30-06 Favorite Loads

[jdon72]

Does anyone have a fav load for 30-06?

This is one I have been using:

Using 180 gr Bal tip
IMR 4350
between 53-53.5 and 54gr. They are exact grains...I weigh every one.

I also have Varget to use and want to wait to use until I am happy with IMR.

Any input on powder gr and powder type is appreciated.

I also size my cases every time I reload and that has remained constant. I check using my calipers.

I use a light to light medium crimp.

Thanks all

Jeff

[smitty_bs]

56gr of IMR4350 and a 180gr Sierra Spitzer
51 or 52gr of IMR4064 and any 150gr Spitzer
48gr or IMR4320 and a 150gr Hornady Spire Point for a mild and accurate load

[jdon72]

Wow...that many grains of 4350...When using more gr than what i previously posted, I found that it pushed my POI down an inch or two. Have you noticed that?

J

[smitty_bs]

56gr is pretty standard in IMR4350 and listed as a max load in most manuals. Sometimes more. I know Ken Waters, in his books listed as getting the best accuracy with 55gr, and that makes sense.

I haven't noticed a poi shift with the heavier loads.

All of my shooting has been with a Model 700BDL and it is not picky. I am not a very good shot but with the loads given it shoots tight groups. If I had to pick one bullet that it really likes, it would be the 150gr Hornady Spire Point, but really it seems to do well with many. I can't remember a bad load in that gun.

I've also shot 150gr Speer Flatpoint 30/30 bullets with reduced loads with IMR4320 powder and it shoots tight groups as well. In fact I shot a nice whitetail doe this past fall with that load and she went down just as fast as with the many other loads I've used.

[smitty_bs]

Another load for 180gr bullets is 48gr of IMR4064. I've used Speer RN bullets many times with that and they are accurate as well as deadly on WI Whitetails.

[jim brady]

My favorite .30-06 load is 55.5 grains IMR-4350, Rem LR primer, and believe it or not, the old Speer 'red box' 180 grain SPBT. Cheaper than the Sierra bullets, but these really shoot well in the '06. Have shot these in my Pre 64 Model 70, my Post 64 Model 70, a Ruger M77 and my father's old Remington 721. Really accurate in all of these rifles! The Sierra and the old Nosler 180s are really accurate, too.

Of course, these loads are no good in the Garand. IMR-4350 is a no-go with that gas system. Best loads there are 150 grain M2 load = 49.2 grains IMR-4895 (Rem LR primer, LC cases) and the 173 grain M72 load = 48.4 grains IMR-4895 (Rem LR primers, segregated military lot headstamps). The M72 loads shoot sub-MOA groups in my custom 1903 'sniper'.

These loads are proven safe in my rifles, but you need to safely work up your own data for your loads. Have Fun - (I sure did!)

[jdon72]

Huh...maybe I should use more powder and retry those loads. I have tried them in the past but that was before I got my trimmer and I only shot a few loads....I remember the primer starting to flatten and I think that is why I backed down. I tried 3-5 rounds of .5 gr increments (52.5, 53, 53.5, 54, 54.5, 55) and the primer was becoming flat in the pocket.

[JLA]

My favorite load for both target work and shooting deer and hogs with the .30-06 is 155 gr. Hornady A-max over 48.9 gr. of IMR 4064 capped with a CCI 250 (LRM). C.O.A.L. is 3.230". This loads shoots MOA from my M1903A3. My best groups fired with this load and rifle were .77, .81, and .82 all five shot groups and all fired on the same fall day at 100 yds from a standing bench. And yes, I do use the A-max for deer and hogs. I couldnt see the need for a specialized bullet for a 2 or 3 times a year event, plus every deer or hog I have ever shot with anything bigger than a 6mm/.243 had passed right through the animal anyway. The .30 cal A-max has done a super job...

[jdon72]

""""My favorite load for both target work and shooting deer and hogs with the .30-06 is 155 gr. Hornady A-max over 48.9 gr. of IMR 4064 capped with a CCI 250 (LRM). C.O.A.L. is 3.230". """"

I have always used the 180 gr and It has put down manys hogs here in SC and 2 deer in one shot(side hits) and went throught the second one. Also, it had entered a deer from the chest and should have exited through behind the leg but it stayed in. My c.o.a.l. is about the same when comparing to the bal tip. My charge is on the lower end as is yours and find the accuracy a little better.

I am still trying to see the best charge for this powder and will keep in mind for next purchase the 4064.

[Halwg]

165 gr Nosler Ballistic tip - 57.5 gr H-4350

150 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip - 53.0 gr of IMR-4064

125 gr Sierra - 54.0 gr of IMR-4064

[jdon72]

Thanks Hal

J

[M1AM14]

180gr Barnes MRX 57gr IMR4831 CCI 200 primer

I shot a couple deer and a bear with this load. Almost to much for the deer, but would be ideal for elk. I bow hunt elk, so I'm just guessing. Tight groups at the range.

[GW1]

I eventually worked a load up using IMR 4350 in my Savage 1100 of 59.3 gr with 150 gr spitzer fb bullet. Now most of the IMR loads worked well for me out of my rifle but I made a load to reach out and touch something. That load is shooting 3030 fps consistently with a 1/2 inch group at 100 yards. Be very careful not to start with "max" loads, keep your eye on the pressures and hopefully you know your gun enough that you can work with it. Anyhow, I have had more luck using IMR 4350.

[jdon72]

Thanks guys....

GWI...I like the 4350 as well. I only shoot 180 gr out of the 30-06. I have a 308 that i shoot 150 gr out of.

J

[jdon72]

Hey...does anyone use reloader 19 in 30-06 recipes.

[FTK87]

I use Reloder-15, 46.8gr behind a 165gr. hornady SST, Killer on Whitetails, I used a similar load this past season only with 180 Gr. SST, and also loaded a bunch for friends, Out of 8 deer none of them got more than 20 yards. the one that made it that far, I shot, 175 yards, she dropped on impact, then manage to get to her feet and stumbe 20 yards to her demise.

[jdon72]

So you used R-15 with the 30-06 and not the R-19.

[FTK87]

correct

[JLA]

RX19 is right there with IMR4350 in burn rate, They are better suited to 165 and heavier bullet weights. Only using 180s in your 06 loads is really inhibiting the versatility of the .30-06 round. I have used it with 110 gr HPs at over 3400 fps on coyotes, those are evplosive. Most of the deer and hog i kill are with 155 gr a-maxes and I have used 180 SSTs for hog as well. Bullet weights for the .30-06 run from 110 to 220 gr and each has its own level of performance and specific application. The same holds true for your .308 loads as well, that cartridge is just as versatile as the .30-06 since it utilizes the same bullet weights and most of the same powders. To get the most from your rifles and cartridges you really should reconsider your available options, you do load for 2 of the mos popular and versatile .30 cal cartridges in existence...

[jdon72]

JLA,

You do have good points. I may move to some versatiliy in both calibers, but as on now, I want to master the rounds I am shooting now. Most of my shots now are under 200yds and since I do not get out to the range as often as I like, I want to keep the rifles grain specific. Now having said that, the more I am reloading for both calibers, the more I am going to the range. I have been to the range twice in the last 2 weeks, and usually it is about once in 2-3 months (the bug is coming back). Once I start expanding, I am sure I will put some more posts out there.

Thanks always for the feedback

J

[The_Rifleman]

I load for 3 different 30-06s, each takes a different load. Not one load will shoot as well in one rifle as it will in another.

Nothing beats Audette Ladder Testing. It is cheaper than any other testing procedure and if you do your part, you will find the best load, (with the components used,) for that rifle. I usually find my load within 10 shots.

Here is what I do...
I find a bullet I think would work for a specific application. Say, target shooting for the Springfield 03. I choose the 168gr A-Max.
I'll look in my Hornady book for a powder I already have or the first powder listed so there is a good possibility I'll need to use less.
I chose IMR 4064, (I had some and it is the second one listed.)
I'll use the proper primer for the 30-06 and the case I trust.
I then I charge the cartridges according to the Audette Ladder Test directions.

I loaded 10 cases and knew my load within the first 3 of those 10. Here is the 3 shot 100 yard group after load development.


Load development is rifle specific.

[The_Rifleman]

Originally Posted by jdon72

I also size my cases every time I reload and that has remained constant. I check using my calipers.

I wanted to say something about that and not have it lost in the other comment.

I am assuming you mean "full-length" sizing.

Fire-forming cases are the best way to achieve consistency. Then neck size only.
There is nothing more conducive to accuracy than a fire-formed case formed specifically to your chamber.

Some people will "bump" the shoulder .001" or more so the case fits into an auto loading rifle, or just for ease in a bolt; but I want my case to fit as perfect as possible, like a glove.

[jdon72]

rifleman you are correct on the fire forming. I am in the process of getting a neck sizing die. Thanks for both posts.

J

[JLA]

Originally Posted by The_Rifleman

I load for 3 different 30-06s, each takes a different load. Not one load will shoot as well in one rifle as it will in another.

Nothing beats Audette Ladder Testing. It is cheaper than any other testing procedure and if you do your part, you will find the best load, (with the components used,) for that rifle. I usually find my load within 10 shots.

Here is what I do...
I find a bullet I think would work for a specific application. Say, target shooting for the Springfield 03. I choose the 168gr A-Max.
I'll look in my Hornady book for a powder I already have or the first powder listed so there is a good possibility I'll need to use less.
I chose IMR 4064, (I had some and it is the second one listed.)
I'll use the proper primer for the 30-06 and the case I trust.
I then I charge the cartridges according to the Audette Ladder Test directions.

I loaded 10 cases and knew my load within the first 3 of those 10. Here is the 3 shot 100 yard group after load development.


Load development is rifle specific.

You have got to elaborate on this Audette ladder method. I aint heard of it and now im terribly curious...