30-06 Varmit load

Casey · February 3, 2002, 02:25 AM

Hello all.

I tried to do a search for information, but the search function is down right now.

I own a Remington 700 with a bull barrel in 22-250, a Bushmaster AR15 with a 24" barrel and a Marlin 22 magnum. I also own a Remington 700 with a normal barrel in 30-06. I was just considering working up a soft load for the 30-06, something using a 110gr (or lighter if one exists) bullet.

Is there a good reason to work on a light load for the 30-06? Do I have the "varmit" area covered well enough? The only reason that I can come up with, now that I think of it, is if didn't have the use of the other rifles. Is there another good reason?

By the way, I have bagged more ground hogs with the 22 WMR than any of the others. It is quiet enough that I can use it where I don't want to use the others.

Thanks.

Casey

labgrade · February 3, 2002, 10:40 AM

A disadvantage, if you could call it that, for having different loadings for the same rifle is the change of bullet impact - requires a re-sighting from load-to-load - usually.

Sounds like you've got the bases covered for any varmits with your other rifles, but who's to say don't play around with that '06 - part of the fun ofhaving the stuff & ability to play around/tinker.

One plus though ofhaving a light-weight bullet loading for an '06 could be a dandy antelope rifle - assuming you pick a "compromise" bullet in that lighter weight range. The "explosive" varmit bullets aren't conducive for deep expamsion needed for big(ger) game.

However, I use(d) an 87 gr Horn bullet for my .243 as only bullet/loading for varmits through whitetail deer - DRT on everything, so there is a niche where you can make it happen.

Bottom Gun · February 4, 2002, 04:56 PM

I use a 125 gr Speer TNT with IMR4064 powder. It's very accurate and explosive when it lands.

Art Eatman · February 4, 2002, 06:10 PM

Back when an '06 was my one-and-only, I loaded the 110-grain Hornady ahead of 53.5 grains of 3031. If you try that, work up from around 50 grains, as your "obviously inferior rifle may explode".

The book sez that's somewhere around 3,400 to 3,500 ft/sec.

You can swage a .32-20 bullet down to .308. That 80-grain bullet will churn out at around 3,800 ft/sec, if not more. "Explosive" doesn't even begin to describe it. "Ruinacious" is a good beginning. It will spread jackrabbit parts over about a half an acre.

If you want to load down, 20 grains of 2400 behind any bullet, lead or jacketed, to around 170 grains will be "soft". Not a lot of noise, negligible recoil. With a 169-grain lead gas-check bullet, you get around 2,000 ft/sec. Nice practice plinker for eye-finger coordination, with GI bullets.

Art

February 3, 2002, 02:25 AM	#1
Casey Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2000 Location: Delaware, OH, USA Posts: 279	30-06 Varmit load Hello all. I tried to do a search for information, but the search function is down right now. I own a Remington 700 with a bull barrel in 22-250, a Bushmaster AR15 with a 24" barrel and a Marlin 22 magnum. I also own a Remington 700 with a normal barrel in 30-06. I was just considering working up a soft load for the 30-06, something using a 110gr (or lighter if one exists) bullet. Is there a good reason to work on a light load for the 30-06? Do I have the "varmit" area covered well enough? The only reason that I can come up with, now that I think of it, is if didn't have the use of the other rifles. Is there another good reason? By the way, I have bagged more ground hogs with the 22 WMR than any of the others. It is quiet enough that I can use it where I don't want to use the others. Thanks. Casey

February 3, 2002, 10:40 AM	#2
labgrade Member In Memoriam Join Date: November 29, 1999 Location: west of a small town, CO Posts: 4,346	A disadvantage, if you could call it that, for having different loadings for the same rifle is the change of bullet impact - requires a re-sighting from load-to-load - usually. Sounds like you've got the bases covered for any varmits with your other rifles, but who's to say don't play around with that '06 - part of the fun ofhaving the stuff & ability to play around/tinker. One plus though ofhaving a light-weight bullet loading for an '06 could be a dandy antelope rifle - assuming you pick a "compromise" bullet in that lighter weight range. The "explosive" varmit bullets aren't conducive for deep expamsion needed for big(ger) game. However, I use(d) an 87 gr Horn bullet for my .243 as only bullet/loading for varmits through whitetail deer - DRT on everything, so there is a niche where you can make it happen.

February 4, 2002, 04:56 PM	#3
Bottom Gun Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 1998 Location: Arizona Territory Posts: 1,092	I use a 125 gr Speer TNT with IMR4064 powder. It's very accurate and explosive when it lands.

February 4, 2002, 06:10 PM	#4
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Back when an '06 was my one-and-only, I loaded the 110-grain Hornady ahead of 53.5 grains of 3031. If you try that, work up from around 50 grains, as your "obviously inferior rifle may explode". The book sez that's somewhere around 3,400 to 3,500 ft/sec. You can swage a .32-20 bullet down to .308. That 80-grain bullet will churn out at around 3,800 ft/sec, if not more. "Explosive" doesn't even begin to describe it. "Ruinacious" is a good beginning. It will spread jackrabbit parts over about a half an acre. If you want to load down, 20 grains of 2400 behind any bullet, lead or jacketed, to around 170 grains will be "soft". Not a lot of noise, negligible recoil. With a 169-grain lead gas-check bullet, you get around 2,000 ft/sec. Nice practice plinker for eye-finger coordination, with GI bullets. Art