Way out there = 500 yds for me

[grfox92]

After digesting the rokslide brilliance, I’m going to a lighter recoiling rifle in 243. However, 2 years ago I built a beautiful, custom .30-06 that I’m reluctant to part with. But, my bullets and ammo suck. I get pencil holes. This rifle will turn into a safe rifle, but I want some ammunition that does better out of it should I choose to use it.

Do the same rules @Formidilosus espouses hold true for .30-06 cartridges? Specifically, using heavy-for-caliber bullets? Not seeing any factory eld-m ammo. (I don’t hand load) any recs on factory .30-06 cartridges that are particularly good at tissue damage?

168 TMK.
178 ELDM.

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[DunnCoHunter]

I’ve got a .30-06 as well. T3X stainless. Chopped it to 18” and put a suppressor on this year. And like you, 4-500 yards is plenty far for me to shoot. If I were to start totally from scratch I’d probably go with a smaller caliber. But I can’t believe how much the suppressor has improved my shooting. It really makes practicing enjoyable now. I don’t foresee myself doing anything differently.

It shoots factory 178 ELDX very well. I’ve killed 4 deer with those bullets and all of them died very quickly. Large wound channel. Could have potential for meat damage, but any bullet will cause meat damage if you smoke a shoulder. If the ELDX shoots from your rifle well, I’d go that route

 

[hereinaz]

What is your minimum imoact velocity on a Jug? Ive searched for that infor and never been able to come up with a clear number.

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I was inside 150 yards guaranteed for the hunt, so I didn’t consider that.

But, most use 1800 for the Bergers.

 

[Johnwell]

Another vote for the ELD-X/ELDM for more damage.

I used a 208 amax (eldm predecessor) and it left a nasty (probably 2” exit) hole on a whitetail at ~2500fps impact velocity.

I’ve also used the 178 eldm on a coyote at around 2200 fps impact velocity, and it was extremely energetic and destructive. Ruined the whole upper neck/base of the skull and the hide.

I would certainly not say they did anything close to pencilling like you described, but I will say that you will lose some meat with those.

My dad used green and yellow box Remington 150gr core locks for decades on whitetail. I can’t remember him ever having one go more than 30 yards and I’d say 75% dropped on the spot.

Partitions also work well if you aren’t shooting long range and want good penetration too. There’s really a lot of good options.

I would avoid copper solids and bonded bullets if you want terminal performance. I personally find them a bit tough for 30-06 velocities, unless you’re targeting bear or elk.