guncollector wrote:

What model of rifle did you get? Although not perfect, I do think there is a correlation between brands/models and the bullets they like.

The new rifle is a Stevens 200. Basically a pre-accutrigger Savage 110.
Don

I dont hunt black bears with a 30-06 but if I did I would use a good heavy constructed 180-200 gr bullet. I personally use a 35 Whelen throwing 250 grain Nosler Partitions at over 2500 fps.I find it somewhat amusing to read articles by the "experts" and see whitetails and black bears lumped together as needing about the same bullets and cartridges.Sure the average black bear can be killed with a deer load(as in lighter constructed bullets) but a big black bear is in a whole different class.Even smaller bears are much heavier boned than deer.What happens if you run onto a 700 pound bear?There are bears that heavy killed every year here in PA.I like to carry a load that I have no reservations about no matter how big the bear.

Last 10 years I've been a Barnes X man. I load their Blue XLC 180 to 2800 fps, my rifle likes it and it penetrates completely any deer, bear or elk up to 250 yds.

I like bullets that exit, and X, XLC, Triple Shock from Barnes all do and retain like 100% of their weight.

Also, the Nosler Partition is always a fine bullet, so are Speer Grand Slams.

roklok,
I agree! A bear is a bear just doesn't cut it when they vary so greatly in size and weight. The one I saw last year was at least 300+lbs. I have to think that a 300+lb. bear is a lot tougher than your average whitetail deer.
Don

For the bear you might look into the Barnes TSX - they are really worth the look, my 185gr TSX shattered the paddle shaped shoulder bone on my elk and had an entry wound the size of a baseball, she dropped like a brick, I have read similar results for moose and bear (I don't recall the type of bear, but it was Alaskan so it limits the pedigree somewhat). Someone mentioned earlier that it really depends on what your weapon will like, there is a TON of truth to this. I am a long time partition shooter, but I aquired a .30-06 a couple years ago that I had a terrible time taming, the partitions helped, but I stumbled upon the the Barnes TSX and my rifle fell in love with them, so did I both on the range and in the field. I know people who have had a hard time with other bullets and stepped into Barnes (various) and the rifle fell in line, however, the flip side of the coin is also true and some weapons do not respond well to certain bullets. You might talk to some of your reloading buddies and see if you borrow/swap and load a few 5 round loads of different bullets and put your -06 through the paces. You are lucky that the -06 caliber has been around and there is tons of load info out there (the Barnes TSX is not in print, however, Barnes will tell you to use the X load data - double check with them first to confirm). Nosler is tried and true also, partitions have sent many a bear to wall coverings near you..My $.02 is to try several and see what fits your rifle and comfort of confidence. Good luck!

WW,
I'm another big fan of Barnes TSX bullets. I have had some Barnes bullets(X or XLC) that didn't shoot all that well, but I never had a gun that didn't respond favorably to the TSX bullets. I have a copy of the last Barnes manual and supposedly they are working on load development now for the next manual. When in doubt, I have always inquired of Ty Herring at Barnes as to the best use of their bullets. Usually Barnes claims that you can drop down a weight level using their bullets. If you wouild normally use a 180 you can drop to a 165gr.ect... I have been planning on trying one of their bullets in this rifle. I'm still not sure if it will be their 180gr., 168gr. or 165gr. TSX.
Don

Hey Big Blue let us know if you try the TSX's. I think the reasonI got hooked on 180's so long ago was that at the time if you wanted more penetration from a "standard" bullet that meant going up in weight. I guess one of these days I will try some 165's or 168's. My friend shoots the Triple shock 168's and they are wonderfully accurate.

I guess when I shoot up the last 100 XLC's then I will switch. Let us know, ok?

Opinion: Barnes has shown us the future with the TSX and the MRX bullets; they simply outperform anything else readily available. More importantly is the lack of lead. Already there are simultaneous pressures to eliminate lead from hunting ammo and at shooting ranges. We have already seen the transition when shotgunning certain species where steel or tungsten shot is required.

It will take a few more years to manifest itself or gather enough support to make it statutory, but, I believe, changes in projectile composition will occur for all game hunting. Because of Barnes' superior product, this doesn't bother me too much and, I suspect, other lead free bullets will begin appearing over the next few years.

I'll be sure to post my results with the TSX bullets as it progresses with this rifle. I think I'm settled on trying both the 180gr. TSX and 200gr. Accubond bullets.
One of my biggest reasons for liking Barnes bullets, other than fantastic accuracy, is that I have no worry of excessive velocity causing bullet breakup even if I take a close shot.
This 30-06 is my third Stevens 200. I also have them in 7mm-08 and .243. The .243 didn't do as good with the TSX as the 7mm-08 did. Both can shoot under 1", but the 7mm-08 with 140gr. TSX has shot .46" three shot groups at 100 yds. It makes a real nice whitetail rifle. I mounted a small 3X Leupold M8 scope on this 30-06. It's old but still is a nice scope for this type of short to medium range rifle. I want to do a bit of shooting with whatever .30 bullets I have on hand to get the barrel broken in before trying the Barnes bullets. They are a great bullet, but not for barrel break in.
Don

Arizona Hunter wrote:

Hey Big Blue let us know if you try the TSX's. I think the reasonI got hooked on 180's so long ago was that at the time if you wanted more penetration from a "standard" bullet that meant going up in weight. I guess one of these days I will try some 165's or 168's. My friend shoots the Triple shock 168's and they are wonderfully accurate. I guess when I shoot up the last 100 XLC's then I will switch. Let us know, ok?

I went to Cabelas today, and after a lot of internal struggle, I settled on the 168gr. TSX bullets. I'm planning on trying them with some RL 19 and H4350 to start with. It should have me in the 3000 FPS neighborhood. I've been working on breaking the barrel in using Sierra bullets. One shot and clean, one shot and clean, it sure takes some time! I've also used some JB Bore Paste to try and smooth things out a bit. I know that new barrels and Barnes bullets don't mix well. They leave a lot of copper in the barrel when it's new, so I want to break it in real good before I play with the costlier Barnes bullets.
Don

Hi Big blue,
A new Cabelas just opened yesterday in Glendale, AZ-my is out of town and told me I better not go without her!
I've been shopping at one of the three Sportsmans Warehouses in our metro area and may continue to do so because their quality is good and so are the prices. Although Cabelas I think has a better clothing & boot selection.

Today I shot a 3-shot 3/4" group with the 180 XLC. 57.0 gr. of H4350 at 2800 fps. Now if I can put that were it belongs on a deer and elk this fall that will be super.

Arizona Hunter, sounds lik you live nearby, I went to that new Cabellas this Friday. Like you I spend a lot of time at Sportmans Warehouse & Randalls. So, when I checked out the new store I checked out the reloading section.

I didn't see the Barnes TSX or MRX bullets. But, they did have Colt SAA's for $1299, had to tell the wife about it (Xmas hint). I should do some price comparing first though.

Keep it coming...