30-06 Factory ammo for elk

[Ray B]

@Ray B
What were the distances, for hunting down those elks?
Bullets, soft points, I guess?

We were hunting in the Oregon Coast Range where elk were seen at two distances: in the timber distances were generally within 100 yards, neve more than 150; and then there were the clear cuts where the herd would be seen several hundred yards away. For those situation we'd work our way around the cuts to approach the elf from the nearest timber, generally getting to within 200 yards. All but dad had iron sights, so sighting was the limiting factor on distance rather than ballistics. We didn't take any running shots and if the selected elk had its backside to us, we waited for it to turn. So to answer the question, shot distance would average about 150 yards; bullets were a toss-up between Remington PSPCLs and Winchester SilverTips. I preferred the Winchester 180 grain for both deer and elk.

 

[Major Khan]

Elk are the American equivalent of our Sambhar deer , so .30-06 Springfield is definitely a good choice for these animals. Back when l used to guide clients for shikar in Nagpur (India ) , many of my American clients used to bring a .30-06 Springfield calibre rifle for hunting Sambhar deer . The best bullet ( available in our time ) was without doubt the Winchester Silvertip and the original 220 grain Remington Core Lokt soft point cartridges. Since you are unsatisfied with the Remington and Winchester Silver tip cartridges are no longer manufactured , l would highly recommend a modern equivalent .
I would look in the direction of the Winchester Ballistic Tip . Based on my reading , the Swift A frame soft point bullet is also praised by most modern sportsmen.
I see a modern trend which interests me . During our time , the 220 grain variant of the .30-06 Springfield cartridges were more popular. These days , the 180 grain variant is more popular . I suspect that more and more gentlemen are beginning to prefer flatter trajectories and longer range over heavier bullets . All the best.

By the way it is depressing to hear that Remington Core Lokt soft point cartridges have deteriorated in quality . As Kawshik notes , during our career ( 1960s ) these Remington Core Lokt soft point cartridges were held in much high esteem by our clients. One would think that with modern manufacturing techniques , quality could only improve. Clearly , we were wrong.

 

[Ridgewalker]

I have been very fortunate to have taken 17 elk. Mostly meat cows, but bulls only up to 5x5s. Over half were taken with 30-06 and the rest with a 300 WM.

As has been stated where you put the bullet and from what direction is the key. Elk are very tough, but make a good shot and take some wonderful meat home!

I’ve used 180s in Rem CoreLokt, Nosler Partitions, Sierra Game Kings, and Winchester 180 PP. 165-168s I’ve used Sierra Game Kings, Hornady Interlock, Nosler Partitions, and Barnes TTSX. 150s only the Barnes TTSX.

If you like the BULLETS THAT PASS THROUGH, Barnes has the highest potential. If you like them to expend all their energy inside, go with one of the others.

Never lost an animal and I don’t recall one going more than 30 or so yards, but I never took a Texas heart shot nor sharp raking shot. They were either mostly side and a couple facing shots.

Ooops, I did lose a 5 point I arrowed once. Perfect double lung shot buried to the fletching, but I never found it. Very discouraging and humiliating! Tracking game in thick downed timber over rocky terrain is way different than on soft Limpopo sand. JMO

Best of luck and if this is your first time, it won’t be your last!

 

[Mr. Zorg]

I don't have direct elk experience but in .30-06 I'd consider taking Federal 200 grain Trophy Bonded Bear claw loads as factory ammo if they shot well in my .30-06 rifle.

https://www.federalpremium.com/rifl...rifle/trophy-bonded-bear-claw/11-P3006T5.html

Underwood offers some particularly hot .30-06 factory ammo with Nosler bullets. Here's their 180 grain Nosler Accubond ammo.

https://www.underwoodammo.com/colle...osler-accubond-spitzer?variant=18785712504889

Just my thoughts.

 

[Mike Van Horn]

Elk have been taken with the 30-06, and a 180 grain partition very sense the partition was introduced from Nosler. Excellent combo

 

[dailordasailor]

I was leaning towards the Nosler Partitions anyhow and think I may pick up a box and see how the gun likes it. I hate having to buy ammo online so hoping to find local dealer with good selection of bullets recommended here

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I was leaning towards the Nosler Partitions anyhow and think I may pick up a box and see how the gun likes it. I hate having to buy ammo online so hoping to find local dealer with good selection of bullets recommended here

I've never seen an elk hit properly with a Partition that didn't die. I also used a 160gr NP out of my 7mm Mag to kill a Shiras moose at about 175 yards. It died within a few feet of where it was shot.

If the Swift A-frames can be had in factory ammo, that would be another good choice. I also think the Nosler Accubonds would work well too.

 

[Art Lambart II]

I would recommend two Federal loads, the 180 grain TBT and the 180 grain NP. Both loads are outstanding but if you are looking for an exit hole I would go with the TBT

 

[Dp1975]

I’ve done a lot of hunting with my pre-64 Win model 70 in 30/06. For deer I mostly shot the Win power points in 150 for elk I used the Remington round nosed 180 or 220. For heavy animals like elk I’ve found the 220 round nosed Core locks usually dropped them in there tracks if not within site. However as mentioned the Remington core locks are not what they used to be and I don’t shoot the new ones. Winchester still sells the power points in 180, MidwayUSA usually has them. The 180 imo is a all purpose deer,elk, Bear round and I have had good results. The power points are usually pretty accurate for factory loads my M70 shoots them well. Round nosed bullets have fell out of favor it seems but for anything 200 yards and under I have never felt handicapped by not having a needle point on my bullets. There are several outfits online that handload bullets for individuals. You pick which bullet and they can usually make want you want and adjust things until the load/accuracy is to your liking. Not as cheap as factory loads but not much more and for someone that doesn’t have the time or desire to handload it may be an option.
The 30/06 with the right bullet should give you a dead within site Elk if not in his tracks dead if you do your part. Remington has really let quality go and their reputation with it.

 

[Fastrig]

30-06 with 180 grain bullet will work great on elk within reasonable distances (300 yards or so). My elks were all taken with 308 win 180 grain rounds, animals all dropped in their tracks or within 30 yards. 30-06 will do the same and which quality bullet you use won’t make a ton of difference IMO, it’s all about shot placement at the end of the day.

 

[jduckhunter]

Hello Dale, I'm sure you will be fine with the 06 and 180 gr Parts. But if it makes you feel better come and borrow my 338 WM I know it knows how to kill elk.

 

[Scott CWO]

For game of size of elk (similar to european red deer), premium ammo to consider:
- partition bullets (Nosler would be ok), with probably smaller exit wound, and less blood spoor
- monolithic, TSX, TTSX
- bonded - like norma oryx

As heavy as possible. 180 grains. or more. Bit less on monolihtic TSX

I do not recommend the Nosler Partition for elk and larger game. Go with the Barnes or Swift A-Frame. I have been outfitting elk hunts for 28 years and I have personally shot 10 bulls with a .30-06 and another 10 with a .338 Winchester Mag.

 

[Scott CWO]

I was leaning towards the Nosler Partitions anyhow and think I may pick up a box and see how the gun likes it. I hate having to buy ammo online so hoping to find local dealer with good selection of bullets recommended here

See my post above. A NP tip will disintegrate leaving only the back end core (that doesn't really expand much). Go with Barnes of Swift A-Frame. Of course the NP has killed elk, but we have lost more elk to them than other bullets.

 

[JimP]

That is what the Nosler Partition was designed to do. It will shed weight as the front portion expands and fall off and then once it gets to the partition it will quit shedding weight and continue to penetrate with the weight of the back half of the bullet. I have also seen more elk lost to poor shooting than bad bullet design.

But I prefer Barnes TTSX anyway.

 

[Scott CWO]

That is what the Nosler Partition was designed to do. It will shed weight as the front portion expands and fall off and then once it gets to the partition it will quit shedding weight and continue to penetrate with the weight of the back half of the bullet. I have also seen more elk lost to poor shooting than bad bullet design.

But I prefer Barnes TTSX anyway.

Bad shooting is always the number one reason but we have had more failures with NP than other bullets. It's really not a DG or large game bullet design as you can read on other bullet posts and threads.

 

[Dr Ray]

Bear in mind that factory loaded 30/06 ammo is loaded down because there are many old, old rifles out there from a hundred years ago etc. thus rendering the 30/06 w factory ammo not much more powerful than the 308.
Suggest you hand load for the /06.

 

[TMac]

Bad shooting is always the number one reason but we have had more failures with NP than other bullets. It's really not a DG or large game bullet design as you can read on other bullet posts and threads.

I’d be interested to learn how that bullet failed on Elk. Was considering going to it in my 280 Rem, the 175 grain version. Any details, shot angle, distance, cartridge, bullet weight, ... would be appreciated.

 

[Art Lambart II]

@Scott CWO I'm also interested in how the NP failed and how you classify as a bullet frailer. I would really like to know what cartridge and weight grain bullet was used, the NP was not designed for "Magnum" velocity's and works best in heavier weights at 2800 FPS or less. I'm a fan of the NP and have never had an issue with it but I never ask the bullet to do something its not designed to do. As for its use on DG I agree their are better bullets on the market for that purpose but if your are on a PG only hunt in Africa and and your outfitter tells you their is a problem Cape buffalo that needs to be taken and it will not cost you anything to hunt, if the rifle he loans you is a 375 H&H with 300 grain NP do you say no thank you or do you say lets go hunt Buffalo.

 

[Ray B]

As I've stated in other postings, I tested several 180 gr .30 bullets designed for big game by shooting them into water-filled plastic jugs. the testing doe not make a comparison with how the bullets will perform when fired into meat and bone but the test does show how the bullets perform compared to other bullets and how they perform at various velocities. The short answer to NPs is that they perform like two bullets. the front half is a standard cup&core, the rear half is a FMJ. The parameters of performance for the front half were best when impacted at 2700 fps. At 3100 fps the front portion performed more like a varmint bullet. But in neither case would the performance be considered "failure". A shoulder shot on a game animal would likely have fairly extensive muscle damage due to the rapid disintegration of the front core and then a deep wound channel caused by the flat point FMJ back portion. Where there could be "failure" would be as the front portion is disintegrating, the bullet tumbles and the rear portion is facing forward to the direction of travel. This would change the rear portion from a FMJ to a cup&core with results similar to the first portion. this would result in massive muscle dame but very little penetration. while I have heard of this happening I have found no documented such events. An elk so wounded would likely escape the hunter, but I doubt that his carcass would go unfound considering the density of elk hunters in most areas.

 

[Ray B]

I am reminded of two comments regarding bullet performance on game, the first is a photograph of Townsend Whelen standing next to a large moose. the caption indicated that one shot was all that was needed, that the disintegrated bullet hadn't exited, dumping all of its energy inside the moose and had "performed perfectly". the second was at a party attended by Jack O'Connor and bullet maker Bill Steigers. Jack had just returned from a BigHorn Sheep hunt and was discussing the performance of some of Bill's BBC bullets that he was using. Jack had gotten above the sheep that were on a facing shale slope, so the shot went down through the back and out the lower chest. The bullet went through the sheep and hit the shale rock causing quite a splash with chunks of shale exploding under the sheep. Jack's opinion was that the bullet was too stiffly constructed for sheep, leaving the impression to the party goers that the next part of the story was going to include a long tracking job of the wounded sheep. Anxious to hear how his bullet had/hadn't performed, Bill asked nervously "what happened next?" To which Jack deadpanned "Oh, the sheep fell over".

Two bullets with completely different expansion characteristics, but the same end result.