.30-06 load development for long range?

[ChrisBCS]

Seems to me this cartridge is falling out of favor, at least locally. It's an all time favorite for me, a classic American muscle car of a cartridge. Plus it has more than proven its distance capabilities at places like Belleau Wood and Le Mare Farm.

Do people on this forum still work with it much?

I currently hand load .30-06 with chamber fire formed brass in my M1903, neck resizing with a simple collet die, then seating just far enough back to function in the magazine (the jump to the lands is considerable). Right now my 100 yard iron sight target load is mild: 155 gr Hornady A-Max on top of 49 gr IMR 4064.

If you were to start from scratch building a distance load for this cartridge, what projectile/powder would you begin with?

Be well!
Chris

 

[Icewater]

I am very curious about this too. I hear of 308 and 338 lapua all the time. I actually considered the 30-06 but everything I read for accuracy and efficiency favored the 308 and 338 is more then I want to spend per shot right now. I've seen guys shoot the 30-06 very well at the range but I never really hear anyone using them in competition. I think it is an awsome cartridge and can't wait to hear some responses

 

[Dan Newberry]

If you have a 10 twist barrel (which you should have), work up a strong load using 190 grain Sierra Matchkings, or even the 208 AMAX. If you run the 208 AMAX to 2700 fps from the 30-06 it'll be a supreme long range load. Just don't do this in the '03 Springfield, of course.

 

[BoilerUP]

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting.../241394-remington-700-long-range-30-06-a.html

 

[Powermac]

Here is some food for thought.
From a accomplished shooter, that has used the 30-06 a lot.
And it's certainly worth the time reading, if you are looking to build one.

The Rifleman's Journal: Cartridges: Accuracy Secrets of the .30-06 - Part 1
The Rifleman's Journal: Cartridges: Accuracy Secrets of the .30-06 - Part 2
The Rifleman's Journal: Cartridges: Accuracy Secrets of the .30-06 - Part 3
The Rifleman's Journal: Cartridges: .30-06 Update
The Rifleman's Journal: Ballistics: Heavy Bullets in the 1:13" Twist .30-06

 

[ChrisBCS]

Thanks Powermac! Already hooked:

"Amazingly, the .30-06, a cartridge with well over a century of unmitigated success on the range and in the field is rarely seen on the Highpower range these days and is poorly understood by a generation of shooters raised on plastic rifles firing cartridges nearly suitable for rodent control."

 

[ChrisBCS]

I'm actually curious what action you would go with if you were going to build one.

 

[JGorski]

Seems to me this cartridge is falling out of favor, at least locally. It's an all time favorite for me, a classic American muscle car of a cartridge. Plus it has more than proven its distance capabilities at places like Belleau Wood and Le Mare Farm.

Do people on this forum still work with it much?

I currently hand load .30-06 with chamber fire formed brass in my M1903, neck resizing with a simple collet die, then seating just far enough back to function in the magazine (the jump to the lands is considerable). Right now my 100 yard iron sight target load is mild: 155 gr Hornady A-Max on top of 49 gr IMR 4064.

If you were to start from scratch building a distance load for this cartridge, what projectile/powder would you begin with?

Be well!
Chris

Add another grain and seat a 168AMAX in there, for starters.

 

[Powermac]

I am very curious about this too. I hear of 308 and 338 lapua all the time. I actually considered the 30-06 but everything I read for accuracy and efficiency favored the 308 and 338 is more then I want to spend per shot right now. I've seen guys shoot the 30-06 very well at the range but I never really hear anyone using them in competition. I think it is an awsome cartridge and can't wait to hear some responses

Here is some actual data onthe 308 vs 30-06 debate, based on over 6000 rounds fired.
With rifles as similar as it's possible to get.

The Rifleman's Journal: Cartridges: Sibling Rivalry: .308 vs. .30-06

 

[Powermac]

As for action i would personally look into the Surgeon 1086, and XL.Or a Badger M2013.
As i'm from the other side of the Atlantic, i don't have the same availability in parts as most here does, so i do not have experience with most of the custom made US actions.
The American rifle Company M5 would be awesome in LA, and i have a weakness for the Prechtl GS 04 actions from Germany.
The GS 04 is a modern version of a M98, it was designed for tactical use, and is the heart of the German GOL rifles.
Lastly a LA M70 is a nice option, or a T3 if your looking for a hunting/light weight rifle.

Never had much love for the standard R700 actions at all, but they are easy to build off and you find a lot of different parts for them.
Although a cheaper R700 clone like a Stiller usually does not cost much more when the work is all done, and you have a better product in the end.


As for powders and bullets,185 gr berger Hybrid or VLD would probably be my first choice, 190 SMK, 208 A Max are also excellent options.
For the 30-06 my favorite powder is the VV N 160 it's very consistent and clean burning , the 560 gives better velocity though.
N165. H4350, 4831, 4895 and Norma MRP are also excellent choices.
Alliant powders are not available here so won't comment on them, but RL 22 is extremely similar to MRP, even made in the same factory, and should give good results.

Lapua, Norma or RWS brass is all i use in any caliber, as the US made brass really can't compete.

Get some good quality, standard primers and you should be good to go