OT Anyone with experience with Federal Hi-Shok 180 gr .30-06

[pharmseller]

I know that Weatherby uses this load for accuracy testing in their rifles (mainly because a tech engineer from Weatherby told me) but how does it perform on game? I'm looking for a load for my Weatherby untra lightweight in .30-06. The Hi-Shok is the same as the old Federal Classic. I'll be hunting deer and maybe elk.
Thanks

Pharmseller

[Ysabel Kid]

Quinn -

Not I, but I am sure someone here does. Good luck - and take pictures of your hunt!

[pharmseller]

Thanks, I will. I'm taking my model 71 along in case the terrain favors closer shots, but my friend who suggested the hunt says that average shots are on the order of 200 yards. It can be pretty open in eastern Oregon, so the bolt .30-06 is getting the starting nod.

Q

[Pisgah]

I know that Weatherby uses this load for accuracy testing in their rifles (mainly because a tech engineer from Weatherby told me) but how does it perform on game? I'm looking for a load for my Weatherby untra lightweight in .30-06. The Hi-Shok is the same as the old Federal Classic. I'll be hunting deer and maybe elk.
Thanks

Pharmseller

I've used this ammo on deer. It kills them, quite dead.

[Pete44ru]

I've only used it twice on deer, myself - and both were DRT.

Both deer happen to have been shot at about the same distance - 95 to 110 yards - with one of the kill shots threaded through a black cedar thicket (scope).

I used two different rifles (different years/seasons) - a Remington 7400 Satin (go figure), and a Ruger #1 RSI.

I'm among the minority that actually prefers the 180gr in the .30-06, to lighter (150 & 165gr) or heavier (220gr) slugs.

.

[Slick13]

I'm among the minority that actually prefers the 180gr in the .30-06, to lighter (150 & 165gr) or heavier (220gr) slugs.

Well, I think you'd have a lot of company, especially among old timers here in PA, that the 180 gr. bullet is the way to go. Personally, I don't see any reason to go above 150 gr. in the .30-06 unless the gun likes a heavier bullet.

~Michael

[Mike D.]

When hunting Blacktail and Mule deer, 165 grain bullets are the biggest I've ever used, but I'm also looking for a good 180 to use on Colorado elk this November. I am leaning toward the Hornady Interlock because of the way they perform on bucks, especially those killed at longer ranges.

[spud1949]

I butchered three deer on the hoof with federal 150 gr. high-shok out of a 308, to me they open to quick.

[geobru]

IIRC, the first 6 deer I shot were with federal high shock bullets in an 06. Distances were from 15 to 250 yards. All but one went down either on the spot or within 30 yards. The notable exception was the 250 yard shot. The buck hit the ground at the crack of the gun, and while I was hurrying up the mountain to get to it, he got up and ran down the hill and expired about 50 yards from me. I guess he didn't want me to have to pack him that extra distance!

They are good bullets, but do come apart pretty quickly. I switched to Remington corelocks for elk with good success.