.30-06 bullet

[txjustin]

What is a good bullet and grain for elk? I’ve always used 150 grain or under here in Texas on white tails.
I’m thinking 180 grain. Not sure what brand though.


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[Marbles]

I like 180's, for simplicity I use them for everything (and because everywhere I hunt has bears). AccuBonds in Winchester's expedition big game is what I've been shooting for a few years. They can be had with the long range AccuBonds if desired (better BC, 190 gr, expand at lower velocity). Barnes copper bullets are also good, can be had loaded by Barnes or Federal.

That said, I have no direct experience with elk. I trust the loads above on moose and brown bear though.

 

[300-win-mag]

Partition, Accubond or any other premium hunting bullet will work. Core Lokt are good and cheap. They probably killed more game than anything else out there over the years.

I shoot a 180gr Accubond out of my '06 w/ a 24" barrel. They shoot well and it dropped an Elk instantly at 300 yards for me. Put the bullet where it needs to go and most things will work.

 

[Hyphen]

Stock answer is whatever you and your rifle shoot well, right? 180 is too much if you anticipate recoil. I’m going with Hand loaded 165 gr Barnes TTSX again with Big Game powder. Lots of answers and opinions. I also hunt TX WT. If you shoot 150 now, consider how recoil tolerant you are and if 180 is to large a jump, especially if you can’t get many practice rounds through. 150 gr 30 cal with a good shot kills elk.

 

[roadrunner]

Heavier bullets usually give two things: higher BC for downrange accuracy and less rifle "buck" (basic physics will tell you that).

 

[Clarence]

165 grain federal with partitions. 4 shots out of a factory Winchester rifle.

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[Gbrecka]

165 accubonds and imr 4350. Use it for everything out of my 06

 

[ArcherAdam]

I shoot the same load as above. I have not shot an elk yet however my 165 accubonds will loaded for anything I ever go after.

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[87TT]

Have shot three elk with 165gr Nosler partitions and none went more than a few feet.

 

[Ucsdryder]

I’ve only killed one with a 3006 and I used a 150 core lokt. It worked fine. I shoot accubonds out of my 300 win mag.

 

[BlackSheep]

I would not worry or be concerned about recoil out of a 30-06 regardless of bullet weight unless you have an injury or physical limitation. 150 or 180 grain are both out of a 30-06. They do not kick imo. There is power, of course, but not punishment. My 45-70 starts to kick a little after about a dozen rounds but I have never shot a 30-06 that did any punishing at all. To me this is one of the reasons I love the caliber. It is entirely manageable and does the job very effectively. I would go with 165 or 180 grain for elk. [My uncle's ten guage shotgun kicks (ten guage means a pound of lead divided into ten units instead of twelve.) Like a mule. It bruises your arm. No one has shot it more than once. Ha ha. ]

 

[Dioni A]

I've killed quite a few deer elk and bear with 165 and 180 accubonds. If elk are a possible target just go for the 180. They hit like a hammer!

 

[Rky Mtn Farmer]

I think bullet construction should be more of a factor then bullet weight. It can be surprising that a lighter bullets travel at a higher velocity can have similar kinetic energy as a heavy bullet at slower velocity. To not sound too much like a nerd, when hunting elk, choose a bullet that will hold together well, penetrate deep and expand well. Like others have said, Nosler Accubond, partition, e-tip; Barnes ttsx or lrx; or Hornady gmx. This year for elk I will be using hand loads with a 180gr hornady gmx.

 

[txhunter581]

165 is the best compromise on weight but flatter shooting than 180s

 

[jlivgren]

200 partitions


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[gelton]

Have a look at this it's based on .300 WM but is also relevant to 30-06...

Ballistics Test: The Best Big Game Bullets

Take a look at the bullets themselves and what we learned.

www.rifleshootermag.com

 

[txjustin]

Have a look at this it's based on .300 WM but is also relevant to 30-06...

Ballistics Test: The Best Big Game Bullets

Take a look at the bullets themselves and what we learned.

www.rifleshootermag.com

Woah, great read!


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[Gapmaster]

I’ve killed several with 165gr Federal trophy bonded bear claws. Dropped every one of them and had excellent holes on backside.

 

[Laelkhunter]

168 grain Barnes TTSX pushed by 55.0 grains of IMR-4350 will kill anything in the Elk/Deer woods. Shoots into 1/2 inch group out of my T/C Venture rifle. I take it on my Elk hunt as a back-up rifle to my .340 Weatherby.

 

[Hyphen]

Heavier bullets usually give two things: higher BC for downrange accuracy and less rifle "buck" (basic physics will tell you that).

Maybe... all other variables equal, right? Different powders and charges affect perceived recoil. I understand velocity vs charge vs bullet weight, etc. My intended point was that it a 165 bullet may feel more familiar to a shooter that is used to 150. I’m not greatly experienced so will defer to others.