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

[FALFire]

I'm a fan of the 165's but as stated either will work just fine.

[BOWHUNTER45]

I am no 06 fan but I would go with the 180  it seems to drop sheet better than the lighter bullets .....at least a few of my 06 buddies tell me !

[Curly]

I am no 06 fan but I would go with the 180  it seems to drop sheet better than the lighter bullets .....at least a few of my 06 buddies tell me!

With you being a 140 gr 270 Win fan, I would assume you would be a fan of 165 gr Hornady's in the 30-06.

[Bob33]

My answer is...you'll get at least four pages of opinions.

[seth30]

I am no 06 fan but I would go with the 180  it seems to drop sheet better than the lighter bullets .....at least a few of my 06 buddies tell me !

not a 06 fan Thats just not american

[youngbuckslayer]

i go with 165 grain and it works like magic i would never use any other amount of grainage.

[addicted]

My answer is...you'll get at least four pages of opinions.

and you still won't know which one is better. 

[BOWHUNTER45]

I am no 06 fan but I would go with the 180  it seems to drop sheet better than the lighter bullets .....at least a few of my 06 buddies tell me!

With you being a 140 gr 270 Win fan, I would assume you would be a fan of 165 gr Hornady's in the 30-06.

Curly ...you may have got me on this one ....I really can not tell ya ... Maybe because the 06 is so popular I have to hate it    Maybe if everyone did shoot hornadays I would not hear all the negitive issues with an 06....But seriously It has alot to do with bullets and shot placement ... I can not handle hearing someone tell me they shot something behind the shoulder and they lost it ......if an animal is hit threw the vitals there is no way he will live ...same with a sharp broadhead , if its hit solid it is not going far UNLESS YOU GO AND CHASE IT ONCE YOU HIT IT... THEN YOU MAY LOOSE IT !!!! Always give it time to expire ...like an hour if it is a solid kill shot ....I only shoot bear in the shoulders because I do not like chasing them with brush over my head ..at least a shoulder shot on bear gives me the chance to shoot him again if needed but not to often do I need to shoot twice 

[SkookumJeff]

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. ~

Sorry Bobcat, just my poor attempt at some humor, I couldn't help myself when I saw your comment.  150, 165, 180 grain, whatever works for ya, just put the bullet in the right place and that critter will drop....spending enough time with the rifle to get proficient with it is a lot more important in my humble opinion than the difference between 165 and 180 grain bullets. 

I wonder how many elk have been taken with the 30-06 Springfield since it's been used as a hunting cartridge?  My first 'real' hunting rifle was an aught six...

.. the 'aught six'....the cartridge that helped win the great war. 

God bless America.

Skook

[bobcat]

150, 165, 180 grain, whatever works for ya, just put the bullet in the right place and that critter will drop

The problem is what about when you don't put the bullet in the right place? I mean if you could always guarantee the bullet would go in precisely the right spot, then you'd be just fine with a 243 and an 80 grain bullet. I like the 30-06, I don't think there is a better all around big game cartridge. But I really think it's at its best with the 180 grain bullets (for elk). If you're talking about deer, well, then it really doesn't make a bit of difference. For deer you really just want the most accurate bullet you can get. And as I said, if you go with more of a "premium" bullet, then a 150 is just fine.

[follow maggie]

Shoot what your rifle likes better. The difference is small. I've killed a bunch of elk with 165 grain bullets from the trusty Enfield.

[BOWHUNTER45]

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. ~

Sorry Bobcat, just my poor attempt at some humor, I couldn't help myself when I saw your comment.  150, 165, 180 grain, whatever works for ya, just put the bullet in the right place and that critter will drop....spending enough time with the rifle to get proficient with it is a lot more important in my humble opinion than the difference between 165 and 180 grain bullets. 

I wonder how many elk have been taken with the 30-06 Springfield since it's been used as a hunting cartridge?  My first 'real' hunting rifle was an aught six...

.. the 'aught six'....the cartridge that helped win the great war. 

God bless America.

Skook

Skook Your right ... But we all have our favorite rifle ....and its our nature to dislike what someone else likes .... But thats all good thats what makes this world turn  

[high country]

150, 165, 180 grain, whatever works for ya, just put the bullet in the right place and that critter will drop

The problem is what about when you don't put the bullet in the right place? I mean if you could always guarantee the bullet would go in precisely the right spot, then you'd be just fine with a 243 and an 80 grain bullet. I like the 30-06, I don't think there is a better all around big game cartridge. But I really think it's at its best with the 180 grain bullets (for elk). If you're talking about deer, well, then it really doesn't make a bit of difference. For deer you really just want the most accurate bullet you can get. And as I said, if you go with more of a "premium" bullet, then a 150 is just fine.

you will find many guys making up poor off season practice by shooting 3380eargasplittinloudenboomers. a good hit starts at the trigger man, if he lets fly a scabby shot, he should expect scabby results, bullet size, weight and speed be damned.

[bobcat]

high country,  you're right I can't argue with that. To the OP: use whatever you want, it makes no difference.

[jackelope]

My answer is...you'll get at least four pages of opinions.

I can't believe it went 2 pages so far. What could the difference possibly be when shooting a deer between a 165 grn bullet and a 180. Especially when you can kill the same deer regularly with a bullet half that size out of a .243. It's more about bullet quality and what your gun shoots better than 165 or 180 grains. This thread would be much more meaningfull to me if we were talking about which bullet brand to use than the weight difference for a deer.
I really liked the Barnes TSX in 165 or 168 grain, I can't remember now. My A-bolt really liked them. The .30 cal bullet of choice for me now is the 180 grain Accubond.
There, that ought to get it to 4 pages.