30-06 two cartridges the same, not

Steve L. · 05-19-2005, 07:58 PM

I retired the old Springfield Rock Island Arsenal 06 I've been shooting for 30 years. Got a a heck of a good deal on a new remington 700cdl to replace it. Since I don't have the time to work up a good reload for it I decided to go with off the shelf cartridges. The Remington Corelokt Ultra 180 gr prints 5/8" 3 shot groups at 100 yards, found my Elk round :grin:. Since the Ultra has a thicker jacket than the Rem express I figured I'd try the express as a candidate for my deer round. Both 180 gr, sight the rifle in once and be done with it,right ? Wrong, both print nice tight groups. The problem is the Express prints 2" higher than the Ultra. So now I'm in search of a round that hits the same point of aim as the Ultra. I've reloaded for enough years to know better, but thought I might get lucky. Fortunately the bad news is that I just need to go to the range more and test rounds

Any recommendations ? Any of you had a similar puzzle to solve ?

baltz526 · 05-19-2005, 09:45 PM

sight the rifle in to group the exspress 3" high at 100yds then the ultras will be 1" high, having a 300yd zero for deer is good and a 200yd zero for elk is also for the 30-06, the 30-06 is a 200 yd elk rifle,

Steve L. · 05-20-2005, 05:37 AM

Funny you should mention that. Since I'm hunting the coast range I figured more than likely deer at 100 yds or less and Elk at 100 yds plus. Unfortunately that means I need the deer round to hit lower than the elk round (Ultra). If I was hunting east of the Cascade your suggestion would be right on. The search for answers continues...........
Thanks

billc_sbio · 05-20-2005, 05:45 AM

Well...if you CAN'T sight your rifle in for the individual types of ammo, between hunts...

Then sight them both in for WHERE you want them to hit at 100 yd.s, then carefully NOTE your scope/sight adjustments and simply dial-in the corrections when switching to the different loadings and hope for the best!

If your scope is really good at "Tracking" (many aren't) you shouldn't have much problem.

If your actual hunting ranges are close to 100 yd.s it'll be really close anyway (can you HOLD a 1" difference offhand at 100 yd.s?)

Salmo trutta · 05-20-2005, 07:10 AM

Sounds like that rifle is no good. You might want to sell it to me.

weekender · 05-20-2005, 07:12 AM

I hate to point out to obvious, but you need another rifle. Just buy a second identical setup. One for deer and one for elk. Problem Solved

SLEDDER · 05-20-2005, 07:20 AM

Maybe consider 165 grn. Or use your 180 ultra's for deer also. 30 caliber bullets are plentiful. Reload with your bullet of choice. Not sure if there is a simple solution with your current bullet.

StickFish · 05-20-2005, 08:21 AM

I'd use the Ultra on deer as well. The original core lok is rather fragile, their thicker one just won't explode as bad. Basically a budget bonded bullet. If you want factory and you want to shoot premium bullets, try the Remington Premier Scirocco, or Remington Safari. Both Swift Bullets are more than tough enough for Elk, yet still perform very well on lighter skin animals like Deer and Antelope.

Federal offers the Nosler Partition and at 180 it won't be so hard that it won't be effective on deer. I would stay away from Trophy Bond Bear claws at that weight though. Would be great for Elk, but that bullet is too hard for deer

If you are a one gun shooter for big game - stick with one round. There is an old saying, "Watch out for the man that has only one rifle - he knows how to use it." Pick one that shoots and go fill the freezer.

Artwo · 05-20-2005, 08:59 AM

Windknot,
I have that same exact rifle (Rem. 30-06 700cdl) and use it for both deer and elk. I do not load my own so I've done a lot of research on the Rem. premium loads that are available at their website. What I've found is that the most consistant load for my rifle with some pretty good down range power (250yds +) was the Rem. Premium Scirroco in 165gr. It will hold a 1" dia. pattern of three shot groups at 100yds very well. I do most of my hunting in eastern Oregon with shots at +250yds pretty common and have had very good results with this over the counter load.

JK

Steve L. · 05-20-2005, 12:29 PM

First I want to thank you guys for all the good advice. Here's my plan
1) sell my rifle to Salmo Trutta for $2500.00

2) buy two more of same rifle and scope(love my Leupold vIII 3.5x10 )

( good idea Weekender )
3)will pick up some swift sirroco's and see how they do ( thanks Artwo

), although they're tough to find. BTW how are they on under 100yd shots on deer, good expansion ?
4) or will stick with the KISS ( keep it simple stupid)method and follow Stickfish's advice and just use the Ultra on both deer and Elk.

I forget who asked if I really needed that other inch of accuracy ( sorry), but if you add in the mechanical variable ( a loose nut behind the gun ) I need all the help I can get

Thanks again, Ifish members come through again

scottishsetter · 05-20-2005, 02:16 PM

Try Hornady 165gr. or? off the shelf Excellent bullets espec. for deer. Could print close ; otherwise Mark for elev. change on scope AND check.Good Hunting.