30/06 165 grain

I am thinking about taking my 30/06 , it really loves the 165 grain bullets. Is that to light for Zebra, Blue WB, Gemsbok?
No. The 165 is my favorite .30-06 load. With a boat-tail bullet with a high BC, it will out perform either a 150 grain or 180 grain bullet trajectory and has plenty of punch. I've killed 10 bull elk with a 165 Accubond.
 
No. The 165 is my favorite .30-06 load. With a boat-tail bullet with a high BC, it will out perform either a 150 grain or 180 grain bullet trajectory and has plenty of punch. I've killed 10 bull elk with a 165 Accubond.
+1
 
I am thinking about taking my 30/06 , it really loves the 165 grain bullets. Is that to light for Zebra, Blue WB, Gemsbok?
absolutely not! i also shoot only 165 grain in mine and this round will take any and all PG including leopard. don’t let anyone tell you different
 
I am thinking about taking my 30/06 , it really loves the 165 grain bullets. Is that to light for Zebra, Blue WB, Gemsbok?
Hh8
I am thinking about taking my 30/06 , it really loves the 165 grain bullets. Is that to light for Zebra, Blue WB, Gemsbok?
Assuming good bullet construction — whatever is most accurate in your rifle and most importantly gives You “confidence”. The difference between .30-06 165 gr & 180 gr is so marginal - it’s meaningless. Don’t agonize over it, practice shooting, accuracy from real “field shooting positions”....enjoy getting ready for a great hunt and experience. The .30-06 is a great and proven caliber, been around (and popular) for over 100 years for a reason
 
I have read that the 165 gr. bullet is the optimum weight bullet for a .30 caliber rifle (30.06 or .308).

As a side note I had to finish off a zebra with a .270. A 150 yd shot in the boiler room. Zebras are fairly thin-skinned animals.
 
I am thinking about taking my 30/06 , it really loves the 165 grain bullets. Is that to light for Zebra, Blue WB, Gemsbok?
You’ll be fine.
165 grain Norma Oryx was the go to bullet for my .30-06 in Africa. It worked very well on Blue Wildebeest, Zebra and a whole variety of smaller animals like Nyala, Warthog, Bushbok and a bunch of Impala.
Use any bonded bullet and it will work out great for you.
 
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I shoot barnes 165 ttsx from my 308.. have taken zebra, wildebeest, and a host of other PG with it..

You’ll have zero problem..
 
30-06 with factory 165 Federal Trophy Bonded Tip worked flawlessly this past August on all plains game including wildebeest (made it 30 yards) and kudu (dropped dead in it’s tracks), both shots through shoulder. Very accurate and does not foul barrels like a solid copper bullet.
 
No problems
Just need a good bullet
 
30:06 has lost its cool Factor with the shooting press. And manufacturers. But the animals don’t know it yet.

Practice throwing your rifle on sticks, acquiring the sight picture and getting an accurate shot off as fast as possible.
 
30:06 has lost its cool Factor with the shooting press. And manufacturers. But the animals don’t know it yet.

Practice throwing your rifle on sticks, acquiring the sight picture and getting an accurate shot off as fast as possible.
I have a list of the different styles of shooting sticks their PH’s use. I use a set I made, it’s a bi pod. They mostly use tri pod. As far as practice with my 06, I bought 4 boxes of 165 grain interlocks to reload for this winter. Then to reload my hunting loads with either CX or TTSX in mid spring and work up a accurate hunting load and practice with those. (August 7th is the first day of hunting.) My gun range is at 200 yards but can be made out to 400 yards but the last 150 yards would be up hill.
 
Shooting the 30-06 with 165 barnes tssx killed a burchell zebra, a blue wildebeest, eland, Hartman zebra, 2 ostrich, 2 springbok and a steenbok all one shot. A giraffe and gemsbok 2 shots. Giraffe was a frontal chest shot then a side shoulder and he went about 100 yds. Gemsbok was shot at a extreme uphill angle and only caught one lung, trailed about 500 yds so second shot needed.
 
I am hoping for a Gemsbok, Blue Wildebeest, Burchell Zebra, Impala and Warthog. And after that if time allows a few extra of what ever shows up.
Shouldn't have no problem with a good 165 grain bullet
20230911_160747.jpg
This was recovered from a zebra shot at 200 yds on the point of the shoulder and a eland from just in front of left hip and found in front of front right shoulder
 

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