New Reloader Looking for .30-06 Starting Point

Travis Bickle

Travis Bickle

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Hey guys!
I have finally acquired a set of reloading tools.
I'm going to be reloading .30-06 for my 1903A3.

Basically I'm not looking for match ammo production. I'm looking to slam out large amounts of a close reproduction of the old M2 U.S. Ball ammo.
I'm using cheap 147gr FMJ projectiles, standard Federal brass, CCI large primer and IMR4895 powder.
I'm wondering where to start at for a ladder test using IMR 4895 powder with that weight projectile (147 grain)?
Hoping to push it to about 2800 fps to match about close enough to the original round fired from the 1903 Springfield rifle.

All the research I've read had the original load at around 47.5 grains of powder for this set up.

What think you all? If that sounds accurate, I'll probably start at 46 grains and work up a half grain from there depending on how it performs.

Any guidance would be appreciated.
 
I seem to recall the standard GI load being in the range of 49 grains of IMR 4895 with a 150-grain bullet, but I could be wrong. FYI, my Nosler 5th Edition guide suggests that 51.0 grains of IMR 4895 with a 150-grain Nosler bullet is both the maximum and the most accurate load.

If it were me, I would start around 46 grains, as you indicated, and work my way up in .4 grain increments for a ladder test until I reached the maximum load, which should be around 51 grains with that powder and bullet. Once I passed the 50-grain mark, I would look especially carefully for signs of pressure on the brass.

FWIW, I would not bother with a formal ladder test for blasting ammo. It is only relevant for finding OCW loads which are going to be used for long-range accuracy shooting under varying conditions. For blasting ammo in a military rifle with iron sights, I would just work up loads that shot accurately and were regulated with the issue sights.
 
.30 M2 ammo(.30 M2 was not the original '03 Springfield ammo. Actually the ammo developed for the M1 Rifle after .30 M1 ammo was found to have too much range.) used in an '03A3, used a 152 grain bullet. In any case, there is no exact .30 M2 load for any powder. Ammo was loaded to give a specific muzzle velocity with a tolerance.
147's are a 7.62NATO bullet. Either those, 150's(no 152's made anymore) or 168's(Match and AP ammo) with IMR4064 will give you better accuracy. IMR4064 gives more consistent accuracy than either IMR or H 4895(close but not the same). Been using it for eons with a 168 match bullet out of my '03A4.
There's nothing formal about the ladder test. The ladder tests really tests nothing, but the change of POI with different loads.
Anyway, you cannot just pick a load and hope. You need to work up the load.
46 grains is below minimum. 47.0 grains of IMR4895 is minimum. It's barely above 2700 fps(that's .30 M1 velocity. The 2800 fps came in 1940.). The '03 is forgiving as to the ammo it likes so accuracy is far more important than velocity. Start at 47.0 and work up by half a grain to the max load and stop with the best group.
 
The best source for copying the US military loads is the "Army Ammunition Data Sheets, Small Caliber Ammunition" manual, (TM43-0001-27 1994), which indicates 50 gr. of IMR 4895 for the M2 ammunition.
 
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Reloading isn't rocket science. Just follow the guidelines and measure carefully, the math is already done for you. I ladder test my loads for tightest group, regardless of what others say.
 
Excellent!
Good advice all!
Yes I think I will start with 46.5 grains.
Does this make sense for a test?

If I load those components and load 3 cartridges at 46.5 gr, 3 cartridges at 47 gr, 3 cartridges at 47.5 gr etc up to 49 gr and see what the best results are grouping wise to the irons set at 100 meters that will get me close enough to what I'm looking for?

I'm pretty sure after doing some reading that any of those loads with a 147gr projectile will be nowhere near pushing the case or the chamber to the danger level?

I am excited, I have all the stuff, I just need to figure out how the hell to use it. I have a good friend that is a reloading expert, I'll be getting face to face education on the whole process before proceeding either way.
Thanks for the advice all!
 
Just curious as to which bullets you're using. I'm getting some of the frontiers to try in my Garand.

I always load and shoot strings of 5 at .5gr increments, plus several extras just for fouling shots before testing.

If I find a decent node then I'll load more to test, plus some .2 above and below.

Today for example I burned 50 rounds thru an AR and found two potentially fantastic loads with a previously untried powder, starting some 4.5 grains below (10%) some data I found online and carefully testing. I'll go back when I've done up some more at those weights to see if it was a fluke or not lol
 
Travis Bickle said:
Excellent!
Good advice all!
Yes I think I will start with 46.5 grains.
Does this make sense for a test?

If I load those components and load 3 cartridges at 46.5 gr, 3 cartridges at 47 gr, 3 cartridges at 47.5 gr etc up to 49 gr and see what the best results are grouping wise to the irons set at 100 meters that will get me close enough to what I'm looking for?[/B]

I'm pretty sure after doing some reading that any of those loads with a 147gr projectile will be nowhere near pushing the case or the chamber to the danger level?

I am excited, I have all the stuff, I just need to figure out how the hell to use it. I have a good friend that is a reloading expert, I'll be getting face to face education on the whole process before proceeding either way.
Thanks for the advice all!
Click to expand...

3 shots is not enough to tell you anything. Random shots can be close together, looking like a good load. 5 is an absolute minimum. Lots of cooling time between groups.

Start at 46.0.

Are you using iron sights? If so, don't waste your time on this kind of test. Load your brass with 46.5 and go shooting.

To test ammo you want a scope (7 power minimum. 15 or 20 is better. Maybe you can borrow one?).

Has the rifle been bedded? Again, this is a basic preliminary step to make a rifle accurate.
 
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