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Boring .30-06 Question. Trouble matching or beating 150g Federal Factory Cheapo Rounds

WindSurgeon

Before hunting season, I was trying to work up a load that would perform as well as the Federal Cheapo factory loads I purchased when I first bought the rifle in a pinch on a road trip 12 years ago. I wanted a bit heavier bullet, but I have been unsuccessful. I purchased Hornady 165g SST's as this has been a good bullet in my other hunting rifles. Using IMR4350 I have tried loads using 54 to 57 grains in half grain increments. 55 grains ran best with a 1.2" group at 100 yards (CCI BR Primer, Federal cases). Now here's the rub; The Federal 150 grain Powershok Wallyworld cheapies group sub half inch and have shot 5 shot groups that all touch. The federal round runs around 2880 through the rifle (Tikka T3). At 57 grains, the SST's are running at 2775 average, but with pressure signs so I stopped there (57 gains was the worst groups of the bunch).

The SST is a very different bullet than soft point, flat based bullet that they load in the Federal Powershok. My gun prefers this bullet, but my desire for a custom round is keeping me from accepting that I can't do better than an $11 box of ammo from Walmart. I was thinking I would get a flatter shooting, equally as accurate hand load.

Questions:
  • Is anyone else using 165g SST's in .30-06 and getting them to 2900 fps successfully?
  • What loads get you to that speed?
  • Is there something about the Tikka rifle that does not shoot boat tail bullets well or this bullet weight.
  • Am I just not using the right bullet and should buy a soft point, flat based bullet (Speer or Sierra?)?
  • Did I not go heavy enough.... perhaps 180's?
These are for hunting only. I use competition dies, measure every powder load with a tuned scale. Thanks all!
 
Two things , try a different powder to get more speed but less pressure , your load manual should point some out.. The cheapo federal are not boat tail bullets as you pointed out , try some regular flat base bullets , maybe some Sierra game Kings... Bullets make a world of difference... Trying to shoot a heavier bullet as fast as a lighter one is going to be a bit tough...

I would stay in that weight area if they are working good for you.. the change in bearing surface or even the brass can make a difference , try some flat base bullets , some are known to shoot extremely well in some rifles , I see no advantage to boat tail bullets in a hunting application , unless you're really trying to reach out there.. To me if you're under 300 yards they make no difference...The deer can't tell at all...
 
I had a similar experience with an old Remington 700FS. The throat was a mile long. It shot plain ole 150 gr factory Rem ammo into small groups. The 165 Gr Boat tails I wanted it to shoot--no good at all. I got some 150 Gr Hornady FB bullets ahead of IMR 4064 and it got better. Next (oh I know I'll get boo'ed for this) I gave it a light crimp with a Lee Factory Crimp die and it outshot the factory rounds. I think a lot of this was caused by the long throat. Just my experience FWIW.
 
In the heyday of 30-06's on the firing line in matches, most accurate reloads with 150's was a near max charge of IMR4895. For 165 or 168's, near max with IMR4064. Heavier charges spun bullets too fast for best accuracy from those 1:10 twist barrels.
 
Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke. 150s at 2900 will just about knock down anything that needs knocking down.

I have had good velocities with imr4064 with lighter bullets and ramshot hunter with heavier bullets. Accuracy was never sub half inch though with my Cheapo Winchester xpr
 
Try
WindSurgeon said:
Before hunting season, I was trying to work up a load that would perform as well as the Federal Cheapo factory loads I purchased when I first bought the rifle in a pinch on a road trip 12 years ago. I wanted a bit heavier bullet, but I have been unsuccessful. I purchased Hornady 165g SST's as this has been a good bullet in my other hunting rifles. Using IMR4350 I have tried loads using 54 to 57 grains in half grain increments. 55 grains ran best with a 1.2" group at 100 yards (CCI BR Primer, Federal cases). Now here's the rub; The Federal 150 grain Powershok Wallyworld cheapies group sub half inch and have shot 5 shot groups that all touch. The federal round runs around 2880 through the rifle (Tikka T3). At 57 grains, the SST's are running at 2775 average, but with pressure signs so I stopped there (57 gains was the worst groups of the bunch).

The SST is a very different bullet than soft point, flat based bullet that they load in the Federal Powershok. My gun prefers this bullet, but my desire for a custom round is keeping me from accepting that I can't do better than an $11 box of ammo from Walmart. I was thinking I would get a flatter shooting, equally as accurate hand load.

Questions:
  • Is anyone else using 165g SST's in .30-06 and getting them to 2900 fps successfully?
  • What loads get you to that speed?
  • Is there something about the Tikka rifle that does not shoot boat tail bullets well or this bullet weight.
  • Am I just not using the right bullet and should buy a soft point, flat based bullet (Speer or Sierra?)?
  • Did I not go heavy enough.... perhaps 180's?
These are for hunting only. I use competition dies, measure every powder load with a tuned scale. Thanks all!
Click to expand...
Try Berger 168 vld hunting bullit & rl 19 & rl22 . In my 06 it puts 3 in aragged hole.
 
For my 30-06 hunting loads I like the Sierra 150 spbt Gamekings. Loaded with H4895, they are very accurate. I’ve also used the same bullet in 165 with H4350.
 
First: this is an abundance of riches.

Second: The powder (IMR 4350) is an excellent choice for the 165 grain bullet. Never been a fan of most Hornady rifle bullets. I would try the Sierra 165 - 168 grain offerings. I would be surprised if the combo of 4350 and Sierra 165's don't yield excellent results. Never seen an 06 that didn't love this combo.

Third: You don't need a tack driver for a successful deer load so don't stress out trying to squeeze out another few hundreds smaller group. An 1 1/2" group off the bench is more than adequate. Instead of bench time, go practice simulating shooting under field conditions at various ranges. If you can keep your shots in a six inch circle under field shooting conditions at the distances you anticipate shooting a deer you'll fill your freezer.
 
Heres a few hunting loads, all built with RP brass. All were accurate in my Remington.
150 ballistic tips
Cci 200
59gr Rl19, 3000 fps sub .5"

180 partition
Cci200
60gr Rl22, 2750fps sub .5"

178 eldx
Cci200
Rl26, 2820 fps least accurate load
10 shots 1.5"

185 berger vld hunters
Wlrp
55.8 gr h4350 2790fps consistantly .3"
Currently what I'm shooting.

I've ran hornady's 180 interlocks also, they flat out anchor deer just could never squeeze out the accuracy I wanted.
Always around an inch.
 
Last edited:
For deer get you some 150 gr Sierra Pro Hunter flat base bullets and use 51.2 grs IMR 4064, Rem. case, CCI BR primer. I have never seen a bolt rifle in 30-06 that would not drive tacks with this load and it kills really well. Yep the BLUE box Federal ammo no matter what the caliber is usually very accurate. A friend of mine, retired now, owned a gun shop and offered sighting in of rifles for people. My hunting buddy did all the zeroing work and when I was on my annual hunting trip there we would go to the range about 2 times each week and sight in rifles. If people did not provide their own ammo the Federal Blue box ammo was sent. Really accurate stuff and it kills deer good.
 
I would go buy 3 cases of that wal-mart stuff and spend the load development and reloading time hunting--I am gonna be a smart axx here: ever ask a deer if a 150 or a 165 killed it better???...just my 2 cents
 
I agree with K22. I tried several bullet weights from Hornady in my 06 and none of them were worth a s#$t. They printed anywhere from 1 1/2 to 4 inches at 100 yds. I gave up on them. Got some Sierra 165’s and they print an honest 1/2 to 3/4 inch at 100 yds. Using a stiff load of 4350 or 4064, Federal 210 primer and Winchester brass.
 
okie said:
I would go buy 3 cases of that wal-mart stuff and spend the load development and reloading time hunting--I am gonna be a smart axx here: ever ask a deer if a 150 or a 165 killed it better???...just my 2 cents
Click to expand...

Ha! You are absolutely right. The 150's anchored the mule deer at 230 yards a couple of weeks ago. I need something to occupy my leisure time in the cold of Minnesota though. :-)
 
yeah--I understand that too--plenty to do in the loading room--keeps me out of wifes honeydos!!!
I think it is cold if we get a frost at night--cant imagine living up there!!!
 
WindSurgeon said:
Ha! You are absolutely right. The 150's anchored the mule deer at 230 yards a couple of weeks ago. I need something to occupy my leisure time in the cold of Minnesota though. :)
Click to expand...

You obviously don't have a good purchasing mentor. :D

A good purchasing mentor would have told you that you have succeeded in your accuracy quest, and need to move on to another "project".

Your welcome.

Jim
 
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