Suggested weight bullet for 30-06 with 1:10 Twist

[SerenityNetworks]

I am getting started in reloading. I have a Browning BBR 30-06. It has a 1:10 twist tapered barrel. My purpose with the reloads is to be as accurate as I can at as long of distances the barrel will support.

What would be suggested for a long range target / varmint bullet?
What would be suggested for a hunting bullet (< 300 yards)?

I'm more interested in a target / varmint bullet than I am a hunting bullet. I can take off the shelf factory ammo and kill a deer at 300 yards. Some options on types and makers might be nice, as my budget is limited. I don't necessarily want to pay double for a bullet when the half price bullet gets me 95% to where I want to be.

Thank you in advance,
Andrew

[GeauxTide]

Reloading is more complicated with Browning Autos. Their tolerances are closer, so SB dies would be the start. For vermin, 125s would be the preferred projectile.

[Marco Califo]

BBR = Bolt gun

[SerenityNetworks]

The BBR is a bolt gun. The model was the precursor to the A-Bolt series.

I'll be using the RCBS Competition Die Set for the reloading.

Thanks,
Andrew

[black mamba]

The 1 in 10 twist of your rifle is well suited to high ballistic coefficient bullets up to 210 grains in weight. The 200 grain Nosler Accubond is a superb hunting bullet with great long range capabilities.

While the lighter target/varmint bullets would be better stabilized by a 12-14 inch twist, they should still be accurate enough in your rifle for 300 yard shots, but no way to tell which would be the best. Sierra HPBT bullets in 125 or 135 grain weight would be good starting points.

[firewrench044]

I have found the Sierra 175 gr Match King works extreemly well in all
my 3006 rifles ( also in 308 ) with 1/10 twist barrels

2-Garands, 1-M1D, 1-1903 Spring., 1-1903A3, 1-1903A4
1-Columbian Mauser (16' barrel )
has a better patern than 168 gr at 600 yards

[Rifleman1776]

I don't recall the twist but the Garand was designed for 170 gr. bullets.

[SerenityNetworks]

Thank you fellows. I had wondered if the lighter bullets would perform well or at all with a 1:10 twist. From what I gather, it looks like I'm better off staying with 165 to 200 grains. I've used the factory Nosler Accubond ammo. It and the Fusion ammo shoots the best out of all the ammo I've tried, so I expect that reloading with the Accubond would work well too. I haven't ever tried anything with the Sierra bullets, so will give that a whirl too.

Just for grins, I might try the lighter Sierra HPBT bullets and see what they do.

Thanks again. I really appreciate the input.

Regards,
Andrew

[hooligan1]

Try the 150 grn Ballistic Tip, or even a 150 Accubond, they shoot nicely. 0.435 ballistic coefficient.

[SerenityNetworks]

For the lighter bullets, (assuming the BC is the same) is there a particular shape that would work better than others for a 1:10 twist? Or is it that a 1:10 just simply won't stabilize a lighter bullet like it will a heavier one?

Thanks,
Andrew

PS. Yes, I suppose that a some point I'm going to need to buy a ballistics book if I really get into this sort of thing.

[GeauxTide]

My most accurate loads in 4 '06 rifles that I've owned are 150 Hornady Interlock or Sierra GameKings and 4064 powder. 5/8-3/4 inch consistently.

[SerenityNetworks]

Thank you GeauxTide.

[89blazin]

Accuracy comes from stability. The most important factor for stability is correct bullet length for the barrel twist rate. Bullet weight is #2.

[45YearsShooting]

For varmints with the 30/06, don't forget the possibility of using sabots to shoot .224 caliber bullets in the .30 caliber bore. Here's a link to a reloading source for them:
http://www.eabco.com/reload02.html

I used the factory Remington Accelerator ammo (55 gr. .224 bullets in 30/06) many years ago and found them to give better accuracy in my old Ruger M77 than any factory load that used .30 caliber bullets! At over 4000 fps, they did a number on several coyotes.

[hodaka]

There are a lot of bullets that will shoot well in your 30-06. You will simply need to experiment. Twist rate and bullet weight is a guide, but there are no absolutes. My Ruger #1 surprised me with how well 110 gr. Sierra varmit bullets shot. I would have never guessed it but I mistakenly ordered some when I was buying bullets for my M1 Carbine. Plus 1 for the 4064 though.

[GeauxTide]

All of them were 1-10", also. Start at 50gr of 4064 under standard primers. I've gone to 53 for 3050 in a 24" barrel, but 52gr has been the sweet spot and still hits 2910 in 22". That's far better than normal factory fare and consistant bang, flop performance.

[SerenityNetworks]

Thanks guys!

I was just looking for a starting point and you all have provided me with so much more. This is very much appreciated.

Accuracy comes from stability. The most important factor for stability is correct bullet length for the barrel twist rate. Bullet weight is #2.

I understood about the importance of length, but did not realize it was more important than weight. So more than ever, I value the input on specific bullets that have worked well for you.

Thanks again,
Andrew

[SFW]

I've been loading Hornady 168gn BTBTs with extremely good results. I figure that if the 168 grain bullet is good enough for snipers and millitary marksmanship matches, it sould be fine for my deer hunting needs.

[Bart B.]

Note that years ago, the military arsenal making match ammo switched to 175-gr. match bullets with a different boatttail shape 'cause the 168 typically went sub sonic before reaching the 1000 yard targets. The favorite bullets for bolt guns and M1's in long range competition with the .30-06 and were 180's, 185's, 190's and 200's as they produced the best accuracy; even in 1:12 twist barrels.

The Garand has a 1:10 twist barrel; a carryover from the original 1:10 twist used in the .30-03 cartridge with its 220 grain bullets which was great over a century ago. That twist was kept when the .30-06 came out with its 150-gr. bullet. In the 1920's, when the 172-gr. machine gun bullet came out, it was better for the 1:10 twist barrels then. But that machine gun bullet (later the match bullet) got replaced by a 150-gr. one about the time the Garand came about. Both Hatcher and Townsend knew a 1:12 twist was better for the 150's in M1's at the time, but higher levels of brass running the show insisted on the 1:10 twist be retained.

But the 7.62 NATO round and its 147-gr. bullet was used in 1:12 twist barrels; a much better choice; even with bullets leaving a bit slower than the .30-06.

[SerenityNetworks]

Thank you guys. This is great stuff for me to learn.

Here's a follow up noob question. So I'm online to look at bullets for my 30-06 BBR, I don't see "30-06" bullets. I do see "30 Caliber (308-311 diameter)". If I understand this correctly, I'm looking for "30 Caliber, 308 diameter" bullets; is this correct?

Thanks again,
Andrew
____________________________________
NRA Life Member
There are some ideas so preposterous that only an intellectual will believe them. - Malcolm Muggeridge

[jimbob86]

If I understand this correctly, I'm looking for "30 Caliber, 308 diameter" bullets; is this correct?

.308" daiameter bullets for .30-06, yes.

[hooligan1]

.308 righty ther matey!

[SerenityNetworks]

Thanks yet again...

____________________________________
NRA Life Member
There are some ideas so preposterous that only an intellectual will believe them. - Malcolm Muggeridge

[Unclenick]

If you want to try a lighter bullet, look at the Sierra #2156 155 grain Palma Match bullet. It is very long for its weight, giving it a higher ballistic coefficient than its weight normally has, and making it more compatible with the 10" twist than other bullets in that weight range. Don't confuse it with its predecessor, the 155 grains #2155 MatchKing, which is shorter.

[jimbob86]

Sierra does not recommend Match Bullets for hunting..... just sayin'.