Building 30-06 Load

[brn2hnt]

Started reloading before elk season last year, and worked up a great moderate load for 165s over 4350 based on the nosler reloading guide. Now I'm looking to wring as much out of my '06 as I can, just because this reloading is addictive. Ideally I'd like to find an accurate load for 180's that moves along at a decent clip so I'm not tempted to trade in my '06 for one of my 9lb 300 win. Any ideas on where to start as far as powders? Right now I've got imr 4831, h4350, r22, and am looking to pick up some r19 and r17 as well. I also currently have federal, hornady, and Norma brass.

What do you guys think? Thanks for any suggestions or places to look!

Mike

 

[Stid2677]

This is a near max load work up!!!!!

 

[brn2hnt]

Is that a compressed load as well? How long is your barrel to get 2917fps? That's impressive performance if my rifle can come close to that.

 

[Stid2677]

Not compressed, but very close. I have had this load up to 60 grains in my rifle.

 

[Yellowknife]

I've loaded for several 30-06's. H4350 is usually a good, consistent powder with excellent velocities. However, the last couple years it has been non existent on the shelves around here. I'm down to my last partial bottle and have quit using it for that reason.

I've also killed quite a few critters with IMR 4831 and 180's. It's a fine powder, although fairly slow burning for a 30-06. A full case clocks right at 2700 in my 22" barrel, which is ok, but hardly a top speed load. Between my dad, brother, and myself though, that load and the old Speer Mag-Tips accounted for a couple dozen moose, caribou, sheep, and even grizzly. Certainly effective enough.

Currently using quite a bit if RL-17 just because it's what I've been able to buy. No trouble to get 2800 fps with that powder in my Tikka using several different bullets. I'm not sure it's quite as temp stable as H4350, but it seems to be ok. Certainly meters better than the IMR stick powders.

You might check into the new IMR 4451 too. It's supposed to be a good one, and can actually be found on the shelf here.

Great thing about a 30-06 is that there is tons of good data and almost any 180 gr bullet will work great. I've used a bunch of different ones with no noticeable difference in the field. If using copper monos, I'd stick with lighter bullets, but even basic cheap cup and core bullets will nearly always work great a starting speeds under 2800 from what I've been able to tell.

Yk






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[brn2hnt]

I'm hoping to use either accubonds or partitions, which would let me walk out with deer, elk, or bear tags and not wonder about my rounds. Partitions aren't known for being as accurate, but for the ranges I seem to do most of my shooting (<300 yds) they just keep working. Although I'm looking to improve my skills and confidence out to between 500-600 yds as where I've started hunting in idaho I could have more chances of using the longer ability. That and having more time behind a gun and skill would rarely be a bad thing, which is what reloading has forced me to do. (Forced may be a strong word when it's this much fun)

 

[rileybassman]

Stid's load is the bomb... i would love to get some RL-17.
Another thought, and the route i went at least for now, is to go with a mono metal bullet and a little lighter. I shoot ttsx 168 grains around 2850... not as impressive as Stids, and i need to get out the chrony again and play with other powders, but imr 4350 and 168s make very small groups and very dead animals.

The mono metal bullets stay together and retain 99%, so you can shoot a lighter bullet and it will perform like a heavier cup and core.

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[Yellowknife]

I'm hoping to use either accubonds or partitions, which would let me walk out with deer, elk, or bear tags and not wonder about my rounds. Partitions aren't known for being as accurate, but for the ranges I seem to do most of my shooting (<300 yds) they just keep working.)

Dunno. 200 gr NPTs were as accurate as any hunting bullet I've tried in my current '06. Easily accurate enough for ranges well past 300 yds. Only drawback is that they are fairly expensive to practice with.




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[6mm Remington]

I would have to disagree that Partitions are not as accurate as Accubonds are. They certainly can be. I shoot my 30-06 using IMR4350 and 165 gr. Partitions and Accubonds and if I do my part my rifle will put three touching at 100 yards with either bullet. My load chronographs at 2940 fps in the 26" barrel on my Ruger #1B. There are powders that would even provide an increase in speed, but this thing sure shoots as it is so I'm not messing with it. 165 gr. bullets are all I have ever used in my 30-06 for bear, deer, antelope, and elk.

 

[mtnwrunner]

Reloader 17 with a 180 grain SST works wonders in an 06 tikka t3 lite.

Randy

 

[luke moffat]

Based off Stid's load above I was able to go 2930 fps average with 180 Swift Siroccos with just a touch less RL-17 in my brother's 24" barrel Forbes rifle. Thus far everything he has shot with it has died in one shot.

 

[brn2hnt]

Awesome thanks everyone. I picked up some R17 last night and will get to testing different charges on those. Also shot some charges of R22, rifle didn't like the at all it seems. One of the fun parts of reloading so far has been figuring out how to put all the different component pieces together. Thanks gain and I will keep posted on progress

 

[GLB]

180 AB
56.5 IMR 4350
2812 avg velocity
This is a very accurate load in my rifle

 

[hunting1]

180 AB
56.5 IMR 4350
2812 avg velocity
This is a very accurate load in my rifle

Hard to go wrong with this IMHO! I have tested IMR here in NM from 20-100 degrees and have not seen that wild of temp swings, maybe 20-fps or so, no big deal.

 

[Zoo Keeper]

Not sure what my velocity is, but 57.0 IMR 4350 with 165 Accubond is very accurate out of my M70.

 

[micus]

mine shoots 165's/168's sub moa with:

58.5 gr H4350
3.28OAL
Fed primers