New Rem 700 for Deer.....Best Round?

S

Sgt.Fathead

Moderator
It's me, the newbie (to hunting four legged animals) hunter again! I just picked up my deer rifle for Fall season in NY state, a Remington 700 leftover Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in .30-06 with the black composite stock and the big white "8" on the stock (which I am going to cover with an elastic bullet band).

As a former Marine 0331 I am familiar with exactly one kind of rifle round, the 5.56mm NATO rounds handed out in cans and bandoliers for the M16A2s we had in my time. As a Machine Gunner, I am really familiar with the 100 round belts of 7.62mm/.30 ammo for the M60E3 that was my primary weapon and not too far off in terms of dimensions with the .30-06 cartridge.

Now I'm faced with a vast array of choices for this new rifle. My hunting partner Ed, also going with the .30-06, and I are likely going to buy a half dozen boxes of different ammo each, swap half boxes and proceed to testing them. I bought a box of 20 American Eagle 150-grain rounds the day I picked up the rifle because some small part of me that is still that young Marine from twenty years ago doesn't like having a weapon and no ammo for it. I also wanted something cheap to test it with.

Any and all help is appreciated. We will be going for Whitetails in NY state, hunting from stands or still hunting, from October to November. I imagine that I'll either be shooting from a seated, standing or standing with rest position at ranges under 100 yards. Thanks!
 
The 'best' round for your gun will most likely be different than the 'best' round for Ed's gun which I'm guessing you were already aware of. Personally, I was using either Winchester or Federal in the 165-180 grain range when I was using a Ruger .30-06 to hunt whitetails years ago. If you like the double-lung shots, the 150's should be sufficient. If you like breakin' shoulders when you pop 'em, I'd go with a heavier round. Just my two cents...
 
SGT, Excellent choice of rifle, your 30.06 will shoot plenty fast and flat using 150 gr loads. I have taken several deer using the 150 Remington coreloct bullet. some of those slugs expanded to the size of a dime. Since then I started handloading everything and now use only two bullets mainly 165 gr Sierra gameking spitzers and 150 gr Speer mag tips. One rifle likes one of em and the other rifle likes the other.
Incedently, why the elastic bullet band on the stock? I see alot of guys using them but I tend to spend alot of time prone or otherwise on the ground bellycrawling and the like. (read that Antelope hunting) Spitzer bullets tend to get kind of beat up when the're exposed like that. ( like the belts on your 60) Check out an Uncle Mikes ammo holder for your belt, it's folded with velcro, holds 10 .06 rounds, totally protected & fast access.
You'll like your .06 and if you decide to come west sometime it will make an excellent elk rifle as well.
 
Not Camo w/ Big White 8

Thanks to you both for the excellent info! I'm sure Ed's going to get different results with his gun. Though he has yet to purchase it, he will likely also get a Rem 700 though he really likes wood stocks.

The only reason i thought of the bullet band is, there's a big white number "8" on the stock because it's a Dale Earnhardt, Jr. model. Like this one:

http://www.remington.com/products/f...t_special_runs/model_700_BDL_earnhardt_jr.asp

I'll be damned I'm trucking into the brush with that thing honking like a neon sign! Maybe I'll use a bullet band, maybe I'll sand it off...I'm not sure yet!
 
Damage

I would rather not sand the sucker off...maybe after I use this rifle a bit I can sell it to a collector who is also a NASCAR fan. For that reason I have strongly considered removing the Earnhardt stock and going with a Remington factory replacement. Cabela's has the same stock, sans "8", plain black for around $88. and the camo version for $99. but I would prefer to just cover it and will, saving the $$$ for good glass, sling, hard case, gasoline, road food, etc...
 
Hardly a deer in North America that a 150-grain bullet won't kill. All you're getting with a heavier bullet is more recoil, not more effectiveness. Brand? Type of tip? Whatever your particular rifle likes insofar as group size from the benchrest. Odds are that it won't really matter on a target as large as the kill zone of a deer at the usual distances.

Art
 
Thanks

Thanks Art! I'm figuring Ed and I will feed our individual 700 models those half-boxes of 06 ammo and see what they prefer. I will post all of our findings and shots of our completed rifles soon!
 
For just deer shooting any ol 150-165 grain soft point will knock em down real fast. Just find a brand that your gun likes.

The elastic ammunition holder is a great idea for the big "8" on your stock. Youll find that it covers up the ugly as well as being quite practical.
 
.30-06

General consensus in all my research showed it was a great all around caliber. I have fired and like the .308 which is a big military round for France, Belgium and some Brit units but there wasn't as wide a range of rounds made for it. I'm pleased with my choice!
 
The worst performance I have had on deer was with the premium bullets like Barnes X and Nosler Partitions where the bullet did not expand.I used them thinking that more expensive had to be better ,but on deer I'm not too sure.I know the 165 and 180 premium bullets are great for Elk,Moose,Bear ,etc when you really need the bullet to stay intact for a long penetration.But on deer I have gone lighter and softer or ballistic tip.
 
Try the 168 winchester supreme. I load those bullets for my friend's 06 and it shoots well under MOA. Sometimes a rifle wont agree with the coating that they put on those supreme bullets, but others like it just fine. He has had good luck with those bullets, and done a good job with the cheap 165gr. winchester soft points. I think those are the cheapest bullets at walmart and they shoot well.
 
Winchesters

I have never liked Winchester shotgun ammo for various reasons but will add your suggestion to my list. Here in NJ, the anti-gun state, Wally's does not carry ammo, nor even BB guns in some areas. We usually drive to PA when we are told of a sale! Thanks for the tip.
 
Try a variety of plain-jane soft point loads. You don't need a premium round to kill deer; most of the regular brands will perform very well, especially in that caliber. :cool: Certainly try the Remington Core-lokt. I use Federal Premium rounds due to the accuracy in my .308, but I've also used regular soft-point rounds with great results.
 
I would pick 30-06. But there are so many good choices. You are familiar with the 7.62 nato so how about a .308 win. Same round. Good on deer and long range like the 06. Both have great ammo availability and are time tested and proven.
 
in .30-06, any 150 grainer is a good choice, except for milsurp ball ammo. Might run with 165s for 300 lb canadian mulies & whitetails. Like the man said, you don't need premium ammo for whitetails - so I'd say whichever 150s shoot the most accurately in your gun.

OTOH, I'd run with premium 180s or softpoint standard 220s (Rem) for elk or moose.

General consensus in all my research showed it was a great all around caliber
Click to expand...

You got that straight!
 
More Excellent Advice!

jhgreasemonkey, I've already purchased a Remington 700 in .30-06 so the other calibers will have to take a place at the back of the line. If I ever have need to buy another hunting rifle, I'd likely go for a 300 Win Mag. The .308 is an excellent choice as well...I'm gonna' have to master this rig first.

FirstFreedom and all others, my shopping list for test rounds is right in the 150 grain range. Just narrowing down what my rifle likes and what types of rounds I can use to good effect. Thanks again to all!
 
Try a couple 165/168 grain loads, too -- just to see how they shoot. You might be surprised. :cool:

Edited to add: good choice on the model and caliber. That's a great hunting gun. I kind of like the stock, and I suppose that you can cover it with the ammo pouch. At least it is something different, and Dale was pretty good.
 
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