Favorite 30-06 loads?

[drvector]

It’s getting to be that time of the year again, ... time to dusk of the old 30-06 bolt action. I just started reloading this year, but it has been exclusively handgun loads up to this point (38 target/plinking loads). But now, as we start to move into the fall, I’d like to load up some 30-06 loads for target and deer hunting. I’ve got a number of loading books; Speer, and an old Hornady, but I’d like to hear what has worked out best from your experience. Typically I’ve been shooting 165 grain Remington Core-Lokt (commercially loaded) bullets for both target and hunting, but I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks

[.45 Vet]

Been using Sierra 165gr GameKings over IMR 4350, but thinking of trying some H-4350 for better flow through the powder measure. Have had very good results when kept above 2700 fps. on Pa. white-tail.

[Ben Shepherd]

That factory load works VERY well in my 700 BDL. 3 shot group @100yds look like a single hole from a 40 cal SWC.

Don't know as I can beat it with a handload.

If your rifle groups this load under 2" @100 you may just want to run it for this year.

Otherwise start with h4350 under a 165 grain. Around 56-57 grains(IIRC, my manuals and load notes are at home, I'm not) works very well.

[ZeroJunk]

I used to hunt with a Kleingunther K15 that would shoot xx grains of W760 using a Sierra 165 BT in to less than a 1 inch group.For hunting it's about as fast as you are going to go out of a 30/06.I edited this because it is hotter than what is in the manuals.

[Scorch]

Good idea, ZeroJunk. It's the same reason I don't give load info out. If I blow myself up, I will feel bad but I heal fast. If I blow someone else up, I would feel really bad.

[rem33]

I have been using 53grains of IMR4064 with Remington's 150 core- locks for deer, elk, and antelope over 20 years now. Same load that was in the 70's something Lyman manual I first bought, and is still the same in the 48th or current one. Hunting mostly with the same Remington 700 BDL in a lefty I bought back then too. Ordered 1000 core-locks from midway and have been using them in mine and several family members 30-06's and 308. Guess I am not very exciting but it seems to get the job done and the freezer full. Keeps things simple like me. The most important thing is to hit em where it counts anyway.

[Ammo Junky]

165 game king, 57.5 H4350, .020" jump, .002" shoulder bump, win case and primer. 2800fps from 24" mod 70. or if you perfer 49.0 varget. Varget has a little less recoil. H4350 is dead stable even with thrown charges hot, cold, clean bbl, dirty bbl. singel stage, progressive. It is very consistant. Low sd even thrown. See what your gun likes. Be realistic, an moa 30-06 is much more rare than a moa 308, reguardless of what stories of three shot groups you may here. The 06 is a great hunting gun, but don't pull your hair out trying to get consistant five shot, 3/4" groups. If you consistantly put five into less than 2moa you got a good hunting gun and load.

Good luck.

[hpg]

I use WW748/48.5 grs with 150gr SP. hpg

[JMag]

I've had excellent results with Core-Lokt and Silvertip (non-ballistic) ammo in my Medallion.

[stinger]

I have been using 53grains of IMR4064 with 150g

I would caution that that is a max/over max load, and needs to be approached with extreme caution.

Stinger

[Shoney]

I have loaded for 6 different 30-06 rifles. I found the 165 grain bullets propelled with IMR 4350 (at, near, or above 100% load density) produced the best a accuracy of any of the .308 bullet weights. Not only were the 165's more accurate, for some strange reason, the 165's yielded higher velocities in their accuracy loads, as compared to the highest velocity of any of the 150's. Additonally the 165 has a flatter tradjectory, and performs better on game.