30-06 loads

[cgv69]

Any of you guys have any favorite 30-06 load for deer? I'm not even really looking for an exact load (I won't complain if you post one) but I'm really just looking for a recommended bullet type, bullet weight and powder?

Around here, the deer are fairly small (typically under 250lbs) and range probably wouldn't exceed 200-250yrds max.

 

[bohem]

Re: 30-06 loads

Any factory ammo with a bullet weight between 150-220 grains that happens to shoot well in your rifle will kill anything you're asking about.

The nice thing about factory loads is that they're optimized to shoot well in many many rifles, the bullets all work really well compared to what was on the market 20 years ago, adn the 30-06 will drop anything in North America with little trouble, assuming you drive it right.

 

[cgv69]

Re: 30-06 loads

So if I reading you right, it is your opinion that it's not worth the effort to develop my own load and instead just try a few of the factory loads until I find one my rifle likes?

 

[Chance]

Re: 30-06 loads

You need to look at the top of the Reloading page and go into the Reloaders Depot...I'm sure you'll find what you need there.

For my 30-06 I always used the 165gr. Sierra Gameking bullets used with about 56gr. of H4350.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: 30-06 loads

Look in the "Reloading Depot" forum for load information. It's at the top of the "Reloading Forum" page to the right.

 

[bohem]

Re: 30-06 loads

For the animals you're looking at shooting and the ranges you're using them on, you don't NEED to do anything but buy hunting ammo and shoot it.

I, as well as the other 2 replies here, have spent some time finding loads that work well in our rifles and I firmly believe that reloading is the best way to go about this sport.

I was just suggesting that for the application you posted, you can take just about anything that's made for hunting and use it with great success.

The reloading depot subforum listed at the top of the page has enough loads for 30-06 in it to keep you busy for many many days testing the loads in there. If you want to shoot precision or long range precision then it's much more applicable to tailor the loads, and that's what many of us do.

No offense meant, and since it's very close to hunting season at this point (and in some states it's in the middle of the season) you can just go to the hardware store, buy -06 ammo and be almost ready to go hunt with what you're asking.

 

[cgv69]

Re: 30-06 loads

Thanks for the info guys. I don't know how I missed it but I hadn't noticed the reloading depot. I'll look around there and see what I can find. Thanks again

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: 30-06 loads

I simply buy Rem 150gr Core-Lokt Express, sight in for 70yd or 100yd depending on how wooded the intended hunting area will be, print out a Pejsa Spreadsheet stock table, and tape it to the stock. Done and done.

Range Elevn Wind
[yards] [MOA] [MOA]
50 0 0
100 0.0 0.9
150 0.7 1.3
200 1.7 1.8
250 2.9 2.3
300 4.3 2.9
350 5.8 3.5
400 7.4 4.1
450 9.2 4.7
500 11.2 5.4
550 13.3 6.2
600 15.6 6.9
650 18.2 7.8
700 21.0 8.7
750 24.1 9.6
800 27.5 10.7
850 31.3 11.8
900
950
1000
1050
2880 fps - BC 0.331

Stock table provided above. Sight-in distance specified is 100yd, deflections are for a 10MPH full value wind. At 850yd the velocity has dropped to 1029fps and is no longer plotted. Flight duration at that distance is 1.48 sec. BC info is derived from the Rem web site, MV is observed crony data from a 22" 1:10" sporter barrel. Drops specified correspond properly with observed drops out to 250yd. Scope height is specified at 1.50".

Greg

 

[Jerry m]

Re: 30-06 loads

Greg,
I agree for hunting at less that 300 yards. In my experience, with a .270 Win, was that core locks were not accurate enough for long range. In my rifle a core lock would bracket a 22 inch plate at 800 yards, while a 135 gr SMK would hit it every time.

In .30-06 I was 55 grains of IMR4350 with a 150 grain Speer boat tail. While this is a low end load, it has been very accurate in several rifles.

Good luck

Jerry

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: 30-06 loads

We agree, my hunting area has very few locations presenting shots even as far as 300yd. I use 57.5gr of H-4350 with the 168SMK (bolt gun, not Garand), and would be comfortable substituting a 165SGK.

But for simplicity, and because I think developing a hunting load is equivalent to reinventing the wheel, I stick with the 150 Core-Lokt Express. Has always performed fine for me, and the flat base design is more than adequately accurate within 300yd.

Personally, I have reservations about LR hunting and/or SMK's as a big game bullet. But that's my problem, not yours; I recognize that I still manage to personally embody many of those quaintly nostalgic Neaderthal traits.

Yea rocks! Ungh!

Greg

 

[Jerry m]

Re: 30-06 loads

Sorry, I did not mean to indicate that I would take a shot at a deer at 800 yards, just using that as an example of the long range flight characteristics of the core lock bullets.

Jerry