30-06. 150 VS 180 grain. Which one would you pick

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30-06. 150 VS 180 grain. Which one would you pick

Post by Kenny » 02 Feb 2018, 4:53 pm

Hey guys,

Just a question of interest as I'm due to get some more 30-06 ammo for deer hunting..

I only use factory ammo, mostly Remington core lokt, both 150 and 180 grains.
Deciding which one to buy this time, keen to hear your thoughts on what grain you guys use for you hunting with the 30-06..
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Re: 30-06. 150 VS 180 grain. Which one would you pick

Post by albat » 02 Feb 2018, 7:26 pm

150 gr kills deer out my 308 cant see a need for the 180 gr unless you see one in the next postcode
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Re: 30-06. 150 VS 180 grain. Which one would you pick

Post by Oldbloke » 02 Feb 2018, 8:02 pm

Sambar, Reds or Fellow.?
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Re: 30-06. 150 VS 180 grain. Which one would you pick

Post by RoginaJack » 02 Feb 2018, 8:37 pm

;) And/or Hog, Chital or Rusa?
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Re: 30-06. 150 VS 180 grain. Which one would you pick

Post by Kenny » 02 Feb 2018, 9:34 pm

albat wrote:150 gr kills deer out my 308 cant see a need for the 180 gr unless you see one in the next postcode


Lol..
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Re: 30-06. 150 VS 180 grain. Which one would you pick

Post by Kenny » 02 Feb 2018, 9:42 pm

Oldbloke wrote:Sambar, Reds or Fellow.?


Mainly sambar, but also reds/fellow.

Of course both 150 and 180 will do the job..
But always interesting hearing what others have settled on..
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Re: 30-06. 150 VS 180 grain. Which one would you pick

Post by Oldbloke » 03 Feb 2018, 7:55 am

No expert here but since your chasing sambar I would use 180gr. But they would be way too big for fallow. I would prefer something smaller for fallow.

Have you had much success and whats worked?
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Re: 30-06. 150 VS 180 grain. Which one would you pick

Post by sungazer » 03 Feb 2018, 8:06 am

I killed a reasonably big Sambar with a 130gr but I don't think you can overkill something either. But you have to be comfortable shooting what ever it is your shooting too. o its all a compromise.
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Re: 30-06. 150 VS 180 grain. Which one would you pick

Post by slickncghia » 03 Feb 2018, 10:31 am

I'm targeting sambar. Not got one yet but using 180s. They are pretty big beasts. Heavier the better
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Re: 30-06. 150 VS 180 grain. Which one would you pick

Post by in2anity » 03 Feb 2018, 10:41 am

Your 150grs won’t buck the wind as well at 300m+, but still minute of deer, anyways whose taking game at those distances?
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Re: 30-06. 150 VS 180 grain. Which one would you pick

Post by Kenny » 03 Feb 2018, 1:36 pm

Thanks guys.
I personally have mainly used 150. I'm low on 150 but still have a bit 180, so that was the reason for my post.. there's a lot of experience here, and I'm always keen to hear, rather than just doing the same all the time...
Oldbloke; I might actually to try out a lighter load for smaller game.. :)

Yeah not worried about 300m+. The Vic bush is pretty thick...
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Re: 30-06. 150 VS 180 grain. Which one would you pick

Post by Oldbloke » 03 Feb 2018, 2:51 pm

Yes, so I have a dedicated 3006 for sambar. 180gr Hornady interlocks.
I have another Win M70 3006 I currently working up loads of 130gr for fallow. And any other medium game, dogs, pigs and goats.

No reason if reloading why you can't have two loads for the same rifle.
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Re: 30-06. 150 VS 180 grain. Which one would you pick

Post by RoginaJack » 03 Feb 2018, 4:51 pm

I'd reckon the 180gr loads would go better in thick bush.. :?: :allegedly:
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Re: 30-06. 150 VS 180 grain. Which one would you pick

Post by in2anity » 03 Feb 2018, 4:52 pm

FWIW silhouette shooters using a 30cal (myself included) often use a 150gr out to the 385m turkeys - still well over 1000ft-lbs at that distance. It’s only the rams at 500m that need somethin heavier+more aerodynamic, where a heavier, fancier projectile is needed (like the 168gr amax). Those energies transfer pretty well to hunting applications.
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Re: 30-06. 150 VS 180 grain. Which one would you pick

Post by remax » 04 Feb 2018, 11:56 am

I'm actually running 220's in my 30/06 when in the vic bush sambar hunting, still good out to 150m no dramas. would be more likey to get a shot <80m and have plenty of knock down power.
I also wind the elevation down 22 clicks (for my rifle anyway) and its bang on at 100m for 150gr for longer shots or even fallow if i'm hunting different areas.
I found the 180's didn't group as well (3/4 MOA), as the 150's, (1/2 MOA) which i'm very happy with through my howa 1500.
Something to think about ;)
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Re: 30-06. 150 VS 180 grain. Which one would you pick

Post by Lorgar » 04 Feb 2018, 9:03 pm

Personally I'd go for the 150gr.

You know this already of course, but bullet selection and shot placement are more/as important as weight.

180gr will have higher BC and all that means, yes, but you're not shooting matches, minute-of-deer accuracy is all you need.

150gr will shoot a little flatter, not a big deal, just handy.

Whichever you're shooting, anywhere out to 200m the energy from both is in excess of 1500 ft-lbs making the point moot.

The 180gr will do the job of course, no argument there. IMO though you're putting up with extra recoil for nothing, really.

I shoot 140gr Nosler Ballistic tips in my 7mm-08, and I'm yet to see any of our 4-legged delicious friends shrug one off.
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Re: 30-06. 150 VS 180 grain. Which one would you pick

Post by Kenny » 05 Feb 2018, 10:51 pm

Thanks guys..
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Re: 30-06. 150 VS 180 grain. Which one would you pick

Post by marksman » 06 Feb 2018, 6:55 am

a 150 will drop anything out to 300 with proper shot placement
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