i just bought a remington 30 06, and i wanna know what type of round to you for deer and elk?

Question

i will be in some brush and probly close distance shooting, western oregon

Answer 1

You situation is quite common, the same I hunt in 90% of the time.
But the brush that you hunt in will have a negative affect on any bullet no mater what the grain weight.
I use the same bullet for deer and elk in my 30-06 or 308 and that is a 165 grain hollow point.
It is unadvisable to use 2 separate weight bullets on one hunt, each bullet will have a different point of impact and there for you would need to re-zero your weapon for each to achieve maximum accuracy.

Maximum accuracy is the key to success in any hunting situation, but some try to compensate for poor accuracy with a larger bullet and or a magnum charge.

There for one bullet would be best for two game animals as close related as deer and elk.
If you were hunting just elk I would say 180 grain would be fine, you need nothing larger until you take on mouse or bear then 180 to 200 grain.
But the 180 grain bullet is not the best for deer, due to over penetration.
A bullet of this high of grain weight does not get the maximum knockdown unless you hit heavy bone like neck, spine or shoulder, on a heart lung shot the bullet will blow right through with out delivering maximum knockdown.
Where as the 165 will deliver maximum knockdown to both deer and elk on a heart lung shot.
The first thing to remember is deer and elk are still classified thin shin and small bones game animals, true elk are bigger but not enough to change its classification.
Mouse and bear the hide is thicker and the bone structure is much heaver and stronger needing the larger bullet weight.

Heaver bullets will offer you no protection from the negative effects by brush as so advised.
In this situation only common sense will avail.
You must pick you shot and be patient, taking only the shot that is clear of obstruction.

I am a fan of the Nosler Ballistic tip, but not for close range, even Nosler states that the Ballistic tip is designed for 200 plus yards not at all advised for 100 or less.
But the165 grain Nosler Partition would be perfect for the game your hunting and the range you will encounter your shot.

That my opinion, and I wish you the best of luck on your hunt.

D58

Answer 2

If you are using factory loads, The Remington Corelokt or Nosler Partition in 180 gr. should be a good choice for the combination of deer and elk . 150 gr. is plenty for deer but I think 180 gr. is a better weight for elk. I killed a big three point up the north umpqua in Oregon several years ago at about 50 yards with an 06 and 180 corelokts and the shot was clean and humane and did not damage the meat at that close of range as I have had happen to me before with a 270 and a light bullet moving at a higher velocity.

Answer 3

It's asking a lot of a bullet to have one that will expand on a broadside shot at a small deer and penetrate on a lengthwise raking shot on an elk. Many of the premium bullets address the argument with different shank lengths (the part meant not to expand much or at all) compared to the expandable front end, and everybody has his own opinions. If you want one load for everything, you may want to use a 180 grain premium bullet and just accept that you'll occasionally have a broadside on a deer punch through without expanding, or a 165 and pass up the hard-angle shots on the big bull elk. Or you could get lucky. When I was working up loads for my 7mm Mauser, I had one of those miracles: a 140 gr accurate load that shot 1 1/2" higher but otherwise dead-on compared to my favorite 175 gr load at 100 yards, both Nosler Partitions. But don't hold your breath while you're looking for one of those in a 150/200 gr combination for your '06.

Answer 4

While I hunt in the dense woods of Maryland, and not the open planes of Oregon, I've found that the best all around deer round is the 180 Grain Remington CORE-LOKT Soft Point.

From personal experience, I can tell you that this round can bring down deer at up to 400 yards. Furthermore, it seems to hold together when plowing through dense brush, but still mushrooms rapidly after striking a deer, regardless of the range.

Best of luck on the hunt.

Answer 5

Rule of thumb: Lighter loads for deer; heavier loads for elk.

In your .30-06, commercially available 125 to 150 grain bullets for deer and 165 to 180 grain bullets for elk. NOTE: You will have to re-zero your scope when you change ammo, as the two rounds won't shoot to the same point of impact. Also, there really is no such thing as a 'brush-gun' so just aim true, try not to take any shots that aren't clear and happy hunting!

H

Answer 6

Well any 150 grain soft point factory ammo will do for deer, the 180 grain was generally recommended for Elk though the 150 grain will certainly do the job if you place your shot well. The 165 Grain load came about as a a load to take care of both.

Answer 7

I like 180 grain period . I have a Remington model 700/ 30.06 and I shoot Remington core lok rounds with great sucess on whitetails. Federal is also good ammo

Shot placement is the most important factor . So practice and practice from all types shooting positions not just on a bench.

And no bullet will shoot accurately through brush so dont take the shot unless its clear.

Good Huntin

Answer 8

Be sure to zero in your rifle before going haunting. I would go with 180gr. That is pretty much the standard deer/elk bullet. 150 is also good for deer, but 180 is my preference. Both Remington and Federal are very good ammunition. Walmart sells 180gr Federal Power Shok for $10.00.

Answer 9

If you are looking for one roound, I would opt for the 180 grain bullets, esp. for elk. A 150 will work, but doesn't penetrate as deep. If you are looking more at the 100 yard line, the 220 grain bullets would be a good choice as well.

Answer 10

165 grain bullets will do fine, but heavier bullets like 180 and 200 grains won't be as effected by small branches and such. Just don't make any shots through brush.

Remington Core-Lokts, Nosler Accubond, and Swift Scirocco bullets offer excellent penetration, expansion, and weight retension. They're also very tough bullets. The Swift Sciroccos are loaded by Remington and the Accubond is loaded by Winchester and Federal. Whichever one of those shoots best in your rifle would be the way to go.

http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/centerfire/core-Lokt.asp
http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/centerfire/premier_core-Lokt_ultra_bonded.asp
http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/centerfire/premier_scirocco_bonded.asp
http://www.federalcartridge.com/ballistics/Ammo_Ballistics.aspx?id=259&firearm=1&bc=0.507&muzzvel=2700&bulletwgt=180