Reloading 30-06

[Carwash]

Greetings,

I've only reloaded .300 Weatherby Mag but I've decided to make some hunting loads for 30-06. I'm looking at barnes TSX, but would like any inputs and experiences with reloading the caliber.

V/R

Carwash

[high_hunter]

I was not impressed with the performance of the ttsx 180 grn. 

It was an accurate load and granted they were running a bit slow but am no longer hunting with them.  Maybe higher charge, lighter grain, longer barrel or all  would help get the velocity up for reliable expansion. PM or more details on pg 3 of my post here: https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,274917.30.html

Hh

[jrebel]

If you really want to try something new and redefine an old reliable cartridge…..look at the hammer hunter bullet line.  Fantastic bullets….they load easy and shoot great.   I would personally look at the 130-150 class bullets and make that 30-06 a flat shooting rifle, which has never been said for the 06. 

All you 06 fans, don’t get your panties in a bunch…..I like the chambering and even have one in the safe.  These hammers have really made the old lady shine in my opinion. 

[C-Money]

Elk & Deer, we load 150gr Hornaday Interlock bullets over IMR 4350 with a CCI 200 primer. We seat the bullets right out to the max length in the Nosler manual, and have worked up to the max load in our rifles. This combination is lights out. As always, rifles are all different, use caution working up to the Nosler manual specks. Good luck finding a load that you like.

[Wanttohuntmore]

Fast 165gr accubonds w rel22....  you won't need a magnum.

[birdshooter1189]

I haven't loaded for 30-06, but load other calibers.  General advice is that when runnign TSX, or any copper bullet, use a "light for caliber" bullet and drive them fast.  So for 30-06 I'd suggest 150 grain bullet or lighter, and run as max of a load as you are comfortable with.  This advice is both to spin the bullet fast enough to stabilize the less-dense (copper vs lead) bullet, and to impact with enough speed to properly expand.

high_hunter's input seems to validate this as he was using a moderate load and 180 grain bullet when he experienced sub-par expansion.

I loaded a batch of 165 grain TTSX's for my 300 winmag. I haven't tested them on game yet.

If you are just looking for good hunting loads....nosler accubond and sierra gameking bullet lines both have solid reputations for being excellent hunting bullets. 

[MeatMissile]

Like what was said above, think lighter weights for copper bullets.  They retain a higher percentage of their weight than cup and core or bonded bullets.  A 150gr at 3000 fps makes for a versatile load out to 400 yards.  Beyond that, you might not have the velocity to open a copper bullet reliably.  That’s when I look at 180gr or even heavier bullets.  H4831 and RL22 are the slowest powders I use for heavier bullets.  For light bullets, H4895, Varget, and IMR 4064 work great.  H4350, RL17, RL19, and BigGame does great for the 165-180gr class of bullets.

[jrebel]

Most solids function properly down to 1800 fps.  In a 30-06, you should be good to 600-700 yards easy.  I would have to run the numbers to confirm, but my 6.5 creed with a 124 grain bullet is good to 600. 

[Caseknife]

I would try the Barnes 150 TTSX or the 137 Hammer Hunter, both would be pretty flat shooting and very effective on game.

[MeatMissile]

Most solids function properly down to 1800 fps.  In a 30-06, you should be good to 600-700 yards easy.  I would have to run the numbers to confirm, but my 6.5 creed with a 124 grain bullet is good to 600.

They say 1800, but what I’ve seen is that is a bit optimistic.  The 168gr TTSX is a bit softer and I’ve heard the LRX behaves better at longer ranges.  Honestly, I prefer impact velocity north of 2000, if not 2200 fps when it comes to Barnes TTSX bullets. 

[jrebel]

Most solids function properly down to 1800 fps.  In a 30-06, you should be good to 600-700 yards easy.  I would have to run the numbers to confirm, but my 6.5 creed with a 124 grain bullet is good to 600.

They say 1800, but what I’ve seen is that is a bit optimistic.  The 168gr TTSX is a bit softer and I’ve heard the LRX behaves better at longer ranges.  Honestly, I prefer impact velocity north of 2000, if not 2200 fps when it comes to Barnes TTSX bullets.

I agree that a person shouldn't test either of the extremes (high or low velocity).  That said I would be 100% comfortable with Hammers at 1800+ fps if the shot was optimal (perfect broadside with a good thoracic cavity hit.  I'm not sure I would trust it to perform at extreme angles with lots of muscle or bone mass. 

Sounds like I am like you though....the 6.5 creed is my 500 or less rifle.  The big 30's and 338's are my 0-700 rifles.  There is a risk of failure with running some (not all) mono's to fast.  I like to balance speed with weight when looking at mono's.  Some like pure speed.....which is good...SOMETIMES!! 

[MeatMissile]

Most solids function properly down to 1800 fps.  In a 30-06, you should be good to 600-700 yards easy.  I would have to run the numbers to confirm, but my 6.5 creed with a 124 grain bullet is good to 600.

They say 1800, but what I’ve seen is that is a bit optimistic.  The 168gr TTSX is a bit softer and I’ve heard the LRX behaves better at longer ranges.  Honestly, I prefer impact velocity north of 2000, if not 2200 fps when it comes to Barnes TTSX bullets.

I agree that a person shouldn't test either of the extremes (high or low velocity).  That said I would be 100% comfortable with Hammers at 1800+ fps if the shot was optimal (perfect broadside with a good thoracic cavity hit.  I'm not sure I would trust it to perform at extreme angles with lots of muscle or bone mass. 

Sounds like I am like you though....the 6.5 creed is my 500 or less rifle.  The big 30's and 338's are my 0-700 rifles.  There is a risk of failure with running some (not all) mono's to fast.  I like to balance speed with weight when looking at mono's.  Some like pure speed.....which is good...SOMETIMES!!

Those Hammers might expand better.  The TSX and TTSX are older designs.

[Stein]

I tried to make the 180 TSX work, wouldn't group well at any powder charge or seating depth.  I shoot the 168 TSX with 55.0 H4350, Lapua case and federal match primer. 

[boneaddict]

Nosler and Hornady bullets have killed a lot of big game in the Kikendall clan for literally generations.   

[mossback91]

I’ve just started the same process on a lightweight 06 I put together but haven’t had a lot of time to play with it but Iam going to run the hammer 154 HHT and see how it goes.

I have ran it thru the 06 yet but have been running a hammer hunter in my 280ai for a few years now and it has performed awesome on game. Not a super long range load but I’m comfortable using it to 700ish yards. I’ll see if I can dig up a pick I have of one I recovered in offside shoulder of a muley buck from 650yards.

The hammer bullets are super easy to make a tack driving round with also!