Favorite 30-06, 180 gr. hunting load...

[Griz]

I am reloading four different rifles for elk hunting and all of them are 30-06's. I was wondering what your favorite 30-06, 180 gr. big game load is.

Thanks,

Griz

[RLH70]

My favorite 180gr load that shoots well in my guns is 180gr Nosler Partition over 55grs of IMR4350. I get about 2610fps.

[Arkie_Lefty]

I'v never loaded 180's, only 150's for our light weight local deer. I've allways prefered ball powders though, as they throw so consistently I don't feel the need for a trickler.

Nosler partitions would be hard to beat though.

Bob

[Griz]

Bob, one needs a heavy bullet for penetration on elk. The 150's just won't do it unless it was a Barnes bullet. But I haven't had good luck getting a Barnes to shoot tight groups. Probably just the combinations of cases, powders and primers I have tried don't work well with them. I've heard others have used Barnes bullets and love them. I am partial to the Nosler Partition bullets. They always perform well for me and aren't hard to get them to shoot tight groups.

I'll have to concentrate on IMR-4350 more and see what happens.

Griz

[Arkie_Lefty]

Well understand the difference between a little 125lb Arkansas whitetail and a western elk! I wasn't in any way suggesting you use 150's for them.

Point in fact, my pistolsmith nephew just recently put two 140gr balistic tips into a MONSTER Nebraska whitetail and lost it for a week and a half before a property owner found it and called him to come retrieve the rack. One round in the front shoulder, the other in upper ham (full away), neither made it to anything vital. Good shot placement from just under 300 yards. He's going to something tougher and heavier before next year. I suggested 160 partition in his locale.

Bob

[Griz]

Well understand the difference between a little 125lb Arkansas whitetail and a western elk! I wasn't in any way suggesting you use 150's for them.

Point in fact, my pistolsmith nephew just recently put two 140gr balistic tips into a MONSTER Nebraska whitetail and lost it for a week and a half before a property owner found it and called him to come retrieve the rack. One round in the front shoulder, the other in upper ham (full away), neither made it to anything vital. Good shot placement from just under 300 yards. He's going to something tougher and heavier before next year. I suggested 160 partition in his locale.

Bob

You got that right Bob in both cases.

What caliber was your nephew using? I use a .280 on elk with 160 gr. Nosler Partition bullets. So far I haven't had to use more than one bullet in each of the four elk I have taken. Your nephew might also consider using Nosler Accubond bullets on those deer. They should also do the job well.

Griz

[Arkie_Lefty]

Sorry! I was thinkin it so hard I figured everyone could tell he was shooting a 7rem mag!

Bob

[RLH70]

Why not just use a 180gr Partition and be done with it? I know for a fact it would cause less meat damage.

[Arkie_Lefty]

Because you should try to match bullet properties to game being hunted. Overpenetration/failure to expand properly can be as much of a problem as underpenetration.

Buddy used to deer hunt here with 220gr factory 30-06 loads,,,,did an excellent job, long as he shot 'em in the head!

Bob

[RLH70]

I think a 180gr is a very good match for Midwestern whitetail. I agree that a 220gr is way too much for deer in your neck of the woods, but we have some giants around here and 180gr would be just the ticket.