180g hunting loads for the 30-06

bobnob

Handloader
Nov 3, 2012
678
11
I have just ordered a new 30-06 commercial Mauser style rifle with 22 inch barrel. I am looking for some broad guidance on a 180g load to save some development time.

I intend to just use 180g cup and core bullets in this rifle. I have a box of Interlocks and if they work with accuracy and the speed I want I would be happy to settle on the IL, but if they don't work well then I will look at Ballistic Tips, Hot Cors and similar until I find something that works.

The powders I have to work with are H4350, H4831sc and Varget.

While I am looking for hopefully a moa group or close to it, I am seeking a target velocity of 2700fps or a little over that from the 22 inch barrel.

I used to load a lot for a 30-06 in years past however that was a carbine with open sights so most of the load work I did for it is probably redundant, I would have thought.

Appreciating all rifles are different I just wondered what you guys think of the achievability of the objectives I have set out above? Also which powder do you suggest; I am inclined to start with 4350 at this stage (it is called AR2209 here)?

Also a question on the 180g Interlocks; how do people find their sensitivity to proximity to the lands of the barrel? The magazine box on these rifles allow the oal to be around 3.4 inch.

Thanks for your time, I would appreciate any advice or comments.

- Bob
 
Bob,

I use around 58 to 59 grains of Ramshot Hunter over a CCI Magnum primer for 180s in my 30-06. Sorry I can't be more help.

I would use the H4350 first. It should give you more velocity than the H4831. Varget is a bit fast for 180s.

I have not found Interlocks to be finicky regarding seating depth. I have found they shoot quite well under varying conditions.

Let us know how it turns out!

v/r
Joel
 
Bob,

My go to load was IMR 4350, 55.0 grs in R-P brass and a CCI large rifle primer. I loaded Hornady, Remington and Nosler PT's .015-.020" off the lands for well under MOA accuracy.
Of the powders you listed, H4350 is your best bet. Varget is too fast and 4831 won't get you the speed of H4350.


JD338
 
180 Ballistic Tip
59.0grs H4831
WW Brass
CCI 200

Chrono's 2700fps-2725fps from my 3 different 22" barreled 30/06's. Accuracy always under 1" and on good days .5" @ 100yds.
 
Of the powders you have available, I'd give a hearty recommendation to H4350.

With a 24" barrel, velocities of nearly 2800 fps can be achieved with Hodgdon's loading data.

I run a 21" barrel on my .30-06, and settle for about 2700 fps using H4350 & 180 gr bullets.

It's proven to be an excellent powder in several applications for me, particularly in the .30-06 rifle.

Should you want to try another powder, I'd highly recommend Ramshot Hunter. Excellent with the 180's!

Regards, Guy
 
I also use a stout charge of IMR4350 with 180 grain pills in my '06. I shoot accubonds and ballistictips interchangeably with my rifle.
 
Seems that 4350 and 180's work pretty well around here. Hardly swing a dead cat without someone having a good load for that combo. With the 180 BT you would have have a slick shooting combo as well. That bullet works really well at 30-06 speeds..
 
I have used mostly IMR 4350 and H 4350 in the different 30-06 rifles I have owned and been very happy with them. The old style Speer G.S. and Mag Tips were my favorites but since those are gone now I would look at the Speer Deep Curl if you can find them down there and also the Hot Cor and Ballistic Tip bullets. Any of those 3 bullets will work very well for you along with the Hornady bullets you have now. H 4831 is a bit slow in the '06 and Varget a bit too fast unless you go with a lighter bullet weight.
 
I too prefer Hunter or RL22 with 180's, but have had pretty good luck with between 54.5-56 grs of H4350 and Fed210 primers. Good luck!
 
My go to 06 load is the 180 gr NPT ahead of H-4350. I won't give the load, because I'm shooting a custom chamber with a longer throat in a single shot. But to be honest, a 100 fps either way of normal, isn't going to be big deal at normal distance's imo.
 
You're on the right track. I'll echo several of the others on the 4350 burn rate. I use the Hodgdon variety. Pushing 180 Partitions out of a 22" plain-Jane Remington 700 ADL it gave 2750 fps on the nose and is easily sub-moa. Devastating medicine for whitetails and black bears. I've not yet tried it out of my Model 70, but it will be an interesting comparison.

Great rifle and cartridge you have there, best of luck!
 
I'm interested in working up a load in my 30-06 with the 180 gr. Nosler Accubonds for an upcoming elk hunt with the 06 being my primary hunting rifle. I'll have a .300 Win. Mag. along as back up gun. What I find most interesting is the latest Nosler manual shows 62.0 gr. of RL22 for 2812 FPS from a 24" barrel as being the most accurate load tested. My rifle has a 24" barrel. Now if I can only find some RL22. I keep calling around and none to be had. :cry: I do have a supply of H4350 and W760 and if I can't find any RL22 before the hunt, I'll go with one of those. it's where I hunt shots can easily be out to 350 yards amd more and while I'd rather they were closer you have to what the the game allows. :wink:
Paul B.
 
Paul - just a head's up - I've never managed to equal Nosler's velocity for RL-22 and the 180 in the .30-06 rifle. They must have some kind of '06 Mojo going on that me and my rifle just don't have.

Likely a much newer barrel! :mrgreen:
 
I can get 2800 fps with Ramshot Hunter, as Ramshot's max goes up to 60 grains. Nosler #6 lists a max of 58 grains, and Nosler #7 lists a max of 57 grains. Both max loads top out around 2775 fps.

However, there's an accuracy node around 2730 fps, and that's the one I load for.
 
I'm getting an avg of 2823 fps with 180ABs in my '06. I'm using Nosler brass, Fed GM210M, 55.5gn of H414, COL 3.39". This is out of a Vanguard Sporter w/24" barrel. 3 shots @100yds can be covered with a dime.
 
Richracer1":yvidsb3k said:
I'm getting an avg of 2823 fps with 180ABs in my '06. I'm using Nosler brass, Fed GM210M, 55.5gn of H414, COL 3.39". This is out of a Vanguard Sporter w/24" barrel. 3 shots @100yds can be covered with a dime.

That is a smokin' load Rich.
No flys on the grand 'ol '06.

JD338
 
Thanks guys for the words of encouragement. It sounds like 4350 is as good a place to start as any so I will give that a whirl. It also sounds like 2700-odd fps will not be pushing it too hard in the 22 inch barrel.

For the rifle nuts among us the rifle which I have paid for should be here in about a week or two. It is a commercial Mauser pattern Zastava (think Interarms Mk X) however this new one is in stainless steel.

I have the blued version of this rifle in 270 and it is an accurate and reliable rifle. I bought the stainless version because I believe a stainless Mauser actioned rifle is a real novelty and because I don't own a stainless rifle of any sort so there is a real novelty factor there.

When it arrives I will post some pics meanwhile here is the photo from the Zastava site...

zastavastainless.png
 
I would agree with JD. I've used 55 grains of IMR4350 with a 180 grain bullet in my 06 forever. Accuracy is excellent and it doesn't seem to be as fussy with the OAL. Velocity is just over 2700FPS.out of my 22 inch barrel.
 
Back
Top