what do i need to consider when choosing bullet weight?

[Hornet_RN]

hey handloaders, need your advice about bullet weight cuz i'm a noob...

but before i ask my questions i should tell you what i'm reloading and using. i reload primarily .308 Win and .30-06 Spr for two different Remington 700s. i'm primarily a target shooter (sometimes i shoot competitions) but i also dabble in a little hunting.

i always thought "heavier is better" becuase it travels through the wind better, so i primarily use 175 grain Sierra MKs for target shooting. however, i was considering using lighter bullets because i could potentially make them travel faster than heavier ones. for example, i was considering switching to 150 grain Hornady GMX bullets for future boar hunting or deer hunting. so yeah, i need helping in choosing bullet weight for different situations, so here are my questions.

what made you choose the weight bullet you are loading?

what's a good weight for target shooting out to 200 yards?

what's a good weight for target shooting out to 1000+ yards?

what's a good weight for hunting deer? wild hogs? varmint?

thanks,
hornet_rn

[shooting4life]

Twist rate of your barrel would depend on the weight of bullet you shoot. Generally speaking heavier bullets are better than light. Now the problem with 30 call bullets is the 168 and 175 smk to a lesser extent are a poor/out dated designs compared to the newer 155gr bullets when shooting 308. If you have a fast enough twist in the 06 the 208gr Vmax is great.
For hunting I would use any of the name brand bullets in the heaviest weight available that your gun will shoot accurately.

[not-fishing]

A few considerations

Penetration verses drop

Drop verses Accuracy

Match Shooting Class Constrictions (like PALMA) and cost.

For John C Garand match M1 or 1903 (30.06) I use 147g fmj - primarily because I'm cheap

For Steel Silhouette I use 155g Nosler Custom Competition out to 400 yds (chickens thru Turkeys) and 168g Nosler Custom Competition out to 560 yds (Rams)

For deer or pig hunting in my .308 Sako Mannlicher / (30.06) Browning BAR I use 150g Barnes TSX

I loaded and accurized some Barnes 180 TSX for 300 WBY Elk but I don't think I'll be Elk hunting in this lifetime unless the economy gets better fast.

Oh, and you should weigh & match all of your hunting bullets. The Barnes varied by +-.5 g in a box. The Nolsers were all +-.1.

[RaymondMillbrae]

For animal hunting, use the "game loads". They offer deeper penetration, and a better chance for a humane kill. (The boolit/grain will depend on the critter).

For under 600-yard target shooting, go with the 155-grainers. They "pop" more...but will fly true as heck. (This also depends on your barrel length and twist).

For longer distances, stick to the 175-grainers. The extra weight will help push through the wind. (I can hit 1000-yard targets with these, using a 20" barrel, but the wind plays havok with the round after 800-yards).

Now...if you have a tricked-out 28" or 30" Palma barrel, and can get those 155-grainers to almost 3000 FPS...then that's the way to go for those 1K shots!

I guess there is not an easy answer. You say you shoot target...but at what distances? You say you hunt...but what, and at what distances? You say you do competitions...so what have the other shooters told you?

Too vague to pin down an answer.

In Christ: Raymond

[Hornet_RN]

For animal hunting, use the "game loads". They offer deeper penetration, and a better chance for a humane kill. (The boolit/grain will depend on the critter).

For under 600-yard target shooting, go with the 155-grainers. They "pop" more...but will fly true as heck. (This also depends on your barrel length and twist).

For longer distances, stick to the 175-grainers. The extra weight will help push through the wind. (I can hit 1000-yard targets with these, using a 20" barrel, but the wind plays havok with the round after 800-yards).

Now...if you have a tricked-out 28" or 30" Palma barrel, and can get those 155-grainers to almost 3000 FPS...then that's the way to go for those 1K shots!

I guess there is not an easy answer. You say you shoot target...but at what distances? You say you hunt...but what, and at what distances? You say you do competitions...so what have the other shooters told you?

Too vague to pin down an answer.

In Christ: Raymond

hey millbrae, i actually shot the chabot carbine/pistol match a few weeks ago with you, i was in squad two. and i also do high power silhouette once in a while at USI Concord...but to answer your questions...

i shoot targets in the open desert in nevada when i visit my father out there. i've shot .308 Win out to 600+ yards, but i have yet to try it out on a .30-06. if i was really ambitious, i could set up the targets to 1000+ if i even dared try it...heh. oh, i'm really just going to do relatively short range hunting, definitely within 300 yards...most likely pigs, because i'm setting up an outfitter for that next year.

so yeah, anything regarding bullet weight and cartridge recipes for .308 and .30-06 would be great. hope this reply clears things up a little bit.

thanks for the advice everyone,
hornet_rn

[RaymondMillbrae]

Oh, yes...yes...

I believe I remember you.

Young Asian kid, right?

We were talking about the 200-yard silhouette matches at Concord.

I'm gonna try to be there this month...if possible.

If you see me, grab me, and we'll gab for a few.

What was your name again? (Sorry).

In Christ: Raymond