30-06 reloading

Floydstree

Private
Minuteman
Jul 19, 2021
1
1
South Carolina
I know there are many conversations about reloading but I am just starting out and would like to be guided more accurately to what information I need for reloading.

I understand that there is a science to reloading and also a trial and error. I would like to start from some known data and work my way from there.
 
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Go forth and buy a printed manual. There's more to it than just a recipe list!

I started metallic cartridge reloading in the mid-1970s with the Speer manual. Not only did it provide load data for pretty much every cartridge available at the time; it provided a comprehensive introduction to handgun and long gun cartridge reloading which I would deem extremely important if not vital to a newcomer to reloading.

At that time, Speer was selling its 9th edition of the manual. The one now being sold is #15. I daresay many of the foundation principles are unchanged, but there has been an incredible amount of new calibers, powders, bullets, etc. brought to market over the past few years, let alone the past 4+ decades.

I also have a Sierra Bullets manual from the same era. It also has an introductory overview - but neither its overview nor its load data are as comprehensive as the Speer manual. Again, these are 40+ years old so more recent editions may differ, but the foundation principles will be the same.

It's these principles which are important for the new reloader to learn. Once you understand them, you can glean load load data from any reputable source. It's very important that you, as a new reloader, are familiar with the fundamentals. Keep in mind that companies who publish manuals/load data are setting themselves up for liability issues by doing so; therefore, following what you read in them is quite certain not to hurt you or damage your gear. That's not true for what you read in forums online. Yes, it follows that even the max-load data in those manuals or in powder or bullet companies' online manuals tend to be conservative - but when you're starting at square one, "conservative" is good.

Edit: Don't balk at the price of one or two or even three printed manuals. They are resources to which you'll refer over and over and over, probably for years. Just do it!

Edit 2: Another interesting thing about the Speer manual was that it provided a history of each cartridge listed. The Sierra book didn't. Caveat: 40+ year old observation.
 
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Speer has a very extensive free site, including reloading stuff, loads included. My basic bullet choice is the Speer Gold Dot rifle, it combines some rifle accuracy features with excellent terminal performance. Prices are good, and they are more often available direct from Speer than from the distributors. Check your choices every day.

My load for the .30-'06 is 50.0gr of IMR-4064 and the150gr Gold Dot (OK for M-1 Garand), or 46.5gr IMR-4064 and the 168 Speer Gold Dot. May or not be a 1000yd load, depending on your altitude; mine is in the 4200ft-4300ft ASL range in the SE AZ High Country. The 168 works out there for me.

Greg
 
I know there are many conversations about reloading but I am just starting out and would like to be guided more accurately to what information I need for reloading.

I understand that there is a science to reloading and also a trial and error. I would like to start from some known data and work my way from there.
Just like Downhill says above, buy at least one physical book and read through it. I have the 50th Lyman book and it’s awesome(I’ve only been reloading for a few years). There are lots of online resources also. Every time I make a batch I check the Lyman manual, check the website of the powder manufacturer, & check the site of the bullet manufacturer. You can never be too careful, don’t forget that also
 
The Serengeti reamer seems to come highly recommended but is it available on a regular basis from any places other than ptg? I like reading the amusing stories about how bad they are but have zero desire to be one of their victims
 
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A friend is doing an Audad hunt in West Texas in August. He asked me to work up a good load for a 180 Gr. in 30-06.
Swift Scirocco 180 Gr
55.5 Gr. Win StaBall
CCI Mag primer.
Win cases
Has a bit of room for more Powder / Pressure
we stopped there because the accuracy was good @200 Yds. According to Winchester max pressure 60k is @ 60 Gr.
Also worked up a Sight in round using the Hornady 160 Gr. FTX, because I had a bunch of leftovers. I have to say that bullet is freakishly awesome in 30-06. SUPER accurate !
 
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Seen any load data on it for Barnes TTSX 168gr or 180gr? Have more Staball than I need so would be nice if it works for these bullets in my 30-06.
I'm using 58 grains under a 175 LRX and getting 2960 out of a 22" barrel. Primers are starting to flatten but not bad and the brass is ejecting fine with no marks.
 
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