What is a good 30-06 load for elk?
05-18-2005, 09:22 AM
#1
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: northern colorado
Posts: 749
What is a good 30-06 load for elk?
I just offloaded my model 7400 remington .270 for a model 700 remington 30-06 and I was wondering what bullet, grain and powder will do. I hunt in the rockies primarily in colorado and was thinking a 165 boat tail bonded would work fine. I would do the 180's but I wanna keep the tragectory flat. I aint exactly a 300 yards expert. Any idears? EJ
05-18-2005, 10:19 AM
#3
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SW Virginia
Posts: 776
RE: What is a good 30-06 load for elk?
As noted, the 165gr. bullet weight is a good one, but for heavier game such as elk you
will be better served by going to a 180gr. Don't worry about the slight (very slight) difference in trajectory with the heavier bullets - you won't lose enough to really matter.
And hey, like you said, you're not exactly an expert at 300yd. shooting. As far as that goes, not many shooters are any good out to that range, even assuming their equipment is up to the task. Under field conditions 300yds. is a long shot.
So, check the ballistics tables if you like, but you'll find not much difference out to that distance. I'd recommend the better or premium bullets for elk, such as Nosler Partitions, Trophy Bondeds, or Remington's Core-Lokt Ultra. All can be had in the 180gr., as component bullets for handloading or in factory loaded ammo.
From the Remington ballistics tables:
LONG-RANGE² TRAJECTORY*
Cartridge Type Bullet 100 150 200 250 300 400 500
Remington Express 165 PSP CL 2.0 1.7 zero -3.4 -8.7 -25.9 -53.2
Remington Express 180 PSP CL 2.1 1.8 zero -3.5 -9.0 -26.3 -54.0
will be better served by going to a 180gr. Don't worry about the slight (very slight) difference in trajectory with the heavier bullets - you won't lose enough to really matter.
And hey, like you said, you're not exactly an expert at 300yd. shooting. As far as that goes, not many shooters are any good out to that range, even assuming their equipment is up to the task. Under field conditions 300yds. is a long shot.
So, check the ballistics tables if you like, but you'll find not much difference out to that distance. I'd recommend the better or premium bullets for elk, such as Nosler Partitions, Trophy Bondeds, or Remington's Core-Lokt Ultra. All can be had in the 180gr., as component bullets for handloading or in factory loaded ammo.
From the Remington ballistics tables:
LONG-RANGE² TRAJECTORY*
Cartridge Type Bullet 100 150 200 250 300 400 500
Remington Express 165 PSP CL 2.0 1.7 zero -3.4 -8.7 -25.9 -53.2
Remington Express 180 PSP CL 2.1 1.8 zero -3.5 -9.0 -26.3 -54.0
05-18-2005, 10:38 AM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Ironwood, Michigan
Posts: 123
RE: What is a good 30-06 load for elk?
I would use a 200 grain partition myself. This would penetrated from any angle, even the dreaded Kieth rear raking shot. The trajectory isn't as flat as the 165 but penetration is much better. If you are wed to a 165 grain bullet I would suggest and X bullet. These will penetrate.
Dr Fatguy
Dr Fatguy
05-18-2005, 10:42 AM
#6
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SW Virginia
Posts: 776
RE: What is a good 30-06 load for elk?
I would prefer the bonded core bullets. The Nosler Partitions lose the front end, and though the rear keeps on going, I think the better bonded bullets are likely to retain a higher percentage of the bullet weight which usually means better penetration.
05-18-2005, 10:52 AM
#7
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: northern colorado
Posts: 749
RE: What is a good 30-06 load for elk?
I used the bonded nosler 130 grain from federal to take my first white tail in oklahoma last year with the 270, it did really well. Went comp[letly through the animal. I live in colorado and will be using this same 30-06 for elk, whitetail, antelope (in wyoming) amd muleys. Do you all think I will notice reduced re-coil form using a 150 grain instead of a 165 or 180? I just got the 30-06 this last weekend and shot it on monday to try to sight it in. I used the remington express 165's and noticed more re-coil than the 150's or 130 from my old 270. Is this just the nature of a bolt to kick more? Or is it the caliber/grain weight difference? EJ
05-18-2005, 10:55 AM
#8
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Moccasin, Montana
Posts: 1,835
RE: What is a good 30-06 load for elk?
Any of the good 180's will work good.The Nosler Accubond,Partriton and Barnes Tripple-Shock have over 1500 Ft/lbs out to 400 yds.Sight in 2 inches high at 100,puts you 8 inches low at 300 yds.Never hold off hair and you will be good.
I'm thinking of trying the accubonds in a new 270 WSM this fall,I realy think this a good bullet.
BBJ
I'm thinking of trying the accubonds in a new 270 WSM this fall,I realy think this a good bullet.
BBJ
05-18-2005, 11:26 AM
#9
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location:
Posts: 6,471
RE: What is a good 30-06 load for elk?
Just about any good 165-180 grain bullet will do the trick provided they aren't flimsy ,y penetrate deeply and won't break up on bone . I feel comfortable with anything generating about 1500 foot pounds at point of impact.
05-18-2005, 12:07 PM
#10
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: northern colorado
Posts: 749
RE: What is a good 30-06 load for elk?
Dude! I am sooo envious! I just got rid of my .270 semi auto. I kinda miss it already. The cool thing about those 270 WSM's is that winchester actually makes a factory round rated for CXP3, large game meaning elk. I do think I would have a 270 WSM or a plain old 270 again in a bolt. I did get the 30-06 mostly due to me being a rookie hunter and possibly fudging a shot. I learned my lesson in oklahoma. My first shot was on a nice 6 point at about 150 yards, I winced as I pulled thankfully missing the animal alltogether to possibly hunt another day. My bud was with me and wont let me live it down. All in good fun! EJ