.30-06 question

[todbartell]

how fast are you pushing a 190 grain Hornady BTSP out of a 30-06 to get 41" drop @ 500 from a 200 yard zero?

By my calculations, the muzzle velocity would have to be 2900 fps, the speed of a normal 150 grain load


If you want to make a more realistic comparison, compare the Hornady 165 gr BTSP @ 2800 fps to the 190 gr BTSP @ 2650 fps

The 165 grainer drops 46" from a 200 yard zero (at 500 yards), the 190 grain load drops 50". Impact energy @ 500 is 1275 ft-lbs for the lighter load, 1425 ft-lbs for the heavy.

[moosecaller]

I did say all things being equal but if you want to get into the slight differences this is how it played out for me. I have chrony an -06 190 at 2740 which gave 0 at 200 and 45 low at 500 with energy at 2392 at 200 and 1516 at 500 based on starting chronigraphed figuires still does as good if not a better job that the lighter bullet at range.
It should be noted that this load gave me sub min. at 100 yrds and everything I hit with it went down. It just simply did the job I have always been a firm believer in the heaver bullets. As long as the rifle likes them and they perform well I have no complaints and no need to change my success.

[todbartell]

I did say all things being equal

well, yes, the heavier bullet with its high BC will fly flatter than a bullet with a lower coefficient when launched at the same muzzle velocity

high BC & good speed = flat shooting. the optimum long range load for the 30-06, IMO, is a 165 gr boat tail spitzer launched between 2800 & 2900 fps if moose or elk are on the menu, pick a bullet that is controlled expansion, like an X bullet or Partition. For deer, almost any bullet will do the trick

[greatwhitehunter_30.06]

i like fusion 180gr.

[coolhunter]

I like 180gr,but I wanna try 165,hoho

[One Shot]

For 30-06, 173/180 BTs on average will peform better than 168/165s at longer ranges. There is only 1 to 1.5 " differnce in drop @ 500 yds. That all being said you also have to take into account how well your rifle sends these differnt bullets down range. So it comes out to trying different ammo from manufactures or if you hand load try different combinations untill you find the best. Good luck.

[Caveman]

I'm with the majority here, 165gr. I personally use the Fed Premium Vital Shok and the Power Shok.