30-06 Grain Size

[mtnmayhem]

I usually use 180 grain bullets for elk but most of my shots are within 100 yards. I would probably be just fine dropping to 160 right? I'm just trying to reduce the chances of wasting any meat.

 

[slamdunk]

Dropping bullet weight will do MORE damage to the meat at closer range.

A lot of guys hunting close range elk shots use big slow moving heavy bullets like the 200 or even more.







Skull Krazy
"No Bones About It"

 

[Cam@strawberry]

Dropping bullet weight creates more velocity which causes greater shock as well as more fragmention of the bullet a heavier slower bullet will put down an elk with much less shock and better weight retention a fast moving lighter bullet is likely to come apart and create tons of damage

 

[mtnmayhem]

Sheesh, what do I know? Thanks I will definitely hang with 180's then.

 

[DallanC]

If you are only shooting 100-200 yards... go 405 grains in .45-70 Much less meat damage.


-DallanC

 

[slamdunk]

This is what the .338 win mag was created for, big slow moving heavy freight train bullets for thick timber elk hunting.







Skull Krazy
"No Bones About It"

 

[mtnmayhem]

I don't want to rule out longer shots altogether, but those are great suggestions as every year it seems like I waste more meat than I want to. Not necessarily bad shot placement, but what you all are saying makes sense, I have been too close with the higher velocity bullets and I have lost a couple of shoulders from the bullets whistling clean through and fragmenting.

 

[Rem308]

I hve been using 165 grain Hornady Interbond and they have done a real good job from my 30-06.

 

[arch3614elk]

I have used the 165 trophy bonded without any problems at all! One elk at 200 yards one shot and he dropped, with no bullet fragmenting. You will do just fine with 165.

 

[SMELLYBUCK]

How much meat have you wasted with 180 grains? If you are hitting the vitals, you shouldn't be wasting much meat. I've used a number of loads for elk and all of them bruise up the ribs pretty well. The advantage to a light load is it shoots flatter and takes a little less guessing for shot placement; however, the bullets don't hold together as well as the heavy ones. Holding together for good penetration is very important for elk. There is so much more flesh and bone than on a deer. Heavier loads are also more stable in the wind. Pick your poison!!!

 

[mtnmayhem]

Two years in a row I have had direct hits to the vitals and both years using 180's I have blown out the front shoulder on the opposite side. It's not a big deal but it bums me out a little bit.

 

[338RUM]

If you shoot an elk in the shoulder with a 30-30 you will ruin meat. Bullet doesn't matter much. Try to keep the shot behind the shoulder. I know that's not always possible, but your problem will be solved. Even a FMJ will ruin meat.

 

[mtnmayhem]

338 - I think you misunderstood me, my shots have been on target and gone out the other side of the animal. Both times they were within 100 yards in heavy timber. Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. Good info.

 

[SMELLYBUCK]

Sounds to me like you have a good load if its able to push out the front shoulder, that's actually ideal. (Some guys try and make your exact shot and break the opposite front leg in hopes of decreasing how far they run.) A 160 grn. might even do more damage to the meat than the 180 with an exit through the front shoulder. A 160 grain is more likely to fall apart, fragment, and jello the meat. I hit an elk last fall with a 425 grain .45 cal. in the front shoulder. It broke the leg and I fully expected the leg to be completely wasted as it typically would have been with a high powered rifle (this was my first muzz elk.) I was surprised how little the shoulder meat was damaged.

 

[Bozeman]

I've shot 11 bulls using the remington core lokt 165's. They shoot real well in my gun and have done a great job. No matter were you hit on meat it will damage it. I try either behind the shoulders or neck shots. I haven't lost a one to a neck shot and no blood shot quarters.

 

[mybeaver]

shoot them in the neck and you will have no meat damage.

 

[Rem308]

>shoot them in the neck and
>you will have no meat
>damage.
Now you sound like my brother ,he has shot 2 elk and a bunch of deer with head shots. He says you don't damage any meat an you don't have to do any trackin!

 

[Triple_BB]

Drop to 160 if you want. The difference between 160 and 180 grains is roughly 300 fps plus or minus. That is for the most part insignificant in the real world. If yer worried about losing an extra 5 oz's of meat, switch bullets. There's plenty of premium bullets that won't fragment at 2700/2900 fps. If yer cracking yer game at 100 yds or less, you outta be able to crack'um in the head with grampa's punt gun...

 

[madmoose]

my opinion.. if you dont want to ruin meat, dont shoot at it...to those that like to bust shoulders must not like to eat what they kill... i would like to think that most hunters out there dont buy a steak at the store then go home and blow a hole thru it with a 300 win mag. before they throw it on the barbecue..... ooooorrrrr maybe they should.
stick with what shoots for you and aim for a kill shot. not a cripple, then kill. that close of range shots high in the neck are kudos!!!!

 

[mtnmayhem]

What?

 

[Pre64]

I think he means that there is almost always going to be some meat loss, but nothing is worse than losing a critter.

 

[Bob D.]

I have never heard of a 160 grain bullet in 30 caliber. 165 grain, yes. But not 160. Might be some in that weight available though. I just have not seen or heard of them.