koorbloh

I'm on the hunt for a hunting load for my Tikka T3 Lite .30-06

I'm looking for something with some punch, some range, and some accuracy, at least within minute of deer, and power to drop it, at 200 yards.



Also, any thoughts on using a deer load as a bear load? I'm thinking I'll pickup a bear tag this year.


(btw, I heard kolat was inviting me over and taking me out this deer season...please?)

Monster4570

30-06 is a GREAT round and your options are many. Are you looking for a recomendation for factory ammo?

Or would you like some data to roll yer own?

Looking for a Do-it-all load or deer-loads-in-the-rifle-and bear-loads-in-yer-pocket situation?

A deer load will tend to be a lighter bullet traveling faster, flatter trajectory, less "knockdown power" & penetration.

A bear load will be heavier bullet, slower. Hit harder but not as flat shooting, range estimation becomes more critical.

Nothing wrong with putting a bear load to a deer, except that you will be a little more limited in your range. Deer loads on bear are fine also...from a 30-06, as long as you are using a high quality bullet that will hold together and penetrate well.

koorbloh

looking for a "roll my own", one I could use for both out to 200 yards without thinking about range too much.

I had previously used 150g bullets on deer because of the less drop at 200 yards, even though they have tons more than the comparable 180g bullets at 300 yards.

I'm thinking either a 168g or 180g bullet, coming pretty hot out of the muzzle, but I'm wondering about bullet style? hollow point? ballistic tip? I don't really know...that's the biggest question, really.


also, it's more like "what's a good deer round that if I saw a bear, I could shoot it without worrying?"

KillermondoDude

Heffy Hornady has some factory loads that that increase velocity while decreasing case pressure called superformance New Products - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc
What it does is using fast burn powder layered with an inhibitor to create a complete burn as the the bullet leaves the barrel instead of having 30% burn after the bullet leaves

Eventually this will work into reloading books but its deffinetlly worth looking into

Monster4570

Here are a couple of my fav '06 hunting loads. Both Barnes & Swift are VERY tough bullets. Good for bear, but still very accurate, and if you stick with 180g in a 30-06 you can push them fast enough to maintain a reasonable trajectory out to 200yds easy. Plus a 180 at 2700fps will knock the shit out of a deer. Just be careful not to ruin all the meat.

As always, shot placement is paramount.



I like Alliant powders, especially the Reloader line. Reloader 19 is pretty much the perfect powder for the 30-06. I burn a lot of R19.




Never use load data unknown to you without extreme caution.
These loads are not "mild". Start a few grains low and work up to them.
180g Barnes XBT over 59g of Reloader 19 and the primer of your choice, just NOT a magnum primer. 2700fps

180g Scirocco II over 56g of Reloader 19, primer of your choice, no magnums. 2700fps According to Sierra, this load can be pushed to 2800fps with 57.2g of R19, but I've found peak accuracy at 2700fps. I especially prefer this load.

KillermondoDude

SST Bullets
165grain Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Ammunition :: Rifle :: Choose by Caliber :: 30-06 SPRG :: 30-06 Springfield 165 gr SST® Superformance™

180grain Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Ammunition :: Rifle :: Choose by Caliber :: 30-06 SPRG :: 30-06 Springfield 180 gr SST® Superformance™

GMX Bullets
165grain Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Ammunition :: Rifle :: Choose by Caliber :: 30-06 SPRG :: 30-06 Springfield 165 gr GMX® Superformance™

saread

I use 57 gr. IMR 4350 behind a 165 gr. Nosler partition - about 2800 fps at the muzzle. Very lethal for deer at 200+. Should be more than adequate for bear around here. Don't know if I'd use it for browns in AK tho.

This is what I use. It is a near maximum load and may not be suitable, or safe, for anyone else.

koorbloh

^you need a hunting partner this fall? or just want to share some "local" spots?

MindPilot

30-06? I have taken mule down with an old Savage bolt action 22 LR. Hit em where it matters (heart). Aside from that, with medium to long range shot on a 30-06, go with a bullet grain of at least 150 grain. Ammo tech has devieloped alot in the pat 10 years, and Hornady is at the top for "making the target". 168 grain and on up to 225 would not hurt this rifle for deer hunting. Provided you have a barrel length tween 18-24".

deadshot2

Did Washington State change the rules to make .22LR a legal hunting caliber???

I always thought it had to be .24 caliber or greater.

gravey86

^ you are correct

koorbloh

"statute of limitations" ;)

more deer have been taken with the .22lr than any other caliber.

1911er

Thats the one that fish and game don't have A count on. Cause they can't count that high. Ha Ha Ha

gravey86

I know other states allow .223 for deer season and would be kinda cool out be able to use the AR but back to question though. We use 165 gr for deer and I have 220 gr for elk and Bear. I just hate shooting the 220 with my 1903, kicks the crap out of me. But from what I have seen it handles the range pretty good out to 280 yards. I would say if you wanted 1 round that would handle both I would go with the 180 grain.

Are you going to come over and hunt with T? He just moved to town this past weekend and if so we can go up to the property. I have 2 6x6's on the grounds and plenty of cows. Got my first cow last year with my bow, pretty cool. Also have 4 bears and 1 cat floating around too.

koorbloh

I have exactly 0 time this year for a hunt. I might pick up my small game license and shoot at some ducks or something, but I don't see me even getting big game tags or time to even load up the rifle this year.

*this is my thread from last year