Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

30-06 for elk 180 or 220 grain?

dickster
Okay. I've been hunting eastern whitetails for 45 years shooting Remington 180's. May be going to Colorado for elk. Still have some 220's in the safe. Which would you use?
0

Comments

14 comments

Date Votes
  • He Dog
    180's will work, 220's might be a little better. I would shoot whichever the rifle is most accurate/consistent with. If you have one that eats anything, go with the 220's.
    0
  • sandwarrior
    220's will provide more energy at the target. However, 180's have the better ballistics and provide plenty of power. I would go with the 180's myself. What type bullets if I may ask? That may influence your decision also. I would go with the 180's if they are good performing bullets, i.e. bonded bear claw, partition etc. (specifically, premium hunting bullets) -my $.02

    We have the second amendment so that all the rest are secure....UNK>
    0
  • MIKE WISKEY
    I'D USE THE 180'S, GET SOME GOOD PREMEUM TYPE BULLET, TROPHY BONDED CORE, SUROCO (SP?), ACCUBOND, ECT.)
    0
  • select-fire
    300 Mag.
    0
  • pack rat633
    180s are plenty, and have a much better balistic path for longer shots. I use Nosler Partitions or Woodleigh bonded myself, been chasing elk for over 35 years.

    SEMPER FI MAC, SEMPER FI
    0
  • duckhunter
    180'S

    I WOULD RATHER BE DUCK HUNTING.
    0
  • BonJoeV
    This one's a no brainer. Use 180's and buy the best bullet you can afford... Nosler Partitions, Barnes X, Winchester Failsafe to name a few.

    Good Hunting!
    0
  • hadjii
    If all I had was the 2 choices, I would go with the 180's, but if I had a choice, I would go with 165 gr. Barnes X bullets, or a swift A frame or scirocco. I've shot 3 elk with my 30-06, all with 165's, and the last one was a good sized cow, shot at 345 yards, and there was only 2 hits, the bullet hitting her and her hitting the ground. Save those 180's for Moose or the like, and the 220's for the bears.
    0
  • dano1
    I've hunted elk in MT and CO and have always used 180 gr. Never had a problem or heard of any that did.

    The only problem is just whether or not I find any!
    0
  • Ray Boone
    If you're using a 30-06, the 180 grain bullets are the best optoin for Elk, and at 30-06 velocities, you don't really need Super Premium bullets. If using reloads, I'd stay away from Hornadys or Sierra's for big game, but Speer Mag-Tips are fine, as are factory Remington PSPCL or Winchester PowerPoint. They all perform well at 2700 fps or less.
    0
  • He Dog
    OK I yeild, 180's it is.
    0
  • Ackley Improved User
    Either bullet will work, but in CO you may be shooting long range (300 yds or better) - hence, you need a hot load with a bullet of high ballistic coeficient. The best round on the market for 30-06 is the 180 gr. SST Hornady Light Magnum ammo (their 165 SST Light Magnum will also work well on elk - it travels at 3015 fps, I've chronographed it!). If you reload, go with Nosler BT or Swift Scirrocco in 180 gr. (61-64 grs. of Reloader 22 should get the 180 moving at ~2900 fps in a 24 inch barrel - BUT, work up to the load & stop when you see pressure signs).
    0
  • JimmyJack
    I have had excellent results with Hornady Light Magnum 180 grain on
    elk, longest shot at 357 yards, fell in its tracks.
    0
  • hadjii
    When spending hard earned money on a big-game hunt, why be a penny-pincher when it comes to something as important as the bullet? For my money, the super premium bullets are the only way to go. They cost more for a reason, just like a Jarrett or a Dakota, or a long list of other custom rifles costs more than a Remington or a Winchester, because they preform better.
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity