30.06 FMJ for caracal/serval?

[Eventually_Africa_Again]

Morning all! So after my last post asking about the 22-250 for smaller animals showed me that wasn't a great idea I decided to try a different approach. My next hunt will focus on the "smaller" african cats such as the Caracal, Serval, perhaps Genet and...Eland. Because apparently I'm a man of extremes, small to huge. I'm going to take my "new to me" Sako L61r that I lucked out on picking up for the Eland, and I wanted some opinions on using FMJ bullets (which I assume are basically solids?) for the small stuff. Don't worry, I've got some good ballistic tipped 180 grain bullets for the Eland, I won't be attempting that fellow with the 150 FMJs! So, thoughts? You all have way more experience with this than me so please let me know! I've included the slightly tongue in cheek poll for people who might see this in the future. Thank you all!

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Morning all! So after my last post asking about the 22-250 for smaller animals showed me that wasn't a great idea I decided to try a different approach. My next hunt will focus on the "smaller" african cats such as the Caracal, Serval, perhaps Genet and...Eland. Because apparently I'm a man of extremes, small to huge. I'm going to take my "new to me" Sako L61r that I lucked out on picking up for the Eland, and I wanted some opinions on using FMJ bullets (which I assume are basically solids?) for the small stuff. Don't worry, I've got some good ballistic tipped 180 grain bullets for the Eland, I won't be attempting that fellow with the 150 FMJs! So, thoughts? You all have way more experience with this than me so please let me know! I've included the slightly tongue in cheek poll for people who might see this in the future. Thank you all!

I’d say you’re good to go. But I would recommend premium quality 220Gr expanding bullets for the eland. When hunting eland with a .30-06 Springfield, I always prefer the 220Gr Remington Core Lokt (formerly) or 220Gr Sako Hammerhead (currently).

 

[Eventually_Africa_Again]

I’d say you’re good to go. But I would recommend premium quality 220Gr expanding bullets for the eland. When hunting eland with a .30-06 Springfield, I always prefer the 220Gr Remington Core Lokt (formerly) or 220Gr Sako Hammerhead (currently).

I have some Federal Power Shok Jacketed Soft Point 220's actually. I wonder how those would stack up to the other two you mentioned. I haven't shot them, so I'm not sure if my rifle likes them or not. I do know it likes 150 and 180, but hates 165, at least according to the previous owner.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

CEB makes 180 and 210 grain Safari solids. The 180s may come close to your sorts.

 

[Rubberhead]

Slow it down as much as you can and go solids or monos for the small stuff. For the Eland, something heavy but expanding like Partition or A-Frame. I wouldn't use a "ballastic tip" for eland.

 

[Eventually_Africa_Again]

Slow it down as much as you can and go solids or monos for the small stuff. For the Eland, something heavy but expanding like Partition or A-Frame. I wouldn't use a "ballastic tip" for eland.

Are you just not a fan of the ballistic tips, or is there a reason you don't recommend them? Not trying to be snarky, just trying to get more perspectives.

 

[shootist~]

Are you just not a fan of the ballistic tips, or is there a reason you don't recommend them? Not trying to be snarky, just trying to get more perspectives.

Nosler Ballistic Tips are not designed for deep penetration. Could be a disaster on an Eland, IMO.

 

[Eventually_Africa_Again]

Nosler Ballistic Tips are not designed for deep penetration. Could be a disaster on an Eland, IMO.

Thanks for the heads up! In the ballistic gel tests they did very well, and came recommended for Elk, so I figured it would work.

 

[Rubberhead]

Are you just not a fan of the ballistic tips, or is there a reason you don't recommend them? Not trying to be snarky, just trying to get more perspectives.

I love Nosler ballistic tip bullets...for whitetail. They were designed for whitetail.

I hunt in South Carolina's lowcountry were brush is thick and the ground it wet. Tracking a wounded whitetail is seldom trivial. Ballistic tip bullets are designed to transfer their total energy in a rather small, think-skinned animal. They work wonders on our deer.

But, using a Ballistic tip on an eland that my weigh literally 10 times what a whitetail does, the bullet might expand (come apart actually) on the shoulder and never make it to the vitals.

Nosler makes the Accubond for larger animals and they shoot pretty much interchangeably with the Ballistic Tips but are meant for totally different purposes.

 

[shootist~]

The BTs would probably be better than some other conventional non-bonded cup and core bullets. And my guess is the 180s would work well on most plains game animals. I suggest you check with your PH and see what he recommends for Eland if using an 06.

 

[Eventually_Africa_Again]

I love Nosler ballistic tip bullets...for whitetail. They were designed for whitetail.

I hunt in South Carolina's lowcountry were brush is thick and the ground it wet. Tracking a wounded whitetail is seldom trivial. Ballistic tip bullets are designed to transfer their total energy in a rather small, think-skinned animal. They work wonders on our deer.

But, using a Ballistic tip on an eland that my weigh literally 10 times what a whitetail does, the bullet might expand (come apart actually) on the shoulder and never make it to the vitals.

Nosler makes the Accubond for larger animals and they shoot pretty much interchangeably with the Ballistic Tips but are meant for totally different purposes.

Roger that! I'll take a look at those Sako hammerheads maybe. Thanks!

 

[Eventually_Africa_Again]

The BTs would probably be better than some other conventional non-bonded cup and core bullets. And my guess is the 180s would work well on most plains game animals. I suggest you check with your PH and see what he recommends for Eland if using an 06.

What's your opinion on the 150 FMJs for the smaller cats etc?

 

[R.M.C.]

I too would be leary of ballistic tips because of the lack of penetration especially when it hits bone . I'd be going with trophy bonded tips or a Barnes bullet , A frame, etc

 

[Andrew62]

I've taken 4 eland with Barnes TSX ammo, so I'm a big fan of Barnes or Swift A-frame, in 180 grain for 30-06!! I'd be afraid of a ballistic tip on an eland.

 

[Eventually_Africa_Again]

I've taken 4 eland with Barnes TSX ammo, so I'm a big fan of Barnes or Swift A-frame, in 180 grain for 30-06!! I'd be afraid of a ballistic tip on an eland.

Nice!! I'll have to look into that!

 

[ActionBob]

What's your opinion on the 150 FMJs for the smaller cats etc?

The 150's might move plenty fast yet. And how are you going to get them to regulate with a heavier soft?

I bought some 180 grain round nose solids for my klipspringer that regulated with 180 grain bonded softs. It still punched about a 3/4" hole out the exit side.

 

[shootist~]

What's your opinion on the 150 FMJs for the smaller cats etc?

My one experience with a 30-06 150 FMJ was on a spectacular old Tom Turkey many years ago. Shot him broadside, ~drumstick to drumstick from about 70 yards, IIRC. Briefly knocked him cold, but he recovered and took off as I was climbing out of the deer stand.

I would be afraid it would just pencil through, but that's no more than my guess. Something non expanding, but with a blunt or semi blunt nose would be my choice.

Possibly the CEB solids, but I have no experience with them. Their 180 gr hunting bullet has some good reviews on AH, I believe also (if you reload).

Cutting Edge solids for 30-06

Looking at the list of 30-06 reversible and solid bullets on offer from CE 100gr ESP Raptor - reversible to solid (can be used as hollow point) 130gr ESP Raptor - reversible to solid can be used as hollow point) 145gr ESP Raptor - reversible to solid (can be used as hollow point) 180gr Safari...

www.africahunting.com

 

[Eventually_Africa_Again]

The 150's might move plenty fast yet. And how are you going to get them to regulate with a heavier soft?

I bought some 180 grain round nose solids for my klipspringer that regulated with 180 grain bonded softs. It still punched about a 3/4" hole out the exit side.

Ah, well I'm relying on factory loads, so I'll have to trust them. Having said that, I will be buying a ton to make sure they can perform well, and that I can perform well with them.

 

[Eventually_Africa_Again]

My one experience with a 30-06 150 FMJ was on a spectacular old Tom Turkey many years ago. Shot him broadside, ~drumstick to drumstick from about 70 yards, IIRC. Briefly knocked him cold, but he recovered and took off as I was climbing out of the deer stand.

I would be afraid it would just pencil through, but that's no more than my guess. Something non expanding, but with a blunt or semi blunt nose would be my choice.

Possibly the CEB solids, but I have no experience with them. Their 180 gr hunting bullet has some good reviews on AH, I believe also (if you reload).

Cutting Edge solids for 30-06

Looking at the list of 30-06 reversible and solid bullets on offer from CE 100gr ESP Raptor - reversible to solid (can be used as hollow point) 130gr ESP Raptor - reversible to solid can be used as hollow point) 145gr ESP Raptor - reversible to solid (can be used as hollow point) 180gr Safari...

www.africahunting.com

Thanks for the input, that's not great to hear but I've heard similar things in the past. Seems almost "danged if you do, danged if you dont" heh. Use soft points, detonate the quarry. Use hard points, risk the loss.

 

[Pavel U]

My much older colleague hunters said they used to shoot european foxes with FMJ in the old days. Long story short: if hit, they die eventually, but can run away up to 200 meters, so plenty of tracking for not much blood and can end up in the thickest bush imaginable (most shots with 7x57 - don't know bullet weight).
So it definitely can be done, just be prepared for some serious tracking.

IMHO aiming for the spine should prevent You for several hours tracking adventure
Rather than 147 (or 150) I would go with 180 grs for this.
I agree with @shootist~ : the blunt nose could be way to go

But must say that in general I do not like much such experiments - I personally aim for the cleanest and fastest kill possible to minimize suffering - so expanding bullets is THE WAY

p.s.: I think I saw a cutting edge recommendation .... don't think this is a good idea - several people told me it is a good recipe to turning fox into the red mist with chunks of fox laying around ...