tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1275472535850559245.post5684360559425057466..comments2024-01-11T11:19:23.663-08:00Comments on Hodgeman's Thoughts on The Great Outdoors: The .30-06 Project....Eating Ballistic Celery, Pt. 3hodgemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07632228055641750343noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1275472535850559245.post-37561556039082483782014-03-27T14:09:07.868-07:002014-03-27T14:09:07.868-07:00I hear ya about the low velocity shots, and I know...I hear ya about the low velocity shots, and I know for a fact it's been the nemesis of many of my lead-free shooting friends. It's particularly apparent with muzzleloaders and shotguns, and has been the source of a lot of belly-aching... rightfully so, since these guys are required by law to use non-lead ammo. However, I also think a lot of guys are stretching the limits of these slow-moving slugs when it comes to shooting distance... and that's always going to be a strike against performance, even with lead. Smokepoles and smoothbores simply weren't intended to be 200 yard guns, and even though technology makes it "possible", it doesn't make it advisable. It's just asking too much from your ammo. <br /><br />I've witnessed the petal shearing at least twice (and a couple of times where I'm not sure what happened), and I've heard about it more than I care to say. I don't hear about it with the ETips or the Hornady GMX (which was designed specifically to avoid petal shearing at high velocity). <br /><br />I (and my rifles) do like those Accubonds, by the way. I've shot a lot of critters in TX with them, out to 285 (which about as far as I'll ever shoot game) and they did the trick every single time. <br />Philliphttp://www.hog-blog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1275472535850559245.post-62338412501028657562014-03-26T21:55:00.275-07:002014-03-26T21:55:00.275-07:00I have to wonder if the comparative impact ranges ...I have to wonder if the comparative impact ranges might have something to do with it. I've seen several of the mono metal bullets recovered with impact speeds of 2000-2400fps that simply didn't expand at all. One sample could have been wiped off and shot again!<br /><br />I've also heard of petals sheering off on closer range shots at high speeds but haven't seen it personally. <br /><br />I like the idea of a lead free bullet but my favorite rifle shoots Accubonds so well I don't tend to mess around much... .5 to .75 MOA with a very good hunting bullet is just too good to change.<br /><br />hodgemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07632228055641750343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1275472535850559245.post-46137421412647735822014-03-26T07:49:17.448-07:002014-03-26T07:49:17.448-07:00More good stuff. As I mentioned before, the 180gr...More good stuff. As I mentioned before, the 180gr is my go-to for the -06. That's mostly because I find it good for anything I'll hunt with this rifle, from elk and hogs to deer and exotics... but even moreso because I don't like to re-zero my rifle for different loads. With my Savage 110 from the bench, I get MOA performance from the 180gr ETips, Accubonds, and Barnes TSX. But of course, every rifle is different.<br /><br />I also use the ETip, in part because it was required by law where I hunted in CA (and hope to hunt again), but also because I do like the idea of using a lead free projectile. <br /><br />As far as the ETip and Barnes TSX being designed for high velocities, I'd challenge that a bit. The ETip does seem to handle 3000+fps reasonably well, but it performs admirably at the velocity I get from Winchester's factory loads as well (advertised 2750fps). <br /><br />The TSX, in my experience, has some problems when it gets up past 2900fps, as the petals tend to shear and you end up with a solid blank (think FMJ) passing through the animal. It still kills, but there is often a challenging tracking job required for recovery. I guess this is addressed somewhat in the Tipped TSX, but my experience with the tipped bullet has been limited to a couple of whitetails inside of 100 yards with the -06. They are accurate and deadly, but the velocity from the Savage was nowhere near 3000.<br /><br />Philliphttp://www.hog-blog.comnoreply@blogger.com