30-06...again

[ElevenBravo]

On the advice of this forum, I changed out the handloads for my wife's -06 from Barnes 180gr TSX @ 2400fps to a 150gr TSX @ 2900fps as the goal was to reach that velocity to produce reliable expansion while making the recoil manageable and she can consistently put shots where needed. Her primary target is a golden wildebeest which is a relative of the blue, and they are considered to be rather tanky. After watching a few videos and interviews with PHs on Youtube and reading some previous threads here, it seems like a heavier bullet is preferred. I emailed the outfit I'm using asking about bullet weight and velocity and got a canned response "180gr Swifts are our preferred bullet, Barnes second" but no mention of velocity.

Now, there's no way of propelling a 180gr Barnes out of an -06 to 2900fps that wouldn't turn the gun into a pipe bomb. According to Barnes' reloading data, I was getting almost max velocity for a 180 using H4985. Other common powders aren't getting much more velocity gains. I could get somewhat near 2900fps with 165gr but using powder that I don't have ready access to and unsure if I could get enough anyway.

So here's what I know:

• yes, shot placement matters, but shot placement alone isn't the only factor
• Despite good shot placement, you need to be able to hit the vitals for placement to matter which brings us to...
• Sectional density matters for penetration, that's why PHs are asking for 180s. The SD between the 150 and 180 aren't that much different (.226 vs .271)
• which brings us to velocity. KE = .5mv^2 so velocity is a huge part of the kinetic energy equation, more input than bullet mass.

Now, I've done the calculations, and Barnes' recommended minimum velocity for reliable expansion for the TSX line is 2000fps. For the 180gr @ 2400, that gives me 250 yards of distance which is more than twice what my outfitter says the typical engagement range is for where we are hunting. I'm not sure why someone said I have to have the -06 going at 300Winmag velocity, probably my fault for taking that statement at face value.

So I'm looking for good recommendations here for a 30-06 load or performance parameters that can be fired by a 110 pound woman that stands a good chance of flattening a golden wildebeest. Will a 150gr Barnes @ 2900fps drop one? Will a 180gr @ 2400fps do it? Do I need bullets tipped with lead azide? At this point, I'm ready to just have the Ruger melted down and have her use my 7Backcountry.

 

[farmer_john]

On the advice of this forum, I changed out the handloads for my wife's -06 from Barnes 180gr TSX @ 2400fps to a 150gr TSX @ 2900fps as the goal was to reach that velocity to produce reliable expansion while making the recoil manageable and she can consistently put shots where needed. Her primary target is a golden wildebeest which is a relative of the blue, and they are considered to be rather tanky. After watching a few videos and interviews with PHs on Youtube and reading some previous threads here, it seems like a heavier bullet is preferred. I emailed the outfit I'm using asking about bullet weight and velocity and got a canned response "180gr Swifts are our preferred bullet, Barnes second" but no mention of velocity.

Now, there's no way of propelling a 180gr Barnes out of an -06 to 2900fps that wouldn't turn the gun into a pipe bomb. According to Barnes' reloading data, I was getting almost max velocity for a 180 using H4985. Other common powders aren't getting much more velocity gains. I could get somewhat near 2900fps with 165gr but using powder that I don't have ready access to and unsure if I could get enough anyway.

So here's what I know:

• yes, shot placement matters, but shot placement alone isn't the only factor
• Despite good shot placement, you need to be able to hit the vitals for placement to matter which brings us to...
• Sectional density matters for penetration, that's why PHs are asking for 180s. The SD between the 150 and 180 aren't that much different (.226 vs .271)
• which brings us to velocity. KE = .5mv^2 so velocity is a huge part of the kinetic energy equation, more input than bullet mass.

Now, I've done the calculations, and Barnes' recommended minimum velocity for reliable expansion for the TSX line is 2000fps. For the 180gr @ 2400, that gives me 250 yards of distance which is more than twice what my outfitter says the typical engagement range is for where we are hunting. I'm not sure why someone said I have to have the -06 going at 300Winmag velocity, probably my fault for taking that statement at face value.

So I'm looking for good recommendations here for a 30-06 load or performance parameters that can be fired by a 110 pound woman that stands a good chance of flattening a golden wildebeest. Will a 150gr Barnes @ 2900fps drop one? Will a 180gr @ 2400fps do it? Do I need bullets tipped with lead azide? At this point, I'm ready to just have the Ruger melted down and have her use my 7Backcountry.

Im not tracking the issue? If 2000fps is min for good expansion why is 2400 an issue / question?

Maybe dial the 06 to 2300fps see how she handles it. 2x the speed of sound is deff going deep. The expansions less important than shot placement and bullet staying together when it hits something. Thats why bonded is better than cup and core.

Full expansion or not is less important. Arguably you would have better penetration and deeper with less expansion velocities being the same

My advice load some lower power loads for her to practice with and slowly increase the fps. To whatever your target goal is.

 

[Challer]

Can she run slugs out of a shotgun - if so the 06 should not be an issue. I have found the plinking loads here to be okay for my 110lbs wife:

http://wainsworld.org/Guns/Cartridges/30-06%20Springfield/30-06%20Springfield%20Load%20Data.pdf

 

[Firebird]

Barnes 168 ttsx available right now from midwayusa would be the very easiest solution. Or do you really need a tsx?

I shoot a lot of .30-06 and rarely shoot bullets above 165 grains. If I got to a 180 gr I use a .300 wm.

 

[ElevenBravo]

Barnes 168 ttsx available right now from midwayusa would be the very easiest solution. Or do you really need a tsx?

I shoot a lot of .30-06 and rarely shoot bullets above 165 grains. If I got to a 180 gr I use a .300 wm.

I rather use the TSX. Don't like the tipped ones.

 

[Gomer]

Take this for what it’s worth because I’ve never shot a wildebeest. I have shot Roosevelt elk, which are typically in the 640 to 850lb category unless they are fully mature around 1000lbs.

The reason I shoot the 150gr TTSX at 2940fps in a 30-06 is it gives me a flat trajectory and the speed for reliable expansion while retaining more weight than a jacketed lead bullet weighing 20% more. So far, I have not had an elk catch one. Impact ranges have been fairly short, between 40 and 230 yards.

If you load jacketed bullets at mild velocity, they actually perform a lot better than you would think. A Sierra GameKing in a tarted up magnum may have issues. Load it to 2600 FPS, and it behaves a lot better out to 300 yards.

People on this site would think this is heresy, but the 180gr Nosler Ballistic Tip is actually built pretty tough. The 95gr 6mm, 120gr 7mm, 180gr .308 Cal, and the .338 versions have pretty thick jackets. There is always Accubonds too.

For what it’s worth, 54gr of H4350 and 55gr of Ramshot Hunter will give you 2650-ish with a 180gr A-Frame. 58gr of Ramshot Big Game got me 3005 fps, but accuracy was best at 2940.

 

[ElevenBravo]

Im not tracking the issue? If 2000fps is min for good expansion why is 2400 an issue / question?

Maybe dial the 06 to 2300fps see how she handles it. 2x the speed of sound is deff going deep. The expansions less important than shot placement and bullet staying together when it hits something. Thats why bonded is better than cup and core.

Full expansion or not is less important. Arguably you would have better penetration and deeper with less expansion velocities being the same

My advice load some lower power loads for her to practice with and slowly increase the fps. To whatever your target goal is.

Now we've come full circle and started at our original point. A real Hofstadter-Möbius loop here. She can shoot 180gr @ 2400fps all day, that's what she's been shooting for years. But someone here said "2400 too slow, you need 2900 for reliable expansion in plains game" and I took them at their word.

Bonded vs cup-and-core isn't an issue here since we're dealing with a monometallic bullet.

So, what is the target goal? Do we want higher SD or a faster bullet?

 

[Gomer]

Now we've come full circle and started at our original point. A real Hofstadter-Möbius loop here. She can shoot 180gr @ 2400fps all day, that's what she's been shooting for years. But someone here said "2400 too slow, you need 2900 for reliable expansion in plains game" and I took them at their word.

Bonded vs cup-and-core isn't an issue here since we're dealing with a monometallic bullet.

So, what is the target goal? Do we want higher SD or a faster bullet?

I don’t worry about SD with Barnes. I can overcome SD with speed and get a better terminal ballistics. Some guys even shoot 130gr out of 308s and get exits on elk.

 

[farmer_john]

Now we've come full circle and started at our original point. A real Hofstadter-Möbius loop here. She can shoot 180gr @ 2400fps all day, that's what she's been shooting for years. But someone here said "2400 too slow, you need 2900 for reliable expansion in plains game" and I took them at their word.

Bonded vs cup-and-core isn't an issue here since we're dealing with a monometallic bullet.

So, what is the target goal? Do we want higher SD or a faster bullet?

Id say shoot 2400fps your over manufacturers recomended speed.
She can shoot it.

Worst case email barnes and ask if 2400 is suitable for a elk or moose sized animal.

Theyl prolly say yes. But they will have a better deffinitive answer on their own product. But i think its mkre than plenty esp for sub 300m

 

[375er]

Are you a reloader? If yes look at Northfork bullets. Very well designed and takes the '06 to a new level in my opinion

 

[Rubberhead]

My only contribution is bang-flopping a blue wildebeest with a 180 grain Accubond at 2750 fps muzzle velocity in a .30-06. It wasn't a perfect shot but the shock put him right down. The PH had me put another shot through the lungs just to make sure but he never moved from where he fell. The frontal diameter of the .30 caliber bullet we dug out was between 0.53" and 0.60". I don't have a scale to measure the weight retention but there is still a lot of lead in the core of the bonded bullet.

 

[DieJager]

People overthink too much, just put it in the boilerroom.

 

[skydiver386]

I shot nearly everything on my first Safari with a 308 Win with 150 Barnes TTSX bullets and never had to shoot anything twice

I think wildebeest are much like Cape Buffalo in that if the first shot is a bad one, and they get full of adrenaline, additional shots have little noticable effect.

With the Barnes, I honestly believe all of the bullet weights you mentioned will do fine out of your 06.

 

[ElevenBravo]

People overthink too much, just put it in the boilerroom.

Because I won't want to be out 20k with nothing to show for it and a wounded animal out there. They deserve a bit more respect than that.

 

[Hififile324]

Buy a few boxes of Federal Premium 175gr. Terminal Ascent, .30-06. We have used them for 3 wildebeest, 2 kudu, Nyala, Gemsbok and numerous others. All one shot and down. As my PH enthusiastically yelled, "You Smoked Him" on several big animals. 95% weight retention. I used the 200's in my .300 WM too! Set your sights for +2" at 100 yards and then point and shoot out to 250 yards!

 

[DieJager]

Because I won't want to be out 20k with nothing to show for it and a wounded animal out there. They deserve a bit more respect than that.

Then stalk close enough and use enough caliber. Those few grains and fps is mostly paper talk. If you think it will not reliably expand after certain distance than don't let her shoot that far. Respect the animal.

Be certain of the shot because you have enough power in your hand for an ethical kill, skills to put in where it belongs and closed the distance enough to be certain. Not because you think a 30 grain difference will make up for it or a few fps.

 

[ElevenBravo]

Then stalk close enough and use enough caliber. Those few grains and fps is mostly paper talk. If you think it will not reliably expand after certain distance than don't let her shoot that far. Respect the animal.

Be certain of the shot because you have enough power in your hand for an ethical kill, skills to put in where it belongs and closed the distance enough to be certain. Not because you think a 30 grain difference will make up for it or a few fps.

I see. Well, that's certainly an opinion. If you think this is just over 30 grains of weight, you haven't been paying attention.

 

[DieJager]

I did and maybe sounded a bit harsh, my bad.

Both are fine, keep it within 200 meters. If she shoots them well I wouldn't think about it too much.

I would spent more time to study the anatomy and setting a boundary how far you want too shoot the animal. For me the closer the better.

 

[Bill J H]

11B - I’ll provide my last two Safari’s (‘25 and ‘26) using a 30-06 shot, mainly, by my 5’ tall 110 lb daughter.

Rifle: REM 700 CDL with 21” barrel (I had cut), suppressed. Stock cut to fit her with 12.75” LOP. With Zeiss scope and suppressor it weighs 7lbs, 10oz. She’s isn’t very big and she handles this like a witch’s wand!

Bullets: Hand-loaded 168gr TTSX running 2725fps. I can easily push them a bit faster, but this is the rifle’s “sweet spot”.

List of African animals taken with this rifle/bullet combo in 2025 and 2026:

Blue Wildebeest at 100 yds, point of shoulder quartering to, ran 40 yds and piled up. Bullet under skin of opposite hip. Perfect mushroom.

Blue Wildebeest at 65 yds. Perfect shot thru the shoulders - complete pass thru. Fell 50 yds from the POI.

Waterbuck at 225yds. Just behind shoulder. Pass thru breaking ribs on both sides. 40 yds and piled up.

Zebra at 90 yds. Thru the shoulders. Pass thru. 20 yds and piled up.

Zebra 100 yds. Thru shoulders slightly quartering. Pass thru. 40 yds and piled up.

Kudu at 100 yds. Point of the shoulder quartering to. Dropped in its tracks. Bullet recovered in off hip 2” before the skin. (This bullet hit a lot of big bones, shed all its petals, but drove straight.)

Kudu 185yds. Quartering away. Hit just behind shoulder and exited at the point of the off shoulder. 30 yds and piled up.

Bushbuck at 75 yds. Turned and ran straight away just before shot. Hit just off center on right rump and exited under center of the chest. Tumbled like it was struck by lightning.

2 Impalas. 175 and 140 yds. Almost broadside. Pass thru shoulders. DRT.

I’ve attached pics of the only 2 recovered bullets.

Honestly, I don’t know how this combo could’ve performed any better. The suppressed, cut to fit 30-06 is a pleasure to shoot. She had 2 days last July where she logged over 9 miles, much of it thru rough, hilly, and rocky terrain and she alone carried her rifle.
I’ve attached pics of the bullets and a few of her animals.

 

[Doug3006]

We are talking about the thirty-by-gawd-oh-six! Enough gun for any plains game animal that walks the bush. Keep the shots broadside and under 250 yards. (Btw…in Africa, the same applies to any caliber you might choose.) Use a “premium” 165 or 180 grain bullet. Nosler, Swift, Barnes, Northfork, etc. As most hunters know, she’ll never feel the recoil when she lays one into a Golden Wildebeest….or any other game animal.