after a many year layoff, I am hunting again. I have the urge to handload for my 30-06. I am thinking something in the 165 gr range as I mostly hunt whitetail but MAY try something else in the future. I am wanting suggestions on what hunting bullets to look at. Sierra gameking has been around a long time and is prove, the new Barnes copper bullets look interesting. Would love to hears some thoughts
I have been revising my opinions about the 30-06 and hunting bullets. I have shot tens of thousands of 168 SMK's, and they shot fantastically on paper, but of course are not hunting bullets. I did buy lots of 165's, but you know, I don't see any reason not to use 150's. I can easily push a 150 to 2800 fps, without experiencing over pressure conditions, and they shoot pretty flat out to 300 yards. Which is about my limit for staying within 6 inch lethal zone, at distance. I talked to one bud who had used these 150 Federal Fusions, and the thing left a big exit hole on the deer.
You know, you can push a 130 grain bullet in the 30-06 faster than a 270 Win, and that bullet made the reputation of the 270 Win. I don't see any reason why a 130 grain bullet, in the 30-06, going 3000 fps, would not be dynamite on deer, given good shot placement, and out to 300 yards.
I am not one of those who thinks long range shooting is ethical. So anyone making claims of 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000 yards shots at animals, ought to show their cold bore shot placement at that distance. Which they won't, the people making kills at that distance, are tossing "Hail Mary's" and only talking about the animals they found. I will bet there are lots of wounded animals they did not collect, for every one they actually anchored.