new to this..........need your pet load for the /06

[mathewsarcher]

Hi gang,

New to reloading. I have some questions. I have tons of ounce fired Federal brass from my .30/06. At what point will I need to worry about resizing?

Second I have everthing I need except the dies. Should I go with carbide?

Third, What is your pet load for the /06? I really love the Federal Premium with the 165 grn Trophy bonded Bear Claw. I would like to work up something very similar, but even more accurate. Any ideas?

Thanks!!

Tim

[NE Hunter]

You ask some good questions but you need to walk before you run (natures rule not mine).

My advice get a good reloading manual ... one that has a how to reload section Lyman and Lee have real good sections on how to reload (if you started with the RCBS kit already don't worry the Speer book is good too). get a firm grasp of what you need and how to use it.

Then start the actual buying process of the equipment.

It's a fun hobby that will consume you ... beware

[mathewsarcher]

Thanks for the reply, I have read the manuels that came with the equipment. I know how to use it, now I just need to know what you guys have used that works! I have read a few of the reloading manuels and understand what they mean, but HOLY COW there are ALOT of loads for the 30/06. Mine is a Ruger M77 with a 22 inch barrel. Can someone help me get started?

I would like to know, powder type, how many grains and whether or not I have to resize once fired brass.

Thanks!

[7.62]

All guns shoot different. Someone many get great groups shooting a certain load and it may shoot like **** out of your gun. You start with minimum loads and work your way up till you find what works with your gun. NEVER exceed the max load. You may have to try different powders and bullets also. You can't just throw someone's load together and expect it to work.

[firsttimeelkhunter]

I have yet to load the 06, but the 270 and 338 both really like H4831. I like the SC version which is short cut. It meters great. I really like how it shoots in the .270. HAd a .63 group at 100 with Nosler Accubonds.

[jmfa1957]

I have tried IMR 4064, 3031 and 4831 in my .30-06 rifles. IMR 4064 seems to produce the most consistent accuracy.

I just got rid of a Ruger M77 MkII .30-06 yesterday because NO load I tried produced consistent accuracy. However, in my Remington 700 BDL, I have found that 49.8 grains of IMR 4064 in front of either a Hornady or Remington 165 grain flat based spitzer will deliver just about MOA groups. Neither 150 grain or 180 grain bullets group quite as nicely, although they are accurate enough to hunt with if one doesn't take too long a shot.

Please note that according to Hornady's reloading manual, 49.9 grains with a 165 grain bullet is a maximum load, and you should always start a few grains lower and work your way up looking for signs of excessive pressure. I have noticed that 4064 seems to work best at close to maximum loads in my rifles, in terms of accuracy.

Good luck.

[MShort]

For the '06 you can never go wrong with powders in the 4064, 4350, & 4831 ranges. I think IMR4350 is probably most recommended in this range. I shot it under 150gr Speers for over 20 years in both a Sako and a M77. I also had very good results with IMR4831 & IMR4064 and as the other posters noted there are lots of other great loads out there. For the last 3-5 years I've been loading mostly R15 and R19 under 150gr & 180gr bullets. R15 under 150gr Speers and 150gr partitions is almost magic in M77 MKII - assuming I do my part.

As far as your other two questions. First you will always have to resize. The real question is technique. I recommend recommend starting out full length resizing per the written instructions in your die set. You can always try one of the other techniques later. Second - I don't believe carbide is an option for bottle neck cartridges.

[Solitary Man]

I'm still new to the .30-06 myself, having bought my first one (a pre-64' Winch. Mod. 70) a few months ago. I didn't have time to work with it very much this year, but I had good luck with the following loads:

165 gr. Hornady Interbond
IMR 4350 57grs.
Lapua brass
Fed 210M primer
Velocity avg. 2780 fps

165 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip
H4350 58 grs.
Lapua brass
Fed 210M primer
Velocity avg. 2875 fps

If you attempt to use these, remember to start lower and work up. I'm using the load with the Hornady Interbonds as my deer load this season. Haven't had a chance to shoot anything with it yet, though. This load has been very accurate in my rifle, but may not work in yours. You just have to experiment with various combinations to find what works for you.

As far as resizing is concerned, you're going to have to resize after every firing, either full length or neck only. Personally, I like to neck size only with my Lee collet neck die until the brass gets too large to chamber easily, at which time I'll full length size it. Some folks (probably most) full length size all the time and that's fine too.

[mathewsarcher]

Thank you Gentleman for the responses!!

That does help me out!

Thanks!

Tim