The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Skunkworks > Handloading, Reloading, and Bullet Casting

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old January 23, 2013, 06:44 PM   #1
Rbates
Junior Member
 
Join Date: January 20, 2013
Posts: 9
30 06 rounds

Does anyone have a recomendation for bullet and powder makes for reloading 30 06 rounds? I have a Browning xbolt medallion, and am just starting to reload.
Rbates is offline  
Old January 23, 2013, 07:51 PM   #2
OKElkHunter
Junior Member
 
Join Date: December 10, 2012
Posts: 7
I like Alliant Reloader 22 with 180 grain Hornadys and Noslers.
60 grains of RE22 and CCI 250 LRM primers with the Hornadys and the Noslers in my rifle is a max load.
If you are shooting in cold weather, below 40 degrees F, this is not a good powder; it's very temperature sensitive and velocity really drops when its cold. I recently tested this load in below freezing temps and my velocity dropped over 200 fps.
I'm switching to reloader 17 and working up some loads. It's not supposed to be temp sensitive and is a faster powder. The load data that I've found seems to indicate i'll get better velocity with a smaller charge as well. I havent tested yet, but I have 5 loads that I plan on testing this weekend: 53, 53.5, 54, 54.5 and 55 grains. I have a feeling I'll max out at 54 to 54.5 based on Alliant's data. I'll be using Nosler 180 Accubonds and CCI LRM primers; Alliant's data is based on 180 Sierra BTSP and max is 54.5 with a velocity of 2762 and Fed 210 primer.
My experience has been that different rifles like different loads, so you'll need to do some research in some load manuals and test different powders and loads. remember to reduce all max loads by at least 10% and work up; loads that are safe in some rifles may be over pressured and unsafe in yours, or vice versa.
I'll try to post my results after testing the RE17 loads.
I really like the accuracy and performance of the Nosler Accubond and Ballistic Tip bullets and they shoot well in just about everything. I have also used a lot of Hornady bullets and factory ammunition, and they perform well and are accurate as well as a little cheaper than the Noslers. I think the Noslers perform a little better and that's why I've switched. You won't go wrong with either.

Last edited by OKElkHunter; January 23, 2013 at 07:55 PM. Reason: add data
OKElkHunter is offline  
Old January 23, 2013, 08:04 PM   #3
Goatwhiskers
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 8, 2009
Location: Batchelor, La.
Posts: 579
Every rifle is an entity unto itself. My advice is to buy a manual, read the opening chapters until you feel that you begin to understand internal ballistics, then select a bullet and powder and slowly work your way up till accuracy is where you want it. Personal opinion, stay away from max loads, you'll normally get best accuracy with middle range loads. GW
Goatwhiskers is offline  
Old January 23, 2013, 08:22 PM   #4
Ifishsum
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 15, 2005
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,033
My '06 load for everything is a 165 gr Hornady BTSP with 57 gr of H4350. Verify in a load book and work up to it, it's not quite a max load but every rifle is a little different. It does work for at least 7 .30-06 rifles in my family it's been very accurate and effective for me.
Ifishsum is offline  
Old January 23, 2013, 08:22 PM   #5
Bush Pirate
Member
 
Join Date: June 2, 2009
Location: Michigan
Posts: 54
I have good results using IMR 4350 and 165 grn bullets.
Bush Pirate is offline  
Old January 23, 2013, 08:44 PM   #6
GlenF
Member
 
Join Date: April 4, 2011
Location: Monett, Missouri
Posts: 98
30-06 loads

I totally agree with Goatwhiskers comments.

After lots of trials with various powders, I found that the Hodgden Superformance powder with my preferred bullet works the best for my rifle. And the loads with this powder that works best for me is near the lowest. This Superformance powder has a very slow burn rate.

I hope you post your experiences.
GlenF is offline  
Old January 23, 2013, 08:50 PM   #7
Rbates
Junior Member
 
Join Date: January 20, 2013
Posts: 9
Thanks, guys. This gives me a starting point.
Rbates is offline  
Old January 23, 2013, 09:28 PM   #8
hagar
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 20, 2000
Location: Colombia, SC
Posts: 745
For a bolt action, 4350 (of any kind) works great. IMR4895 for a Garand. I like 160-168 grain bullets.
__________________
I don't have time for busy people
hagar is offline  
Old January 24, 2013, 07:43 AM   #9
Bart B.
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 15, 2009
Posts: 8,927
While there are minute differences across all the barrels chambered for the .30-06 cartridge, a couple load's been good performers in all of them; bolt action commercial rifles as well as the military M1 Garand. One may not see how good they are by shooting a couple of few-shot groups. But competitive shooters in the heyday of that cartridge in competition with all sorts of rifles and barrels swore by these as they shot enough rounds per group to verify their accuracy the right way:

165/180 grain bullet.

48/47 grains of IMR4895 or 47/46 grains of IMR4064.

If one of these loads don't shoot at least 1 inch at 100 yards, it's not the ammo's problem if it's been loaded right.

Note the arsenal M72 30 caliber match ammo shot very accurate across all sorts of barrels with about 47 to 48 grains of IMR4895 under a 172-gr. match bullet.
Bart B. is offline  
Old January 24, 2013, 08:45 AM   #10
mehavey
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 17, 2010
Location: Virginia
Posts: 6,869
I would suggest

- Any 150-165 grain exposed-lead (i.e., hunting) bullet from Sierra, Speer, etc
- Winchester Cases (best value)
- CCI-200 Large Rifle primers (do-all component for when you get that Garand)

and.... (drumroll, please)

- IMR4831 powder (as a beginner, you literally can't overfill/overpressure the case without ridiculous compression)
mehavey is offline  
Old January 24, 2013, 09:36 AM   #11
PawPaw
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 24, 2010
Location: Central Louisiana
Posts: 3,137
On the other hand, I like 150 grain bullets and my most accurate load (my rifle, my barrel) uses Reloder 19 powder.

I agree that there is a lot to like with 4895, 4064, or 4350 of either flavor, and lots of folks like 165/168 grain bullets.
__________________
Dennis Dezendorf

http://pawpawshouse.blogspot.com
PawPaw is offline  
Old January 24, 2013, 12:10 PM   #12
hooligan1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 18, 2010
Location: Independence Missouri
Posts: 4,582
I'm currently loading and testing 150 E-Tip bullets from Nosler featuring the RL19 powder, I hoping to get a decent load of "all copper" cartridges loaded for my 30-06. I'm currently shooting 150 grn. B-Tips, with 57.5 grains of IMR4350.
__________________
Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.
hooligan1 is offline  
Old January 24, 2013, 01:27 PM   #13
William T. Watts
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 20, 2010
Location: Central Arkansas
Posts: 1,074
165gr Nosler Partition & IMR4064 with CCI or FC primer which ever is available. A manual was suggested, I totally agree (ABC'S of reloading), if I were you I would read it cover to cover before starting to load ammunition.. William

Last edited by William T. Watts; January 24, 2013 at 01:34 PM.
William T. Watts is offline  
Old January 24, 2013, 07:21 PM   #14
Jbotto
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 8, 2010
Location: MN
Posts: 437
My go to load lately for my Savage .30/06 is 48grs of Varget sitting behind a 165gr Hornady SST. Plenty accurate enough for me and doesn't tear up my shoulder from a lightweight rifle.
Jbotto is offline  
Old January 25, 2013, 06:46 PM   #15
ky hunter
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 12, 2010
Posts: 132
My go to is 57.5 IMR 4350 behind 165 REM SP-CL CCI 200 large rifle primer. It has been the best all around 30/06 load. The bullets shoot as good or better than ones that cost twice as much. Groups 1'' or less @100 yards and I have killed deer in bean fields over yards with this load it is a winer for me.I shoot a Rem 700 ss with a 22' bl.
__________________
Cross the Jordan it's better on this side.
ky hunter is offline  
Old January 25, 2013, 09:12 PM   #16
GeauxTide
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 20, 2009
Location: Helena, AL
Posts: 4,415
In several rifles over the years, 50-52gr of 4064 under 150 Hornady or Sierra have shot cloverleaves at 5/8" and under.
GeauxTide is offline  
Old January 26, 2013, 04:02 AM   #17
Bamashooter
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 12, 2010
Posts: 1,860
My old Remington made 1903 shoots 150 and 155gr. Sierra bullets sub moa with 49-50gr of IMR-4895. There are tons of combinations out there Im sure you will find one the Browning will like. Have fun.
Bamashooter is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:56 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.07016 seconds with 10 queries