Winchester M70 reloading

[gunship]

Ive got a .30-06 1943 M70 headed my way, built as a sniper repro with a douglas medium-heavy barrel. I know a few of y’all have similar rifles and am looking for some reloading recipes.

I was thinking 175 gr BTHP of some brand over some 8208 XBR, thinking to make it similar to my .308 loads. That train of thought was quickly derailed after reviewing some published data. I look forward to hear what everyone’s experience is loading for similar rifles.

 

[sandwarrior]

M118 LR duplicate load of 43.0g RL 15 and 175g SMK HPBT, CCI BR lg rifle primer.

That would be about as right on as I can remember! Then again CRS sets in from time to time, so I can't quote the actual load in grains, but I know damn good and well it's just over 40 gr. of RE-15...your .308 may vary, but it'll work if you load up to that.

 

[buffalowinter]

I deleted my post as the reload info I gave was for .308 not 30-06. The good news is, if you used that load, it would just be light.

 

[gunship]

@buffalowinter i may have caused some confusion by mentioning .308. The only reason I brought it up was because my thoughts were to use the same powder for simplicities sake. What’s the max COAL that will fit for .30-06?

 

[whatsupdoc]

3006 is easy to load for for a bolt gun, what powders do you currently have?

 

[gunship]

The only boltgun I’ve loaded for accuracy is a .308 700. Everything else has just been plinking/bulk ammo. Current on hand powders are short because of a recent move but will be restocked soon and I have no issue adding new powders to my stock. I haven’t seen the shortage here that I’ve heard described. Powders on hand right now consist of:

IMR 4166
IMR 4831
IMR 3031 (my favorite powder)
IMR 8208 XBR (My pet load powder for .308)

 

[Shootnwrench]

My data for 175 Sierra

22” M70 classic factory barrel

175 SMK
H4350
F210
3.285

55.5 = 2610fps
59 = 2813

Hodgdon shows 55-59 at 3.300col

 

[pmclaine]

I bought a bunch of IMR4350 with intents to reload for my M70 USMC sniper repro and 1903s just havent got to it yet....tagging in.

 

[Lange Carabine]

I've been shooting Hornady 168's over 46.5gr of IMR 4895 in my '57 Winchester M70 Target.
Came into 750 M72 bullets recently with plans to load some M72 Match rounds but havent been able to source anymore IMR 4895. May end up giving W 760 a try.

 

[wrightjr]

In my Rem 700 30-06 a 175 gr SMK and 56.5 gr of IMR 4831 shoot well, not what you asked for but could possibly help.

 

[gunship]

Ive definitely got a good starting point. Ill pick the rifle up tomorrow I think, and hopefully shoot it this weekend or next.

 

[wrightjr]

I hope you enjoy it, nothing like getting a load worked up and it shooting well to pay off for your hard work. Enjoy, one of these rifles is on my list too one day.

 

[Random Guy]

Ive got a .30-06 1943 M70 headed my way, built as a sniper repro with a Douglas medium-heavy barrel. I know a few of y’all have similar rifles and am looking for some reloading recipes

I have same set-up. Good loads with 175 SMK or 173gr LC FMJBT thus far include: 168 Sierra TMK or 175gr SMK bullet with 55.3gr of H4350 in LC Match brass with Fed GMM primer at 3.340". (That load is not suitable for an M1). Also recently tried some of the old LC 173gr FMJBT bullets with 46.5grs of I-4895 in LC match brass with Fed GMM primers at 3.330", which showed some promise during a recent trip where I tested 10-rd groups. My 2cts.

 

[NineHotel]

An NRA Shooting Sports Journal | Tips On How To Duplicate 1950s-Era .30-06 M72 Match Load

The legendary M72 match load takes a little ingenuity and accurate information to properly replicate. Sometimes you don’t need to reinvent the wheel.

www.ssusa.org

Keep in mind there is lots of caution around 30-06 match loading due to the fact that the Garand cannot handle powders that burn slower than 4064 without danger of bending the op rod.

Max velocity with the 175 in a longer barrel would be achieved with 4350, again sticking in the IMR family.

Check w PMclaine here - he bought a case of this stuff from me about a year ago and has done some testing.

EDIT - I see he hasn't tested yet.....

BTW I've got a 26" 30-06 M70 that I've shot 155s, 175s, and 200s out of. I just loaded 155s with 4895. Hopefully I'll get it to the range soon.

I've also got a 50s era M70 30-06 with factory donut barrel I need to get up and going; I'll try to get it out for the same testing.

 

[gunship]

@Random Guy Your load is the what I am most likely going to try and duplicate. The army has me running, but 1st chance I get I will be shooting some surplus ammo as a baseline then rolling from there.

 

[sandwarrior]

Like @buffalowinter I quoted a .308 load. Starting load for .30-06 is 52 gr. of H4350 behind a 175 gr. bullet. Top out is supposed to be 56 gr. But, it depends on your throat erosion. If none, stop there.

Added: As pointed out above, using loads worked up with slower powders meant for a bolt action will damage your Garand. Work up with 4895 or 4064 for the Garand.

 

[Flint62a1]

Douglas barreled post 64. R&P brass fed 210m primer 168 smk, 46.8 gr 4064

 

[gunship]

I appreciate the warnings about running the slower powders through a garand. I have always known that but it is great to reinforce it. I don’t normally shoot reloads through the garand, but I will make sure to keep them separate.

 

[gunship]

I found a good stock of H4350 and IMR4831 locally, so its time to get started. I am kind of putting it off for a RCBS chargemaster lite from the PX here though.

 

[Winchester M70 Van Orden]

I have same set-up. Good loads with 175 SMK or 173gr LC FMJBT thus far include: 168 Sierra TMK or 175gr SMK bullet with 53.5gr of H4350 in LC Match brass with Fed GMM primer at 3.340". (That load is not suitable for an M1). Also recently tried some of the old LC 173gr FMJBT bullets with 46.5grs of I-4895 in LC match brass with Fed GMM primers at 3.330", which showed some promise during a recent trip where I tested 10-rd groups. My 2cts.

Now that's an interesting set-up.. I don't know Winchester M70 with heavy or medium-heavy barrels and her accuracy-potential yet. I'm especially interested in the Accuracy of the M72-Reloads.. .

 

[kraigWY]

Most of my '06 loadings are Garand Loads I use in CMP Vintage Rifle Matches for my Garand, M1903s, and Model 1917.

But my Pre 64 Really like Win 760. This is ten rounds using 55 grs 760 and Hornady IB/SSTs, (they shoot the same), Winchester Brass and Win LRPs.

 

[Random Guy]

Now that's an interesting set-up.. I don't know Winchester M70 with heavy or medium-heavy barrels and her accuracy-potential yet. I'm especially interested in the Accuracy of the M72-Reloads..

I had a typo re the 175 grain load, its 55.3 of H4350 (not 53.5, which is pretty light). As for a duplicate of M72 w/ 173/174 LC FMJBT, I think somewhere b/t 46.5 to 47.0 of I-4895 with a match primer in LC brass will get you to a sweet spot. (I'd try 46.5, 46.7 and 47.0 and see what your barrel likes).