30-06 Load for a 22" Winchester

Words of wisdom from H4831

This statement about accuracy being the ultimate feature in hunting conditions is completely over done.
For normal hunting, where 400 yards is a heck of a long shot, a rifle/cartridge combination that will shoot two inch groups at 100 yards is more than adequate.
Besides, if the rifle is properly bedded, it will most likely shoot its best accuracy at full velocity loads, probably a bit higher than loads from modern loading books
Click to expand...

,,I load a maximum charge of H4350 in Winchester brass,,accuracy is around 1 moa from the bench,,more than accurate for my hunting needs,,
 
purple said:
Theoretically the higher load density that is achieved in the .30-06 with slower burning propellants will yield higher accuracy, but the accuracy advantages of the quicker burning powders with 150-168gr bullets show up in various reloading manuals and on my targets with predictable regularity. I'm always amazed at how accurate a 150gr bullet can be with that big empty case and 23/24 gr of SR4759.

The military discovered the advantages of using 150-168gr bullets in the shorter 7.62/.308 case with more modern powders which left a lot of the space in the longer .30-06 case unused. The net result was equal performance in a smaller case that allowed a shorter action and more ammo to be carried for the same bulk and weight.

I'd always advise people to work up their own loads to see what works best for their components in their particular rifles. 48gr IMR4064 is always a great starting point for a 150 gr bullet in the .30-06.
Click to expand...

IMR4064 is a great powder for 150 gr 30-06 loads.
 
I've done a lot of reloading for M1 Garands using 150-168gr bullets and both IMR4064 and IMR4895/H4895 which are compatible with the rifle's gas system. There usually isn't much accuracy difference between the 2 powders. I've also used the same loads with issue configuration M1903 Springfields and M1917 Enfields. On the overall I'd give a nod to IMR4064, but some rifles do better with IMR4895.

One of the really nice things about the .30-06 is that it is tolerant of so many powders across the burn rate spectrum, from SR4759 at one end to H4831 at the other, so folks can develop loads that work best for their particular needs in their rifles.

Some other powders that are well worth trying in bolt rifles are IMR4320 and W760, and of course Varget. I've heard that SR4759 is being discontinued which is sad as it is excellent for reduced loads.

Bench testing is always best, but it's worth looking at reloading manuals to find a propellant recommendation for a particular bullet weight. The Sierra and Lyman manuals are my favorites. No surprise, both recommend IMR4895/IMR4064 for 150-168gr bullets and IMR4350 for 180gr bullets. My M1903 sporter is bang on with this. I've worked up MOA capable hunting loads for it using 4064/4895 for 150 and 165 gr bullets and 4350 for 180gr.
 
purple said:
May well be, but there are millions of graves full of proof that M2 ball rounds using 150 gr bullets and 48gr IMR4895 @ 2800fps were pretty effective!
Click to expand...

Yes, and the US Springfield load in WW1 was a 150 grain bullet at 2700 FPS. I cut my teeth on big rifle shooting with a Remington 30 Express using those loads. The velocity was stamped right on the wooden, 1200 round case of ammunition--VELOCITY 2700 FEET PER SECOND.
Bruce
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom