Opinions, Best 30-06 sprg load for big game

[halfshaft5]

Just some feelers on what would be the best load. Been using winchester supreme with ballistic silver tip in a 168 grain I believe. Shooting a Winchester Feather Weight 30-06 I received as a gift from my father. Seems to get me 2 inch groups at 100 yards and I am not the steadiest shot in the world either so I figure its probably ok. Those patterns are on a simple forearm rest and no bench vise. Let me know what you guys shoot and your patterns. Thanks in advance. God Bless

[gregintenn]

If you're hunting whitetail deer, I think you are wasting money on premium ammunition. The first ammo I'd try is 150 grain Remington from Wal Mart. It is usualy a consistant performer, and reasonably priced. If you are going to hunt elk, moose, bear, etc., I'd move up to a heavier bullet, and maybe consider premium bullets as well. In my opinion, you'd be better served to buy the cheaper ammo and practice with it, than to buy expensive ammo and not want to shoot it.

[Caster]

^ This. Corelokt's are great performers as well as cheaper.

I'm not trying to insult you at all, but maybe instead of looking for that perfect load, you might put that energy into improving your skill with that Winchester. I would wager, having never seen your rifle, that it is more accurate on a standing shot than most of us here at TGO. Certainly me. Get to know your gun. That was a tough lesson for me to force myself to learn. You may be pleasantly surprised. After all, even if one were using a FMJ in 30/06 [which is absolutely illegal BTW] a precisely placed bullet in the heart will topple any deer out there. The market is flooded by the latest greatest whizz-bang super dooper wonder products for one reason, they sell. They sell because people don't want to admit faults but have a need to make up for them.

[LngRngShtr]

The great thing about an '06 is that it along with the .303 Brit has killed probably every living thing on the planet....

in short they work because they are very versatile... rabbits to Grizzlies depending on the ammo..

What are you planning to hunt ? and what distance is the planned engagement ?

168 grs. will work well on most mid sized thin skinned animals out to as far as the skill of the rifleman and his gear can take it.

my '06 loaded with Hornady AMAX 178's and IMR 4064 will take coyotes out beyond 400 yds. but overkill for deer in this area,.. for that you could use lighter bullets loaded down a bit now if I were heading "out west" for larger animals... heavier skinned etc. then 200-220 gr. with an eye towards penetration would be more fitting..

The Winchester Featherweight will probably "outshoot" us all make sure the action, scope base and mounts are solid (Loc-Tite is your friend,blue..or you will have problems should you ever disassemble) then find a load it likes from a solid 2 point rest then buy or load up some practice ammo and work on your basic fundamentals also dry fire.. dry firing is under practiced and underrated by most shooters... all this is homework and when you finally have the shot before you well that's test day

let your game and range decide the ammo, then make your adjustments,practice and know your abilities and gear first then go get your clean kill...

John

P.S. remember when the target goes from paper to a living being,or a competition.. most folks groups open up a bit some even larger,..so strive for the smallest groups on the range practicing and it also wouldn't hurt to study some anatomy..

Edited March 1, 2011 by LngRngShtr
P.S.