.30 '06 load for 1903 Springfield

[Former0302]

Anyone got a go-to load?

I have a lot of once used HXP brass, Varget, CCI BR primers and 168gr SMK's but wanted to see what others were doing vis a vie powder and projectiles before experimenting.

 

[kraigWY]

Re: .30 '06 load for 1903 Springfield

I use 46 grns of IMR 4895 with Hornady 168 A-Max, Win Brass and Fed Match Primers.

Matches the M-72 pretty close. Fact is I use the same sight setting

 

[pmclaine]

Re: .30 '06 load for 1903 Springfield

I've been working up loads with Varget/4064/4895/RL-19.

I think Varget will be my go to powder for 1903. Dont have data in front of me but IIRC you will be good in the 46-46.5 range. VERIFY my guess with your load books.

I use KA-73 brass, Win LRP, Nosler CC 168's and run a COAL at 3.30.

 

[_shawn_]

Re: .30 '06 load for 1903 Springfield

for the 155 palma's i shoot 60 gr of h4350 with fed 210 primers and remington brass on the 208 amax's i just started shooting i'm trying out 56 to 57 gr of h4350 fed 210 primers and remington brass.

on the 208's i pushed all the way to 58.2 gr's before a stiff bolt told me to back up

the nosler 150 bt's i shoot for hunting i use 58.3g of h4350 with 210 primers and remington brass

 

[aloreman]

Re: .30 '06 load for 1903 Springfield

46.5 grains of varget and a hornady 168 match bullet should duplicate hornady match ammo

 

[5spd]

Re: .30 '06 load for 1903 Springfield

In my 1903 A3 my load was 54g H414 & a 165 JSP bullet.

 

[Tx_Flyboy]

Re: .30 '06 load for 1903 Springfield

56.0gr IMR-4350, 175gr SMK, HXP Brass, 3.28" OAL...

This is no sissy load, but it leaves the barrel circa 2800ft/s and should serve you well from midrange to 1,000yds.

 

[BCP]

Re: .30 '06 load for 1903 Springfield

I was using 46 grains of 2520 for my garand loads with a 168. Mainly HXP and Rem brass with CCI primer. Same weight with varget would be a good bet.

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: .30 '06 load for 1903 Springfield

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tx_Flyboy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">56.0gr IMR-4350, 175gr SMK, HXP Brass, 3.28" OAL...

This is no sissy load, but it leaves the barrel circa 2800ft/s and should serve you well from midrange to 1,000yds. </div></div>

I like the H-4350 for my '03. 57 gr with a 168gr A-max.

 

[Heman]

Re: .30 '06 load for 1903 Springfield

I have a couple of loads I like. I have a 1932NM with Lyman sights that I shoot occasionally in course and MR matches
47gr IMR-4895 and a 135gr SMK (works great at 200/300)
47.5gr of IMR-4895 and a 175gr SMK (works at 600yds)
56gr IMR-4350 and a 175gr SMK (molly) shoot this for mid range
55.5gr IMR_4350 and a 185gr LRBT (molly) works at 1000

 

[yz45067]

Re: .30 '06 load for 1903 Springfield

56 grs of viht n160 and a 175 gr smk works pretty well. I have also had good luck with imr 4350 and still exploring with it. Vihtavorhi just runs so cool I can't justify using anything else.

 

[Flyin Ryan]

I tried 46.5 gr of Varget with a 168 a-max in my 03 and here are my results
46.5 gr varget
168 A-Max
3.25 COAL
new Frontier brass
Win Lg rifle primers I got 4 inch groups at 100 yards and the averaged 2432 FPS out of my 03.



For cheap 150 FMJ loads I had good luck with 59 grains of H4831 COAL 3.251 with Win primers. They printed just over an inch at 100. havent had a chance to chrono them yet.

 

[ChrisBCS]

My M1903 loves loves loves 155 gr AMAX. I have played around with IMR 4064 only, I keep the charges close to the minimum because I'm a wuss and that rifle is my precious. I used fire formed brass, seating depth for the magazine length.

 

[gewehr]

56 grains rl-17 cci mag primer 185 berger lapua brass 2850 fps
My rifle loves this load it doesn't seem to be a high pressure load

 

[pmclaine]

I tried 46.5 gr of Varget with a 168 a-max in my 03 and here are my results
46.5 gr varget
168 A-Max
3.25 COAL
new Frontier brass
Win Lg rifle primers I got 4 inch groups at 100 yards and the averaged 2432 FPS out of my 03.



For cheap 150 FMJ loads I had good luck with 59 grains of H4831 COAL 3.251 with Win primers. They printed just over an inch at 100. havent had a chance to chrono them yet.

Four inch seems like a big group for that rifle/powder/bullet at 100 yards. Its not a bad group considering the age of the rifle but is there something going on that if changed you might do better? Perhaps some inletting of the stock channel or a recrown? Im no crack shot so if its a skill issue don't take this as criticism. My chest is bigger than 4 inches Im not going to volunteer to stand down range from you.

These groups are Varget at 46.5 under a 168. I use Nosler CC's at 3.30 coal. I think that brass was Lake City with one firing and its lit with a WLRP.

 

[Flyin Ryan]

Four inch seems like a big group for that rifle/powder/bullet at 100 yards. Its not a bad group considering the age of the rifle but is there something going on that if changed you might do better? Perhaps some inletting of the stock channel or a recrown? Im no crack shot so if its a skill issue don't take this as criticism. My chest is bigger than 4 inches Im not going to volunteer to stand down range from you.

These groups are Varget at 46.5 under a 168. I use Nosler CC's at 3.30 coal. I think that brass was Lake City with one firing and its lit with a WLRP.

I figured they would shoot better than they did too. Maybe I was just having a bad day shooting. I noticed with 46.5 grains of Varget that it didn't give me very good load density and that the primers were backing out a little as a sign of low pressure. I wasn't impressed with the load and never tried to play with it to dial it in. My OAL was 3.25 which is .069 off the lands, Im pretty far off the lands not sure why I settled on that number maybe ill try seating them longer. as far as the rifle goes its shot great wit other loads but Im sure there's a bit left to be desired in the rigidity of the stock. Its an old scant stock that was arsenal repaired in the tang area and it is cracked through the crossbolt area. Haven't saved up for a nice C stock yet plus it add a little character. I may try to revisit the load again and Ill post an update if I mess with it.

 

[Big Z]

H4350, cci200s, 178bthps jammed.

 

[pmclaine]

I figured they would shoot better than they did too. Maybe I was just having a bad day shooting. I noticed with 46.5 grains of Varget that it didn't give me very good load density and that the primers were backing out a little as a sign of low pressure. I wasn't impressed with the load and never tried to play with it to dial it in. My OAL was 3.25 which is .069 off the lands, Im pretty far off the lands not sure why I settled on that number maybe ill try seating them longer. as far as the rifle goes its shot great wit other loads but Im sure there's a bit left to be desired in the rigidity of the stock. Its an old scant stock that was arsenal repaired in the tang area and it is cracked through the crossbolt area. Haven't saved up for a nice C stock yet plus it add a little character. I may try to revisit the load again and Ill post an update if I mess with it.

Your response indicates you are more locked in on this than I am. Perhaps your rifle smartly dislikes what until only recently was an unobtanium powder. Lucky you.

My powder testing indicates my 2 03's and Garand also perform real well with all components stats being the same except using IMR 4895 instead of Varget. The nice thing about the powder drought was finding it doesn't have to be just one powder.

 

[Kinsman]

My '03 has become something of a safe queen, but reading this thread has awakened renewed interest. I think I will get the old gal out and dance with her.

 

[pmclaine]

I noticed with 46.5 grains of Varget that it didn't give me very good load density.

Sir just thinking if you are looking to fill the case RL19 will do it and it shot well in my 03....




Id probably play with this powder more but Im looking for something I can use in the Garand also.

 

[ChrisBCS]

Whoa! That was RL 17?? Hot damn!

This is 155 AMAX with the lightest mfg recommended charge of IMR 4064, seated to magazine length:

 

[pmclaine]

Whoa! That was RL 17?? Hot damn!

RL19 sir. Not 17. Good shooting.