Pet Load for 30-06

[Scarface26]

OK, the RL 26 contingent has convinced me. About a week from now when a few more tools have arrived I will try Reloder 26 in Lapua brass with a Federal 215 primer all behind a Sierra 180 MK. If I can't get it to shoot then I'll try the H4350 route.

Thanks for all your replies and God bless.

 

[Bc'z]

I'm gonna try n use a straw to squeeze it in there, maybe get less crunching.

 

[Wildcat455]

I'm running 62 gr RL26 in a Winchester case, Federal 210 primer, and a 200 gr Hornady ELDX at 2750 fps out of a Savage M110 with a 22" barrel 1:10 twist. This is a pretty hot load, and right on the edge of pressure signs in my rifle.
My BTO is 2.635" for a .009" jump. COAL is 3.280". Accuracy is there, just need to jump test and see if it'll tighten up any.


Good luck with your load!

 

[Steve Donlon]

I see you are shooting a Remington 700. I also have a Remington 700 LR. 30-06. The very best load I have shot in that rifle is the 208gr Hornady ELD, great B.C., using 51.8grs IMR 4350. It's a midrange load that will still reach out to 1000 yards with no problems OAL 3.550" Ya gotta love those long chambers FB. And that's still .1 off the lands. I know it's not what you had in mind, but maybe a seed will be planted in you mind. Take care, Steve

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I see you are shooting a Remington 700. I also have a Remington 700 LR. 30-06. The very best load I have shot in that rifle is the 208gr Hornady ELD, great B.C., using 51.8grs IMR 4350. It's a midrange load that will still reach out to 1000 yards with no problems OAL 3.550" Ya gotta love those long chambers FB. And that's still .1 off the lands. I know it's not what you had in mind, but maybe a seed will be planted in you mind. Take care, Steve

Steve
I’ve got a older 700 bdl 30-06. Last time it saw any serious hunting was a elk hunt in 1989. Was loading a 180 go Speer grand slam. Shot well enough, but I’m sure I was just loading to COAL according to that old Speer manual cause that’s all I knew. It’s kinda got pushed back to play with the new ones, but I’ve got some Sierras #2150’s to try and see how long of chamber and fb that old boy has now that I know how to find it.
Mark.

 

[Steve Donlon]

Steve
I’ve got a older 700 bdl 30-06. Last time it saw any serious hunting was a elk hunt in 1989. Was loading a 180 go Speer grand slam. Shot well enough, but I’m sure I was just loading to COAL according to that old Speer manual cause that’s all I knew. It’s kinda got pushed back to play with the new ones, but I’ve got some Sierras #2150’s to try and see how long of chamber and fb that old boy has now that I know how to find it.
Mark.

Sounds fun, I'm sure those 180gr. Pro-Hunters will still do the job on elk. They don't mind a long jump.

 

[Beeman]

Another bullet to look into would be the 215 Berger. I don't have a 30-06 but the 215 is amazing in my 300 Win Mag. I would think that a 215 in Lapua brass with R26 could be real good.

 

[pacificman]

In my old Rem. 700 I use 58 grains of IMR 4350 with the old Speer 165gr. hot core with sub MOA accuracy.
Getting 2853 average velocity...I have been wanting to go to a bonded bullet for years but this combo has
killed a dozen mule deer. I've this rifle since 1972 and just never changed the load. Playing around with a 110
gr. Hornady v-max and 54.4 grains of Varget at 3022 ave. velocity and .5 MOA on target has been fun. Might
consider it a Coyote load if not keeping the pelts...LOL.

 

[jmm03]

52 grains of XMR 4064 behind a sierra 150 HPBT, 68 LC match case, BR2 primer, works well in my 03A3. It is an old accuracy load using IMR powder from a Lyman book.

 

[sbhooper]

Why are you trying to squeeze out so much velocity? Settle on 2800+ and find an accurate load. It will kill anything just fine with outstanding accuracy. What is the rifle going to be used for-targets, or game?

 

[Scarface26]

Why are you trying to squeeze out so much velocity? Settle on 2800+ and find an accurate load. It will kill anything just fine with outstanding accuracy. What is the rifle going to be used for-targets, or game?

This is a target rifle and as to why to squeeze out so much velocity? If it does great at 2800, maybe it will do better at 2900. Then again, maybe not. However, if there is a person who has ever done what I asked, that person is likely a member of this forum.

Thanks to all for your replies

 

[Brownie38]

I've had great results with 185 Berger hunting VLD and RL 22. Seat as long as you can and get a very long drop tube. Mine is a full length aluminum arrow shaft. Start with known load and work up obviously. But just let me say it will be pretty well compressed when you stop.

 

[Bc'z]

I've had great results with 185 Berger hunting VLD and RL 22. Seat as long as you can and get a very long drop tube. Mine is a full length aluminum arrow shaft. Start with known load and work up obviously. But just let me say it will be pretty well compressed when you stop.

I run 60 gr Rl22 behind a 180 partition with cci 200's. Purdy damn accurate. Only problem with load is the price of bullets.

 

[Brownie38]

I run 60 gr Rl22 behind a 180 partition with cci 200's. Purdy damn accurate. Only problem with load is the price of bullets.

I hear ya on the bullet price! I'm a lil above 60 grains as well.

 

[Nature Boy]

Steve
I’ve got a older 700 bdl 30-06. Last time it saw any serious hunting was a elk hunt in 1989. Was loading a 180 go Speer grand slam. Shot well enough, but I’m sure I was just loading to COAL according to that old Speer manual cause that’s all I knew. It’s kinda got pushed back to play with the new ones, but I’ve got some Sierras #2150’s to try and see how long of chamber and fb that old boy has now that I know how to find it.
Mark.

My -06 load last year was 180g Prohunters with 60.2g of RL22. 2,740 fps

Shooting a sporterized 1903A3. He didn’t go far

 

[K22]

Shot one for many years although I now use a 308. The 30 -06 is one of the greatest ever big game hunting cartridges. If you can master it you're set for just about anything in North America. It easy to load and there are a bunch of excellent bullets for it.

IMR 4350 and 165 grain Sierra Spitzers is the ticket. This is an very accurate combo with excellent terminal performance and an excellent choice for an all around bullet for the old 06. IMR 4895 also works well with the lighter bulltets.

The Sierra 150 BT Spitzer is perfect for deer in open country.

 

[hawkeyeshoooer]

My favorite load when I lived in Knoxville many years ago was 58 gr. of 4350 behind a 150 Sierra spitzer SP. It would consistancy put the first 3 shots in a 1/2" c-c at 100 yds. This was out of a 2 groove 03-A3 springfield with a 4X Weaver scope. Max load was around 62 grs or so and primers fell out at around 65 gr.

Never shot a deer with it but should be fine for them. When I grew up down there deer very scarce to even see except in Cades Cove; now the deer population has exploded and they are everywhere.

 

[Walker Ridge]

Sounds fun, I'm sure those 180gr. Pro-Hunters will still do the job on elk. They don't mind a long jump.

Killed the hell out of a big Roosy back in the day with a 180 Game King out of a very hot loaded 300 Win at about 200 yards. Busted shoulder going in with an exit. Good expansion, vitals damage and one hole clean exit. Pro Hunter is supposed be an even tougher bullet, it'll work great.

 

[Scarface26]

My -06 load last year was 180g Prohunters with 60.2g of RL22. 2,740 fps

Shooting a sporterized 1903A3. He didn’t go far

That looks like south Texas to me. Mesquite trees in the background, reddish dirt. Homesick.

 

[Nature Boy]

That looks like south Texas to me. Mesquite trees in the background, reddish dirt. Homesick.

More west. South of Abilene