any good advice for someone new to Reloading 30 06

easysauce

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Hey, just thought I would throw this out there for any of you experienced re loaders.

I have been collecting my 3006 brass for a while so that I can get down from the dollar plus a shot i have to pay. I am thinking about a basic lee loader set up, I have found bullets from the vendors above for about 30 cents each, primers seem cheap enough as well. Im really not sure which powder to get or where reliable recipes can be found though. Any advice to a newbie for reloading in general is also welcome, I would hate to learn anything the hard way.
 
You might want to up the ante on your equipment and also buy a couple of manuals on reloading, lots of recipes on the powder manufacturers sites. IE: Hogdons, Alliant, Velveeta(Finnish), my newest go to powder for the 30/06 is IMR 4007.
 
You want medium to medium slow powders. BLC2, H335, 748, 4895, 4320, 4350, RL15, RL17. Any large rifle primer will work. Winchester has a bit more flexibility.

Bullets in the 165 to 200 gr range are appropriate.

You might be surprised at how well a heavy cast bullet works (around 200 gr) with a faster powder in the range of 2400 to 3031.

if you want to plink in the gravel pit, cast bullets are real cheap and do the job perfectly.

And buy at least one loading manual and read the educational section. It will help you understand the process.
 
my fav. for the odd 6..is 55 gr of 4350 with a 180 bullet..
but do your own homework on that one;)

do your self a favor and get a RCBS rockchucker for a press.. ;)
 
Save yourself a lot of time and get some IMR 4350 or H4350, and load up some 165gr or 180gr bullets.
 
i do not reload for the 30-06 yet,have the brass,dies to do it just need the primers,bullets.i will be using the same 4895 i am using in my 222.the guys at the range use varget,3031,4350 and a few others.
 
A 180 gr Accubond, 46 gr of H4895 and CCI Lr Br primer, Oal of 3.355". This is a load that works well in my Ruger M77 mk1. NOTE: this is a MAX load that took me a while to settle on. You should start at the minimum load and work your way up to achieve the correct load for your rifle.

I reload with the Lee anniversary kit (pre breach lock). Best money spent IMO, though others may disagree. The newer Breach lock kits work well, 2 friends use the new style. I am thinking of buying the new style press. Calibers I reload: 223, 308, 6.5x55, 30-06, 375 Ruger, 300 wsm using Lee, Redding and Hornady dies. No issues or complaints.
 
Looks like we are in the same boat...I just bought the 50th anniv kit, and will be trying my first reloads tomorrow or sunday... Started with H4350, CCI primers, and 180gr Rem PSPs.. loaded up 52, 54 and 56 Gr loads this evening.. Will let ya know how they work out!! Let me know how your loads work!
 
If you are shooting a semi auto I would stay away from the slower powders. IMR 4064 has been my powder of choice for more than 30 yrs for my BAR and Garand. Also settled on 165 gr Hornadys SP's in both. There are better bullets available (and more expensive) but for my purposes - deer hunting with the Browning and plinking with the M1 this combination has worked great.
 
A Lee Loader works okay for a while untill your cases get out of shape too much.The first time a primer goes off on you when your pounding them in you will go buy a press anyways.
 
Ball powders are the best for running through a powder measure, no matter what the caliber. Try W-W 748 for starters in your 30-06.
 
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