What load?

[capoeirajosh]

I was just curious what loads you all are shooting when hunting coues. I got 4 shots at deer this season and was dang sure I hit one of them, because he dropped in his tracks. Took my eyes off of him and apparently he got up. No blood. I was wondering if it was because of the load I was using. I am shooting a 30-06 and using Federal Premium 150 grain sierra gameking btsp.

[Elkhunter1]

What size grouping are you getting , and at what range? That caliber is more than adequate for what you are hunting. My dad reloads Hornady 130 grn sp's and gets grouping half dollar size at 200.

[capoeirajosh]

That might be my issue then. I was grouping way bigger then that at 200. I probably just need to spend some more time on the range practicing and getting my scope sighted better.

[ready2hunt]

I used to only shoot 150's out my 30-06 for coues; thinking anything else would just be overkill. However I have changed my opinion and now choose 165gr and practiced shooting for better accuracy to ensure a well placed shot.

 

I really like the ballistics

[Elkhunter1]

If you don't reload try several different loads , Federal, Hornady, Winchester, Barns-x, and Berger. The 150 grn is a good all-a -round weight. Shoot different bullet types and weight. My dad went through several bullets and powder charges before finding the right combination.

[Elkhunter1]

You will spend some money in the beginning but you will recover monetarily with the animals on the ground.

[muledeerarea33?]

My older 06 only likes factory Winchester 180 grain soft points, I've tried loading for this gun but can't find one that shoots as good as the factory stuff. Find what works, hand loads or not.

[firstcoueswas80]

My Favorite HAs been Barnes Ttsx From My 257Wby. I AmTrying AccubondSThis Year

[Elkhunter1]

If you go the reloading route, use all the same brass, primers and try several powders. A new addition reloading book is a must. Start with the base loads they recomend and go from there.

[Scooter]

I'm shooting a rifle with almost identical ballistics to the 30-06, I reload with 150gr Speer HOT COR's, but the 180gr Winchester factory metric caliber rounds have been good too.

[naturegirl]

I'm using 130 grain federal vital shock BT in my 270. I have re-loads, but I ended up liking the federal better. I'm grouping within a few inches at 200 yards. I've been to the range four times now. Yesterday I went to the range one last time and I only took a few shots - just needed final confirmation that everything is where it should be. I tend to be a little anal about my equipment, but that is the one thing I do have control over in the field.

[pwrguy]

All of the bullets mentioned above are more than adequate for deer. Group size and practice is the key. Also, don't shoot anything at ranges you have never shot before, it took me a long time to learn this lesson. If you want to kill deer at 450 yards, go out and practice at 450 yards and prove what the bullet does. Although they can be helpfull, don't rely on drop charts and ballistics programs.

 

One other thing. I have witnessed a couple of times deer that were hit pretty well that were almost not recovered due to the terrain these suckers live in. We had one last year that went about 50 yards, and the only reason we recovered him was we saw what direction he went after he was hit. There was no visible blood except where he fell. If you think you hit one spend a lot of time looking in every nook and cranny within a couple hundred yards.

[MULEPACKHUNTER]

180grn sierra Game King in front of IMR 4831 53 grn powder 2750 FPS crono. Good groups out of my Weatherby 06. 200 yrd zero -8.0 at 300 - 21 at 400 and +2.5 at 100

I am going to shoot some 168 Berger VLD through it before my hunt this weekend though to see how they do at 300 yrds. Apperently white tail hunting is usually longer shots than my 200 yrd plans.

Note that Remington core lock shoot almost as good as reloads out of mine too.

[dieselroe]

Ok,

 

You should have 2 inch groups at 200 hundred off a lead sled device. Heres what to do. Buy a few different loads that have been suggested here and take them to the range. Since its 40-50 a box. I would just start with the next load you like and you can go back with a new type each time if that doesn't work. For instance. My tikka 270wsm did not like the trophy bonded by federal in 130, it grouped about 18 inches at 300. The ballistic tips in 130, it loved and grouped 2 inches at 300!!, well, I wanted a better bullet then ballistic though, so I took out some of the new Trophy copper by federal in 130. It liked that just as well and now I can use the copper solid I like.

 

Every rifle barrel is different and you have to figure out what yours likes. This will build confidence and give you a rifle that you can trust for life. I trust I can take game with my 270 at 490. I took a muley 2 seasons ago like this and I won't shoot anybody elses rifle now.

 

You really need to spend time at the range and get confident groups at 200. I like to go to casa grande range so I can get confident at 300. There are no range officers there and the people are really nice. Bring your own chair and spotting scope though!!!

 

I've had better luck using only federal premium products. No federal blue box stuff or soft points of any brand.

 

Nosler accubond

trophy copper

barnes ttsx

 

Oh yeah, and cheap scopes will get knocked off just by driving down a dirt road. Especially Simmons, they suck!!!! I have a leupold vx1 I bought on sale on ebay new for 270. It won't get knocked off. It has a low power range but 9x, but its fast and reliable.

[capoeirajosh]

/>Ok,

 

You should have 2 inch groups at 200 hundred off a lead sled device. Heres what to do. Buy a few different loads that have been suggested here and take them to the range. Since its 40-50 a box. I would just start with the next load you like and you can go back with a new type each time if that doesn't work. For instance. My tikka 270wsm did not like the trophy bonded by federal in 130, it grouped about 18 inches at 300. The ballistic tips in 130, it loved and grouped 2 inches at 300!!, well, I wanted a better bullet then ballistic though, so I took out some of the new Trophy copper by federal in 130. It liked that just as well and now I can use the copper solid I like.

 

Every rifle barrel is different and you have to figure out what yours likes. This will build confidence and give you a rifle that you can trust for life. I trust I can take game with my 270 at 490. I took a muley 2 seasons ago like this and I won't shoot anybody elses rifle now.

 

You really need to spend time at the range and get confident groups at 200. I like to go to casa grande range so I can get confident at 300. There are no range officers there and the people are really nice. Bring your own chair and spotting scope though!!!

 

I've had better luck using only federal premium products. No federal blue box stuff or soft points of any brand.

 

Nosler accubond

trophy copper

barnes ttsx

 

Oh yeah, and cheap scopes will get knocked off just by driving down a dirt road. Especially Simmons, they suck!!!! I have a leupold vx1 I bought on sale on ebay new for 270. It won't get knocked off. It has a low power range but 9x, but its fast and reliable.

I have a Nikon Buckmaster 3x9x40. Thanks a ton for the replies. I will for sure be trying this stuff out. As far as sighting in goes, what would be the best way to start. I started at 50, then went to 100, then to 200. I don't think I ever got it dead on at any of those distances though. When do you know to step up the distance?