Best 30-06 Ammo for Deer Hunting By: Brandon

Our picks for your top options if you’re hunting deer with 30-06.

Developed for the military, today the .30-06 has largely been phased out warfare. But, it remains one of the most important deer-hunting cartridges available. Nearly every manufacturer, large or small, makes a .30-06 product. That’s great news for the consumer, but it makes choosing a round all the more difficult. We lay out our recommendations for the best 30-06 ammo for deer hunting in this guide.
Best 30-06 Ammo for Deer Hunting
If you have adopted the .30-06 and need rounds for your next deer hunt, here are our choices for the best .30-06 ammo for deer…
Best Overall 30-06 for Deer: Fiocchi 180-gr Polymer Tip Boat Tail SST
Long-Range Hunts: Remington 180-grain Core-Lokt Tipped
Best for Large Bucks: Remington 220-gr Core-Lokt Soft Point
Low Recoil: Federal Fusion Lite 170-gr Soft Point
Best Value: Black Hills Gold 178-gr ELD-X
Best Overall .30-06 for Deer

Fiocchi 180-gr Polymer Tip Boat Tail SST

Bullet weight: 180 grains
Bullet style: Polymer-tipped boat tail
Muzzle velocity: 2,675 fps
Muzzle Energy: 2,860 ft-lbs

Advantages:

• Heavier bullet for stronger terminal performance
• Polymer tip and boat tail enhance accuracy and flight consistency
• Expanding round ensures an effective wound channel

Disadvantages:

• May deliver heavy recoil compared to lighter cartridges

There are numerous options when choosing .30-06 ammo for deer. But if you want something that has good velocities, ample energy, and excellent accuracy, all at a fair price, you can’t beat this cartridge from Fiocchi.

Packed to consistent pressures, this round uses a 180-grain SST bullet. SST, a Hornady product, stands for “Super Shock Tip.” This projectile is made for accurate shot placement, drag resistance, and consistent expansion upon impact.

While some shooters may prefer a lighter bullet, which will have more speed and potentially less recoil, this is a versatile load that delivers excellent statistics for short-, moderate-, and long-range hunting in nearly any condition.

Best for Long Range Deer Hunting

Remington 180-grain Core-Lokt Tipped

Bullet weight: 180 grain
Bullet style: Polymer tipped
Muzzle velocity: 2,745 fps
Muzzle Energy: 3,011 ft-lbs

Advantages:

• 1,883 fps and 1,416 ft-lbs at 500 yards
• Polymer tip for enhanced aerodynamics
• Flat trajectory with devastating terminal performance

Disadvantages:

• Over 3,000 ft-lbs of muzzle velocity will mean significant recoil.

To select the best .30-06 for long-range deer hunting, we focused less on muzzle statistics and more on downrange velocity and energy. Essentially, the round needed to have excellent stats beyond 400 yards. One look at Remington’s 180-grain Core-Lokt product and we had a clear winner.

The most notable factor is this round’s energy at 500 yards. At this distance, the 180-grain bullet is traveling at 1,883 feet-per-second and hits a target with 1,416 ft-lbs. If a hunter is skilled enough to place an accurate shot, there is no question this round has the required strength. In most cases, range will be limited not by this round, but by shooter performance. For instance, when zeroed to 200 yards, the drop at this distance is 46.7 inches; skilled shooters can certainly make the adjustment.

The main concern is recoil. This could be a hard-hitting cartridge because of the muzzle energy, which is listed at 3,011 ft-lbs. With practice and performance, however, an experienced hunter can harvest deer at significant distances with this Remington product.

Best .30-06 for Large Bucks

Remington 220-gr Core-Lokt Soft Point

Bullet weight: 220 grains
Bullet style: Jacketed soft point
Muzzle velocity: 2,410 fps
Muzzle Energy: 2,837 ft-lbs

Advantages:

• Heavy bullet for maximum terminal performance
• Strong energy stats within 300 yards
• Jacketed soft point brings expansion and penetration

Disadvantages:

• Range is limited to roughly 300 yards

Most .30-06 cartridges pack bullets between 150 and 180 grains. This round packs a 220-grain projectile, making it one of the heaviest .30-06 rounds available. Within 200 yards, this is one of the most devastating options for a .30-06. It utilizes a soft point with a jacketed lead core for excellent expansion, penetration, and energy placement.

While the close-range stats are impressive, the round loses momentum faster than other .30-06 products. It also drops sharply. By 400 yards, the heavy bullet is traveling with less than 1,000 ft-lbs of energy; not bad for other rounds, but below standard for a .30-06. When zeroed to 200 yards, the round drops nearly seven feet. Essentially, this hard-hitting cartridge is not ideal for long-range shooting.

But if you have sighted a massive buck in your trail cam, and you don’t plan on firing over 200 yards, this is the best .30-06 Springfield.

Low Recoil 30-06 Deer Hunting Round

Federal Fusion Lite 170-gr Soft Point

Bullet weight: 170 grain
Bullet style: Soft point
Muzzle velocity: 2,000 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,510 ft-lbs

Advantages:

• Low muzzle energy helps reduce felt recoil
• Soft point bullet delivers expansion and penetration
• High terminal performance and weight retention
• Affordable price

Disadvantages:

• Limited range

Choosing ammunition is often a give-and-take. If you want lower recoil, you’re going to sacrifice power and speed. However, this round, which clearly has lower muzzle speeds than most .30-06 cartridges, still provides ample power for moderate-range deer hunting.

The round is highlighted by a muzzle energy of 1,510 ft-lbs. This suggests a recoil that is much easier on the shoulders, helping newer, smaller, or inexperienced hunters enjoy the perfor-mance of a .30-06 rifle without the shoulder-thumping recoil.

The range will be limited, but if you want to teach a young hunter to harvest deer with a reliable .30-06, this is the ammo you need.

Best Deer-Hunting Value for a .30-06

Black Hills Gold 178-gr ELD-X

Bullet weight: 178 grains
Bullet style: Polymer tip
Muzzle velocity: 2,700 fps
Muzzle Energy: 2,881 ft-lbs

Advantages:

• Excellent price for .30-06 Springfield ammo
• Polymer tip brings better flight patterns
• Advanced weight retention, even at close range

Disadvantages:

• With a heavier bullet and strong energy, may deliver high recoil

ELD-X bullets (for Extremely Low Drag – eXpanding) are a go-to choice for many deer hunters across the country. Numerous manufacturers pack these bullets into their ammunition, includ-ing Black Hills, one of the most trusted brands in the industry.

This affordable round delivers excellent performance and accuracy and a fraction of the cost compared to premium .30-06 rounds. It uses an aerodynamic expanding bullet that increases accuracy while delivering a fast-acting wound channel. It may not be the fastest or most pow-erful, but this is a cartridge that does everything well and comes with a great price, which is why we think it’s the best value for .30-06 deer hunting ammunition.