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
Thanks for posting this Scott, allot of good info posted here. I am in the same boat as Scott I do not know allot about rifles and do not own one yet, but I have been doing some research and plan on getting a rifle one of these days. Just one more reason I love this site so much is the endless amount of knowledge available right at your finger tips. 
Thanks for posting this Scott, allot of good info posted here. I am in the same boat as Scott I do not know allot about rifles and do not own one yet, but I have been doing some research and plan on getting a rifle one of these days. Just one more reason I love this site so much is the endless amount of knowledge available right at your finger tips.
What are you wanting a rifle for Steve P??? Multi-specie or something specific?
What are you wanting a rifle for Steve P??? Multi-specie or something specific?
Mostly deer hunting up north but also would want to use it for Elk hunting some day.
Mostly deer hunting up north but also would want to use it for Elk hunting some day.
Steve,
If you plan to use it for elk as well I would say you go with the 300 mag. or the 7mm. I have shot a few deer with the 7mm and loved the gun and a buddy also took down a mature elk as well with a 7mm dropped her right in her tracks. For deer I shot one behind the shoulder and he went about 20 yards and the does all never went more than 40 yds at most. Great gun overall my next one will be a 300 short mag. I believe though. 
Steve,
If you plan to use it for elk as well I would say you go with the 300 mag. or the 7mm. I have shot a few deer with the 7mm and loved the gun and a buddy also took down a mature elk as well with a 7mm dropped her right in her tracks. For deer I shot one behind the shoulder and he went about 20 yards and the does all never went more than 40 yds at most. Great gun overall my next one will be a 300 short mag. I believe though.
Good luck. I too shoot flesh (lung/heart) instead of shoulder and they always run. Always. I shoot 180 Nosler Partitions (Federal Premium) I get outstanding patterns at the range, almost the same as ballistic tip and they probably expand more but there is not much material to really deform a bullit passing the lungs. If you want a bigger hole the shotgun slug will do it but they will still run with that shot. If your going to continue shooting behind the shoulder with the 06 then you will have to find them unless you luck out and see them fall. In my experience they dont go very far BUT if its thick they dissapear and finding blood can be challenging. the one I got last year went maybe 50 yards but it took me two hours to find the thing. I couldnt find blood. Only hair and the shot site. Shoulder or neck is an anchor shot but neck is small and like you said I like to use the shoulder meat. If I have a chance at a really big buck I like to think I would take the shoulder shot but my instinct always makes me go for vitals. I would definitely steer away from ballistic tip for close range 06 hunting. Even the el-cheapo Rem Core-Lock will do more damage but you probably wont see the the same precise accuracy. I have used them on several deer and they work but on the range I hate them so I swithed back to Federal Noslers. Maybe its just my gun?
Good luck. I too shoot flesh (lung/heart) instead of shoulder and they always run. Always. I shoot 180 Nosler Partitions (Federal Premium) I get outstanding patterns at the range, almost the same as ballistic tip and they probably expand more but there is not much material to really deform a bullit passing the lungs. If you want a bigger hole the shotgun slug will do it but they will still run with that shot. If your going to continue shooting behind the shoulder with the 06 then you will have to find them unless you luck out and see them fall. In my experience they dont go very far BUT if its thick they dissapear and finding blood can be challenging. the one I got last year went maybe 50 yards but it took me two hours to find the thing. I couldnt find blood. Only hair and the shot site. Shoulder or neck is an anchor shot but neck is small and like you said I like to use the shoulder meat. If I have a chance at a really big buck I like to think I would take the shoulder shot but my instinct always makes me go for vitals. I would definitely steer away from ballistic tip for close range 06 hunting. Even the el-cheapo Rem Core-Lock will do more damage but you probably wont see the the same precise accuracy. I have used them on several deer and they work but on the range I hate them so I swithed back to Federal Noslers. Maybe its just my gun?
Quote:
Great gun overall my next one will be a 300 short mag. I believe though.
Why the 300 Short Mag?
Quote:
Great gun overall my next one will be a 300 short mag. I believe though.
Why the 300 Short Mag?
I used one last year and loved the way it shot and the consistant accuracy I had with it. I have not had experience with the regular 300 yet and I am the type of person that hands on sells me without a doubt.
I used one last year and loved the way it shot and the consistant accuracy I had with it. I have not had experience with the regular 300 yet and I am the type of person that hands on sells me without a doubt.
I shoot a 7mm short mag. I love the accuracy and long range capability. Kicks like a mule, but I wasnt looking for a plinker either. Plus it leave open the ability to go for bigger game.
I too shoot the balistic silvertips, and now you’ve all have got me thinking. I can see over a 1/4 mile in my favorate stand, (not that I would take that shot) so I like the range they offer. But I too have tossed out a few shoulders over the last couple of years. 
I shoot a 7mm short mag. I love the accuracy and long range capability. Kicks like a mule, but I wasnt looking for a plinker either. Plus it leave open the ability to go for bigger game.
I too shoot the balistic silvertips, and now you’ve all have got me thinking. I can see over a 1/4 mile in my favorate stand, (not that I would take that shot) so I like the range they offer. But I too have tossed out a few shoulders over the last couple of years.
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