What velocities and energy do 150 gr vs 180 gr .30-06 bullets produce from a 24 in barrel?
Executive summary
A 24‑inch .30-06 barrel firing common factory loads will typically push a 150‑grain bullet in the high‑2800s to low‑2900s feet per second and a 180‑grain bullet around the high‑2600s to about 2700 fps; that velocity gap produces similar-order muzzle energy for both weights, with specific loads sometimes favoring the heavier bullet and sometimes the lighter, depending on powder and design (Winchester/Hornady factory data and ballistics references) [1][2][3]. Exact numbers vary by manufacturer, powder, and projectile, so any single “150 vs 180” blanket statement must be qualified by the specific load used (ammo makers and reloading manuals) [1][2][4].
1. Typical factory velocities from a 24‑inch tube — the raw numbers most ammunition makers quote
Industry published figures for 24” barrels put many 150‑grain commercial .30‑06 loads in the ~2900–2920 fps neighborhood (Winchester and Hornady listings show 150gr loadings at ~2910–2920 fps for 24” barrels) and several common 180‑grain factory loads at roughly 2700 fps (Winchester/Hornady/Federal catalog entries and ballistics summaries) [1][2]. Ballistics summaries and manufacturer charts explicitly note those velocities are measured from 24‑inch barrels, and ballistics primers stress that barrel length is a primary driver of advertised muzzle velocity [1][3].
2. Muzzle energy: numbers, math, and why heavier doesn’t always mean more energy
Muzzle energy depends on mass and the square of velocity, so lighter bullets pushed substantially faster can produce similar or even higher kinetic energy than heavier, slower bullets; typical calculations using common factory numbers illustrate this: a 150‑gr bullet at ~2920 fps corresponds to roughly 2,840 ft·lb of muzzle energy, while a 180‑gr bullet at ~2700 fps corresponds to roughly 2,910 ft·lb — the heavier bullet here produces slightly more energy despite the lower speed, though small shifts in velocity or weight change the outcome (manufacturer velocities and general muzzle‑energy definition) [1][3]. Different published tables and historical military specs show variations (for example, older military 150‑gr ball velocities and energy figures differ from modern commercial loads), underscoring that energy is load‑dependent, not an intrinsic property of “150 vs 180” alone [4].
3. Terminal performance: energy, momentum, penetration and real‑world tradeoffs
Manufacturers, handloaders and experienced shooters emphasize that kinetic energy alone does not define terminal performance; momentum and sectional density (penetration) and bullet construction (expanding vs bonded vs monolithic) matter more for real wounds and ethical game retrieval (forum and technical discussions and ammo commentary) [5][1]. Heavier 180‑gr bullets tend to retain momentum and penetrate better on large, heavy‑boned game, while 150‑gr bullets offer a flatter trajectory and less wind drop at extended ranges, making them popular for lighter big‑game and longer shots (factory load data and practical commentary) [2][6].
4. Practical takeaway and caveats — pick the load, not a weight headline
The practical answer is that from a 24” .30‑06 barrel expect ~2900 fps for many 150‑grain factory loads and ~2700 fps for many 180‑grain factory loads, producing muzzle energies in the high‑2,000 ft·lb range for both; whether the shooter prefers 150 or 180 should be decided by intended game, range, and bullet construction rather than a single numerical comparison (manufacturer specs, ballistics primers, and user experience) [1][3][5]. Reporting and forum claims sometimes simplify or generalize (some users assert the 150 always has more energy or is “faster” by wide margins), but measured charts from ammunition makers and reloading manuals show a spectrum of velocities and energies that must be consulted for a specific cartridge and rifle [1][2][4].