150 gr. Vs 180 gr.

[Nsghunter]

Since my deer season is over I was leaning towards load development. I shoot a 150gr. Accubond inn my 30-06 but I was thinking of increasing it to a 180g or even a 200gr. (200) sounds too heavy for a 30-06.

What are the pros and cons of the three.

I am mainly deer hunting at ranges of 100-400 yards.
I would also use the round for an occasional black beer hunt.

 

[DaveB]

I do not load the 180 in my 06 but you should have no problem with it.
Pro: this will carry you from Deer through Moose
Con: The recoil is going to amaze you. For deer the meat destruction will be worse.


Nosler says a 62 grain charge of RL22 behind a 180 will push downrange at 2800 FPS. This has to be a very very stout recipe; I would start much lower on the scale-perhaps 55 grains. As you progress through the cycle looking for accuracy watch carefully for over-pressue signs: Sticky bolt lift and eject; cratered primers.

This is the ballistics chart for Federal Premium ammo, use it as a starting point as it has the same FPS as the Nosler book:

http://guide.sportsmansguide.com/ballis ... x63mm.html

Roughly 2 feet drop at 400 yards, not bad. At 300 the 8 inch drop is insignificant.....almost point blank.

 

[jlanecr500]

A 165 Accubond is a universally accurate projectile in every 06 I've had. I'm at 58gr imr4350 .020" off the lands. I would start at 56gr and work up in .3gr increments.

 

[knightrider]

What's wrong with the 150, I don't think they would have a problem killing deer or bear

 

[Nsghunter]

What's wrong with the 150, I don't think they would have a problem killing deer or bear

That was part of the original question. Why or why not to stay with 150 or change. The Bc is better for the 180 and I felt it would hold more energy for the longer shots. I also thought the increase in energy would help with better penetration on bear. I don't have a problem with the 150s, I was just curious what other people thought.

 

[MUP]

I've been shooting the 150 NAB's from my 06 as well. Sub MOA at 100 yds(.75" 3 shot groups, .900" 5 shot), but I have yet to shoot a deer with them. I have however used 150 gr corlokt's for years prior to handloading, and they have never failed to drop what I've shot, as long as I do my part. Nothing wrong with using 180's, but the same goes for the 150's I suppose. I shot a buck with a 180 gr corlokt from my Dad's Model 742 Woodsmaster 30-06 one time, perfect heart shot, and he ran straight up a steep ridge about 100 yds or so, before realizing he was dead. I've also shot one of my biggest bucks with the 150 corlokt and he dropped straight down. Shot placement is the key, and each of those gr bullets, along with the intermediate 165 gr will fill the bill I do believe. Heavier bullets for bigger game of course if that's what you're going for, as DaveB alluded to.

 

[Nsghunter]

I've been shooting the 150 NAB's from my 06 as well. Sub MOA at 100 yds(.75" 3 shot groups, .900" 5 shot), but I have yet to shoot a deer with them. I have however used 150 gr corlokt's for years prior to handloading, and they have never failed to drop what I've shot, as long as I do my part. Nothing wrong with using 180's, but the same goes for the 150's I suppose. I shot a buck with a 180 gr corlokt from my Dad's Model 742 Woodsmaster 30-06 one time, perfect heart shot, and he ran straight up a steep ridge about 100 yds or so, before realizing he was dead. I've also shot one of my biggest bucks with the 150 corlokt and he dropped straight down. Shot placement is the key, and each of those gr bullets, along with the intermediate 165 gr will fill the bill I do believe. Heavier bullets for bigger game of course if that's what you're going for, as DaveB alluded to.

If you don't mind, what's your 06 recipe?

 

[EastTNHunter]

I'm sitting in the woods right now for the first time in weeks, and I have my trusty 30-06 in my lap. I usually use 165 NABs (bang flop with exit on all of the deer but one that I have ever shot), but am switching over to 180s right now in anticipation of my first ever elk hunt next fall. 56.5gr of I4350 shoots silly accurate out of my 22" tube, and I get about 2750fps. I hope to try it out on a deer for the first time this afternoon...

 

[Nsghunter]

I'm sitting in the woods right now for the first time in weeks, and I have my trusty 30-06 in my lap. I usually use 165 NABs (bang flop with exit on all of the deer but one that I have ever shot), but am switching over to 180s right now in anticipation of my first ever elk hunt next fall. 56.5gr of I4350 shoots silly accurate out of my 22" tube, and I get about 2750fps. I hope to try it out on a deer for the first time this afternoon...

Hopefully for the both of us you are successful. Good luck!

 

[hunter0925]

I shoot 180gr accubonds out of my 30-06 but I can't remember the charge or the speed off my head. Every deer I have shot has dropped in its tracks and I have zero complaints. I wouldn't hesitate to use a 150gr accubond on any deer or bear in TN within 400 yards but I do agree that the added energy out to 400 would be appreciated. Before the 180s I used 165s with the same results. The recoil out of my tikka isn't bad with either bullet but I went to 180s for ease of loading as I was also using them in my 300wsm but have now switched to 200gr accubonds in it. Long story short, it is hard to go wrong with the accubond of any weight inside a normal shooting range.

 

[MUP]

I've been shooting the 150 NAB's from my 06 as well. Sub MOA at 100 yds(.75" 3 shot groups, .900" 5 shot), but I have yet to shoot a deer with them. I have however used 150 gr corlokt's for years prior to handloading, and they have never failed to drop what I've shot, as long as I do my part. Nothing wrong with using 180's, but the same goes for the 150's I suppose. I shot a buck with a 180 gr corlokt from my Dad's Model 742 Woodsmaster 30-06 one time, perfect heart shot, and he ran straight up a steep ridge about 100 yds or so, before realizing he was dead. I've also shot one of my biggest bucks with the 150 corlokt and he dropped straight down. Shot placement is the key, and each of those gr bullets, along with the intermediate 165 gr will fill the bill I do believe. Heavier bullets for bigger game of course if that's what you're going for, as DaveB alluded to.

If you don't mind, what's your 06 recipe?

I'm using Rem once fired brass, CCI LR primers and AA4350 to the wt of 57.4 grs iirc. But as always, consult your manuals and start low and work up the charge scale.

 

[mike243]

165g has always been touted as the perfect balance of weight and speed/trajectory ,find a bullet that your gun likes and learn to shoot that combo,400y is possible but not with out some range work for you and the rifle

 

[treefarmer]

Bigger bullet = bigger recoil so for decades I shot the 150 grain. A couple years ago I switched to the 130 grain Barnes TSX which has even less recoil.

 

[Nsghunter]

Bigger bullet = bigger recoil so for decades I shot the 150 grain. A couple years ago I switched to the 130 grain Barnes TSX which has even less recoil.

Interesting. 130 gr. in a 30-06? how is the terminal performance on whitetail sized game? How accurate is it at distances 200-300 yards with the lighter bullet?

 

[GOODWIN]

Been shooting 180gr Sierra GK for awhile now out of my '06. Getting 2775-2800fps and good accuracy. Step it up to the 180s and see how they shoot. If not go back to 150 or 165. They'll get you to 400 no problem.

 

[vonb]

Why change? You're using a bonded bullet which should handle anything you put it through. To add, the 150 will recoil less and provide greater velocity. At the distance you're wanting to shoot, 400 yards should be a chip shot provided you do some practicing and know your dope.

 

[TNRifleman]

Bigger bullet = bigger recoil so for decades I shot the 150 grain. A couple years ago I switched to the 130 grain Barnes TSX which has even less recoil.

Interesting. 130 gr. in a 30-06? how is the terminal performance on whitetail sized game? How accurate is it at distances 200-300 yards with the lighter bullet?

Can't imagine it would be much different than a 130 gr. .270 bullet at 3000 FPS.

 

[treefarmer]

130 grain TSX - since I'm just a 100 yard or less (woods) deer hunter I haven't had the need (unfortunately) to sight in past 100 yards. The first two doe I took at 50 yards dropped in their tracks, which almost never happens to me. The next doe ran 50 yards but left a too-easy red path to follow. The last was a quartering large buck and it ran 75 yards and had an easy trail to follow. All were shot through the lungs.

 

[jlanecr500]

I have a friend in NC who shoots a 125gr Speer Varmint TNT bullet in his 30 cal smokeless muzzleloader at 4000 fps...and kills deer with it too.

 

[1 good shot]

A 165 Accubond is a universally accurate projectile in every 06 I've had. I'm at 58gr imr4350 .020" off the lands. I would start at 56gr and work up in .3gr increments.

With every 30-06 that I've ever owned they've all done the best with 165 grain