30-06 guru's

[tonymoe]

hey folks, I have been giving my remi. mdl. 700 30-06 a little make over and wanted to try out some hand loads. I have always shot factory ammo. I thought maybe someone would like to share a proven load. It will be primarily for deer so I think I want to stay somewhere in the 165gr. area.
thanks

[CP]

For deer I’d use a Remington Corelokt or Hornady SST bullet.  Good powders are Ramshot Big Game, IMR 4350, RL 15 (doesn’t meter well but it’s great if you weigh each load).  Winchester WLR Primer

[jackelope]

i have been shooting factory federal premiums loaded with 165 barnes triple shocks through my 30-06 for years now with great results. hand loads would likely only further improve the results. i wish i was a reloader some times.

[Dansk]

I've come to love the Federal 165 TSX's for my '06 too.

Anyone know the type and weight of powder Federal uses for these loads?

[mossback91]

165 grain Nosler Partition does work!! Seen many bucks drop to them and one cow elk drop to them!

Cant remeber how much powder used will have to look at my book and get back at ya

[ivarhusa]

This is kind of a broken record... 

I settled on 165 gr as my "one and only" load for the rifle.  Learn its trajectory and be ever confident when shooting it.  And for what it is worth, if you opt for heavier bullets that "drop more", that deficiency is made up for by knowing the distance very well.  Consider buying a range finder, but shop carefully, to get one thar reaches out at least as far as you aspire to take game successfully.

[tonymoe]

I appreciate all the info, boys, I got one of my dads friends making me up a batch. I stopped by to grab some fed 165 tsx's, but, guess what........NO AMMO AT 3 STOPS!.
I fully understand knowing the distance, and I think my leica 900 will do the trick

[C-Money]

Lots of loads using IMR 4350, or RL 17 or RL 19. Cant go wrong!

[ivarhusa]

When reloading for the 30-06, look at the pressure basis for setting the maximum load listed. Most books, I believe, will adhere to a lower pressure standard than is necessary for modern firearms (made since at least the 1960's and perhaps further back).  I recall numbers like 40,000 cup vs 55,000 cup, but I haven't looked in a good long while. This "downloading" was done to make the loadings safe for WWI era firearms.

It is this difference that lets the .308 have the same ballistics as the '06 with the smaller case.  They load to the higher pressure.

Look for specific recommendations that take this into account, approach max loads carefully, and look for signs of over-pressure (such as, but not limited to cratered primers).

I recall that you can squeeze a few hundred FPS more out of the 30-06 this way.  Do so with caution, however.

Ivar

[woodswalker]

This is kind of a broken record... 

I settled on 165 gr as my "one and only" load for the rifle.  Learn its trajectory and be ever confident when shooting it.  And for what it is worth, if you opt for heavier bullets that "drop more", that deficiency is made up for by knowing the distance very well.  Consider buying a range finder, but shop carefully, to get one thar reaches out at least as far as you aspire to take game successfully.

How I've played the game for over 20 years.

[addicted]

i wish i was a reloader some times.

it's never too late. lol

[bobcat]

Hodgdon's H4350 has worked well for me in the 30/06. Somewhere around 56 to 59 grains with a 165 grain will get you top velocity. I've always used 165 or 180 grain bullets but I've been wanting to try a 150 grain copper bullet, either Barnes or the new Nosler e-tip, loaded up to over 3000 fps. Should be less recoil, flat shooting, and good for anything including elk.