This didn't seem right for bullet drop.....

C

chuckmatlock

New member
I was at the range shooting my .30-06 for the first time and got close to zeroed in using 150 grain winchesters (would these be ok for deer or are they too light) and then I threw a couple 180 grains in and the drop was about 10-12 inches at 100 yds. It seems like it shouldn't have been that much.
 
Thats not even close to normal-BUT it probably had more to do woth bullet than bullet weight. I'm assuming the 180's weren't the same winchester loads as the 150s?

Your 150s will work fine on deer, I like the higher BC of 165s, but the deer will never know the difference and neither will you, I'm sure its mostly in my mind;)
 
Unless you live in some magical world where the deer are the size of moose, go with the 150's. The deer will be just as dead and your trajectory will be flatter.
 
The difference in point of impact you are seeing has little to do with bullet drop at 100 yds. It is more likely a function of difference in load harmonics, causing the barrel to be pointed in a different direction when the bullet exits the barrel.
 
I agree with Scorch about the vibration factor. I find no practical difference in point of impact with my '06, whether 150s, 165s or 180s. I'll take luck over skill, any day.
 
Its due to velocity..

the 150's are about 2700+fps, 180's are 2500.
The higher velocity is flatter shooter, the 180 are more rainbow like.
Both will work on deer 150+ pounds, some hunters like 180's in heavy brush thinking they carry through the brush better than the 150's.

Check out the ballistic tables on Winchester ammo website.
 
Something like 90% of all deer are shot within 200 yards. There's at most a couple of inches of difference, if that much, from 150 to 180. Go two inches high at 100 and fuggeddaboutit.

"Brush-busting" is a myth. All bullets deflect, up to and including .45-70. The determining factor is the distance from the twig/branch to the target. The NRA folks published one set of results I recall form about forty or so yars back, in the old "Dope Bag". Unless the brush is very, very close to Bambi, don't shoot.

No telling how many deer my father killed with his '06; at least a hundred. That's up to 200 pounds, field-dressed weight. He used only the Hornady 150-grain Spire Point, at about GI M2 performance level.
 
Bullet weight

WOW! you guys must have tough deer where your at. I shoot 90 grain hollow point boat tails in my .270. One shot one kill, I just love hand loads.:eek: Just joking about the deer, Shot placement is the key. A bad shot with a 150 grain bullet is the same as with a 90 grain bullet (a bad shot!) Just remember hunt with the same type and weight ammo as you sight in with and you should be fine My .02's worth
 
That kind of bullet drop does not seem right. Should not be much difference at all between 150's and 180's. 150's will do a great job in the 06. Good luck.
 
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