Ok, I am not much of a rifle guy. So, here is my question for the experts. I shoot a 30-06 deer hunting and at close range my bullets are passing though so fast the blood trail is hard to find, even on a perfect shot. So, is there a better bullet out there that does a little more “damage” on the exit. I usually shoot 180 grain and don’t want to go to a 220 or anything like that. Just looking for a better bullet.
I am a bow hunter so forgive my ignorance when it comes rifles.
Scott, what type of tip are you shooting hollow pint, ballistic tip, soft tip? The soft tip and hollow point would do more damage that the ballistic tip it seems to me. Also at close range plant it right on that shoulder and check out the “damage” you get then! 
Scott, what type of tip are you shooting hollow pint, ballistic tip, soft tip? The soft tip and hollow point would do more damage that the ballistic tip it seems to me. Also at close range plant it right on that shoulder and check out the “damage” you get then!
Balistic tip is what I am using now. I don’t like to hit the shoulder because I like to eat what I shoot 
Balistic tip is what I am using now. I don’t like to hit the shoulder because I like to eat what I shoot
If most of your shots are close range IE: under 100 yards why not use a shotgun and sabot slugs? A good shotgun is more than capable of dropping deer at longer ranges to.
If most of your shots are close range IE: under 100 yards why not use a shotgun and sabot slugs? A good shotgun is more than capable of dropping deer at longer ranges to.
I like the way the 180 grain bullet shoots. We are in a Rifle zone and I have the chance to shoot well over 200 yards if the right shot presents itself. However, at close range it just seems like the bullet goes through the deer without doing any damage even on a double lung shot.
I like the way the 180 grain bullet shoots. We are in a Rifle zone and I have the chance to shoot well over 200 yards if the right shot presents itself. However, at close range it just seems like the bullet goes through the deer without doing any damage even on a double lung shot.
While none of our group shoots a 30-06, we do shoot 270’s, 7mm mags and 25-06’s. We have good luck with ballistic tips in the 7 mm and 270 wsm. I shoot Federal’s Trophy Bonded Bear Claw in a 25-06 and have over 20 one shot kills from 20 yards out to 300 yards. Most don’t require blood trails as they drop in two or three steps.
My sons shoot plain Jane Remington pointed soft points in their 270 Win. and they leave great blood trails, although they are rarely needed.
Ballistic Tips are deadly but my experience has been that a shot that hits bone will ruin a ton of meat. They are wicked on true broadside ribcage shots and absolutely digusting on head shots on does. Put one through the front shoulder and you’ll throw the front quarter to the dogs. My BIL swears by them in his 7mm Mag. 300 yard shots that drop deer in their tracks and leave a fist sized hole in them. He’s not much of a tracker, so he needs the extra killing power. He says there is no such thing as “too dead”.
I’d keep shooting Ballistic Tips if you can pick your shots. Try a bonded bullet if you want something that doesn’t blow up like Ballistic Tips.
While none of our group shoots a 30-06, we do shoot 270’s, 7mm mags and 25-06’s. We have good luck with ballistic tips in the 7 mm and 270 wsm. I shoot Federal’s Trophy Bonded Bear Claw in a 25-06 and have over 20 one shot kills from 20 yards out to 300 yards. Most don’t require blood trails as they drop in two or three steps.
My sons shoot plain Jane Remington pointed soft points in their 270 Win. and they leave great blood trails, although they are rarely needed.
Ballistic Tips are deadly but my experience has been that a shot that hits bone will ruin a ton of meat. They are wicked on true broadside ribcage shots and absolutely digusting on head shots on does. Put one through the front shoulder and you’ll throw the front quarter to the dogs. My BIL swears by them in his 7mm Mag. 300 yard shots that drop deer in their tracks and leave a fist sized hole in them. He’s not much of a tracker, so he needs the extra killing power. He says there is no such thing as “too dead”.
I’d keep shooting Ballistic Tips if you can pick your shots. Try a bonded bullet if you want something that doesn’t blow up like Ballistic Tips.
Give the 150 grain Winchester Supreme Ballistic Silvertips a try in your 30.06. I’ve been using that same round for quite some time and have had great success with it. I consitently get great accuracy and expansion with that round and with a properly placed shot it usually drops em in their tracks. That thing will lay the smack down on some deer 
and yeah, definitely stay away from the shoulder unless you want ready made bloody bony hamburger.
Give the 150 grain Winchester Supreme Ballistic Silvertips a try in your 30.06. I’ve been using that same round for quite some time and have had great success with it. I consitently get great accuracy and expansion with that round and with a properly placed shot it usually drops em in their tracks. That thing will lay the smack down on some deer and yeah, definitely stay away from the shoulder unless you want ready made bloody bony hamburger.
I shoot 180s and that is one of the finest deer hunting rounds ever made. I rarely have to track more than 10 yards.
I shoot 180s and that is one of the finest deer hunting rounds ever made. I rarely have to track more than 10 yards.
Quote:
Balistic tip is what I am using now. I don’t like to hit the shoulder because I like to eat what I shoot
You said you wanted damage it is what you will get jk 
Run a soft tip bullet and you will be happier or else a hollow point tip as well. 
Quote:
Balistic tip is what I am using now. I don’t like to hit the shoulder because I like to eat what I shoot
You said you wanted damage it is what you will get jk Run a soft tip bullet and you will be happier or else a hollow point tip as well.
I shoot 180’s in my 300 Win Mag for elk ( no rifles here on deer) I have dropped everything I have shot at in its tracks from a grouse at 20 feet ( don’t ask) to yotes at over 300. 1 cow elk in Colorado 42 yard head shot, 1 Bull in Idaho 175 yards neck shot. No exit on either elk. I also like eating what I shoot but the front shoulder on a deer is your best placement shot at close range.
I shoot 180’s in my 300 Win Mag for elk ( no rifles here on deer) I have dropped everything I have shot at in its tracks from a grouse at 20 feet ( don’t ask) to yotes at over 300. 1 cow elk in Colorado 42 yard head shot, 1 Bull in Idaho 175 yards neck shot. No exit on either elk. I also like eating what I shoot but the front shoulder on a deer is your best placement shot at close range.
Scott,
My 30-06 Ruger likes 180 grain bullets. I’ve been shooting Federal Premiums for years. They mushroom very well and I’ve never had one fail (break apart, jacket/core separation, etc.). I recovered the bullet from the last Buck I shot and it still weighed 166 grains. I consider that excellent performance.
That being said, I’ve hit some deer at close range that never dripped a drop of blood.
Rootski
Scott,
My 30-06 Ruger likes 180 grain bullets. I’ve been shooting Federal Premiums for years. They mushroom very well and I’ve never had one fail (break apart, jacket/core separation, etc.). I recovered the bullet from the last Buck I shot and it still weighed 166 grains. I consider that excellent performance.
That being said, I’ve hit some deer at close range that never dripped a drop of blood.
Rootski
I shoot a 700 BDL 30-06 and what has worked well for me are the 150 grain Nosler ballistic tip (green color). 10 yards at most is the most an animal has run on me.
As others have mentioned, don’t hit the shoulder. A few years back I was out west in MT and rushed a shot on an antelope and hit the shoulder. The result was a mess 
I shoot a 700 BDL 30-06 and what has worked well for me are the 150 grain Nosler ballistic tip (green color). 10 yards at most is the most an animal has run on me.
As others have mentioned, don’t hit the shoulder. A few years back I was out west in MT and rushed a shot on an antelope and hit the shoulder. The result was a mess
Try an AccuBond. I use to shoot ballistic tips but they explode too much for me. I am really impressed with the AccuBond. I am not sure if you can get them in 180 I know you can get them in 150.
Try an AccuBond. I use to shoot ballistic tips but they explode too much for me. I am really impressed with the AccuBond. I am not sure if you can get them in 180 I know you can get them in 150.
Thanks for the info guys sounds like I have some optinos
Thanks for the info guys sounds like I have some optinos
i shot the bear claws one year in my 300 win mag and ill never shoot them again, after throwing away both front shoulders they waste more meat they the benifit of the explosion that happens when they hit a deer.
i now shoot federal premium vital shock 180’s in the MRX style Gander mtn in rochester had a moving sale picked up a whole case of em. their originally 50 bucks a box but if ya want to try a box of em ill sell ya it at half since thats what i paid for em
i shot the bear claws one year in my 300 win mag and ill never shoot them again, after throwing away both front shoulders they waste more meat they the benifit of the explosion that happens when they hit a deer.
i now shoot federal premium vital shock 180’s in the MRX style Gander mtn in rochester had a moving sale picked up a whole case of em. their originally 50 bucks a box but if ya want to try a box of em ill sell ya it at half since thats what i paid for em
I shoot a 30-06 also and I quit using ballistic tips as well.
It seemed like every one exploded and tore out the rear shoulder. Distance didn’t seem to matter much. I now use boat tail Federal Premium and Fusions and have excellent luck without all the ruined meat. They usually fall within 10 yards of the shot.
Good Luck,
Ferny
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