30-06 loads/powders

[wfjames22]

I have searched around and most of the data I have found relates to 180-210gr bullets(here on the hide). I am getting ready to load for my first 30-06 for deer hunting. Sporter weight barrel with a 1 in 10" twist. I want to use 165gr NBT's and would like to know what yall's thoughts are on powder selection. I am thinking RE17. From Alliant's info, it looks to be the fastest with a good fill ratio. Some of the limited data I have found indicates IMR4350 and 4064, possibly 4895. What do you use for 165's in 30-06?

Thanks,
Frank

 

[bohem]

Re: 30-06 loads/powders

I use H4350 and I don't push for speed from them. A 30 BR with a 165 in it will kill deer, the 30-06 is going to do a great job as long as you hit the deer in the vitals.

H4350 is very repeatable, relatively easy to find, and temp stable so I know that my DOPE is very close all year 'round.

 

[kraigWY]

Re: 30-06 loads/powders

> 180s I'd go with 4350
< 180s I'd go with 4895

 

[wfjames22]

Re: 30-06 loads/powders

Sounds like 4350 would be a good place to start. Thats kind of what I figured, I guess no one uses RE17? Max speed is not my goal but I do like to get good speeds if possible.

 

[bohem]

Re: 30-06 loads/powders

RL17 will do better at higher bullet weights, it's faster than RL22 and will net some more airspace in the case with heavy bullets. With the 165class it's relatively slow. You should see about 2900-2950fps from the 165's with 24" tube and a reasonable load of H4350.

I'm getting a solid node in the mid 29's using 178 Amax and a 26" tube.

 

[vinconco]

Re: 30-06 loads/powders

I can push the 208 A-Max at 2800 using RE-17
26" 5R Rock barrel
RE-17 is slightly temp sensitive
H-4350 extreme is not temp sensitive but the IMR 4350 is.

good luck

 

[herr.baer]

Re: 30-06 loads/powders

I use H4350 behind a 200 gr bullet

 

[Driftwood]

Re: 30-06 loads/powders

My old 30-06 hunting load was:

Bullet: Speer 165gr Grand Slam
Powder: 59 grains of IMR4350 *** OVER MAX LOAD ***
Case: Winchester
Primer: CCI BR2
Velocity: 2950 FPS
Sub MOA performance

My 30-06 is a stock 700 BDL with a sporter barrel. It has a very long throat. I am able to seat the bullet out quite far, while staying off the lands, giving me a little more case capacity. The above load is a little above Max load depending on what source you are using. It goes without saying...use caution work up the load in your rifle.

I have recently switched to using 200 grain Sierra Game King and RL22. I am in Iraq at the moment and don't remember the specifics of powder or velocity. It also shoots sub MOA out of my hunting rifle. I want to say the velocity was around 2650fps, but I am not positive. Its not a hot load though.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: 30-06 loads/powders

For hunting, I use a slight variation of my Garand load. The Garand gets shot with 150SMK's and 50gr of IMR4064. For hunting, I simply substitute the 150 SBT GameKing. I use a fairly lightweight rifle and recoil is an issue for me. But more to the point, 150gr is plenty adequate for deer, and I'm just not a fan of shots which strain the 150SGK's distance envelope. You will probably need to do some fine tuning to get best accuracy in your own rifle; but ballistically, I think this load strikes a good performance balance.

Actually, I much prefer factory hunting loads, and have never been disappointed by either Remington 150gr Express Core-Lokt or Winchester 150gr Power Points.

The factories sell a lot of loads, many heavier than these. I think that for wide open situations where longer shots can't be avoided, 165gr and 180gr loads make good sense, but when you actually need to go heavier than that, maybe you're hunting at distances that could benefit from some reconsideration.

Greg

 

[Driftwood]

Re: 30-06 loads/powders

I try to limit my shots to 300 yards when I am hunting, most are within 100 yards. I changed my load from the 165 Grand Slam to the 200 GMK more to reflect the shooting I do throughout the year, not the distance at which I hunt. I wanted a bullet that could "do it all" obviously there are compromises. When I hunt, its primarily for Elk. The 165 grain bullet was a compromise between having the ideal deer load and the ideal elk load.

I am rarely home during hunting season anymore so most of my shooting is at targets. I decided rather than going with a straight 200 SMK, I would choose a 200 GMK. I can assure you it will drop a deer or elk with at reasonable ranges. I realize the OP stated he was interested in hunting deer, so the lighter bullets are more than adequate.

 

[oldreliable45120]

Re: 30-06 loads/powders

My 06 hunting load for the last 20+ years is as follows.
47.5 IMR-4064
165 Nosler Balistic Tip
CCI/WIN primer( witch ever I have on hand)
Always seems to put meat in the fridge

 

[wfjames22]

Re: 30-06 loads/powders

I think I've settled on 58.5gr H4350 with the 165 Ballistic tips. Average 5 shot groups at 100 yds have been running just under an inch at 2825fps.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions.

 

[johncamino]

Re: 30-06 loads/powders

I use Winchester brass that I neck turn to 0.0125" and trim to 2.484" with WLR primers. I run 60.5 gr of RL 22 and use 180 gr Accubonds seated to a COAL of 3.705" which is .02" off the lands in my rifle. That works out to an OAL of 3.32".

I get 5 shots groups inside of 3/4" at 100 yards and they run 2761 fps out of my 24" Remington Varmit kreiger with 5R rifling.

 

[BigDaddy0381]

Re: 30-06 loads/powders

Rem brass,CCI LR primers with 50gr of varget and 168ge berger or 165 Nosler accubond. This is shot in a rem 700 with a 24 inch tube. This is a great load for hunting and shooting out to 500. I'm not sure of the FPS but no pressure showing at all. I have 8 loading out of the brass so far.

 

[sermonator]

Re: 30-06 loads/powders

wfj,

It may be too late to change, but I wouldn't hunt anything larger than a deer with NBTs, and even then, they'd bee pretty far down the list of preferences. I've used them for sheep in BC, Canada (7Mag) and for deer and antelope in CO & CA in a single shot pistol. I'm also seen them used my friends several times. They are designed to expand to quickly and they lack penatration. They are a great pistol bullet and great for practice, but unless you willing to pass up less than perfect shots, they aren't much for big tough heavy animals.

The Accubond should shoot almost identically to the BT, but will have much more retained weight and greater penetration. If you have the time to work up something else: After being a diehard Partition fan for years, hunting moose, bear, elk in BC, CO, NM, etc., I am now a die hard Barnes X fan for anything bigger than I am (240lb). In my .300 WM, I use the old 180 XBT (just because I bought a bunch of them when living in BC). In my '06, I use the 168 Tipped TSX (and 4350) It gives me a solid 2900 with penetration exceeding any lead core 180 made. With my 300 I shot lengthwise through a quartering moose and recovered the bullet just under the skin ahead of the shoulder (only barnes that didn't pass through). About .50 expansion and still weighed 177 grns. There is not a better big game bullet made. Few will even be considered equals. Just something to think about.