30-06 mono bullets?

[TucsonFX4]

It is well known that mono's made of a lighter material and will be longer for the same weight. So in order to stabilise properly, you will be using lighter bullets. Many people try to spin that off as an advantage of brass or copper bullets- you can use lighter bullets to do the "same" job -not strictly true.

To me the reality is you need to use bullets that stabilise in your rifle or your groups will look like a shotgun pattern.If that is a 165 gr, then that is what you need to use, regardless of whether you like a 180 or 220 gr bullet. If a 180 gr mono will stabilise, I would go with that. Otherwise work my way down through the weights until I get an acceptable group.

You’re right, but I think there are two important points to also consider in your evaluation. 1) monos typically require a little more velocity to properly expand than their lead cousins, so the typical recipe for higher velocity is a lighter bullet. 2) monos typically shed less weight during penetration, therefore a lighter mono bullet becomes the same weight as a heavier traditional bullet after the traditional loses XX amount of grain a few inches into impact.

 

[Nhoro]

You’re right, but I think there are two important points to also consider in your evaluation. 1) monos typically require a little more velocity to properly expand than their lead cousins, so the typical recipe for higher velocity is a lighter bullet. 2) monos typically shed less weight during penetration, therefore a lighter mono bullet becomes the same weight as a heavier traditional bullet after the traditional loses XX amount of grain a few inches into impact.

I reckon that the bullet designers figured this out long ago and decided to produce a 165 or 150 gr 30-06 bullet for spin stabilisation,then they did their sums and knew it would have a higher muzzle velocity and so designed for the bullet to be a bit tougher.

What interests me is other designs like Peregrine bullets-they are mono copper and have a plunger/wedge inside the hollow point to initiate expansion at lower velocities.

So I think we are saying the same thing from opposite ends of the discussion. I use copper monos in my 458 Lott-both solids and softs.

 

[Art Lambart II]

Personally I have never seen the need to use Mono's in my 06. I prefer 180 grain bonded bullets like the Trophy Bonded Bear Claw (TBBC), Torphy Bonded Tip (TBT) or the Accubond.

 

[Strausser]

No need for me either but I like to tinker and test.
I could just go for a “normal”180,I’ve got a lil stash of Scirocco two’s.
And some others.

 

[jwp475]

I've had great success with the Barnes TSX & TTSX. I used the 220 Hammer Hunter this year in my 35 Whelen and they are excellent as well

 

[TNDave]

Another good choice would be Peregrine Plainsmaster in 165 grains. They will give an excellent mushroom where as the Hammer bullets shear the petals. I’ve used both and personally like the peregrines in a mono. Badlands in 150 grains might be another good choice, I’ve got some in 175 grains that I’m working a load for in 300 Win Mag.

 

[ArmyAV8tor]

I like Doug3006 used my 06 on my first Safari. Took kudu, Mtn zebra, gemsbok, and warthog. Used 165 gr TSX. Recovered all bullets but the warthog. Nothing went farther than forty yds.

 

[Strausser]

Picked it up yesterday,was going to test it now,but couldn’t get to the range.
Cock on close and rear lugs is a new experience,which is partially why I bought it.

 

[Strausser]

Since nobody asked Imma tell you anyway.
The rifle is a Schultz&Larsen M54J.
Only tested it at fifty meters but it tore one big hole in the paper with factory ammo,4 shot groups.
I usually do five shot groups but it’s three in the mag and one in the pipe.
Bullets,at least what I’m testing first will be Mrr,152 grains.
Found some at a good price so why not.
Very pleased with the gun so far.
It takes a bit more effort to close,it’s a four lug,but once you’ve worked the bolt a couple of times it goes like something through geese.
It came with a claw mounted Hensholdt Diavari 1.5-6.

 

[C.W. Richter]

I've used the 165-168 TSX and TTSX in hot 06 handloads (~3,000 fps) to good effect in hunting. I do believe these bullets prefer a bit higher V than factory loads. Same for the 338-06 (185-210 gr/2,850-2,950 fps). Shot a deer last fall at ~150 yds and it dropped like the proverbial rock (it was memorable and impressive!) I've watched many deer get plugged (by my kids) with 06s and factory 150-165 ammo, and they typically run a very short distance and expire. The monos at higher velocity make some impressive kills! I've handloaded the 06 from 110 gr to 220 grain and they've all be exceptionally accurate (still use 200 gr NPTs for bear at home). Browning's improvement upon Mauser's design was also genius. As much as i like a lot of other cartridges, it's hard to argue with the .30-06! If you start to rely heavily on the mono bullets, clean that gun well using RB-17 or eq (I think Barnes has its own formula) on occasion.

 

[Rem700stw]

If your rifle shoots them well, I whole heartedly recommend Barnes 180gr TSX. I now find myself with three 30-06 rifles and they all shoot the same exact load very well.

I used this in Africa in 2021. One and done on everything I shot.

 

[TheSayHeyKid]

I've had GREAT results with the TTSX (100 grain) out of my .257 Bob on BIG corn fed Wisconsin whitetails. I've probably drilled over a half dozen with that specific bullet at ranges from 40 yards out to 200 yards and have yet to have an animal take so much as a step. Granted, whitetails don't have a tendency to die hard, but upon analyzing the exit wounds...I'd say I'm quite happy with Barnes performance.

 

[Puddle]

Just picked up a box of 165 gr. CX. Going to load them up for the .30-06 at ~2,800 fps MV using H4350.

Why? Just cause....

 

[Doug3006]

'Son and I have killed a pile of thin-skinned whitetails with 165-168 Barnes, and even they run a short distance. 'Only had a few drop like rocks (spine shots under stands.) He used one exclusively for cull hunts in Namibia, always using 200-220 grain conventional bullets (which tend to work better at 06 velocities on thick-skinned, more toughly constructed African PG.) We like hot handloads, which will increase V somewhat.

I wasn’t complaining about the distance they ran. They all fell down within a reasonable distance of where shot. My concern was more about how long it took them to expire.

 

[C.W. Richter]

I am not sure of the validity of this, I have never verified, but I have an older 30-06 that is listed as a 1-12” twist. Twist rate could be a concern with the heavier / longer mono bullets. The same issue can be encountered with the 308 Winchesters of older vintages.

Though they're longer, Barnes cuts the grooves in 'em so the actual bearing surface on the rifling is the same as conventional bullets. This could be true with say, old 220 gr FMJs or another mono brand without grooves, but that said I've shot conventional bullets up to 220 gr in factory twist and find the 190-200 gr to be most accurate. Overkill for most 06 applications, but great for boar/bear/elk/moose and African PG!

 

[C.W. Richter]

Besides the tip, is the TTSX constructed slightly differently than the older TSX?? The memory banks tell me the TTSX using exact same powder charges, seem to dispatch animals quicker! Deer shot w/ TSX would run ~30 yds and fall over, whereas the TTSX drops 'em on the spot.

 

[Doug3006]

I really like the tipped TSX bullets. Like CW says, they expand quicker plus they’ve been the most accurate bullets in every rifle I own.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

just got back from SA a couple days ago and used the new Power Hammer 150 grain from Hammer Bullets shot a Gemsbuck at about 110 yards low in the chest and found the bullet just under the skin in back of the ribs, the second was through both shoulders and is still going, the Red Hartebeest, Impala, Blesbuck bullets were all pass throughs. I can ask for better performance the velocity was 2831

 

[Nicholas Barcomb]

I have tried Barnes bullets in my rifles. They performed well and as designed, with good accuracy in most rifles. I say good because, for the most part, I could achieve MOA. For the most part, the best I could achieve was 1" to1 1/2" groups with them, plus a bunch of copper on the lands.
I have since switched to Hammer bullets. They have excellent accuracy and effect on game. Added bonus is, that even after 100 rounds through a rifle bore, I am still only able to get carbon fouling out and none to little copper on patches.
That being said, if you have a 1:10 (which most modern 30-06 have unless it's a pure custom barrel), I would go with at least a 165 gr or heavier bullet for the bigger game animals. For deer and smaller game, 120s to 130s will do just fine.
Good luck and stay safe!
www.hammerbullets.com

 

[Hyde Hunter]

my rifle is a custom with a 1 in 10 twist and shoots the 150 gr PH at 3/8 in groups at 115 yards all day long and now I have upped the powder to 50.2gr and velocity is 3041fps and still shoots great and I see no reason to go to a heavier bullet, but to each their own. but if these were not Hammer bullets I would also go up to 165 or higher