What is a good 30-06 load for elk?
#11
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 2
RE: What is a good 30-06 load for elk?
Well ejpaul1, I have to tell you that last year I took my first Colorado Elk, it was a cow, I used my Winchester 30-06 with 180 grain, Nosler partition. took her at 142 yards, and she droped in her tracks, she never took a step. I will tell you though that I am in the market for a 300 ultra mag. I love my Winchester model 70 but I just think its time to go big.
We hunt in the Ouray Colorado area.
We hunt in the Ouray Colorado area.
#12
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: northern colorado
Posts: 749
RE: What is a good 30-06 load for elk?
So you wanna go real big, huh? I am only about 170 pounds and I have a bad habit of flinching if I know a beating is coming. Alot of guys here appear to have no problem with recoil and shooting large caliber guns. I think a 300 win mag would be the outer limits for me. Heck, shooting the 30-06 is still a wollop to me. I think I just need more time pulling the trigger and killing paper.
What area did you get your elk?
I had 19 and it sucked!
EJ
What area did you get your elk?
I had 19 and it sucked!
EJ
#13
RE: What is a good 30-06 load for elk?
If you are recoil sensative I would opt for any of the premium 165 grain bullets that are known for their ability to retain very close to 100% of their weight and also offer excelent penetration. Such as TBBC, A-frame, Barnes and failsafe.
You do not need to go to 200 grain bullets or even 180 grain bullets if you stick with one of these.
The barnes and failsafe bullets will at least equal the penetration of the heavier 180 and 200 grain bullets of lead construction.
If you put the bullet where it belongs the results will be a dead elk.
AS far as load data goes, I will leave that to the reloading experts.
You do not need to go to 200 grain bullets or even 180 grain bullets if you stick with one of these.
The barnes and failsafe bullets will at least equal the penetration of the heavier 180 and 200 grain bullets of lead construction.
If you put the bullet where it belongs the results will be a dead elk.
AS far as load data goes, I will leave that to the reloading experts.
#14
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: northern colorado
Posts: 749
RE: What is a good 30-06 load for elk?
You know, You hit the nail on the head with the placement thing. I am making it a point to be very selective about the shots I take, and preparing for a longer shot. Any suggestions on shooting? I am holding my breath and letting a bit of air out right before I pull. I am trying to shoot from a kneeling position. I am trying offhand with no rest, but I am only good at 100 yards that way. I can do up to 250, but I have to use shooting sticks. EJ
#15
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location:
Posts: 3,516
RE: What is a good 30-06 load for elk?
For the .30-06 Sprg. I would go with .308 Barnes 180 gr. XLC BT using IMR 4831 MIN: 57.0 grs. @ 2762 f/s MAX: 61.0 grs. @ 2956 f/s. Federal GM 210M primer. Winchester case. THIS DATA IS ONLY FOR BARNES 180 GR. XLC BULLETS. Don't forget to start at MIN.Good luck.
#16
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Garfield NJ USA
Posts: 3,067
RE: What is a good 30-06 load for elk?
Practice, practice and then practice some more. There is no substitute for being intimately connected to your gun. Seriously the more you shoot it the less you'll notice perceived recoil, under field conditions I don't even notice the recoil from my 06. I shoot 165's on top of 4064 or 4350. The 165 gr failsafe would be a great choice too bad there's no 165 gr accubond, although there is a 165 gr interbond. Others like the Swift's and Barnes but I find them pricey.