bullet weight

[Bret615]

I'm going on my first cow elk hunt this fall. I'm taking a. 30 06 but not sure on bullet weight. I've been told everything from 150 grain to 180. Any opinions on what would work best.

 

[montanaelk31]

Back when I rifle hunted, I used 165s out of my .06 with no complaints. More important than weight, make sure u buy premium bullets for ammo. Hornady interbonds, nosler accubonds or partition, Barnes come to mind. Seen elk go down with 243s easy using bonded ammo. 2 holes is what u want!

 

[hank4elk]

I hunt with a -06 and use 165's w/Barnes tzx from Fed mostly. Barnes sold to Rem. so Rem. has Barnes now and Fed. and others are making copper loads. I love the copper bullets. Still have core-locks etc.. as back up.
Trying Nosler and Hornady loads now too.
I have 180's but they don't  shoot as well as 165's for me. And they are a bit much on deer. I get 5/8 100 yrd groups w/my Rem 700. Try a 180 and they're 2" off target.So without redialing scope all the time,I go with what shoots best,consistantly. Bullet placement is #1 in my book. My neighbor has same rifle and his shoots 180's better. Finding the right one can take some time,but worth it.
165's will drop most anything you will run into in NA,might take 2 or more for Grizz.....

 

[SilverDollars]

For me it, the decision is based on the rifle.  My elk rifles shoot tighter groups when shooting the longer bullets, IE. heavier bullets. For example, my 300 WinMag shoots tighter groups when using 180 grains versus 165 grains and the 165 grains shoot better than the 150 grains, with all other factors being equal. Any of these 30-06 bullets you have suggested will kick any elk's butt if your bullet is placed correctly.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I have used Hornady 165gr Interbonds and Winchester 180gr Supreme Elites with good results. As stated above let your rifle decide which ammo it likes best.

 

[cowboystl1]

most of the manufactures say directly what they recommend for elk size game bigger is better 180 grain for white tail 155-160