Gangly

Has anybody tired to shoot handloads withtheir 30-06?

I will be starting to handload pretty soon but wanted a good base to start from. If any of you handload your 30-06, would you be willing to throw some of your load specs my way?

Roskoe

You could probably find a good load for your particulargunwith one powder - IMR 4350 - and one primer - Winchester Large Rifle. And if you really want to simplify things, try the 180 Hornady Interlock Spire Point. Does the rifle shoot factory ammunition well? If there is a certain bullet that groups well as a factory load, you might try to handload that particular bullet if possible.

Dan in Alaska

I have a .30-06 that is known to be a bit tempermental. Getting it to group under an inch has been a challenge, but I have found some loads it likes. The 165 & 180gr Balistic Tips and the 180gr Hornady Interbonds have all shot well. All the bullets exhibited their best accuracy with IMR 4350 powder, toward the higher end of the safe loading limits.

When developing loads, I usually start with new cases and Fed 210 Match primers. I put 5 or 10 rounds together with powder charges varying in half-grain increments up to a maximum charge, as found in the bullet manufacturers loading manual. I seat all the bullets so they are no more than 10-15 thousandths off the lands of the rifling. This is a pretty good starting point.

If I can't find a load that groups well by doing everything described, I have a couple of options. I can change one of the components, usually powder or bullet. Or, I can take the load that grouped the best and play with the seating depth until I get the groups where I want them (or not).

Remember to periodically clean your rifle during your firing session. I usually clean the barrel every 15-20 shots, and fire a fouling shot before getting back into shooting groups.

UncleNorby

Had good luck with IMR 4064, Rem and Win 150 gr PSP, CCI primers. As I recall, I was using 50 gr. powder. Best to check a currrent manual.

Most loadsI shot were very good. My gun was not fussy.

Wingbone

I'm with Roscoe on this one. IMR 4350, Winchester Lg. rifle primers. In my 30 year old rifle, 55 gr. will put 180 gr. Hornady Spire Points into an inch. 56 gr. will do the same for 150 gr. SP's

mossy33oak

Count me as #3 on the IMR 4350 and Win primers. I am getting right at an inch with 180 Partitions and 54 gr of IMR 4350. And my successful load is in a 7600 pump which has been known to not be as accurate as a bolt action.

alsaqr

i've loaded the .30/06 for 35-40 years. i use Winchester primers, any available cases(sorted); Remington, Sierra, and a few Winchester bullets,as well as IMR 3031 and IMR 4350powder.i use IMR 3031 with bulletsup to and including 150 grain:IMR 4350 with 180 grain bullets. These components have worked out very well for me over the years. My Remington 700 willeasily shoot .5 inch groups at 100 yards when i am up to it.

ihave always usedIMR powder exclusively and find no need to use anything else.

Pick up a free copy of the IMR or Winchester reloading guide at your gun dealer,and reduce the loads 10 percent to start. Get personal tutoring by an experienced reloader, if possible.

Good luck re-loading.

Mykey

It's hard to beat IMR powders in the ole 30.06. I've had great success with IMR4064, 4350 and 4831. Here's my two favorite loads and they both shoot under an inch at 100yds all day if i do my part.

Hornady 130gr SP
Rem Brass
CCI200
51.5/IMR4064

Sierra 150gr Pro Hunter
Win Brass
Win LG Rifle Primer
57.2/IMR4350

Ripstop

Ditto

IMR4350
55.5grs
WLR
180 gr Partition

handloader1

This pet load use to shoot .407" @ 100m till the rifle was stolen/lost by UPS.

Source: "The Complete Reloading Manual for the .30-06 Springfield" (NOTE: DATA FOUND IN HORNADY SECTION)
Caliber: .30-06 Sprg.
Case: Remington
Primer: Winchester Large Rifle
Bullet: Hornady 180 gr. SPBT
Powder: RL -19MIN:52.1 grs VEL: 2400 f/s; PET LOAD:58.5 grs. VELOCITY: 2700 f/s; MAX: 60.6 grs. VELOCITY: 2800 f/s.

DON'T FORGET TO START AT MIN.

Good luck.