most accurate 30-06 load

[nvbroncrider]

We have shot the same load for over 30 years on game all over NA. Its an old J O'Conner loading that called for 52grs of 4064 and 165gr Nosler Solid Base . When they quit making the SB and went over to the Ballistic Tips we kept right on loading them and the rest is history . It may show as over Max in some of the new books I am not sure so like others said come up to it cautiously . Every load I use is over max in someones book..................................

Yes that's true. I watch my loads and make my own book. Everything I do I write down as use as my own personal reference. I have a tough time believing things that are in some books today when you compare them to older data.

 

[Wincheringen]

"Nearly every load posted in this thread is 2-5 grains over Max!" :?: How so?

Hodgdon shows 59 grains of H4350 as maximum with a 165 grain Sierra SPBT.

Don's load is at that, and I'm a grain under.

Hodgdon shows 60 grains of IMR 4350 with the same 165 gr Sierra SPBT.

Those were the only ones I checked against Hodgdon's data, but every post with IMR 4350 or H4350 looks good to me. Max or below.

Sierra shows 54.1 grains as Max with that bullet and H4350.

NVBroncrider, as pressure testing has evolved, those older loads were found to be dangerous and reduced to safe levels. Unless you have Pressure Trace equipment you should not be randomly experimenting. I've been reloading quite a while and never blown a gun up.

 

[DrMike]

Different chambers, different brass, different primers, lot-to-lot variation of powder--this is why you always drop back ten percent and work up to ensure that a load is safe. It is also why we are encouraged to use a chronograph to have an idea of velocity so that we will avoid drifting into dangerous territory.

 

[nvbroncrider]

"Nearly every load posted in this thread is 2-5 grains over Max!" :?: How so?

Hodgdon shows 59 grains of H4350 as maximum with a 165 grain Sierra SPBT.

Don's load is at that, and I'm a grain under.

Hodgdon shows 60 grains of IMR 4350 with the same 165 gr Sierra SPBT.

Those were the only ones I checked against Hodgdon's data, but every post with IMR 4350 or H4350 looks good to me. Max or below.

Sierra shows 54.1 grains as Max with that bullet and H4350.

NVBroncrider, as pressure testing has evolved, those older loads were found to be dangerous and reduced to safe levels. Unless you have Pressure Trace equipment you should not be randomly experimenting. I've been reloading quite a while and never blown a gun up.

Yes I understand what your saying, but I don't randomly experiment. When I work something up I go half grain increments from 2 grains below book minimum until I see signs of pressure. Then I write all that information in the logs and normally keep those test shells as refrence. Until I have acheived a good load for the rifle.

 

[Guest]

Post subject: Re: most accurate 30-06 load
Different chambers, different brass, different primers, lot-to-lot variation of powder--this is why you always drop back ten percent and work up to ensure that a load is safe. It is also why we are encouraged to use a chronograph to have an idea of velocity so that we will avoid drifting into dangerous territory.

Dr. Mike said it well. Chronograph is a must.

Don

 

[noslerfan]

Years ago I loaded up 48.0 gr. of IMR-4895 with a 150 Nosler solid base bullet for my M-1 Garand. Sold the Grand and had quite a bit loaded ammo left. Now I have a Remington 700 CDL,Remington 700 ADL both in 30/06. Went out the other day to shoot both my Remington M700 30/06 and both shot less than 1 MOA useing the M-1 Garand load of IMR-4895. Went out the following week with my Remington 03A3 and it shoot around 1 inch at 100 yards. My son has a Remington m-700 ADL 30/06 and he getting the same results. I know this load will not set any speed records,but if you want one load that accurate try 48.0 gr. of IMR-4895 with 150 gr Ballistic tip.

 

[russ808]

Nosler#6 lists IMR-4350 @ 57 grains as their max/most accurate load for the 165/168 bullets.
Russ.

 

[Guest]

I worked up the 168gr BT using Hodgdon's data for H4350. I started low and checked all pressure signs. All is well at the listed max, and accuracy is stellar. Only took 15 total shots to work up and then re-confirm this load, too. If it were only that easy all the time!

 

[Guy Miner]

"Sierra shows 54.1 grains as Max with that bullet and H4350."

Makes it real interesting for us doesn't it? Sierra at 54 grains, Hodgdon at 59 grains...

Those two sources show a similar discrepancy with the .308 Win, Varget, and a 168 gr bullet.

 

[big rifle man]

One of my best loads for the 06 was 48 grains of IMR4064 with a 165 grain Sierra gameking. Accuracy was well under an inch with an older Browning A-bolt. Velocity wasn't the speed of light but the deer didn't seem to notice. IMR4350 worked well with the heavier weight bullets.

 

[lhsako]

We have shot the same load for over 30 years on game all over NA. Its an old J O'Conner loading that called for 52grs of 4064 and 165gr Nosler Solid Base . When they quit making the SB and went over to the Ballistic Tips we kept right on loading them and the rest is history . It may show as over Max in some of the new books I am not sure so like others said come up to it cautiously . Every load I use is over max in someones book..................................

lol... i worked up an old o'connor load w/ imr4320 and a 150 tip for a freinds '06. real death ray for deer !!!!!!

 

[PJGunner]

"Sierra shows 54.1 grains as Max with that bullet and H4350."

Makes it real interesting for us doesn't it? Sierra at 54 grains, Hodgdon at 59 grains...

Those two sources show a similar discrepancy with the .308 Win, Varget, and a 168 gr bullet.

For the record, some of Sierra's data is very conservative. Until their last loading manual, the acutally use a rifle with a 29" barrel to get the velocity figures for the 7x57 cartridge. :shock: Some, to me this seems like they're not cheating fair. :x
Certain cartridges have never been loaded to their full potentia due to rifles considered potentially too weak for proper full power loadsl, the 7x57 and 30-06 are very prime examples.
I often wonder :?: :?: if those people who do the load work ups for the loading manual have worked up to full potential in those cartridges for their own personal use and pleasure? Sure would be nice to be able to pick their brains.
Paul B.