Need Target Load for 30-06

Tactical30

Tactical30

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May 5, 2009
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#1
Im going to load some target loads up for my buddy. The thing is I have never had to handload for the 30-06 until now.

The rifle he has is aRem700 BDL 30-06. Im guessing its a1-11 twist.

Im thinking of using either the 155gr. A-MAX, 168gr. SMK or the 175gr. SMK.

I have alot of powders to use, such as H4895, Varget, IMR 3031, BL-C(2), WIN748, RL-22, VV N-540, VV N140, AA2520, H-1000, H-335, H-322, TAC, LVR, RETUMBO, Benchmark, IMR 4198,

Which powder above will work?
Whats a good bullet to use?

Only shooting out to 500yrds max.

If you have any loads to share please do!

I have already checked the page in the reloading forum for loads. Alot use powders i do not have.
 
#2
Re: Need Target Load for 30-06

I like the 208 amax over H4350, H4831sc. RL 19 or RL22 will work well and likely give better velocity but I can't stand the temp sensativity of the RL powders.

I'd look at the 178 amax or the 208 amax with H4350 or H4831sc.

My current load: Lapua brass, cci 200, 52.2gr H4350, 208 amax, .020" off the lands. Start low and work up.
 
#3
Re: Need Target Load for 30-06

Thanks for that info. Keep em comin'!

I have 190gr SMK'S, 208 gr. A-MAX's, 220gr. SMK's and the Berger 210gr. VLD I could use. Those are the bullets i use for my. 300WM.

Maybe a 208gr. A-max and RL-22 load for.the 30-06? My. 300wm loves that combo! I would like to use the powders i have in my house first post but iwould by a box of bullets if needed. Im thinking of the 178gr. A-MAX to test first.

Do the heavier bullets (180gr.+) work better for target loads in the -06?

Let me know your info!
 
#4
Re: Need Target Load for 30-06

Better...I wouldn't say that, but they have a generally have a higher BC which will give you better resistance to the wind and hold velocity better down range.

Out to 500 yards, I don't see any problem with the 178gr Amax. It will be a little bit flatter and won't need as much powder.

As far as RL22 and the 208 amax, there are ton's of info here by several folks, specifically MontanaMarine who shoot that combo in the '06.

The load I used previously with RL22 was 57.0gr under a 208 amax. I've seen others load as high as 60.0 grains or so, but some of those loads were using moly bullets. So again, start low and work your way up there. Nothing against RL22. It was very accurate and I saw some great velocity. I just prefer the hogdon powders.
 
#5
Re: Need Target Load for 30-06

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: longrange30</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Im going to load some target loads up for my buddy. The thing is I have never had to handload for the 30-06 until now.

The rifle he has is aRem700 BDL 30-06. Im guessing its a1-11 twist.

Im thinking of using either the 155gr. A-MAX, 168gr. SMK or the 175gr. SMK.

I have alot of powders to use, such as H4895, Varget, IMR 3031, BL-C(2), WIN748, RL-22, VV N-540, VV N140, AA2520, H-1000, H-335, H-322, TAC, LVR, RETUMBO, Benchmark, IMR 4198,

Which powder above will work?
Whats a good bullet to use?

Only shooting out to 500yrds max.

If you have any loads to share please do!

I have already checked the page in the reloading forum for loads. A lot use powders i do not have.
</div></div>
Get yourself some RE15 and 168AMAXs and load up 50grs of the stuff, I use Rem brass, 210M primers but WLR primers will work great as well. Your rifle has a 10 twist and you can seat the bullets just short of the lands if you can reach them, Im not sure how long throats are on Rem 06s. My Model 70 has a shorter throat, I like that. Of the powders you have Varget is your best bet, its ever so close to RE15 on the burn rate chart.
 
#8
Re: Need Target Load for 30-06

46.5 of Varget with the 168 amax ( the Sierra will work too) is a dupe for the hornady 30'06 garand ammo ( as per hornady themselves no less) and it SHOOTS. Even in bolt guns. and if your going to be only shooting to 500, this will work perfectly.
 
#11
Re: Need Target Load for 30-06

Just picked up some hornady 168gr A-MAXs.

Im going to load some of these up tonight with Varget.

Thanks for the info.

does the -06 like the heavier bullets or lighter ones? I see a wide range from 150gr. to 220gr. some people are using.
 
#13
Re: Need Target Load for 30-06

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: longrange30</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just picked up some hornady 168gr A-MAXs.

Im going to load some of these up tonight with Varget.

Thanks for the info.

does the -06 like the heavier bullets or lighter ones? I see a wide range from 150gr. to 220gr. some people are using. </div></div>

The variety in bullet weights is strictly application based. Do you want to reach out and touch a whitetail at 300-400 or are you hunting moose and bear in the thick stuff? If you are strictly shooting targets at medium, you may not won't want the punishment of the heavies.

57-58gns of IMR4350/H4350 is an old school and well known accuracy load for the '06 with the 165gn projectiles. It ought to do just fine with the 168 Amax, but remember to work up to the load, as with anything else, YMMV.

I just picked up some 168, 178 and 208's to try in mine, and I am going to start with the 168's for S&G's.
 
#14
Re: Need Target Load for 30-06

I try to make my '06 bolt gun loads compatible with my Garand. This means I'm using IMR-4064 and not stoking the furnace to anywhere near full capacity.

My loads for the 150's are 50.0gr of IMR-4064, and the 175's run with 48.0gr of the same. These are max loads according to existing literature for the Garand, and are not selected particularly for bolt gun accuracy.

For 500yd, the 168's should be all the bullet one might need, the 150/155 should still be performing well, and I think Garand loads are very adequate out to there as well. Target loads imply a lot of shooting and your rifles will likely thank you for throttling back a bit.

My guesstimate for a Fed Gold Medal 168 equivalent load would be somewhere between 47 and 48gr of IMR-4895, and maybe a tad closer to the higher end of the same weights with IMR-4064.

I would suggest that the 168's should perform OK out to from 800 to 1Kyd with FGMM equivalent loads, and that 175's would be perceptibly better. FGMM should be considered a good moderate compromise load for both the Garand and bolt guns. I assume 24" barrel.

Any velocity that arrives ontarget reliably supersonic (1200-1300fps) is a good load. More velocity than that is not needed, and won't help extend bore life to its best potential.

Greg
 
#16
Re: Need Target Load for 30-06

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JGorski</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For the 175MK Id definitely try 57-57.5grs H4350, 57grs is what I use for 180 Hor & Sierras, very accurate. </div></div>
my pet load is the same other than i use IMR4350 very temp stable
 
#17
Re: Need Target Load for 30-06

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: longrange30</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just picked up some hornady 168gr A-MAXs.

Im going to load some of these up tonight with Varget.

Thanks for the info.

does the -06 like the heavier bullets or lighter ones? I see a wide range from 150gr. to 220gr. some people are using. </div></div>
Mine likes 180 Hornadys for sure.
2011-06-25-83129.jpg

485grsRE15.jpg

2011-07-13-85229.jpg

57grsH4350180HOR200ydsfrom06.jpg

H4350.jpg


And 180 SBTs, too.
Picture.jpg
 
#18
Re: Need Target Load for 30-06

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: longrange30</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just picked up some hornady 168gr A-MAXs.

Im going to load some of these up tonight with Varget.

Thanks for the info.

does the -06 like the heavier bullets or lighter ones? I see a wide range from 150gr. to 220gr. some people are using. </div></div>

50grs RE15 just kissing the lands, with Varget youll probably use about the same amount.
 
#19
Re: Need Target Load for 30-06

WW cases, a near max charge of H4350, CCI 250's, and the 190 SMK, out of a 25" Kreiger and a trued 700.

New build this year.....smoked "targets" at 15 yards, 280 yards, and 500 yards, so far this deer season.

500 yards, 1 5/16" for three shots...sorry, pulled the third shot.

500yds83112.jpg
 
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