Minimum Velocity for 75 yard deer ?

[wiljen]

Caliber .311 (30-06)

Bullet 311291

What is the minimum velocity you would want to use for deer hunting?

1600fps 1800fps 2000fps???

[redneckdan]

I'd say 1600 should be plenty. Remember that the 30-30 with 170gr factory loads at just over 2000fps is usually considered a 150-ish yd deer cartridge.

[SierraWhiskeyMC]

Well, 311291 is a round-nose gas-checked boolit weighing 170 gr.

The .32-40 has been considered a "marginal" deer hunting cartridge for many years. The typical .32-40 bullet weighed 165gr, had a small flat meplat, and went downrange at perhaps 1,300 fps (standard velocity) to 1,700fps or so (high velocity).

A 1,600 fps 170gr boolit would probably do quite well for the little deer that we have around my part of the country. They're pretty small, so it wouldn't take a lot to make a quick kill, providing it was a good clean shot.

I haven't hunted with lead boolits; only the J-word stuff. I'm not a bad shot, but don't want to take the chance that I'll wound a wild animal and they'll have to suffer.

[RugerFan]

1800 may do, but I personally prefer 2000 fps when hunting with that bullet.

[725]

Cast softish. Shot choice and placement is everything. Broadside - heart / lung. Only my .02 cents, but 1600 should be fine. Please let us know how it works.

[wiljen]

looking for a load for an older gent that recently had back surgery so low recoil is a must.

[Catshooter]

Might I suggest a bollit with perhaps a wider meplat? Better killer? Esp with a lower velocity.


Cat

[Marine Sgt 2111]

What ever loads shoots the tightest groups. An accurate well placed bullet beats a high velocity, unaccurate bullet any day of the week.

This year, I am taking my Marlin in .32-20 out with 120gr FPGC at 1600fps amd prints all holes touching at 50 yards and 1-1/2" at 150 yds.

Practice and placement...

[TCLouis]

People keep presenting opinion of velocity, is that muzzlevelocity, or impact velocity?

[David Caldwell]

I do 1500. I try to break a shoulder - bullet always exits. Deer travel 0 to 50 yds. post shot. WW w/ gas check. Inside of 75 yds. I aim for proximal neck - they can't tote it.

[farshooter]

311291, my favorite boolit in my 03-A3. In Wyoming I've killed many deer and antelope with this boolit and 20 grains of 2400. Velocity about 1,750 fps. The load is very accurate.

Doc Burgess

[Junior1942]

Another vote for 1600 fps is plenty. I also vote for a 311041-like meplat.

[Larry Gibson]

I use 2000 fps as I don't want to settle for "minimum" by choice. I prefer to use "adequate" when given the choice. 2000 fps is already 30-30 equivelent which is excellent as a deer getter. I suggest casting soft with 50/50 WW/lead alloy.

Larry Gibson

[gon2shoot]

Wil, 1600 is plenty for 75 yds if the placement is right (but you knew that). When the oldest girl was little, she used 150gr. 30cal at about 1450fps. She was young, had good eyes and put meat in the freezer. :cbpour:

[KCSO]

In the olden days a 32-40 was considered a heck of a deer gun and I don't think the b/p loads went over 1400 fps. The high speed loads that were thought to be as good as a 30-30 went 1700. If you are a killer you can get by with a 32-20 load at 75 yards IF you can put it where it needs to go. If you are a weekend hunter I would want a little extra and would shoot for 1700 with that bullet.