one is the 168 gr Bonded Solid Base if you want something a little heavier. They are listed @ $29.95/100. They show 6 boxes in stock. If you want them, don't fart around 'cause they can go quick.
http://www.shootersproshop.com/shoo...olid-base-bullets-w-cannelure-blem-100ct.html
The Ballistic Tips hold together much better than the SST's you have been shooting, especially the BT's in 30 cal heavier than 150 gr.
For what you need there are far more good options than bad. I'd stick with 150-165 gr bullets. The heavier bullets are meant for larger game such as elk or moose. Almost any of those will easily take deer.
Hornady SST's have a reputation for being the most explosive and often don't penetrate enough on large animals, but deer are small. Realistically the SST should be a good choice for whitetail, rapid expansion with no exit holes usually drop deer the fastest with no need for a blood trail.
The Interlock is a good bullet for normal ranges. It's poor aerodynamics make it less than ideal for long range work. The same can be said for almost all of the other bullets such as Remington, Winchester, and Sierria. They'll all kill deer at reasonable ranges.
The Nosler Partition has the best reputation for rapid expansion along with good penetration, but poor BC's mean there are better options once ranges get over 300 yards. The Ballistic tip is the most aerodynamic of the Noslers, but it earned a reputation for rapid expansion just like the SST. Nosler addressed complaints at least 10 years ago and toughened the jackets on certain BT bullets. A 165 or 180 gr BT is now a tough bullet, lighter weight BT's may still expand too fast.
The Nosler Accubond is probably my top choice for an all around bullet. It performs much like a Partition on impact with game, but with very good BC's identical to the BT for extended ranges.
For what you need there are far more good options than bad. I'd stick with 150-165 gr bullets. The heavier bullets are meant for larger game such as elk or moose. Almost any of those will easily take deer.
Hornady SST's have a reputation for being the most explosive and often don't penetrate enough on large animals, but deer are small. Realistically the SST should be a good choice for whitetail, rapid expansion with no exit holes usually drop deer the fastest with no need for a blood trail.
The Interlock is a good bullet for normal ranges. It's poor aerodynamics make it less than ideal for long range work. The same can be said for almost all of the other bullets such as Remington, Winchester, and Sierria. They'll all kill deer at reasonable ranges.
The Nosler Partition has the best reputation for rapid expansion along with good penetration, but poor BC's mean there are better options once ranges get over 300 yards. The Ballistic tip is the most aerodynamic of the Noslers, but it earned a reputation for rapid expansion just like the SST. Nosler addressed complaints at least 10 years ago and toughened the jackets on certain BT bullets. A 165 or 180 gr BT is now a tough bullet, lighter weight BT's may still expand too fast.
The Nosler Accubond is probably my top choice for an all around bullet. It performs much like a Partition on impact with game, but with very good BC's identical to the BT for extended ranges.
My "go to" bullet for whitetails in 30/06 is Nosler 165 BT. My stock is an older lot(at least 10-12 years old) but I assure you, they DO expand. Maybe a little too much on shoulder hits but it puts them down like a hammer. Ballistics of this bullet are excellent, too.
CoreLokt is and always was a deer bullet. I moved from the 150's to 180's 40+ years ago due to excessive meat damage. Back then we only got one tag so destroying meat meant going short later. I haven't shot a deer with the 06 for years due to the need for reduced recoil in my current stage of life.
CoreLokt is and always was a deer bullet. I moved from the 150's to 180's 40+ years ago due to excessive meat damage. Back then we only got one tag so destroying meat meant going short later. I haven't shot a deer with the 06 for years due to the need for reduced recoil in my current stage of life.
I agree with what's being stated above about weight, move down to a 150 grain bullet. When I was hunting with the 30-06 I played around using 150, 165, and 180's and saw the same results you seem to being seeing. I eventually settled on 150 grain Sierra Game Kings and had good results.
Sure Shot Mc Gee
New member
Want to see a fairly big entry & exit hole with Ur 06. Load a few 30 cal 170gr or 150 gr Flat points. (specifically made for 30-30 use.)_ Brand of bullet is not important._ Those are the only 2 bullets I ever shot thru my 06 or 300 Savage.
Over the years I probably shot 25-30 MN deer using those FP bullets. Only lost one deer in my life. That was the year I used a 243 with 100 gr. Shot the deer in its neck with a Federal PSP. Pencil size discussing holes in & out. 2 whole days I tracked that deer thru brush & swamp and over fences still those nasty ravens got to it before I did.
These days I primarily hunt with a 270. But I still tote my 300 Sav around for a little exercise when bored with my deer stand . Still loading up those old Winchester 150 gr Sliver Tip FP I have a lot of. (30-30 bullets) Still seating them in my 300 Savage brass. Very old Tip for a old guy I doubt I will ever change.
Over the years I probably shot 25-30 MN deer using those FP bullets. Only lost one deer in my life. That was the year I used a 243 with 100 gr. Shot the deer in its neck with a Federal PSP. Pencil size discussing holes in & out. 2 whole days I tracked that deer thru brush & swamp and over fences still those nasty ravens got to it before I did.
These days I primarily hunt with a 270. But I still tote my 300 Sav around for a little exercise when bored with my deer stand . Still loading up those old Winchester 150 gr Sliver Tip FP I have a lot of. (30-30 bullets) Still seating them in my 300 Savage brass. Very old Tip for a old guy I doubt I will ever change.
CarJunkieLS1
New member
OP get yourself the good old 165gr Hornady Interlock, either the flat base or the boat tail version. Doesn't matter which or the 165gr Speer BTSP has been good for me.
On the Ballistic Tips...my only on game experience with them (6mm and 7mm) was with a 95gr in a .243 at 2990. Deer was at 60 yards and wife shot it in the onside shoulder. The bullet broke the shoulder and came apart it did extensive lung damage and bloodshot the off side shoulder pretty bad. Deer ran 30 yards on 3 legs and piled up.
Other was a 7mm 120gr Ballistic Tip at 2785. I have shot 4 deer with this combo from 75-117 yards. All 4 deer died with authority and combined went less than 10 yards. None of the 4 bullets have exited, but I aim for high shoulders. Internal damage is extensive and its the rifle and bullet combo I have the most confidence with if I need to anchor them where they stand.
On the Ballistic Tips...my only on game experience with them (6mm and 7mm) was with a 95gr in a .243 at 2990. Deer was at 60 yards and wife shot it in the onside shoulder. The bullet broke the shoulder and came apart it did extensive lung damage and bloodshot the off side shoulder pretty bad. Deer ran 30 yards on 3 legs and piled up.
Other was a 7mm 120gr Ballistic Tip at 2785. I have shot 4 deer with this combo from 75-117 yards. All 4 deer died with authority and combined went less than 10 yards. None of the 4 bullets have exited, but I aim for high shoulders. Internal damage is extensive and its the rifle and bullet combo I have the most confidence with if I need to anchor them where they stand.
schmellba99
New member
Nosler Accubond - basically a ballistic tip, but bonded core with a thicker jacket. Great expansion and really good weight retention. You will not be disappointed in the exit hole.
jersurf101
New member
Sierra GK 165 sp or hp. You dont need anything else.