30-06 and 125 gr bullets

[wboggs]

I've used the 125BT with the reduced charge of H4895 listed on the their web site. Will shoot 1/2" groups in a good rifle and kicks less than a .30-30. Give it a try and you will like it.

 

[Steve Ladino]

I'm trying to get a Ruger 77 Mark 11, 30-06 to shoot 125 gr bullets accurately. So far I have tried 4320 and 3031 with poor results. Anyone have a load that has worked for them. This rifle belongs to my brother in law who has some health issues and recoil is a problem. I'm just trying to help him. Also this barrel fouls terrible in three shots. Thanks, Barlow

Look into loading 4198, R 7, and LT 30. These powders work very well in the 30 BR with bullets that weigh 110 to 125 grains and a compressed powder charge with these powders in the 30 BR is not unusual. Accuracy is superb and fouling is minuscule in the 30 BR.

 

[snert]

You may be on a snipe hunt. As you know 2 for 3 in 3/4 don't mean much. Clean it up well and verify with a borescope if you are able. Load some quality flatbase bullets, 150 grain Sierra GameKing will work, and load them with a book load of H4350. Try to get them as close to the rifling as possible and shoot 5 three round groups allowing the barrel to cool between groups. I think you will stop doubting the powder choices. JMHO

What he said^^^^

 

[GotRDid]

MMCU and WBoggs are spot on.
May I suggest a Limbsaver recoil pad as well. Either the slip over that requires no modifications or one prefitted for your stock.
They mitigate recoil in a substantial way.
Keep us posted.
GotRDid.

 

[beginner]

I'm trying to get a Ruger 77 Mark 11, 30-06 to shoot 125 gr bullets accurately. So far I have tried 4320 and 3031 with poor results. Anyone have a load that has worked for them. This rifle belongs to my brother in law who has some health issues and recoil is a problem. I'm just trying to help him. Also this barrel fouls terrible in three shots. Thanks, Barlow

53.0 gr of IMR 4064 behind Hbn coated 125 TNT's work well in my 1903a3. Start off low and work your way up in your rifle. YMMV

 

[mic2377]

I think you would be pleased with Hodgkin's H4985 reduced load data.

I have had good luck with this load data and the 125 Pro Hunter and 125 SST. It shot about 3" lower than standard 150 gr loads, accuracy was acceptable (for Savage Axis it was fired in) and recoil was exceptionally mild.

 

[Barlow]

I just tried 44, 45 and 46 gr H4895, 3 each. 46gr was .889 the other two were slightly over 1". Using Nosler 125 BT's. Will try this load again soon. Thanks to all. Barlow

 

[2506]

If you will be deer hunting keep the impact velocity under 3000 fps with the Nosler 125 ballistic tip and it is awesome. I have used this bullet in a number of 30 cals and it is a real deer killer to a bit over 300 yards so far. In my experience impact velocity of 2850ish is where it really starts to expand well and penetrate with a broadside exit even through both shoulders.

 

[ebb]

I built a short barrel 06 with a Montana rifleman barrel and a Turk Mauser action. I tried the new sierra 125 and IMR3031 and H380 . wasn't supper impressed. I went to Nosler BTs and 3031 and looked no further mostly clover leafs with all touching.

 

[Barlow]

If I can get this rifle to shoot 1" consistently it will more than do the job. Barlow

 

[ebb]

The shooter that taught me to reload once said "If you cant get it to shot with Nosler BTs you have bigger problems than the load."

 

[Larryh128]

I would agree with ebb's statement. Typically a very accurate bullet, you might find one better but it's a really good starting point. Another bullet choice is the Barnes TTSX 130gr that has also been very accurate in the 06. It will absolutely take the 3400 fps. Recoil isn't heavy with this load.

 

[ebb]

I was looking at midway and they have Hornaday SST 125s on sale. This might be a good bullet to try. I was unaware that SSTs were made in 125s.

 

[Clark]

In Oct 2015 I rebarreled a 1939 Mosin Nagant with a Krieger 300 Win Mag barrel.
I used a 125 gr Nos Bal Tip bullet and 24" 66 gr 3.34" IMR-4166 powder. I got 3375 fps on the chrono.
The Hodgdon IMR website says 24" 66.5 gr for 130 gr HNDY SP 3.3" 3439 fps 62.1 kpsi
The closest match in my Quickload for 4166 would be H322. Maybe reduce powder by a little more than 1% to make pressure match and increase powder by a little less than 1% to get velocity to match Hodgdon's web site.
Just use H322 straight across in QL to match my chrono. That QL pressure would then be 60.6kpsi.
The advantage of that new 4166 powder is it that it is both temperature stable and Copper fouling resisting.