30-06 talk

I have 3 of them, all with different loads for different purposes kind of…
In the BAR I usually run factory, I have yet
To reload for it but the plan is to feet it 200gn bullets of some sorts, to be seen!
An other one is a husqvarna 1640 carbine the rifle I got my moose with this year with some Hornady 178gn ELD-X factory ammo. But now I developed a load using 165gn TTSX with H4350 and so far I’m pretty happy with both velocity and accuracy that said I’m still tweaking the load and seating depth.
Next is my first 30-06 a Ruger m77 mkII that is now my wife of a loaner, I would like to have that one loaded with 200gn as well as 159 or 165gn!!
 
I’ve got a fair bit of history with the 30-06 from culling and a few loads stand out as easy ways to do it. Right at 50 to 50.5 grains of Varget and just about any 165-168 bullet seems to give consistently good results in a variety of rifles. Shot a train-load of stuff with that. It’ll crowd 3000 fps in hot weather.

Hard to go wrong with H4350 or its ADI equivilent with 180s. 2850 is within reach with good barrels and book data. Most guns will shoot it too.

A decidely less likely to shoot load that I’m having fun with right now utilizes Superformance and the 165 gr Sierra Gamechanger. Load varies with the brass because observation has told me that the charge is about all the Superformance I can get in the case and not buckle it seating the bullet. 215 and WLRM primers. Works out to 63 grains in fired Rem brass and 62 in new ones. Take 1 grain off both categories for my stash of ancient Norma made brass. 3200 fps out of my 26” Benchmark barrel. It definitely gets leaned up with the real guns on my home range when steel shooting reaches 600 and up and many hunting rifles are already put away😄
Had to rename that 30-06 to 30-23. Times have changed.😂
 
Ironbull said:
Guys, running a 30-06, what are you using? What's a good combo have zero experience with the cartridge
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I load for a half dozen or so 30-06's. My friend Terry likes 150 gr Barnes X bullets in his. Quite accurate too. I load 150 gr and 178 gr bullets for my Garand. Use 190's in my 30-06 Improved. 165 gr ballistic tips in two Rem 700's. The other two like 180 gr Hornady flat based soft points. - dan
 
168gr Barnes TTSX factories currently

I do have a wack of stuff in the 165gr - 180gr range ie; Interlocks, BT’s, Partitions, SGK’s TSX & TTSX over 4064 or H4350 that I’ll get to at some point.. for now the factory Barnes is working well enuff.
 
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in my 30-06 I found that the Federal 165 SGKBT are the most accurate out of my rifle. I've taken quite a few moose with that bullet. I also find Winchester 168 BST is accurate as is the the Hornady Superformance with SST 180 grainers to be very accurate as well.
 
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One of these days I gotta see how much animal a 110gr TTSX goes through. But this year it was a 270 Win.
 
Can’t beat a classic. I’m shooting 168gr TTSX over 56.5grs of another classic, Win 760. Reaching 2900-3050fps. Through and through on a broadside moose at 400yards. Awesome bullet. Recently switched from 180gr for a lighter bullet.
 
mimile said:
If one has to choose one bullet for the 30-06 it should be Nosler Partition 180 grains. It works for everything. Ramshot Hunter and Magnum primers are great for this combo.
The gunmaker Charlie Sisk reportedly said: Get a 30-06, load Nosler Partition, shut up, go hunting.
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The 30-06 with 180NPT sets the benchmark for big game terminal performance in my mind.

Phil Shoemaker said a good one;

"Anyone who claims the .30-06 is ineffective has either not used one or is unwittingly commenting on his marksmanship."

Haha, Phil prefers the 200gr NPT for more penetration, but he is shooting Alaskan moose and brown bears.

I like the 180's cuz they open up faster on lighter animals like deer - this means wider wounding which in turn can effect quicker kills.

Recoil with the heavies can be stiff in a light (or poor fitting) rifle though - for plinking, 150s are noticeably more pleasant to shoot!
 
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I’m a big fan of Reloader 22 in the 30-06. 61 grains under a 178 eldm/eldx is giving me 2800 fps. Shot 4 deer this year and I’m pretty happy with those combos.
180 ballistic tip with the same charge was my go to load for about 7 years. It was excellent.
 
I reloaded for a couple 30-06's over many years. My powder was 4064 for both. Always used 165gr Hornady SP's. 46 grs in my M1 and 47.5 in a BAR. Neither load is max but provided great accuracy and I always felt were well suited to my rifles gas systems.
Once again all "internet" loads should be checked in at least one reloading manual before use!
 
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