Hunting & Fishing MOA .30-06 ammo?

[Gjb89]

I have a late 80’s Sako .30-06 that doesn’t group to well. I’ve had the rifle bedded and pillars added. I’m having issues finding factory hunting ammo that will group smaller then 1.5”. Any ammo recommendations?

 

[Hogg0494]

I use Barnes TSX 180gr groups 1/2 or Federal trophy copper 180gr groups about the same.puts whitetails down in their tracks

 

[Oryx]

What ammo have you tried so far? Agree the Barnes TSX is an excellent hunting bullet and can be very accurate. If multiple ammos have already been tested with no reasonable results, I would look to the gun (or shooter, but most have other guns that shoot well)

 

[Hogg0494]

Over the years i have tried probably 50 different brands and weights.those 2 were the best.but all guns are different.hornady precision hunter 178gr were under 1” also

 

[Hogg0494]

Always a good idea to have a buddy or 2 shoot it to make sure its not the shooter.try to use 2 bags to shoot off of for good support

 

[Hogg0494]

If you go to a public range.the range officer is always a good choice to shoot it

 

[WB300]

What model?

 

[Hogg0494]

Sako A7,Tikks CTR,Tikka tx3

 

[WB300]

I meant the OP.

 

[Gjb89]

Sorry for the delay. It's a Sako AIII. I have tried multiple types of box ammo and think I'll try some handloads. I have no issues getting 1/2" groups off bipods and a rear bag with my high end rifles.

 

[kraigWY]

Hornady 180 Gr IBs, Winchester Cases, Win LRP and 55 grs of Win 760 powder. 1959 Made Model 70 Winchester. Weaver 4 fixed power El Paso made scope.

10 rounds at 100 yards.

Dont underestimate that Win. 760 Powder. I also get my best groups in my 6.5 CM using it. Meters great too.

 

[WB300]

I've had several Sako 75 Finnlights. I believe all Sako/Tikka have a slow-er twist rate on their barrels. Heavy for caliber bullets never worked well for me in them. Like you, i never found a factory loaded round that gave me sub moa, but could easily handload sub moa.

My 30-06 came with an 11 twist, 20" stainless fluted barrel. Found some 150 and 165 factory ammo that shot 1 to 1.5 moa, but the velocity from the 20" bbl basically gave me a 308. I rebarreled with a Shilen 24" 10 twist and things are good now.

If you can borrow some 150 and 165 grainers from someoneto try, do that. But I wouldn't spend too much $ on different ammo. Yours and mine aren't the only older Sako in 06 that didn't like factory ammo. Some friends had them too.

Good luck. Keep us updated.

 

[Coffee_and_Pipes]

They aren’t hunting rounds, but Sig Sauer is making 175 gr match ammo that received a good write up on The Truth About Guns site. If nothing else, you might enjoy the read:

https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/ttag-exclusive-sig-sauer-30-06-elite-match-ammo-review/

 

[joblo]

I have a finnlight 85 in 300wsm that had a similar problem, just wouldn't shoot factory loads . I found anything with Barnes (or a copper bullet) did the best. After quite a while trying to find a load recipe I found it had a a lot of freebore, which the coppers did better with. But if I load as long as I can fit in the mag (2.910 oal) with 69 grn 7828ssc, behind a 200grn accubond she will shoot 1/2 mos consistently.
Since then I've had similar results with two tikkas 1 in 300wsm another in 30-06.
Anyway you might look at your free bore... might be a berretta thing?

 

[30338]

Sorry for the delay. It's a Sako AIII. I have tried multiple types of box ammo and think I'll try some handloads. I have no issues getting 1/2" groups off bipods and a rear bag with my high end rifles.

What scope is on it? If the scope is for sure solid, having excellent accuracy with H4350 and 155 scenar as well as 180 accubond.