Loads for 30-06 180gr

pollo · May 11, 2013, 03:50 PM

Hi guys, I was wondering if any of you were willing to share your favorite loads for a 30-06 in 180 grain bullets? I'm a rookie, I just started reloading in February of this year, and could use some advice on loads.
I have the following powders:
-IMR4350 -Hodgdon Superformance
-IMR4831 -IMR4064
-H4831sc -W760
-RL19 -Hodgdon Varget
-RL22

I also have Hornady 180gr SST (Interlock) and Nosler 180gr (green) ballistic tip.
Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.

Jerry45 · May 11, 2013, 06:02 PM

Go here http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp get your data straight from the horses mouth.

First page scroll down and and click "I agree".

With 180 gr. Hornady SPFB my rifle likes 49.0 gr. IMR 4064. I've only tried 4064 with the 180s since I shoot mostly 150 and 165 gr. bullets and 4064 works best with them.

MJFlores · May 11, 2013, 06:18 PM

Whats good in my rifle may not shoot well in yours, and please slowly work up to this but...for over 15 years my go to load in my Model 70 has been Winchester cases, Winchester LR primers, 55.5 grains of H4350 under a 180 grain Nosler partition. With this load in my rifle I have no problem getting 1/2" groups and it's killed many deer.

Dan Newberry · May 11, 2013, 06:24 PM

56 grains of IMR 4350 works great in most rifles... work up from 53 grains.

Dan

Rifleman1776 · May 12, 2013, 07:24 AM

As a matter of personal policy, I don't share reloading data.
But, when I started in reloading I got my loads from a reloading manual.

Jerry45 · May 12, 2013, 12:54 PM

I never did understand the "secrecy". After all there are many manuals, it's not a secret, and it's easily understood, even by a novas, that "what works best in mine may not work in yours". None of my loads are over MAX. Some are close but none over so I have no problem "sharing" "helping" by "telling" what my rifles like.

LAH · May 12, 2013, 01:57 PM

Quote:

56 grains of IMR 4350 works great in most rifles... work up from 53 grains.

Dan

That's what works for me.

Bart B. · May 12, 2013, 08:12 PM

Before Sierra Bullets started making FMJ match bullets in 30 caliber in the early 1950's, the favorite of folks back then shooting the .30-06 at ranges from 200 through 600 yards was their 180-gr. spitzer boattail hunting bullet. Seated over 48 to 49 grains of IMR4064, it won a lot of matches and set many records in all sorts of barrels. That load also performed well at longer ranges.

Slower powders shot that bullet out faster, but they didn't land as close together on target as medium speed powders such as IMR4064 produces.

Handload recipe's are like food cooking recipes; some people share them as evidenced in all the reloading manuals out there and in this site's forums while other's don't for all sorts of secret egotistical reasons they'll guard with their lives.

math teacher · May 12, 2013, 10:40 PM

For the reloader powders you mentioned, go to alliantpowder.com.

Boomer58cal · May 13, 2013, 09:06 AM

Another vote for 4350 here.

jonathon1289 · May 13, 2013, 02:22 PM

I use IMR 4350 with 180 grain Hornady interlocks as a 'target' round as I found a really good price. Savage 110, 55 grains of powder, 3.290 coal gets me MOA groups.

Trying to get a good load with Barnes Tipped TSX bullets has been fun, lots of shooting to try and dial this load in.

AllenJ · May 13, 2013, 02:43 PM

Another vote for IMR 4350. My 30/06 shot MOA using it, standard CCI LR primers, WW cases, and Sierra bullets.

jmr40 · May 13, 2013, 04:27 PM

Either IMR4350 or H4350 is going to be hard to beat with 180's. Exact load data can be found here.

http://hodgdon.com/basic-manual-inquiry.html

I'm using 57 gr H4350 for just under 2800 fps. and 1/2 MOA. That is within 1/2 gr of max and is fine in my guns. I'd start lower and work up.

I have not been able to find either 4350 lately but did find some Ramshot Big Game and Ramshot Hunter. It is supposed to be very good as well. I guess I'll find out.

pollo · May 13, 2013, 05:50 PM

Thanks guys for sharing. If you don't feel comfortable with sharing your data, I can understand that. I was just looking for someone to point me in a general direction. It appears that IMR4350 does good with 180s as well as IMR4064. What do you guys think about H4831sc?

mehavey · May 13, 2013, 06:22 PM

No one has mentioned N560 yet, so I will suggest a look here:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...1&postcount=34

Take CARE that this post will show Over-Book-Max load development.
Do NOT use what you see in any load-and-don't-worry-about-it manner

postscript: "Otherwise" is me. (It'll make sense when you read it, I promise)

Jerry45 · May 13, 2013, 06:26 PM

Haven't tried H 4831 so no help. I did try Varget. The 06 likes 4064 better. I have two .223 bolt guns. One likes Varget the other likes 4064. There are soooooo many different powders for a reason.

Bart B. · May 13, 2013, 07:06 PM

I don't think any flavor of 4831's all that great for accuracy, but one of its versions may well shoot 180's out faster than anything else

mehavey · May 13, 2013, 07:35 PM

In order of velocity at a constant 59,000psi (as far up as I'd ever want to go),
here are the powders for the 180-grainers that reasonably fit in the case:

Velo - Powder
2,886 Vihtavuori N560
2,875 Alliant Reloder-22
2,874 Accurate MAGPRO
2,856 IMR 7828 SSC
2,834 Ramshot Hunter
2,826 Alliant Reloder-19
2,826 Hodgdon H414
2,826 Winchester 760
2,816 Vihtavuori N550
2,816 Accurate 4350
2,801 IMR 4831
2,799 Ramshot BigGame
2,786 Hodgdon H4831 SC
2,775 Winchester Supreme 780
2,762 Hodgdon H4350
2,762 IMR 4350
2,761 IMR 4320
2,741 Hodgdon VARGET
2,740 IMR 4007 SSC
2,733 IMR 4064
2,732 Accurate 4064
2,728 Somchem S361
2,718 Vihtavuori N150

Ccctennis · May 13, 2013, 09:10 PM

I shot this weekend and loved how this load worked for me. I have ruger American and was sighting in my new scope. I shot 12-15 shots at 50 and hundred yards to start my trajectory table. Here is my load info:

30-06 Win LR Hornady RL-19 53.2 grains Hornady 180 grain

Bart B. · May 13, 2013, 09:36 PM

mehavey, nice table of numbers.

Were those loads all from the same barrel?

mehavey · May 13, 2013, 10:38 PM

Bart, here are the specs.
Nothing tailored -- all default settings
Nothing powder volume-wise past absolutely full case.
Nothing that doesn't burn at least 94% of the powder (theoretically)
(We could possibly load the bullet out further and get more powder in depending on magazine & throat lengths -- but these are defaults again)**

Cartridge: .30-06 Spring. (SAAMI)
Bullet: .308, 180, Sierra HP MatchK 2220
Useable Case Capaci: 60.664 grain H2O
Cartridge OAL: 3.340 inch
Barrel Length: 24.0 inch

Obviously every rifle in the real world is different and will give different results.
But here, at least, is the "hypothetical" order of probable performance

**
As noted previously, I'd found that N560 performs superbly (in my Model-70) with this bullet/Winchester cases/BR2 primers. (And there, the bullet has to actually seat shorter/3.280" to fit the throat )

TimSr · May 14, 2013, 09:12 AM

Quote:

56 grains of IMR 4350 works great in most rifles... work up from 53 grains.

Dan

Hard to find anything with a better history of success. I ended up at 57gr with 180gr Speer Mag Tips.

pollo · May 14, 2013, 03:45 PM

Okay, I loaded some IMR4350 starting at 51 grains (the Nosler Reloading book said that 51 g was the most accurate so I tried it) and I have loads up to 54 grains. Then, I ran out of cases, because I had already loaded a lot of H4831sc (not that I would have loaded more anyway because I already have plenty for a sore shoulder

). So I guess I'll be off to the range to try those out. I am planning on getting some 165s to try them out soon... What usually works with them?

May 11, 2013, 03:50 PM	#1
pollo Member Join Date: March 6, 2013 Location: NC Posts: 40	Loads for 30-06 180gr Hi guys, I was wondering if any of you were willing to share your favorite loads for a 30-06 in 180 grain bullets? I'm a rookie, I just started reloading in February of this year, and could use some advice on loads. I have the following powders: -IMR4350 -Hodgdon Superformance -IMR4831 -IMR4064 -H4831sc -W760 -RL19 -Hodgdon Varget -RL22 I also have Hornady 180gr SST (Interlock) and Nosler 180gr (green) ballistic tip. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.

May 11, 2013, 06:02 PM	#2
Jerry45 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2000 Location: Metairie, Louisiana Posts: 890	Go here http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp get your data straight from the horses mouth. First page scroll down and and click "I agree". With 180 gr. Hornady SPFB my rifle likes 49.0 gr. IMR 4064. I've only tried 4064 with the 180s since I shoot mostly 150 and 165 gr. bullets and 4064 works best with them. __________________ Guns are not dangerous! People are! RKBA! Last edited by Jerry45; May 11, 2013 at 06:18 PM.

May 11, 2013, 06:24 PM	#4
Dan Newberry Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2012 Location: Wytheville, VA Posts: 216	56 grains of IMR 4350 works great in most rifles... work up from 53 grains. Dan __________________ *www.BANGSTEEL.com* Practical Long Range Rifle Courses... Optimal Charge Weight handload consulting

May 12, 2013, 12:54 PM	#6
Jerry45 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2000 Location: Metairie, Louisiana Posts: 890	I never did understand the "secrecy". After all there are many manuals, it's not a secret, and it's easily understood, even by a novas, that "what works best in mine may not work in yours". None of my loads are over MAX. Some are close but none over so I have no problem "sharing" "helping" by "telling" what my rifles like. __________________ Guns are not dangerous! People are! RKBA!

May 12, 2013, 08:12 PM	#8
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	Before Sierra Bullets started making FMJ match bullets in 30 caliber in the early 1950's, the favorite of folks back then shooting the .30-06 at ranges from 200 through 600 yards was their 180-gr. spitzer boattail hunting bullet. Seated over 48 to 49 grains of IMR4064, it won a lot of matches and set many records in all sorts of barrels. That load also performed well at longer ranges. Slower powders shot that bullet out faster, but they didn't land as close together on target as medium speed powders such as IMR4064 produces. Handload recipe's are like food cooking recipes; some people share them as evidenced in all the reloading manuals out there and in this site's forums while other's don't for all sorts of secret egotistical reasons they'll guard with their lives. Last edited by Bart B.; May 12, 2013 at 08:47 PM.

May 11, 2013, 06:18 PM	#3
MJFlores Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2013 Posts: 539	Whats good in my rifle may not shoot well in yours, and please slowly work up to this but...for over 15 years my go to load in my Model 70 has been Winchester cases, Winchester LR primers, 55.5 grains of H4350 under a 180 grain Nosler partition. With this load in my rifle I have no problem getting 1/2" groups and it's killed many deer.

May 12, 2013, 07:24 AM	#5
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	As a matter of personal policy, I don't share reloading data. But, when I started in reloading I got my loads from a reloading manual.

May 12, 2013, 10:40 PM	#9
math teacher Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2012 Location: Southwest WA Coast Posts: 559	For the reloader powders you mentioned, go to alliantpowder.com.

May 13, 2013, 09:06 AM	#10
Boomer58cal Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2013 Location: closer than you think Posts: 967	Another vote for 4350 here. __________________ The number one cause of death in the 20th century. 290,000,000 citizens were first disarmed and then murdered by their own governments. This number does not include those killed in war. We're from the government, we're here to help

May 13, 2013, 02:22 PM	#11
jonathon1289 Member Join Date: April 24, 2013 Location: Mid TN Posts: 26	I use IMR 4350 with 180 grain Hornady interlocks as a 'target' round as I found a really good price. Savage 110, 55 grains of powder, 3.290 coal gets me MOA groups. Trying to get a good load with Barnes Tipped TSX bullets has been fun, lots of shooting to try and dial this load in.

May 13, 2013, 02:43 PM	#12
AllenJ Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,766	Another vote for IMR 4350. My 30/06 shot MOA using it, standard CCI LR primers, WW cases, and Sierra bullets.

May 13, 2013, 04:27 PM	#13
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,808	Either IMR4350 or H4350 is going to be hard to beat with 180's. Exact load data can be found here. http://hodgdon.com/basic-manual-inquiry.html I'm using 57 gr H4350 for just under 2800 fps. and 1/2 MOA. That is within 1/2 gr of max and is fine in my guns. I'd start lower and work up. I have not been able to find either 4350 lately but did find some Ramshot Big Game and Ramshot Hunter. It is supposed to be very good as well. I guess I'll find out.

May 13, 2013, 05:50 PM	#14
pollo Member Join Date: March 6, 2013 Location: NC Posts: 40	Thanks guys for sharing. If you don't feel comfortable with sharing your data, I can understand that. I was just looking for someone to point me in a general direction. It appears that IMR4350 does good with 180s as well as IMR4064. What do you guys think about H4831sc?

May 13, 2013, 06:22 PM	#15
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,894	No one has mentioned N560 yet, so I will suggest a look here: http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...1&postcount=34 Take CARE that this post will show Over-Book-Max load development. Do NOT use what you see in any load-and-don't-worry-about-it manner postscript: "Otherwise" is me. (It'll make sense when you read it, I promise)

May 13, 2013, 06:26 PM	#16
Jerry45 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2000 Location: Metairie, Louisiana Posts: 890	Haven't tried H 4831 so no help. I did try Varget. The 06 likes 4064 better. I have two .223 bolt guns. One likes Varget the other likes 4064. There are soooooo many different powders for a reason. __________________ Guns are not dangerous! People are! RKBA!

May 13, 2013, 07:06 PM	#17
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	I don't think any flavor of 4831's all that great for accuracy, but one of its versions may well shoot 180's out faster than anything else

May 13, 2013, 07:35 PM	#18
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,894	In order of velocity at a constant 59,000psi (as far up as I'd ever want to go), here are the powders for the 180-grainers that reasonably fit in the case: Velo - Powder 2,886 Vihtavuori N560 2,875 Alliant Reloder-22 2,874 Accurate MAGPRO 2,856 IMR 7828 SSC 2,834 Ramshot Hunter 2,826 Alliant Reloder-19 2,826 Hodgdon H414 2,826 Winchester 760 2,816 Vihtavuori N550 2,816 Accurate 4350 2,801 IMR 4831 2,799 Ramshot BigGame 2,786 Hodgdon H4831 SC 2,775 Winchester Supreme 780 2,762 Hodgdon H4350 2,762 IMR 4350 2,761 IMR 4320 2,741 Hodgdon VARGET 2,740 IMR 4007 SSC 2,733 IMR 4064 2,732 Accurate 4064 2,728 Somchem S361 2,718 Vihtavuori N150 Last edited by mehavey; May 13, 2013 at 07:49 PM.

May 13, 2013, 09:10 PM	#19
Ccctennis Member Join Date: April 22, 2013 Posts: 65	My load I shot this weekend and loved how this load worked for me. I have ruger American and was sighting in my new scope. I shot 12-15 shots at 50 and hundred yards to start my trajectory table. Here is my load info: 30-06 Win LR Hornady RL-19 53.2 grains Hornady 180 grain

May 13, 2013, 09:36 PM	#20
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	mehavey, nice table of numbers. Were those loads all from the same barrel?

May 13, 2013, 10:38 PM	#21
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,894	Bart, here are the specs. Nothing tailored -- all default settings Nothing powder volume-wise past absolutely full case. Nothing that doesn't burn at least 94% of the powder (theoretically) (We could possibly load the bullet out further and get more powder in depending on magazine & throat lengths -- but these are defaults again)** Cartridge: .30-06 Spring. (SAAMI) Bullet: .308, 180, Sierra HP MatchK 2220 Useable Case Capaci: 60.664 grain H2O Cartridge OAL: 3.340 inch Barrel Length: 24.0 inch Obviously every rifle in the real world is different and will give different results. But here, at least, is the "hypothetical" order of probable performance ** As noted previously, I'd found that N560 performs superbly (in my Model-70) with this bullet/Winchester cases/BR2 primers. (And there, the bullet has to actually seat shorter/3.280" to fit the throat ) Last edited by mehavey; May 14, 2013 at 06:05 AM.

May 14, 2013, 03:45 PM	#23
pollo Member Join Date: March 6, 2013 Location: NC Posts: 40	Okay, I loaded some IMR4350 starting at 51 grains (the Nosler Reloading book said that 51 g was the most accurate so I tried it) and I have loads up to 54 grains. Then, I ran out of cases, because I had already loaded a lot of H4831sc (not that I would have loaded more anyway because I already have plenty for a sore shoulder ). So I guess I'll be off to the range to try those out. I am planning on getting some 165s to try them out soon... What usually works with them?