I'm ordering a Sako 75 stainless synthetic in 30-06 for a general purpose hunting rig and would like to practice on the local ground hog and coyote populations. Does anyone have any pet loads for such critters. I don't care what happens to the skins just as long as they are dead the the round is accurate.

A load that I've used is 56gr H-4350, Hornady 168gr A-Max, and a Fed 210 primer. This load is not a hot load in my gun so start low and work up. The A-Max is very explosive on varmints. Good luck and good shooting, The Big Dog

I would use 125 grain Nosler ballistic tips,

and if you can get hold of some Ramshot "Big Game" powder, use their recommended max of 62 grains, with a CCI Magnum primer.

Super accurate, and should go around 3200 fps. Faster in a 24" barrel.

If you can't find the Ramshot stuff, H380 seems to have about the same burn rate. Work up from 56 grains or so, but you should be able to get above 60 grains with no problems. Stick with a magnum primer with the H380 as well...

The case full of the slow burning powder has always worked best for me, but some folks use smaller amounts of faster powders with good results.

Nosler recommends 52 grains of RL15 as their most accurate load with the 125's... Velocity will be around 3050 fps from a 22" barrel, and probably 3125 to 3150 from a 24" barrel.

Also, I hear that 55 grains of IMR 4320 does a fine job in the 30-06 with the 125's... Lots of folks brag about that recipe. Let us know what you discover...

Dan Newberry
green 788

Since your not worried about pelts, I use Speer 130HP,can't remember the powder charge -IMR4350 CCI LR. Not real accurate(probably me since I have work with this load enough) but should do the job.

[ 11-19-2002, 21:08: Message edited by: Gunnut45/454 ]

Some where I picked up what appeared to be comercial handloads for the 30-06. 125 grain soft points @ around 3200fps and a box of 55 grain sabot's at around 3400 fps. I checked them with the chrony, but can't remember for certain. the 125 grain's shot same hole @ 100 yards w/ 2 shots and I think the lighter bullets weren't bad either. Thought either one would be great for varmits.

50.6 grains of IMR4350 and Hornady 180's do a nice job on mean farm cats.

I haven't reloaded very much before, but if it makes a difference the factory barrel on the Sako has a 1:11 twist. Would that favor lighter or heavier bullets? I know for a 223 Rem you need a faster twist for the heavier bullets and slower for lighter bullets. I have seen twist rates vary from 1:7 for the heavies to 1:12 for the light weights. A 1:9 seems to be about the best for those. Anyone have experience with twist rates and the old -06?

my gun is shooting great with the 110 V-MAX.58.0 gr.ofH380 and a Fed match primer.my gun has a 1-9 twist but this load will shoot 3/8 inch 3 shot groups.

I have always used the 125 Sierra and many of the imr powders worked well. I would reach for the 4064 myself. The newer Nosler Ballistic Tip mentioned above has a higher ballistic coefficient but costs more. The 130 Speer also shoots well but does not carry as well due to it's shape.

I would not get worked up over twist.

I also am a fan of the 110 gr. Hornady Vmax bullets. I use them in my 30-06 and also in my 308 (in an AR-10) for jackrabbit and fox control.

The vmax seems to shoot very accurately in either rifle with several different loads of H4895.

[ 11-21-2002, 22:30: Message edited by: Need Just 1 More Gun ]

I too like the 110 v-max backed with 58 gr. of RE-15. I shiit .65 in 5 shot groups out of my marlin MR-7. I'm getting 3450 fps with no signs of pressure.

shoot

cpt,caveman did I read that right.thats gotta hurt. Jon

im thinking with a big bowl of beans i could get 4000 fps