30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

Hey folks , gonna start relaoding my own ammo this year and also will be attempting to reach out as far as 600yds. I will only beshooting target and white tail at this distance. Shooting a springfield 1908 30/06 bolt action getting a new trigger 3-8lbs adjustable by timney and also a new scope w/ 1/4" moa adjustments probably 3.5-10 x 50 w/ 30mm tube and a lighted reticle. not sure what brand. Any how any suggestions on the load ,powder, and ballists,,any and all advice would mean alot. thank you, Rick.

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

I have always had good luck with RL-19. Good luck.

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

I prefer the 165gr bullet!

.30-06 Cartridge - IMR 4350

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

I've had great luck with imr4064 and130gr bullets and imr4350 with the 150/165gr bullets. I recently purchased some RL19 that i hope to try out soon.

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

All good advice so far. IMR-4064 is a good choice for 150 grain bullets, and IMR-4350 should be good for most weights. I also am going to try some RL-19 myself. Good shooting.
Will

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

IMR 4350 is a good powder. H4350 is my personal favorite for the 06. I prefer the 180 grain bullet (just to be different than Reb). Ballistically, the 165 is the best flying bullet for the 30-06 (so, maybe Reb has a point, I wont admit it though).

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

57.5 grains of 4350 with a hornady interbond 165 grain bullet. Good for 2900 fps out of my rifle which is a 700 ADL. EJ

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

The best advice I can give you, and I'm surprised no one else has offered it yet, is this: don't attempt to shoot deer at 600 yards with the rig you described. As a matter of fact,it wouldn't matter to me if you had a custom match quality rifle, laser rangefinder, tactical scope with target knobs, wind flags, ect, ect, ect...., I'd still advise against it. I know some people do it (or at least try to), and of course it's up to you, but it's not something I would recommend. The chances of wounding an animal and never finding it are too great at that distance.

Now, as fara load for that .30-06 is concerned, I like 58 grs. of H4350, the 165 gr. Hornady Interbond, Lapua brass and Federal 210M primers. Works well in my rifle, but you'll just have to experiment because it may not work well in yours.

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

My handloading experience with the 30 06 has been supportive of 4064 powder. The variation in velocity was very very small. 4064 did not result in the 'fastest' reload, but for me the most consistent.

If your going to shoot long range, consistency from shot to shot will be very important.

I have no problem with you shooting at 600 yards, as long as you know it is 600 yards, not 590 yards, and not 610 yards.

At that distance, a 10 yard error in judging distance will cause an accurate shot to be out of the kill zone. Your time at the 600 yard range will show you that.

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

Exactly......4064 is a terrific '06 powder......very underrated/underused. I would think that 450 yards is at the edge of the envelope....it is for me anyway. That is over a quarter mile away by the by. Beyond 400 yards, Sir Isaac takes over for nearly all sporting loads. Regards, Rick.

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

53 gr IMR 4350, 180 gr Nosler Partitions and Win primers work well for me.....not at 600 yards though ;):D

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

61 grains RL 22 with 180 Accubond. One load for everything!

BTW I also do not concur with 600 yard shots...Especially with a 30-06.[>:]

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

Hey Pop, are you the same one that sold me that Sako 75 7mm Mag 2 or 3 years ago? If so, welcome aboard and I just wanted to tell you I've really enjoyed that rifle. If you're not the same Pop, then welcome aboard anyway.

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

Another fan of 4064 in the '06.

47.5ish gr behind a 165-168 gr bullet lit with a federal 210 primer.

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

I've been using 47.0 grains of IMR-3031 with the Hornady 150gr. BTSP for years. My Rem. 700 ADL shoots cloverleaf groups with this load. Great for deer.

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

61 grains of RL22 with 180 gr Accubonds. 1 load for all...done deal

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

mykey you think that 135gr would knock deer down at 600yds?

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

I love this web site. thanks guys ( and gals ? ) for all the replys..I'll be sure to find my sweet laod w all this advice. I'll surely let ya'll know what it is..thanks agian

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

Okay, I have read all the reply's so far.And I apreciate everyone's advice Thank you for reminding me that 10yards could mean alot.I would never attempt to take a shot I wasn't confident intaking. can't tell you how many times I hear of peopletaking unsafe or inhumane shots at deer and i just shake my head and ask why they would do it. I pledge to all that I will only shoot as far as I am comfortable with. thanks again to everyone. Rick

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

YUP it is me~!

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

Rick, with that attitude you'll do just fine. Good luck.

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

Was at the range today working up a new load. Here is a load I'm going with. 55.5 grains of IMR 4350 pushing a 180 Nosler Partition. Average velocity was 2737

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

Hmmm she is double grouping. Seems like a bedding problem to me.

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

Thanks for the input. I went back and looked at my targets and it was common amoung the different loads. Didn't even click. I will definitely check it out.

Thanks again

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

RRB259 :WhatI would suggest is buy two new reloading manuals ie; Nosler etc, try andpick what bullet you would use. I use 165 gr Noslers with 4350 assuming you choose 165 gr look at manuals for that bullet and see which powders give you the most velocity withleast pressures, there are so many new powders now and work around the best of those powders. Its slow but go up in 1/2 grs and watch for pressure signs "primer flatening out etc. If you want to shoot at long distance as you mentioned you got to have the bullet moving fast.
Just neck size your brass,and I believe in neck turning your brass
Good Luck

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

I've been loading 165 gr bullets made by speer, hornady and sierra in front of 57gr IMR4350 for 30 years or more, and have no complaints. I've killed more deer than I can remember. I've also tried XMR 4350 and been happy with it also. A powder I haven't tried yet but have heard may be one of the best out there for the '06 is Hogdon 414, I'll give it a try when I get time. One thing for sure the 30-06 tends to be easy to load for.

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

rick,

After 300 yards the 165 grain bullet will give you a flater trajectory than the 150 grain bullet. I have found almost all manuals hold pressure levels below 50,000 psi for the '06.There are good reasons for this that I won't go into here. But I see no problem, if you're using a rifle made after WWll, not to load the '06 to the same pressures as the .270 Win. The Hodgdon # 27 manual list these loads for H-4350, 150 grain bullet: 56.0 grains at 37,000 CUP for 2757 fps. Max Suggested load is: 62.0 grains at 48,400CUP for 3068 fps. I'm here to tell you that is a warm load and should NOT be used unless worked up to from below. For the 165 grain bullets the min.=53.0 grains at 34,000CUP for 2678fps, and max is 59.0 for 49,400CUPat 2938fps. Since Hodgdon used a 24 inch barrel to work up their loads, I usually stop my test loads one grain over book loads that used 24" or longer barrels to establish their loads since my rifle barrel is only 22".Don't do this if your rifle is the same length used by the publisher. I finally settled with 59.5 grains for the 165 grain, group of five shotsmeasured .247", velocity is 2830 fps with an extreme spread of 11.0 fps and a standard deviation of 5.1 fps. The bullet was the Sierra 165 grain hollow point boattail. Kills oryx real deal, real quick. Sorry I can't give you more infe on the 150 gr, I just haven't been able to finish all the test I want to run on it. I've also switched to the Nosler accubond so it may be awhile.

I think it's important that you let your rifle tell you what your load should be. If you listen to her, she'll tell you loud and clear what she likes. Then you have to decide if the results are what you like.

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

O ne thing I forgot to mention in my earilier post was thoes wonderful little (load books) I get mine from www.midwayusa.com, they just cover one caliber, with a few exceptions. But they have most of the loading information from the major bullet manufactrers and the large powder companys. So if you are only loading for a few calibers this would be the most cost effective way to gain information. I caught them on sale and got one for every caliber that I load for!

RE: 30/06 reloading...looking for that sweet load
 

thanks again guys, i have taken some notes. bought my new scope can't wait to get it mounted bore sighted. and start shooting.last time i was out i could notget a group. come to find out my rear wheel on the quick release scope mount was loose.[:@]. any how got some 165grain nosler boat tails going to start at 56 w/ h4350. let you know how i do. start w/ nice tight group at 100yds then 200 then 300 .