30-06 and light loads

[jackelope]

first let me preface this by saying...i don't own lots of guns, nor do i know a whole ton about bullets/loads/ballistics, etc. i shoot factory loads out of a totally stock factory gun. i wish kind of that i had a flatter shooting caliber, but i  don't so here's my question. i've seen some bullets(hand loads i think) in the 125 grain range built for the '06. is there any benefit to using these, and if so, is there a factory 125 grain bullet that anybody knows of? i guess i wonder if it's too light for deer sized game, but i also wonder if it would be flatter shooting at longer ranges. anybody who is a bullet/ballistics guru have an answer for me? i pretty much just use 165 grain plain jane bullets ike core locks but this past year i used the hornadylight magnum 165 grain's. ate my tag so not sure the result on a deer, but they shoot pretty good. just not sure out to distances of 300 yards or so.

[bobcat]

That the 30-06 is not flat shooting is, in my opinion, a common misconception. The ballistic coefficient of the bullet, and the muzzle velocity is what determines how "flat" it will shoot. If you're not familiar with the term "ballistic coefficient," it is just basically a mathematical representation of how aerodymanic a bullet is, with the longer a bullet is in relation to its diameter, the higher the BC will be. A 125 grain bullet in 30 caliber is very short and will have a very low BC. The muzzle velocity will be quite a bit higher than a 165 grain bullet, but the 125 will lose that velocity much quicker. Also the lower BC bullets will drift more in the wind. The 165 grain is just about the ideal weight in a 30-06, in my opinion, and there's nothing wrong with the 180's either. I would not go lighter than 150 grain in a 30-06, for hunting purposes, and I would only go that light if I wanted to reduce recoil. The 30-06 loaded with a 150-180 grain bullet is easily capable of shooting out to 400 yards. You might be surprised if you play around with a ballistic calculator to find that there is very little difference between the 30-06, and other cartridges that are "known" for being flat shooting, like the 7mm Rem. Mag and the 270, ESPECIALLY if you're only talking about shooting to 300 yards. Out to 300 yards, almost all modern cartridges shoot virtually the same.

[Ray]

It doesn't look like 125 grain has the best long range trajectory according to this  But then again the 125 grain was zeroed in at a shorter range too.

I seem to think 150 and 165 grain shoot best for me. I'm about as much a ballistics expert as some dude working at a grocery store though 

[bobcat]

Yeah, but that isn't a fair comparison because those are the "managed recoil" loads. Muzzle velocity is only 2660 fps, when a full power load with a 125 grain bullet should be well over 3100 fps.

[Ray]

I think you're right but not all of those were managed recoil.  You can take your pick here for example http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/ballistics/choose_specific_loads.aspx?c1=30&c2=&c3=

Probably a better example

[bobcat]

Right, if you compare a 125 to a 165, you'll see the 125 in equivalent loads, the 125 does drop 1 inch less at 300 yards, when zeroed at 200. But, that's an insignificant amount, and the 165 will have the advantage of much less wind drift. It's much easier to compensate for distance than wind, because you can measure it with a rangefinder, or if you're shooting at 300 yards or less, you should be able to shoot without holding over at all, especially if you zero your rifle at 300 yards. Here's the 125 and 165 comparison:

http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/ballistics/comparative_ballistics_results.aspx?data=R30061*R3006B

[Ray]

the 165 will have the advantage of much less wind drift.

I agree

[jackelope]

MAYBE here's a better question....where in western washington can i go and shoot and learn my gun better at 300 yards without being a member of some gun club?? not that i have anything against being a member, just curious if there is anywhere.

[bobcat]

Most shooting ranges you do have to be a member. I am a member of one down here in the Olympia area, and I pay $160/year. If you don't mind driving to Olympia, you're welcome to go with me sometime. The only problem is we only have a 200 yard range. There is one down near Pe Ell that has 100, 200, 300, 500, and 700 yards, and I think it's only about $20/year. The WDFW has a list of shooting ranges, by county, on their website. I'll attach a PDF file of it here...

[Ray]

I like this range http://www.svrifle.com/index.htm but I am a member of a different one due to proximity.

Maybe the best Western Washington range is in Eastern Washington 

[jackelope]

I just need to suck it up and join up with the kenmore range. they have a 300 yard range for members only.
or shoot over at the inlaws in the canyons in the off-season.

[bobcat]

I just need to suck it up and join up with the kenmore range. they have a 300 yard range for members only.
or shoot over at the inlaws in the canyons in the off-season.

Do that, and also consider taking up handloading. You will shoot more as a result, and you will learn a lot. Just don't expect to save any money. 

[Buckblaster]

A friend of mine loads 150 gr bullets with H4350 for his 30-06 and chrono's his loads at 3000 fps. That's magnum velocity. I shoot the same bullet out of my 300wsm at 3150 fps. Goes to show how efficient the 30-06 is. That is an excellent load for flat shooting at deer.

[bobcat]

I'm thinking about trying a 150 grain Barnes TSX in my 30-06, but I'll probably go with the 168 grain. I just like heavier bullets. What bullet do you use in your 300 WSM?

[jackelope]

I just need to suck it up and join up with the kenmore range. they have a 300 yard range for members only.
or shoot over at the inlaws in the canyons in the off-season.

Do that, and also consider taking up handloading. You will shoot more as a result, and you will learn a lot. Just don't expect to save any money. 

bobcat...i wish i had the room for it. i have so much flytying stuff stashed in the garage right now with nowhere to put all that. the  last thing i need(probably not really) is another hobby.
9thats what my wife says anyway)
i'm gonna have to find a place to do some more shooting.
thanks for all the input guys.