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Old October 12, 2008, 08:09 AM   #1
drvector
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...another 30-06 question

Greetings All

I’ve got a 30-06 reloading question – for last year’s deer season I loaded up my first set of 30-06 loads using brand new Remington cases, IMR 4350 and Hornady .308-165 grain Boat Tail Spitz –(BTSP ) Interlock bullets, and Federal rifle primers. I loaded each round as per the load specifications in Hornday’s load manual (3rd addition- 1980) using 54.5 grains on the IMR 4350 which should have put the velocity of these loads between 2700 and 2800 fps. Each round was loaded using a single stage press and trickled charged to exactly the specified weight and a taper crimp used on the bullet. All cartridge overall lights were verified at the specified 3.230”

Here comes the fun, in the past I always used commercially loaded Winchester 165 grain super-X bullets that were heavily crimped. I could generally get a box of 20 rounds for about $12. So after loading up my hand-rolled ‘06s, I proudly stomped off the range with a box of bullets I loaded along with a box of Winchester ‘06s left over from the previous year. At 100 yards with my Ruger M77 – Mark II bolt action, I could group the Winchesters in groups of 3 in the size of a quarter. With my hand loads I ran groups of about a 6 to 8 inch cluster!! Can anyone give me any clues as to what I might have done done wrong?
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Last edited by drvector; October 12, 2008 at 10:54 AM.
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Old October 12, 2008, 09:25 AM   #2
Bboomer
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Thats whats called or referred to as load development.

You simply cannot pick a random component, bullet, bullet weight, powder and powder charge for your rifle. You have to find your rifle's sweet spot with each bullet and or design, finding what it does and does not like is your goal.

Start at the low end of your charge data and work up. If you don't like the results increase by a 1/2 grain at a time. Ultimately, you may want to change bullet, powder, primer or an adjustment there of. For the best accuracy you also need to find your optimum load length by having your bullet just off the lans by about .005

Now for the concerns about your reloads that you mention. First question that comes to mind, is bullet weight. Are you reloading with a 165g bullet too? POI will be greatly affected by differences in bullet weight and will cause the need for scope adjustment.
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Old October 12, 2008, 09:40 AM   #3
The Lovemaster
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I have a Rem 700 '06, and it's REALLY picky on OAL. I have to dial it in to around 0.020" under the length where the bullet touches the rifling in order to get good accuracy. I got a Hornady OAL gage, and my life has been vastly improved ever since (okay, an exaggeration!).
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Old October 12, 2008, 10:56 AM   #4
drvector
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Bboomer

What do you mean by "having your bullet just off the lans by about .005"

Thanks
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Old October 12, 2008, 02:39 PM   #5
Hylander
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Like Bboomer said: Load Developement.
Just loading up some shells with random componants does not equal accuracy.
That being said, I think you are trying to use a Powder to slow for the 06.
You need to step up to IMR 4064, 3031, ETC.
My Preferance is 3031 for 165gr. or 168gr. bullets
The 30-06 does not need to be crimped, although the Bullet may have a crimp ring, it stll does not need to be crimped.
Here is my Prefered load: This load shoots well under MOA, even in my old 1903A3 two groove Springfield sporter.

Winchester cases, full lenght sized and trimmed to 2.484
Winchester large rifle primers
Sierra 168gr. Match and Nosler 168gr. Match
IMR 3031, 45.5gr.
OCL 3.295
Avg. Vel 2685fps
Avg. MOA .51

If I were you, I would:
Use the same bullets and Primers you have, and load up 10 rounds with
45gr. and 10 rounds with 45.5gr. of IMR 3031
Seat to Hornady's specs of 3.230
And I would not use a crimp, there is no need to.
Also I would not start worring about how close the bullet is to the Lands right now, get a good load and then you can start worrying about the paticulars of dialing it in.

JMHO: But that is what I would do.
I have loaded alot of .308 and 30-06
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Old October 12, 2008, 03:52 PM   #6
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With the load you are using your not even making 2700fps. Let alone 2800. The Ruger has hammer forged rifling and usually those barrel won't start performing till you reach upper velocity limits.

There is a ton or more of loading info on the 30-06 just start looking. Hodgdon's site has the listing's for IMR powders and if you look the range for IMR 4350 with a 165 gr bullet is 56gr. to 60 gr. of IMR 4350.

Go to Hodgdon's site and get up to date loading data there.

What works for me my not be right for you
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Old October 12, 2008, 04:36 PM   #7
Hawg
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IMR 4350 is my preferred 30-06 powder. I use 57 grs. with either Sierra 166 gr. HPBT or Hornady 165 gr. BTBT. I load them to factory length and both my rifles like the same load. One will put them all in a slightly egg shaped hole at 100 yds. and the other makes tiny clover leafs. In both my manuals which I'll admit are kinda dated 57 1/2 grs. with 165 gr. bullets is a max load.
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Old October 13, 2008, 08:23 AM   #8
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I too use IMR4350 in my 06 rounds. I use the same bullet in 150gr. I use a different amount of powder of course. I have my bullets set .010in off of the lands. I DO NOT crimp. 3/4in groups out of my Tikka T3 lite @ 100yds.
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Old October 13, 2008, 10:01 PM   #9
HoraceHogsnort
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JaguarXK120, my Hornady manual shows a max load of 57 gr. of IMR 4350 for the 165 gr. bullets. I will check the Hodgdon site.

Well, I checked and your figures do look good. I guess that's why we need to check a variety of sources to get a fuller picture.

Last edited by HoraceHogsnort; October 13, 2008 at 10:35 PM.
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