S&B 30-06 180GR SP 20/400

Description

Sellier & Bellot’s 180-grain Soft Point in .30-06 Springfield is a straightforward hunting load built around a single design priority: controlled, predictable expansion on medium to large game. The bullet’s lead core is enclosed in a CuZn 10 copper-zinc jacket that is deliberately engineered to peel back progressively on impact rather than fragmenting or shedding. That controlled expansion is what separates a soft point from a full metal jacket in a hunting context — the deforming nose transfers energy into the target efficiently while the retained core continues to penetrate. High weight retention means the bullet stays together through hide, bone, and muscle, which matters when the shot angle isn’t ideal.

At 180 grains, this is the heavier end of the common .30-06 projectile range, and the trade-off is straightforward: the additional mass carries velocity better at distance and hits harder on large-bodied animals like elk or black bear, while giving up some flat-shooting advantage at longer ranges compared to lighter loads. The 0.308-inch diameter and 0.271 sectional density reflect a bullet that is long relative to its cross-section, which supports that retained momentum downrange. Muzzle velocity from a 23.5-inch test barrel comes in at 2,707 fps, producing 2,928 ft-lbs of muzzle energy — figures that hold up well for most North American big game hunting situations. Packaging comes in 20-round boxes, with case quantities of 400 rounds for those who want to work up a load or stock for a season.