Is there a rule of thumb or calculation for the energy/momentum needed to reliably knock down each target? I've so far seen momentums of 30 mentioned for pigs, but both 40 and 50 for rams using the formula (bullet GR) x (velocity at given dist) / 7000. I'd like to find as modestly recoiling a load as practical for a 30-06 - my only high power rifle currently.

You could shoot 125's modestly loaded for chicken pigs and turkeys, probably need a 180 at 2500-2600 for rams.

I currently have bullets in 110, 150, 155, 165, and 200 grain weights. Starting loads for 150gr are 2800fps and 200gr are 2375fps with my current powders. Someone may have to go find any targets I hit!

Load the 150's light for the small targets and load the 165's to the max for rams.

my 165s are sierra, which either have a lower BC or rate their bullets conservatively. would you still suggest them or the 200s?

Don't know the bullets velocity(not my rifle ) but the most impressive I seen rams removed from the rail at St. Louis (known for hard set rams) was a .308 with 208's , yes from a red box . Rams went down like pigs with most other cal. and loads. Cant' coment on recoil of thet load , never shot it , but I would imagine it was bit more than a love tap. The fellow was no spring chicken but seemed to handle it fine .

I shoot 308 in hunter rifle; a Win Mod 70 featherweight. I use the 190 Sierra on rams at about 2500 fps. Recoil is not for the sensitive. Momentum is just part of ram collapsing ability. the length of the projectile, its angle of attack, and its 'toughness' are big factors. That's why 7's and 6.5's work so well....these two approach at a lower angle vs 30 cal, and they are long bullets. Yes virginia length matters! a 168 7mm is as long as a 190 30cal and yields less recoil and a better angle...similarly the 140-142 6.5. at some point the disadvantage of lighter weight becomes more significant than greater length.....one reason why I prefer 7mm. 150 and 168 30cals are too short and approach at a steeper angle with the recoil adding a further disadvantage. With an '06 I'd load 150 for everything up to rams and at 2400 fps....then I'd use a 190 in a Hornady, or Lapua and at a velocity about 2500.....good luck

Slower, heavier bullets seem to work better than light, fast ones. The light, fast one break apart on impact and won't tip the rams over. I use a 6.5 mm,142 gr bullet at 2650 fps and they do the job on the rams. I use 107 gr bullets at about the same velocity for the rest of the animals.

Put that in your ballistic program and see what that momentum is. Seems to me that each program spits out a different answer.

derherr65 wrote:my 165s are sierra, which either have a lower BC or rate their bullets conservatively. would you still suggest them or the 200s?

200 grain bullets will pound you to death out of a 30-06, you might lose a few rams with the 165's but very few, the recoil won't be intolerable and your more likely to hit targets if your not flinching.