Savage 111 30-06 best ammo?

Question

Has anyone tried different ammo in their savage 30-06 to see what is the best? I'm using winchester silver tip 150 grain (for deer).

Answer 1

you live in america don't you?

Answer 2

if you are only hunting deer, i have found two loads that will shoot in every gun i've tested them in... even the picky ones.

1.  federal gameking 165 or 150 grain.  the game king is the hunting variant of the matchking, the winningest match bullet of all times... still wins about 85% of NRA matches.  the accuracy of this load shows why.

2.  horandy sst custom (NOT the light magnum, although that's a good load too, just not as consistently) 150 or 165

Answer 3

i have a similar gun just in a .243 and a 7 mm mag. i use a federal power shok ammo. federal makes some good accu bond stuff i think. stay at about 150 grain like what you have for the best ballistics.  

Answer 4

Only your rifle can provide the answer to this question.  Each rifle is different, so what one person's 111 shoots well may not be the most accurate in your rifle.  Your best bet is to pick the bullet you want, find the ammo loaded with that bullet/weight, and get to the range.  You may have to try several brands and weights to see what your particular rifle will shoot best.  

You are practicing good hunter ethics in not wanting to wound a deer, and the time you spend practicing at the range will serve you well.  

Answer 5

I prefer the 180 grain boat-tail match soft point or the 220 grain.*

Answer 6

150 to 180 grains in a 30 / 06 Springfield is the best big game bullet  for Deer, Elk, and Bear in 80% of the US.  

Answer 7

all rifles are different by design . . . .lots of variables involved here that aren't mentioned . . . . barrel length for one, barrel material/lining, there are different versions of the 111, the stock affects the weight and balance which affects recoil, the trigger pull setting affects your shot . . . so how crisp and smooth it is affects the accuracy of different shooters, distance you expect to take your shot at . . . . the best ammo is probably a handloaded cartridge shot out of a gun owned by someone who has taken the time to explore the idiosyncrises of his or her rifle. A half of a grain of powder can effect the accuracy, trajectory, velocity, and distance a bullet is popelled from its casing . . . . there are 7000 grains in a pound of gunpowder. Anybody's casual mention of what cartridge is best for your rifle is a foolish gesture . . . . it is something you need to figure out for yourself. Here's a link to 30-06 ballistics that will get you started, and a few links about ballistic coeffeciency and sectional density (good knowledge and other recommendations), and a list of my favorite 30-06 cartridges . . . .

1.Hornady 165gr super shock tipped light magnums

2.Federal 180gr nosler high energy

3.Hornady 180gr soft point light magnum

4.Hornady 165gr boat tailed soft point  light magnum

5.Federal 180gr boat tailed soft point

Answer 8

I don't have that rifle, but general principles apply. First, either the 150 grainers or 165 grainers should do with whitetails. You'll find the 150's will do best on broadsides, and the heavier ones on quartering shots, if you shoot enough. Since you can't exactly predict which will happen on a given opportunity, take your best guess. My personal bias is for the heavier bullet, especially in a construction that isn't designed for delayed expansion, because they set up fine almost all the time, and if they don't on a broadside in the heart/lung area, they'll still do a pretty good job. The converse is that a 150 grain bullet that doesn't reach the vitals on a quartering shot is a real mess.

If those shoot well, there's no reason to go further. If you're a little obsessive (I'm a handloader, so you know where I stand on that!) then you'll want to try a variety of others in those weights. The variation from one rifle of the exact same model to another is just as great as that from one manufacturer to another, so asking others with the Savage isn't any different from generally asking us all.