dbHunterNY Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 So I've had a Browning A-bolt .30-06 with stainless 22" barrel and walnut stock since this past season. It doesn't have a I've always shot Remington 150gr PSP Core-lokt in my Remington 742, so I figured I'd test that first. Results are not so good. Here and there I'd get 1.5" groups, but it's been 3-4" groups normally. Since it's cheap ammo and I expect more from a Browning I'm going to try something else. Should keep to 150gr ammo, keep the same Brand, or just buy whatever looks good next? Anyone have a system that works or similar rifle with a recommendation that might be as good a start as any? I seem to hear more people shooting 165gr ammo out of a 30-06 too. I'm just trying to quicken the search as much as possible; there's a lot of choices out there. Thanks, Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 Might try winchester power points. My daughters a bolt in .243 would not group the core lokts well, but grouped the power points just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted June 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 Tonight I couldn't help it. I ended up going out and getting a different box of ammo. They didn't have any Winchester power point ammo, but I did pick up a box of Federal Vital-Shok 150gr Nosler Ballistic Tips. I have to see how they work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papadz Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 My 30-06 loves the hornaday custom 180gr. sst. It eats em like candy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted June 13, 2009 Report Share Posted June 13, 2009 (edited) 30-06 guns typically have a twist rate that performs better with 165 and 180gr bullets. I like the Federal 165gr Sierra ammo and Hornady 180gr Light Mag Interlocks. My 30-06 Tikka won't shoot any 150gr bullets worth a darn. But it does shoot some 165s very well and almost any 180 you feed it excellently. Edited June 13, 2009 by Leo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted June 13, 2009 Report Share Posted June 13, 2009 I've shot lots of 30-06 rifles and owned probably 30 different ones over the years. The cartridge is at it's best with 180 grainers but any I shot, that had good barrels, would shoot anything from the 100 grain Speer Plinkers to the 220 grainers. The barrel may need to break in and smooth up a bit. Clean it well with a copper removing solvent every few shots for awhile and see if that helps. If nothing including changing ammo helps recrown the barrel. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted June 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 Thanks for the input guys. I didn't get to test any ammo this weekend, but maybe this week I will if we get a calmer day around here. I've got a couple boxes of 150 gr ammo; Federal Power-Shok PSP and Federal Vital-Shok Nosler Ballistic Tip. If they don't yield really great groups to make me satisfied, I think I'll switch to 165 gr bullet loads. I've had bad experiences with 180 gr bullets punching through deer and not giving enough of a blood trail and great experiences with 150 gr bullets hammering a deer right off its feet. This is the reason I'm starting with 150s. Thanks again and feel free to keep the info/suggestions coming, Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted June 15, 2009 Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 I dont have near the expertise as some in this forum, but have put quite a few rounds through a 742. I always went back to 150gr. I dont think it's the round causing that 3-4 inch grouping. :gun2:The only A-bolt i owned was in the .270 cal and I liked federal ammo at the time for it when i wasnt buying core-locks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted June 15, 2009 Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 Thanks for the input guys. I didn't get to test any ammo this weekend, but maybe this week I will if we get a calmer day around here. I've got a couple boxes of 150 gr ammo; Federal Power-Shok PSP and Federal Vital-Shok Nosler Ballistic Tip. If they don't yield really great groups to make me satisfied, I think I'll switch to 165 gr bullet loads. I've had bad experiences with 180 gr bullets punching through deer and not giving enough of a blood trail and great experiences with 150 gr bullets hammering a deer right off its feet. This is the reason I'm starting with 150s. Thanks again and feel free to keep the info/suggestions coming, Dan If you decide to try the 165s try Federal's Vital Shock with 165gr Sierra Gamekings (I don't recommend the matchkings for hunting). The Gamekings are consistently one of the most accurate bullets for me and they will blister a deer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted June 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 If you decide to try the 165s try Federal's Vital Shock with 165gr Sierra Gamekings (I don't recommend the matchkings for hunting). The Gamekings are consistently one of the most accurate bullets for me and they will blister a deer. Yea some use them, but I don't think a match bullet is the best choice. I'll steer clear. Thanks, Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted June 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 I dont have near the expertise as some in this forum, but have put quite a few rounds through a 742. I always went back to 150gr. I dont think it's the round causing that 3-4 inch grouping. :gun2:The only A-bolt i owned was in the .270 cal and I liked federal ammo at the time for it when i wasnt buying core-locks I don't feel nearly as comfortable with a rifle as I do my bow when shooting. Before I'd shoot half a box a year. However, I shoot another gun while I was shooting this one and got MOA groups. It was my dad's gun though and we can't both use it during deer season. lol I was resting on some Remington shooting bags and felt pretty solid. I'm sure I may have added a bit to make the 3" groups, but I still think the gun can shoot better if given a chance. - Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted June 15, 2009 Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 Yea some use them, but I don't think a match bullet is the best choice. I'll steer clear. Thanks, Dan If you decide to try the 165s try Federal's Vital Shock with 165gr Sierra Gamekings (I don't recommend the matchkings for hunting). The Gamekings are consistently one of the most accurate bullets for me and they will blister a deer. Notice I specifically recommended against the Matchking. The Sierra Gamekings are a good bullet and designed for hunting. Federal Loads both bullets the Matchkings and the Gamekings. The Matchkings are for punching paper. The Gamekings are for hunting. Even Sierra themselves will not recommend hunting with the Matchkings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottb Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 I've been hunting with an '06 for 30 years and the best shootin bullet i've found or my buddies for that matter is the federal 165gr gameking. I've taken many, many big mulies with it and more then a few whitetail too. it will do the job on an elk or moose, but i prefer the nosler 180gr partion bullet for them. it shoot's moa at 200yrds and i'm gettin sub moa with the 165 at 200yrds. either way you won't be sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted June 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 That's one pretty accurate combo you have there Scottb! I think after the 150 gr load ammo boxes I have get tested I'll make the switch to 165 gr loads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Welcome Scottb! Finally another Sierra fan on Realtree! I don't have a 100yd target for this rifle anymore (nor the rifle either sadly) but it too put the 165gr Sierra Gamekings (Federal Factory Load) in a 1" or smaller hole at 100yds. This is a FIVE shot shot group with 30 cal 165 gr Sierra Gamekings. And I agree with Scottb exactly. These things will flat stone a deer but I wouldn't want to use them on bigger stuff. DbhunterNY, After rereading your post I suspect you may also have either a scope or a scope mounting issue. Even with ammo a rifle doesn't like 4" groups at 100yards is much bigger than I'd expect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted June 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 DbhunterNY, After rereading your post I suspect you may also have either a scope or a scope mounting issue. Even with ammo a rifle doesn't like 4" groups at 100yards is much bigger than I'd expect. I did mount the scope myself. I didn't lap it. On another note, the Nikon Pro Staff scope or the Millet rings came with these adhesive carbon paper looking strips that looked like they were meant to go on the top and bottom sections of the rings (they're between the scope the rings). I thought maybe they were to give a lapping affect, providing more surface area/grip. Lately, I've been questioning whether I should've put them on or not. What does everyone think about that? - Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottb Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Db, how are you shooting your groups, hot, or cold. if your shooting your groups hot, then you may have a barrel issue, if they are cold, it could be either an ammo, or a scope issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted June 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Db, how are you shooting your groups, hot, or cold. if your shooting your groups hot, then you may have a barrel issue, if they are cold, it could be either an ammo, or a scope issue. They're cold I guess. A couple minutes between each shot when shooting groups and longer otherwise. Even then I didn't shoot more than half a box. I think I may remount my scope (take those strips I mentioned off and idk what else they'd be used for), clean it, and try some different loads this weekend. So far, I've only shot the Remington Core-lok 150 gr ammo. The one 4" group may have been due to a flyer, but I haven't shot enough to determine that. If taking that into account, I'm left with 2.5" to 3" groups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottb Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 They're cold I guess. A couple minutes between each shot when shooting groups and longer otherwise. Even then I didn't shoot more than half a box. I think I may remount my scope (take those strips I mentioned off and idk what else they'd be used for), clean it, and try some different loads this weekend. So far, I've only shot the Remington Core-lok 150 gr ammo. The one 4" group may have been due to a flyer, but I haven't shot enough to determine that. If taking that into account, I'm left with 2.5" to 3" groups. Ok, also take a look at your stock/barrel. is the stock touching the barrel. if it is you may want to free float the barrel. it will help bring the groups in tighter also now that i think about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted June 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2009 I've checked it cold and the barrel is free floated as advertised (slipped a dollar bill between the barrel and stock forend and moved it back to the receiver with no hang-ups). I didn't check it when heating up after the shot, but I'm giving it time to cool anyway so it's not applicable. I'll try some things this weekend as I said and post my results with what I did. I'm sure it's coincidentally many little things just adding up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted June 18, 2009 Report Share Posted June 18, 2009 I'll add one more. Check the screws holding the stock to the action. Sometimes in a new rifle they loosen up quite a bit (especially on synthetics but it happens with wood too) after the first bench shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted June 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2009 I checked the scope, setup a bench that was nice and solid, cleaned my rifle, and went out shooting this past weekend with a couple of my cousins. I used the Federal 150 gr psp ammo this time it seemed to do better. Throughout the day the three of us shot a box of it and our groups were about 1.5". It's practically the same thing as the Remington ammo I was shooting. It's hard to believe it shoots so different. I was going to shoot the nosler ballistic tip 150s but it seemed like I should try this cheaper stuff first. Next I'm going to try a box of Winchester Power Point 165 gr bullets I've got laying around and see how they do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted June 27, 2009 Report Share Posted June 27, 2009 My father and I both have A-Bolts, we both like the Federal Premiums. I use the .270, dad has the .30-06. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Drops Posted July 6, 2009 Report Share Posted July 6, 2009 My A-Bolt .30-06 likes the Hornady InterBond 165 gr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deerslayer66 Posted July 13, 2019 Report Share Posted July 13, 2019 Mine loves Barnes 180. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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