Advice on purchasing ammunition

[Bpower]

I am fairly new to hunting and would like to ask the experts on what to look for when purchasing shells.

I have a 30.06 and I would like to hunt for black bear and mule deer around region 2. Could anybody suggest a versatile round that could be used for both species or should I focus on one type of animal and perhaps have my hunting companion loaded for the other.

Also, could anybody give any info as to what to look for in a store bought shell. I was comparing two different boxes of Winchester shells (black box and silver box) and noticed the less expensive bullet tips looked uneven unlike the nice smooth look of the expensive shells. Will this effect the performance of the bullet much?

Anybody have a preferred 30.06 store bought round they could recommend and where to buy it

[FLHTCUI]

Ok, I'll bite.
Try the Remington corelock is 165 grain boattail.
Use the one bullet for both animals as it will save you time to re-sight the gun in. Also they are generally found at most hunting/sporting goods stores.
Maybe not Crappy tire, but most .
Just my .02 worth.
The two boxes you are refering to are the manufactures way of making more money from you in that they offer a premium round with a differant bullet and powder combination. Expensive bullets does not always mean better stopping power unless you do your part in putting it in the kill zone.
Cheers,
Rob

[Bpower]

Is there much advantage to using a bigger grain load like a 185? I totally understand what you mean by shot placement but I don't want a wounded animal suffering just because I didn't want to damage too much meat.

[moosecaller]

Winchester Super-X 180 grn. Sight the rifle in for these and go hunting, stop spending all your new found energy on the board get busy. If you spend as much time weeding out all the opinions you are going to get the season will be over. Just do it.

[Mr. Dean]

I'd look for something that used a quality 180 grain bullet if 'combo' hunting.

[Mr. Dean]

Oh, I like the Federal Safari's. They use Nosler Partitions and group extremely well out of my rifle... But they're NOT cheap.

[todbartell]

Federal Fusion 165 grain would be a great all purpose load that isnt too expensive (usually $27-32 a box). You can go with 180 grain as well but in my opinion 165 grain is ideal in the 30-06.

[lip_ripper00]

store bought I would go with Federal Premium 168gr TSX, but again not cheap

[Caveman]

I use the Fed Premium Vital Shok and Power Shok in my 30.06. The both perform very well. I tend to lean to the 165 grain. $19.00 a box at Canadian Tire. Work for me.

[bsa30-06]

Winchester Super-X 180 grn. Sight the rifle in for these and go hunting, stop spending all your new found energy on the board get busy. If you spend as much time weeding out all the opinions you are going to get the season will be over. Just do it.

yep i shoot winchester super-x 180 grain out of my bsa 30-06 and they work great.They worked just as well on my deer as they did my bear.