Reloading for a 30-06 Springfield

[sunray]

"...Hornady says the amax is..." No they don't. They say that bullet is not designed for hunting.
"...a good combo for..." Use a 165 hunting bullet for hunting and a 168 match bullet out to 600. Mind you, unless you can hit the kill zone at 600 don't take the shot.

 

[Republic of Alberta]

Hornady manual lists the Amax in all weights as suitable for light skinned game.

 

[1899]

Hornady manual lists the Amax in all weights as suitable for light skinned game.

They used to say that. Now they say:

A-MAX®

Designed by match shooters for match shooters. With an ultra-low drag tip, our A-Max match bullets feature an aerodynamic secant ogive that delivers flat trajectories with excellent uniformity and concentricity. Find out more...
•Rapid, explosive expansion with limited penetration.
•Recommended muzzle velocity range: 2000+ fps.
•These bullets are not recommended for hunting.

 

[purple]

There is no need to use premium bullets or match bullets for hunting with a .30-06. We see a lot of marketing hype about premium priced bullets and magical propellants, but the plain old vanilla .30-06 has been knocking animals down for decades before all of this stuff came along. IMR 4064 is a well proven propellant for 150-165 gr bullets. Use IMR 4350 or H4831 with 180gr. There is a hockey sock full of well designed and proven .308 game bullets made by all of Hornady, Sierra, Speer, Nosler, Winchester and Remington. You can expect MOA accuracy from these with a properly set up rifle and correct shooting technique. Use 150 or 165gr bullets for deer and 180gr for moose and elk. Sight in 2inches high at 100 yds and you can aim for center of mass behind the shoulder out to 300 yds and get a killing hit in the spine, lung or heart.

As indicated, it is better to actually hunt game, rather than just going out and shooting at animals at silly long ranges. Spend time scouting to locate bedding and feeding areas. Hunt with the wind in your face from where you expect animals to appear. Use a face mask and sit still and you will get many shot opportunities at ranges under 100yds. Use a rest to shoot whenever possible, focus on trigger squeeze and sight picture and aim for bullet placement on a particular spot on the animal. A lot of dry firing is a big help for accurate shooting.

 

[Iron_DukeXIII]

Thanks for the info guys, but just to clarify. 1) I have no intention of hitting a deer or any other game past 300yards as I feel it's unethical. 2) I only shoot long ranges ( or try too) at paper. I just thought if I could get a decent bullet and load that could do both it would save dialing the scope up/down. My rifle doesn't like light bullets and seems to prefer at least 165 grains so I may run with 180 grains. Unless I find a 200 grainer that beats them both out. Any secret recipes?

 

[Republic of Alberta]

They used to say that. Now they say:

They rescinded their original statement around the time they came out with the 208 BT Hollow Point which was labelled and sold as an Amax. Since the Non tipped hollow point is not suitable for hunting they came out and said ALL Amax were not hunting bullets. Now that they have relabelled the 208HP as a "hollow point boat tail" and no longer an Amax they are fine in RE-recommending the Amax (unofficially) as fine for hunting.

Confused yet?


I do agree in part with Gandrite in the fact that they can in theory change the composition of the bullet ( which they have down with the AMP jackets) for accuracy and not have to worry about its expansion property's.

 

[purple]

Thanks for the info guys, but just to clarify. 1) I have no intention of hitting a deer or any other game past 300yards as I feel it's unethical. 2) I only shoot long ranges ( or try too) at paper. I just thought if I could get a decent bullet and load that could do both it would save dialing the scope up/down. My rifle doesn't like light bullets and seems to prefer at least 165 grains so I may run with 180 grains. Unless I find a 200 grainer that beats them both out. Any secret recipes?

Most rifles have a "sweet spot" where all of the variables incl bullet, propellant type and weight, and seating depth come together to produce an accurate load. IMR 4350 and H4831 are excellent choices to begin load development with a 180gr bullet in a .30-06 bolt gun and all reloading manuals carry min/max loads for these 2 propellants. 165gr is probably the best all round bullet weight in a .30-06 for deer as it provides both ample knockdown and a flat trajectory. Its worth trying a few different bullets in this weight to see which performs best. I've had good results with both the Sierra 165gr BTSP and the Sierra 165gr HPBT in the .30-06. It takes time at the loading bench and the range to work up the best load for a rifle.

 

[manitou210]

Tested some 165gr Accubonds different powders Rem 700 22" barrel

 

[hometownhero]

^^ Those seem at least 100 fps off what they should be. With 165 2800+ shouldn't be a problem. 57gr of one of the 4350's seems to be a very good spot for 165's. I have all 3 of the 4350's tried out imr and H so far with very good results. The imr is more consistent for speed with I think it was <10 fps between the shots and h4350 was around 10-20 fps difference between shots but almost as accurate.

 

[marty06]

168 TTSX, Rem 700 22inch barrel, 57.5 grains H4350, fed 215 primers, 2780 FPS. Accuracy is very good.

 

[Iron_DukeXIII]

What about Barnes LRX rounds? Anyone try them?

 

[SuperCub]

I'm a fan of 180 gr. bullets in my 30.06. I bush hunt and its rare to get a shot more than 300 yards. A 180 is like a cannonball going through the trees and brush.

Your 30/06 loaded with 180s can shoot through trees and brush?

 

[JR45-70]

I would like to reload and try the 200 gr Accubonds........anybody have any experience with this????

 

[hometownhero]

Reply I got form hornady about hunting with the amax

"The A-Max bullet was designed for match and target shooting. Shooters have shot this bullet at game and they have had success with it. We don’t recommend it for game cause we don’t know how it will penetrate or the wound channel it will create.

Thank You,
Hornady Manufacturing, Inc"

 

[Eagleye]

I would like to reload and try the 200 gr Accubonds........anybody have any experience with this????

I am shooting the 200 AB and the 200 Partition in 2 - 30-06 rifles.

Try 57/58 grains of Reloder 22.
Start at 55 and work up to these levels though.

Both my rifles will average moa with this combo. Some groups are very small.

Regards, Dave.

 

[JR45-70]

Thanks Dave, I'll have to give it a try.......which one do you like best on game??? and are they good for long range, 400-600

 

[Eagleye]

Thanks Dave, I'll have to give it a try.......which one do you like best on game??? and are they good for long range, 400-600

I'll be up front with you, I have been using Partitions for nearly 5 decades now, and have total confidence in them.

That being said, when I anticipate shots over 400M, I pack a bigger hammer, usually one of my 308 Norma Magnums or 300 Win Mag/300WSM.

The 30-06 is very capable on game out to 400, but trajectory becomes a bit more problematic beyond that.

I am sure you could take the '06 out to 600 with lots of practice and intimate knowledge of your rifle and load.
In that case, I believe the Accubond would be the better choice, since it is ballistically superior to the Partition.

A thought just occurred to me...Nosler is now making a 190 grain Long Range Accubond with a smoking BC
This might just be the ticket for longer range work with the venerable 30-06.

Regards, Dave.

 

[ivor]

First of all, congratulations on picking the 30-06, it is possibly the most versatile and unveiling cartridge in existence due to the middle of the road boiler room, and bullets available.
Second, plan on using a solid hunting bullet that will hold together; the A-max WILL let you down.
Last, welcome to a hobby that will consume your life.....And pocketbook.
Ivor

 

[Eagleye]

First of all, congratulations on picking the 30-06, it is possibly the most versatile and unveiling cartridge in existence due to the middle of the road boiler room, and bullets available.
Second, plan on using a solid hunting bullet that will hold together; the A-max WILL let you down.
Last, welcome to a hobby that will consume your life.....And pocketbook.
Ivor

I endorse these statements without reservation!
Regards, Dave.

 

[rookie wildcat]

I am sure you could take the '06 out to 600 with lots of practice and intimate knowledge of your rifle and load.
In that case, I believe the Accubond would be the better choice, since it is ballistically superior to the Partition.

A thought just occurred to me...Nosler is now making a 190 grain Long Range Accubond with a smoking BC
This might just be the ticket for longer range work with the venerable 30-06.

Regards, Dave.

Once, back in the dim recesses of my hunting life, I needed to make a long hunting shot. The field was 600 yds and we were not allowed on it except the edges. If we shot an animal, then the farmer would take us across to find it. Needed a round to make the trip. Got with Paul Box of Sierra bullets and put together a 165gn Nosler Partition pushed at 2960 fps. Did a great job, but never again. Only in NS would I need to be that desperate.

I might look at that 190gn accubond, though.