30-06 re-loading
 

Howdy all! I just got a 30-06 this last weekend in trade for my 270 semi auto and I wanna re-load. I gave my wife the subtle hint to get me the lee anniversary re-loading kit for around 70 bucks from cabellas. Can I re-load as good as factory loads with this little set? It includes everything but the dies. I live in co and wanna reload for elk, mulie, pronghorn and whitetail. Will the old experienced guys (or just plain knowledgable) please ring in! EJ

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

I would suggest also getting a good set of calipers and a tumbler. I am not sure of what comes with the Lee kit, as I have RCBS equipment. I would also look into getting a hand primer seating tool, though I am not sure exactly what comes with it. The tumbler is probably not absolutely neccessary, but makes for easier inspection of the brass. The hand priming tool gives you a better feel for seating the primer. The calipers will help you make absolute certain that you are not over length, which could cause some serious pressure problems in no time flat. Hope this helps.

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

CHECK OUT E BAY THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD DEALS ON RCBS RELOADING STUFF

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

A tumbler? What is it and what does it do? I have re-loaded a few times with my pals RCBS partner press and have never tumbled them. Fill me in. Thanks, EJ

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

The Lee Aniversary kit is decent for starting or if you aren't doing a million rounds at a time. The 30-06 is pretty easy to reload for, anymore factory loads are really pretty hard to beat, but you can pick and choose bullets, etc..

For deer (in my rifle), the Nosler Ballistic tip over 59.0gr of IMR4350 was super accurate and plenty fast (around 3000fps).

Deer hated that load.;)

For the bigger stuff bump up to a Partition or Interbond in 180gr. I've had good luck with both of those.

Just my $.02

Erik

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

A tumbler is a big bowl looking thing with a motor in the base. You put tumbling media (found wherever reloading goods are sold) in it, switch it on, and it cleans the brass by the abrassive action of the media. It makes the brass look all purty and stuff, but really is not of major importance unless you end up with real dirty brass, making it hard to check for any neck splits, or problems in the shoulder, especially when getting into the higher counts of reloading that same piece.

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

On a budget the Lee is the way to go. I would suggest getting a higher quality scale than that Lee safety scale that comes with it. For about $30-50 you can get a better scale and not break the bank. The Lee handpriming tool with the #2 shellholder is a nice thing to have. Bullets and powder... there are so many that'll work well. for what you said you'd be hunting I'd say a 180 gr bullet as your one load for all. My 06's like 4350, 4064, H380 and I've tinkered with 748. Even though you've done this before with your buddy, I still recommend reading the manual and knowing exactly what to do. Like has been said, check out Ebay, many great deals to be had.

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

Here are a couple loads for my Mauser 98 30-06.

Both of these loads will touch holes at 100 yards in my rifle.

165gr Nosler BST
57.5gr IMR 4350
about 2900 fps

180gr Barnes XLC
52gr IMR 4064
about 2900 fps

My next box of bullets will be the 180gr Barnes Tripple Shock. I would try the tripple shocks before the XLCs.

Both loads use CCI 200 Large rifle primers.

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

Great suggestions! I think it sounds like I can get pretty dang good accureacy out of re-loads. I cant wait till the little woman gets me the kit! Hey, one more question, there is a fella talking about a 270 WSM, cool gun, but wouldnt it be difficult to re-load them due the load being compressed? Can you even effectively re-load 270 WSM's? This is a gun I wouldnt mind having in the future. EJ

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

Where the problem on any of the short mags comes in is that you have to seat the bullet deep to fit in the magazine. As far as compressed loads go it depends on the powder being used. I use 4350 for my 270 wsm and haven't had to compress the charge. Although with the 4831sc there should be no need to compress a load. Wish they would make 4350 in a short cut.

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

Cool! I now have more reason to get a 270 WSM. Have you ever taken any elk with your 270 WSM? EJ

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

Factory loads are very good these days. I'd recommend you find a friend/relative who has reloaded and can guide you thru the steps. Mistakes in reloading can be dangerous.

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

If you plan on reloading I would suggest a 7mm WSM or 300 WSM over the 270 WSM. The bullet variety is much greater in 7mm and 30 caliber than in 270. They will be much better all purpose calibers. The bullet weight range on a .277 caliber is from about 90gr to 160gr, .284 (7mm) is about 100gr to 180gr, and .308 is about 100gr to 220gr. The 7mm and 30 caliber also has many more bullet weights within this range than the 270. My Ruger 77, 300 WSM will shoot a .6" group at 100 yards with 180gr Barnes XLCs at 3000 fps and a .5" group at 100 yards with 150gr Core-lokts at 3300 fps.

Good luck

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

does it kick less than a regular magnum? EJ

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

No not really, depends on the gun though. For instance a wood or laminate stock will absorb more of the kick than a lighter synthetic. I opted for the ss/syn combo for the weight and size. Where I hunt there are some areas where you can get some long shots but getting there is through some thick woods where the shots are usually 50-60 yds at most.

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

Generally, the WSM's kick less than their belted counterparts - if you are comparing apples to apples. The reason, at least in theory, is that although both send the same weight bullet down the barrel at about the same speed - the short mags do it with less powder - and are at a lower point on the pressure curve when the bullet breaks its seal at the muzzle. So . . . . the jet engine effect of the powder gasses driving the gun back into your shoulder is less. This is the part of the recoil equation that muzzles brakes mitigate as well.

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

The Lee Anniversary Kit with the Lee Reloading Manual is what I have!!!! I have loaded 30-06 with it and have the dies to reload 303 British, 357/38 and 9mm Luger. The only thing I didn't like was the scales. I ended up getting a set of RCBS 5-0-5 scales off eBay. I also purchased a tumbler to clean my brass. As another posted had noted you need a good set of calibers to measure your cases.

Along with the kit you will need a 30-06 case length gauge, so you can trim your cases that have stretched.

You will hear a lot of people put down the Lee stuff, but I have no compliants with my stuff, other than the scale. It works, but I wanted something just a little better. I would prefer a digital scale, but those can get expensive.

I reloaded some 30-06 with Nosler 150 gn ballistic tip (green tip) with 50 gn of IMR 4064 powder. Shells worked great. I shot them in my Remington Model 700. I just got into reloading a year ago, but when I reloaded the Noslers, I used them during the WV buck season and took a nice 5 point buck. Dropped him in his tracks!

Good luck!

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

Very encouraging! My Birthday is tomorow and I cant wait to see if my wife got me the reloading stuff I wanted! We need to chat and compare notes on reloading in the future, EJ

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

I shouldn't post whenI'm tired . . . .

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

WVHunter129, I just got that re-loading kit like yours! It comes with everything but the bullets, powder and primers. I couldnt be more happy! I do think that this little kit is right for me due to the fact that I will only load a hundred every three months or so. I like it! EJ

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

Just a tip get a primer pocket deburring tool. I think Lee has one for about $10. This will cut the burrsout of the inside of the case and give you better powder ignition. I do it on all of my cases and it only has to be done once. I use Winchester brass for reloading if I am buying bulk brass.

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

Good advice, I think the LEE anniversary kit I got came with one. I hope to re-load a few this weekend. EJ

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

If you use the Lee scales be very careful. I used one for a couple of years and I always said it could be off .9 grains if you are not careful. Sure enough I loaded some 22-250 with .9 gr too much and that caused a big problem.

Before I could afford scales, I used to use a large thimble to measure powder. Sometimes had to trim the thimble. It limited me to a few loads and powder types. But I was loading what I needed in good shape. With a 30-06 you might need something a little larger than a thinble. When you get your Lee dies, they sometimes come with a powder dipper.

BTW - I think the Lee pistol dies are the best you can get.

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

Well, I checked it against a pals scale and it seems to be real close to right on. I am going to load some tonight for target shooting. I got some H4350, winchester primers and some hornady 150 grain boat tail FMJ's. I am gonna try to load from 55 to 60 grains and see what works best. I am poor and cannot afford a bunch of different powders so I am gonna roll with it for now. I am looking at loading some for elk. I am contemplating the 18 nosler partition's with about 60 grains. Is this a common recipie? All ideas welcome. EJ

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

I meant 180grain noslers

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

Well, I loaded up some 150 grain hornady FMJ's in the 55 grains of 4350 and I am gonna step up 1 grain increments til I get to 60. Any idears?

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

60 grains has been a Full Throttle load for me witha150 grain bullet. Approach with caution.

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

Ya know Roskoe, just about the time I think that I got it all rolling, something happens. I have decided to hold off on that 60 grain. I inspected some of my loads and tried to chamber them, I crunched the shoulder down on half of them I loaded. What was this from? I think it might have been too much push on either the bullet seating die or the resizing die. I dont know. I gotta look at this again. Could it have been the crimping die? I am sure it is my fault, I just need to go through it again and see what happened. Fill me in. EJ

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

I would suggest looking at IMR4831 for your powder if you are just starting out. It is slower than 4350. It works well from 150 grain upand will be nearcase limited at max load. It is hard to significantly overpressure because your at or near case limit with most loads.Greatpowder for getting startedand great performance too.

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

4831? What kinds of velocity can I get? I realized that I did the wrong thing by buying the 150 grain FMJ's. I should have bought the grain weight and style of bullet I plan on hunting with. With this in mind, will the 4831 work well with a 180 grain bullet? EJ

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

IMR 4831
I works well from 150Grain up. See the link for a page from the Barnes reloading manual. If you are using Triple Shocks the powder load must be reduced by 1 to 2 grains. http://www.barnesbullets.com/images/c358.jpg
The 180 Grain XLC Bullet uses 61 Grains IMR 4831 max @ 2956
The 165 Grain XLC bullet uses 62 Grains IMR4831 max @ 3091 FPS.
The 150 Grain XLC bullet uses 62.5 Grain IMR 4831 max @ 3156 FPS.
BC on all these bullets is outstanding also. I have luck with the 165 Grain XLC Boattail from my Savage. Shoots 1 1/2 groups @ 100 yards. Good by my standards. I have used this on whitetails and will use the same on Elk this fall. If you are really reloading for the first time I would let someone that is experienced examine the cases for signs of excesspressure. Some of the signs are subtle and it is just good policy.

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

Any recomendadtions for using nosler ballistic tips (165 grain)with IMR 4350? I am gonna get a box of the TSX's shortly or maybe even hornady interbonds (180)

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

I have mainlylooked for an all around load that I use for everything from deer to elk. I have settled on the 165 Grain Barnes XLC for the job due to its high BC .505 and excellent weight retention. I think the Nosler Ballistic tip for deer along with the Interbond for elk would be a great one, two punch. I have not loaded either so cannot comment. I like a minimum of a 165 bullet weight even on deer mainly because the BC of the 150s tend to let the wind move them around a lot more than the 165s with a minimal if any difference in trajectory. Most of the the velocity advantage of the 150 is lost due to the lower BC of the 165s.In a hunting situation it is harder for meto judge the wind than the distance. I limit my shots to approx 300 yards anyway and that is my MPBR so distance judgement is not as critical as wind drift for me.

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

The 165 Ballistic Tip is a great deer load out of either the 30/06 or .308. Ideal balance of penetration and expansion, IMO>

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

Sure you can! Just tailor the loads to your rifle, and you can usually beat factory ammo two ways - ballistically, and accuracy-wise. In addition, you can choose a bullet that'll be right for the game you go after as well.

RE: 30-06 re-loading
 

I did find some really good recipies this last week. My rifle seems to like 4350 powder. I was using nosler 165's and hornady 180's they grouped great! The rifle is just getting broke in as well. The 165's chronographed at 2900 and the 180's at a bit over 2800. I was very pleased! I cant shoot very well, but I ended up getting about a 2inch group of five. For me thats real good! Any other good powders? EJ