30-06 for deer and elk: 165 or 180 grain bullets?

[BigTines]

So I hunt elk about 1 week after deer season ends and I dont really have time to sight in my rifle between the 2 seasons. As a result, I need to use the same bullet for both deer and elk.

So....which do you reccomend? 165 or 180 grain for both deer and elk?? Thanks!

[halflife65]

Either is fine.  I use 180s out of my .30-06 just because they seem to shoot better.  But I'm not hand loading and just using factory ammo.  I shot several brands and bullet weights to figure out which one shot best.

I would've been happy to use 165s but my rifle didn't seem to shoot them as accurately.

Of course, now I shoot a bow or a .300WSM but I still have the .30-06.

[Dirty Mike]

shoot whatever is most accurate! could be 150 to 220 anyon would take down an elk my dad hunted elk for yrs with 150 grn out of his 30-06 my gun shoots 180s best.

[bobcat]

If you're going to use a low price type of bullet (core lokt, power point, etc) go with the heavier 180 grain. If you're going with a more "premium" bullet such as a Nosler Partition or a Barnes, then use 165.

[D-Rock425]

15 grains wont make a bit of difference to an elk or a deer they will be just as dead with either one.  If you put it in the right spot.

[GoldTip]

180gr is all I've ever shot out of '06, always worked well.

[woodswalker]

If you are going to handload...I'd go with a 165, its a bit flatter shooting.  I've been shooting 165s our of my -06 for over 20 years now...and have to work up a new load as the bullets are WAY out of production and I'm out of the 2000 I had.

If you dont handload, find a factory load that shoots from your rifle..then buy a bunch of it and PRACTICE.  Hitting with either weight puts more critters down than missing.

[SkookumJeff]

If you're going to use a low price type of bullet (core lokt, power point, etc) go with the heavier 180 grain. If you're going with a more "premium" bullet such as a Nosler Partition or a Barnes, then use 165.

Yeah, economy 165 hunting bullets just won't kill an elk.      

Seriously, different bullet weights have different compromises between downrange energy and velocity (trajectory).  I've always considered the 165 grain spitzer an optimal bullet for the .30-06 giving excellent compromise in range, relatively flat trajectory and impact energy.  With proper bullet placement any 165 grain spitzer designed for hunting traveling at the velocity the bullet is designed for will kill all big game in north America.

Skook

[high country]

don't sweat the small stuff!

[Bofire]

In the 06 trajectory difference between 165 and 180 is virtually zero. The 180 is better at long ranges. I'd use the 180 if my rifle shot them well.
Carl

[zackmioli]

i use the 165gr nosler partitions and they have performed great.

[C-Money]

Sight in with the load that shoots best in your rifle. The only elk I have harvested was with my 30-06 using 150gr Hornaday interlock hand loads. That little spike bull tipped in about 10 yards after a heart shot. bullet preformed perfect, found it stuck in the hide on the opposite side, held together and mushroomed nicely!

[bobcat]

If you're going to use a low price type of bullet (core lokt, power point, etc) go with the heavier 180 grain. If you're going with a more "premium" bullet such as a Nosler Partition or a Barnes, then use 165.

Yeah, economy 165 hunting bullets just won't kill an elk.      
Seriously, different bullet weights have different compromises between downrange energy and velocity (trajectory).  I've always considered the 165 grain spitzer an optimal bullet for the .30-06 giving excellent compromise in range, relatively flat trajectory and impact energy.  With proper bullet placement any 165 grain spitzer designed for hunting traveling at the velocity the bullet is designed for will kill all big game in north America.
Skook

 
That's just kind of a general rule of thumb I'd go by, didn't mean to say it's the only right answer. I like using premium bullets for elk, and the reason I would go lighter than 180 is only for the reduced recoil. I would actually go with a 150 grain Barnes if it would shoot in my rifle. But i do believe if you're using "soft" bullets like the Core-Lokts, you might as well go with the 180. There's no downside to it, the 180 will shoot just as far as any other weight.

[addicted]

being a good shot outweighs that decision 10 to 1.  Get whatever is cheaper so you can shoot more before the season starts. 

[Goldeneye]

My gun like the 180's better than the 165's.  When given the choice I almost always lean towards a heavier slug.  That way if your shot if off a little more than planned you have a little more bullet mass to cause more damage to recover the animal.