30 06 Nosler 165gr bt bullet.

[204_ruger]

I bought a new old stock 30 06. Planning on using Nosler 165gr bt bullets. I got a good deal on 700 of them. Using Norma 30 06 brass and Federal 210 m primers. Anyone using 6.5 staball or Big Game in this combo? I have H4350 and IMR 4350. But saving the IMR 4350 for my 300 wby. I have some Ramshot Hunter on order. Going to try some Nosler brass too. Will use the 30 06 in the woods. And small clear cuts. I just had rotator cuff. Had to have my bicep reattach too. It will be a while before I can start load development. Thanks for any help.

 

[RockAndSage]

It could be fun to experiment, but to be honest 165s over H4350 is just about the most classic load out there for 30-06. And right now, H4350 is plentiful.

 

[1000yards]

To mirror RockandSage, I wouldn't experiment unless that H4350 doesn't work out. I've used it with the 165 ballistic tips and accubonds, and nowadays the 168 tmk. Every time it's been very easy load dev: forgiving, predictable, and plenty of speed. Come to think of it, I can't recall single instance in 15 years of reloading where H4350 was ever the problem.

 

[204_ruger]

I can find H4350 vocally. But it 70.00 per pound. I was going to try the Ramshot powders. Because it was 42 or 44.00 per pound. 6.5 staball is 56.00 per pound. If H4350 does the best. I will buy 5 or 6 pounds of it. That will last me a lifetime. Do ya seat the bullet to factory OAL?

 

[1000yards]

Do ya seat the bullet to factory OAL?

I do, yes. And iirc all the factory oal have the bullet shank right at the neck/shoulder junction.

 

[hunting1]

Hunter is good no experience with Big Game. IMR4350 is about perfect with 57.5 grs and 57 of the H version. I load book length for the -06.

 

[xsn10s]

I've used both Big Game and Hunter with the 30-06. They work fine but I've found that the TAC, Big Game, and Hunter seem to spike in pressure around 85 degrees. H4350 is my favorite powder to date with the 30-06 with 165gr-180gr bullets. If you have some 6.5 Staball I'd try it also.

 

[xsn10s]

I just noticed the part about your shoulder surgery. On Nosler's online load data Big Game's most accurate load was their starting load. At 2700 fps you should be good for any small clear cut and it's a mild load. I check it during the hotter months, but I think you'll be just fine with the pressure.

 

[EastHumboldt]

I’ve been using Staball 6.5 with a variety of projectiles in 30-06 including nosler 165 accubond, Sierra 165 game king, hornady178 ELDX. It’s late and I gotta go to bed but I’ll post some recipes up tomorrow evening. Also been using it in 7-08 with good success.

 

[204_ruger]

Thanks I don't have to worry about SD and EP ? Because i'm keep my shots under 300 yds. I have been watching 3 boxes of new Nosler 30 06 brass. Minimal bid was 49.99 . I got it for 49.99 plus 13.00 shipping. I think i got a good deal. I bought 100 ct of Norma 30 06 brass. Planning on buying some once fired Norma 30 06 brass. Maybe 200 more that will last me a long long time. I havent used many ball powder. It sure easy to work with. First 2 powders im going to work with. Will be 6.5 staball and H4350. Sometime i would like to try the Berger 168gr classic hunter bullet. But as many ballistic tips I have on hand. I may be better off to stick with them. And buy more powder. With the money I was going spend on bullets.

 

[RockAndSage]

Thanks I don't have to worry about SD and EP ?

Not under 300yds. Handloading is a trap for those who get satisfaction out of orderliness and precision - it triggers OCD towards perfection far, far beyond their own shooting capabilities. Speaking from experience. Plus, I've seen a pattern that the more people actually handload for perfection and actually use it in the field hunting, they eventually hit a point in the bell curve where they start simplifying their process and get less obsessed.

If you have one lot of 150 Nosler casings and another of 300 Norma casings, that is actually a pretty large stockpile of ammo for a 30-06, the variances of which will be nearly impossible for most people to perceive in the field. If you want, reserve the Normas for practice and then just re-zero for the Noslers as your special hunting reserve, or something. But seriously - no amount of overthinking or getting deep into the weeds is going to serve you better than just shooting in volume. H4350 is very forgiving, just load up for reasonable accuracy and go shoot.