Best 30-06 Bullits??

cbhester · October 3, 2010, 07:17 PM

I have a Savage 116-FCCS 30-06 ordered and on the way and plan to do some reloading and get into benchrest shooting for fun. I have never done any benchrest shooting and have always wanted to get into some long distance (1000+ yards) shooting. I am going to load 168gr bthp using Federal Match primers. I am hoping to get the input of some more experienced people who have experience in the 30-06 caliber. What have you all found to be the best combination of primer, powder, etc. for great long distance performance?

I have my brass and bullits on order, I ordered Sierra MatchKing 168gr BTHP. But I aim to attempt several different bullits and powders, so I am open to everyone's input. Thanks.

kdog70 · October 3, 2010, 07:29 PM

Although the 168 BTHP is tried and true I would stay away from it for 1000+ yards. I do not own a 30-06 but I shoot a 300 win mag ,260 AI, 338 Edge, out to a mile ish when conditions allow me to.

You are going to want a heavy bullet for wind deflection. I shoot the 210 Berger VLD and 208 Hornady Amax. Drive the as fast as you can. You can step bullet weight down if you want more speed but I found in other calibers that drop is constant so you can slow them down but the heavy bullets fight the wind better which is harder to guess so all the BC help the better.

GeauxTide · October 3, 2010, 08:26 PM

Go to a couple of matches in your area. You'll find the 1k shooters don't use the '06 much any more. You'll find a ton of information on the sport, first hand.

On other thing - a sporter weight rifle in '06 will wear you out in a 100 round match.

LAH · October 3, 2010, 08:34 PM

Quote:

On other thing - a sporter weight rifle in '06 will wear you out in a 100 round match.

Amen & Amen.

cbhester · October 3, 2010, 09:50 PM

Hey thanks for the help so far, what is the most common caliber these days in LONG range competitions??

Shoney · October 4, 2010, 02:27 AM

Here here is a two part article on 1000 yard shooting. Good information!
http://www.6mmbr.com/1000ydpg01.html
http://www.6mmbr.com/1000ydpg02.html

HiBC · October 4, 2010, 02:55 AM

I don't shoot competition and certainly you will get better advice than mine.
I have been told that in the 7.62 sniper round,they found the 168 has some going wobbly problem at long range and the 175 MK solves that problem and has a better BC.
Another possible direction,as you say this is all for fun,the 155 MK and Palma supposedly can be kept supersonic at 1000 yds from a .308(long barrel)
If a .308 can do it,an 06 can too.
I'm not saying this is the path for competition,but you said for fun.

LAH · October 4, 2010, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Hey thanks for the help so far, what is the most common caliber these days in LONG range competitions??

6mms & 6.5X284.

Rifleman1776 · October 4, 2010, 08:23 AM

Quote:

a sporter weight rifle in '06 will wear you out in a 100 round match

It will? Never noticed that with mine. I used to compete with my Winchester Ranger in 30-06, a $3.00 garage sale scope and very carefully hand crafted target ammo. Got .69" groups and medals.
But....confession time.....I bored a deep 3/4" hole in the back end of the stock under the butt plate and filled with # 7 1/2 shot when competing. Really helped with reducing recoil and adding steadiness at the range.
BTW, I'm not very big and never found '06 recoil uncomfortable until getting up to 200-220 grain bullets with max charges. Those are uncomfortable for me.

LAH · October 4, 2010, 10:19 AM

A nine pound rifle firing a 150 grain bullet at 2900 fps will destroy me with 100 rounds. I'm not very big either. I can lower this load to 2700 fps & shoot a 100. This is with either the Winchester or Remington stock. I just purchased a Hogue stock for the Remington & hopefully this will help. HEE HEE

amamnn · October 4, 2010, 05:47 PM

The 6BR family of cartridges currently rules the roost in Long range BR shooting. You might want to look at the 6mmBR.com and benchrest.com websites for further info. Besides these BR cartridges I also shoot --mainly for nostalgia I guess-- a Winchester Model 70 in .30-06. Although it shoots quite well for a hunting rifle, it is in no way to be thought of as even a middle of the pack BR rifle.

In my experience, the rifle I use, which is a 1/10 twist 24" barrel does best with a 168 gr. Berger match bullet using the primers you've mentioned igniting Vihtavuori N-540. It tends to group outside 1 MOA beyond 300 yards. W760 does ok, as does H and IMR 4350, but the 540 seems to be the most consistent in the variable humidity here. Berger 150s also do well at 200 yards for me, using the same powder and etc....

Bamashooter · October 4, 2010, 06:58 PM

my 155gr. SMK's shoot sub-moa out of my sporterized 1903. so do remington cor-loked 150gr.

ryalred · October 7, 2010, 08:44 AM

I don't shoot at distances like that, but I do know what shoots best in my '06. Your not going to believe it but mine just loves 150 grain Remington Core-Lokt bullets. I use Reloader 19 powder and Winchester LR Primers.

If you can't get the results you want using boat tail bullets, try flat base bullets. Some guns shoot them better.

October 3, 2010, 07:17 PM	#1
cbhester Member Join Date: January 14, 2010 Location: Brownsville, KY Posts: 57	Best 30-06 Bullits?? I have a Savage 116-FCCS 30-06 ordered and on the way and plan to do some reloading and get into benchrest shooting for fun. I have never done any benchrest shooting and have always wanted to get into some long distance (1000+ yards) shooting. I am going to load 168gr bthp using Federal Match primers. I am hoping to get the input of some more experienced people who have experience in the 30-06 caliber. What have you all found to be the best combination of primer, powder, etc. for great long distance performance? I have my brass and bullits on order, I ordered Sierra MatchKing 168gr BTHP. But I aim to attempt several different bullits and powders, so I am open to everyone's input. Thanks.

October 4, 2010, 02:27 AM	#6
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	Here here is a two part article on 1000 yard shooting. Good information! http://www.6mmbr.com/1000ydpg01.html http://www.6mmbr.com/1000ydpg02.html __________________ I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111

October 4, 2010, 05:47 PM	#11
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	The 6BR family of cartridges currently rules the roost in Long range BR shooting. You might want to look at the 6mmBR.com and benchrest.com websites for further info. Besides these BR cartridges I also shoot --mainly for nostalgia I guess-- a Winchester Model 70 in .30-06. Although it shoots quite well for a hunting rifle, it is in no way to be thought of as even a middle of the pack BR rifle. In my experience, the rifle I use, which is a 1/10 twist 24" barrel does best with a 168 gr. Berger match bullet using the primers you've mentioned igniting Vihtavuori N-540. It tends to group outside 1 MOA beyond 300 yards. W760 does ok, as does H and IMR 4350, but the 540 seems to be the most consistent in the variable humidity here. Berger 150s also do well at 200 yards for me, using the same powder and etc.... __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal Last edited by amamnn; October 4, 2010 at 05:59 PM.

October 7, 2010, 08:44 AM	#13
ryalred Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2008 Location: SE Oklahoma Posts: 491	I don't shoot at distances like that, but I do know what shoots best in my '06. Your not going to believe it but mine just loves 150 grain Remington Core-Lokt bullets. I use Reloader 19 powder and Winchester LR Primers. If you can't get the results you want using boat tail bullets, try flat base bullets. Some guns shoot them better. __________________ ryalred rifle & muzzleloader -- exhilarating bowhunting -- obsession reloading -- addicted

October 3, 2010, 07:29 PM	#2
kdog70 Member Join Date: September 18, 2008 Location: Marquette,Mi Posts: 89	Although the 168 BTHP is tried and true I would stay away from it for 1000+ yards. I do not own a 30-06 but I shoot a 300 win mag ,260 AI, 338 Edge, out to a mile ish when conditions allow me to. You are going to want a heavy bullet for wind deflection. I shoot the 210 Berger VLD and 208 Hornady Amax. Drive the as fast as you can. You can step bullet weight down if you want more speed but I found in other calibers that drop is constant so you can slow them down but the heavy bullets fight the wind better which is harder to guess so all the BC help the better.

October 3, 2010, 08:26 PM	#3
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	Go to a couple of matches in your area. You'll find the 1k shooters don't use the '06 much any more. You'll find a ton of information on the sport, first hand. On other thing - a sporter weight rifle in '06 will wear you out in a 100 round match.

October 3, 2010, 09:50 PM	#5
cbhester Member Join Date: January 14, 2010 Location: Brownsville, KY Posts: 57	Hey thanks for the help so far, what is the most common caliber these days in LONG range competitions??

October 4, 2010, 02:55 AM	#7
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,286	I don't shoot competition and certainly you will get better advice than mine. I have been told that in the 7.62 sniper round,they found the 168 has some going wobbly problem at long range and the 175 MK solves that problem and has a better BC. Another possible direction,as you say this is all for fun,the 155 MK and Palma supposedly can be kept supersonic at 1000 yds from a .308(long barrel) If a .308 can do it,an 06 can too. I'm not saying this is the path for competition,but you said for fun.

October 4, 2010, 10:19 AM	#10
LAH Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2002 Location: In The Hardwoods Posts: 1,188	A nine pound rifle firing a 150 grain bullet at 2900 fps will destroy me with 100 rounds. I'm not very big either. I can lower this load to 2700 fps & shoot a 100. This is with either the Winchester or Remington stock. I just purchased a Hogue stock for the Remington & hopefully this will help. HEE HEE

October 4, 2010, 06:58 PM	#12
Bamashooter Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2010 Posts: 1,860	my 155gr. SMK's shoot sub-moa out of my sporterized 1903. so do remington cor-loked 150gr.