The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - .30-06 load

Rimfire5 · January 15, 2013, 08:31 PM

My CZ 550 in .30-06 didn't really shoot accurately until I tried 175 grain bullets with IMR 4350. Then it came into its own.

It also has a hunting barrel which heats up quickly with over 50 grains of powder behind those bullets, so I don't expect to shoot an accurate 5 round group without stopping and waiting between shots. But with a hunting rifle, you only need it to hit where you aim with the first round or at worst with the first two anyway.

I started with 150 grain and 168 grain ammo and was disappointed that it could barely break into the 1 MOA class. I expected more from a CZ since I have a CZ 527 .223 tack driver. But once I tried the 175 and 180 grain bullets, it made me a believer. My best loads to date with Nosler, Berger and Sierra bullets average groups of 0.538, 0.540 and 0.557 respectively and just slightly larger with 180 grain bullets.
So now I have a heavy bullet .30-06 that shoots them accurately and I didn't have to mess with the stock to get it to shoot well.

You might just have a .30-06 that likes heavier bullets.

January 15, 2013, 08:31 PM	#9
Rimfire5 Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 923	My CZ 550 in .30-06 didn't really shoot accurately until I tried 175 grain bullets with IMR 4350. Then it came into its own. It also has a hunting barrel which heats up quickly with over 50 grains of powder behind those bullets, so I don't expect to shoot an accurate 5 round group without stopping and waiting between shots. But with a hunting rifle, you only need it to hit where you aim with the first round or at worst with the first two anyway. I started with 150 grain and 168 grain ammo and was disappointed that it could barely break into the 1 MOA class. I expected more from a CZ since I have a CZ 527 .223 tack driver. But once I tried the 175 and 180 grain bullets, it made me a believer. My best loads to date with Nosler, Berger and Sierra bullets average groups of 0.538, 0.540 and 0.557 respectively and just slightly larger with 180 grain bullets. So now I have a heavy bullet .30-06 that shoots them accurately and I didn't have to mess with the stock to get it to shoot well. You might just have a .30-06 that likes heavier bullets.