Pet loads for 30-06 165 grain

pollo · May 16, 2013, 09:13 PM

Hi guys, what is you favorite pet load for 30-06 with a 165 grain bullet? I know some people guard those secrets with their life, which is fine, but if you don't mind, please share. I'm still learning.

Marco Califo · May 16, 2013, 09:26 PM

What kind of pet are you planning on shooting?

jmr40 · May 16, 2013, 09:30 PM

I prefer H4350, but you gotta use what you can find right now. Somewhere between 56 and 58.5 gr depending on the individual gun, bullet, primer, and the case I'm using.

In my guns, with any brass but Federal, 58.5 gr of H4350 with a Hornady bullet gives me 2900 fps and excellent accuracy and no pressure issues. Some manuals show 59 gr as a max load, others show much less. But I've used it for several years with no problems as have many others. I keep it around 57 gr with Federal brass which tends to increase pressure and speed.

viciouskitty · May 16, 2013, 10:03 PM

My pet load for 165 grainers in the 06 are privi partizian cases full length re-sized filled with 52.5 grains of IMR 4350 and 165 grain sierra boat tail hollow points.

My OAL is 3.311, the load is not really that hot but in my parker hale model 98 mauser I use it in the gun prints sub MOA 3 shot groups and pretty much an inch 5 shot groups.

Dan Newberry · May 17, 2013, 06:00 AM

57.5 grains IMR 4350, Winchester brass. Drop that about .3 grains for RP or Federal brass...

black mamba · May 17, 2013, 10:13 AM

165 Cor-Lokts, 48 grains of Accurate 2520 in WW cases with WLR primers.

Only about 2700 fps, but drives tacks. Regular 1/2" groups, with the occasional 3-shot group in .3"

NWPilgrim · May 17, 2013, 12:37 PM

For a Garand safe load 46.2 - 46.5 gr Varget depending on the rifle. I found the Rem 165 gr bullet to be surprisingly accurate.

pollo · May 17, 2013, 02:54 PM

Thanks guys. I think I'll try IMR4350. I would try H4350 but I don't have it. From what I gather, they are very similar anyways. What do you guys think of speer bullets?

Paul B. · May 17, 2013, 03:06 PM

"What do you guys think of speer bullets?"

I like the Speer 165 gr. Hot-Cores in my .308. They kill deer just fine.

I use them in a Ruger RSI with a stiff load of W760 as for some reason, that is the only load that will work in that rifle. I call it my one trick pony.
I used the 165 gr. Sierra hollow point in a 30-06 many years ago. Shot one coyote with it and had a twp piece coyote. Never have shot nything else with them since. Very accurate bullet though.
Paul B.

pollo · May 17, 2013, 08:23 PM

Thanks Paul B., that is exactly what I have. Good to hear that those are good bullets!

HiBC · May 18, 2013, 08:33 AM

pollo,Just a point of clarification:Most all of us are not into "holding the secret load".
Most all of us are happy to share knowledge and experience.

I'll give general info on powder type or bullet type,but I do not generally give out load data.Why?

It is really best to take your data direct from the pages of a good load manual.A little memory glitch or typo can blow your face off.

All of the major loading manuals give you a safe step by step process to load good ammo.If you are a beginner,you need that to refer to.

I like to have a manual from my preferred bullet manufacturer...such as Sierra or Nosler,and I like the Hogdon reloading annual that is in magazine format.

Reloading is an activity where its important to work to the standard and just do not put yourself in the position of being able to blame anyone else.

It is not unheard of for someone to post"59 gr of Thunderdust" then a couple posts later"Are you sure?My manual says 56 gr for that bullet.

Oh,yeah,sorry about that,I was looking at the wrong column!

Do,by all means,ask for guidance,but use the process of starting low,and working up a safe load for your firearm.

Good luck!

May 16, 2013, 09:13 PM	#1
pollo Member Join Date: March 6, 2013 Location: NC Posts: 40	Pet loads for 30-06 165 grain Hi guys, what is you favorite pet load for 30-06 with a 165 grain bullet? I know some people guard those secrets with their life, which is fine, but if you don't mind, please share. I'm still learning.

May 16, 2013, 09:26 PM	#2
Marco Califo Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2011 Location: LA (Greater Los Angeles Area) Posts: 2,598	What kind of pet? What kind of pet are you planning on shooting? __________________ ............

May 17, 2013, 06:00 AM	#5
Dan Newberry Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2012 Location: Wytheville, VA Posts: 216	57.5 grains IMR 4350, Winchester brass. Drop that about .3 grains for RP or Federal brass... __________________ *www.BANGSTEEL.com* Practical Long Range Rifle Courses... Optimal Charge Weight handload consulting

May 17, 2013, 12:37 PM	#7
NWPilgrim Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,346	Pet loads for 30-06 165 grain For a Garand safe load 46.2 - 46.5 gr Varget depending on the rifle. I found the Rem 165 gr bullet to be surprisingly accurate.

May 17, 2013, 03:06 PM	#9
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,801	"What do you guys think of speer bullets?" I like the Speer 165 gr. Hot-Cores in my .308. They kill deer just fine. I use them in a Ruger RSI with a stiff load of W760 as for some reason, that is the only load that will work in that rifle. I call it my one trick pony. I used the 165 gr. Sierra hollow point in a 30-06 many years ago. Shot one coyote with it and had a twp piece coyote. Never have shot nything else with them since. Very accurate bullet though. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

May 16, 2013, 09:30 PM	#3
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,805	I prefer H4350, but you gotta use what you can find right now. Somewhere between 56 and 58.5 gr depending on the individual gun, bullet, primer, and the case I'm using. In my guns, with any brass but Federal, 58.5 gr of H4350 with a Hornady bullet gives me 2900 fps and excellent accuracy and no pressure issues. Some manuals show 59 gr as a max load, others show much less. But I've used it for several years with no problems as have many others. I keep it around 57 gr with Federal brass which tends to increase pressure and speed.

May 16, 2013, 10:03 PM	#4
viciouskitty Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 316	My pet load for 165 grainers in the 06 are privi partizian cases full length re-sized filled with 52.5 grains of IMR 4350 and 165 grain sierra boat tail hollow points. My OAL is 3.311, the load is not really that hot but in my parker hale model 98 mauser I use it in the gun prints sub MOA 3 shot groups and pretty much an inch 5 shot groups.

May 17, 2013, 10:13 AM	#6
black mamba Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2011 Location: SW Florida Posts: 890	165 Cor-Lokts, 48 grains of Accurate 2520 in WW cases with WLR primers. Only about 2700 fps, but drives tacks. Regular 1/2" groups, with the occasional 3-shot group in .3"

May 17, 2013, 02:54 PM	#8
pollo Member Join Date: March 6, 2013 Location: NC Posts: 40	Thanks guys. I think I'll try IMR4350. I would try H4350 but I don't have it. From what I gather, they are very similar anyways. What do you guys think of speer bullets?

May 17, 2013, 08:23 PM	#10
pollo Member Join Date: March 6, 2013 Location: NC Posts: 40	Thanks Paul B., that is exactly what I have. Good to hear that those are good bullets!

May 18, 2013, 08:33 AM	#11
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,283	pollo,Just a point of clarification:Most all of us are not into "holding the secret load". Most all of us are happy to share knowledge and experience. I'll give general info on powder type or bullet type,but I do not generally give out load data.Why? It is really best to take your data direct from the pages of a good load manual.A little memory glitch or typo can blow your face off. All of the major loading manuals give you a safe step by step process to load good ammo.If you are a beginner,you need that to refer to. I like to have a manual from my preferred bullet manufacturer...such as Sierra or Nosler,and I like the Hogdon reloading annual that is in magazine format. Reloading is an activity where its important to work to the standard and just do not put yourself in the position of being able to blame anyone else. It is not unheard of for someone to post"59 gr of Thunderdust" then a couple posts later"Are you sure?My manual says 56 gr for that bullet. Oh,yeah,sorry about that,I was looking at the wrong column! Do,by all means,ask for guidance,but use the process of starting low,and working up a safe load for your firearm. Good luck!