best 30-'06 deer load, second round,
Johnny45, Since the topic was locked after your last post I must add a comment. You mentioned that FMJ bullets were not specifically made for deer hunting. The fact is, they are illegal for hunting in many of not all states. The construction of the bullet is as important, if not more so, than the weight of the bullet. The heavier bullets will generally have heavier jackets, allowing more penetration before expansion. I tried some 180 grain Federal ammo on the small white tail deer in Arkansas. They got very poor expansion. Even though I got both deer killed with them, I had to trail them for a ways after shooting them through the lungs. Similar shot placement with the 150 grain causes a shorter run after being shot and the deer leave a heavier blood trail.
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why are the bullets illegal for deer hunting ? and why the hell was my thread locked ? 0 -
Topic was locked because it reached 10 or more posts with several good, solid answers - standard procedure here on Ask The Experts. It is meant to keep it a Q&A forum, not a general discussion forum. It was nothing personal by the moderator or admin, its just the way it is in this forum.
FMJ is not permitted for hunting in most (if not all) states because it is not a hunting bullet -- it does not expand, it penetrates. Hunting bullets are designed to expand, creating a larger wound channel and killing the animal more quickly.0 -
I had no idea that certain bullets were illegal for hunting. Do people actually get fined if they are caught ? 0 -
Johnny, yes you can get a ticket and fined for several ammunition violations, rules are not the same state to state so it's always up to you to be "up" on your regulations wherever you hunt. For instance some areas are off limits to hunting with lead shot in shotguns, or the non -expanding bullets as previously mentioned are illegal everywhere for hunting big game as far as I know, too many shells in your gun shotgun or rifle is illegal in many states too, even having a shotgun or rifle that "can" hold too many shells can in the field result in a violation. Besides that it's not the humane thing to do, use an expanding bullet.
As far as your question the range of hunting bullets for most practical purposes and common uses in a 30/06 is 150 grains to 180 grains. If using bullets 150 grains and lighter for large deer be sure to use a well constructed bullet like Barnes, Nosler Accubond or Partition, Speer grand slam or many other quality bullets, when going after elk bullet weight and construction become more critical, the general idea for all game is to send a bullet to the animal striking it and delivering plenty of impact shock and damage but being well constructed enough to plow through meat and bone and exit. There is a lot of hype about premium bullets but their uses are valid. I've shot almost all my largest big game using a Sierra 180 grain Spitzer Boat Tail bullet with excellent results, however I used a Nosler 180 grain Accubond this last fall to take my largest bull elk with excellent results, however the difference in performance between the Nosler and Sierra's was indistinguishable.[;)]0 -
Bottom line please use an expanding bullet for all hunting. They are leagal for one. Two they tend to destroy themselves rather than richocheting off to who knows where. And 3, why would you want an animal to suffer. We owe it to the animals to dispatch them as quickly as possible. 0 -
I never used anything but a 150 grain bullet for deer hunting while carrying my 30-06 in the field.
Never lost one nor did i have to look very far for the deer after shooting it.
I have killed at least sixty deer and probably twenty of those were with a 30-06.
I usually used Federal Classics or standard Winchester with great results.
Good placement above all else is the order of the day.
mike0
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