New to the forum and recently picked up a Ruger #1 in 30-06. I plan on using it to hunt deer in New Mexico. Would like to start reloading for it. Any good recipes for 30-06? A friend told me that #1's liked 180 bullets over the lighter bullets. Has anyone else found this to be true?

The classic '06 load:
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165 gr. bullet & 57-58 grs. 4350
or
180 gr. bullet & 60 grs. H4831 or RL22
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I chrony'd the 165 gr. Hornady Interbond in a 24" barrel tonight. 57.5 grs. H4350 made 2850 fps.
60.0 grs. Winchester WXR (very similar to h4831 or RL22) and a 180 gr. Speer HotCor makes 2713 fps in a 22" barrel.

P.S., reduce all loads 5% and work up slow

[ 08-24-2003, 10:08: Message edited by: todbartell ]

57 grs. of IMR 4350 with Win. brass or LC brass, Win. Lg Rifle primer, and a 165 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip.

In your Ruger 1 w/30-06 and 150 grain bullets the

IMR 4350 or Reloader 19 are excellent, both loaded at 60.0 grains w/Federal Gold Medal 210M primers in Fed Cases. I prefer the Nosler BT or Sierra GK bullets for deer.

I prefer RL19 just a tad more accurate in my rifle than IMR 4350, but you can't go wrong with either.

I made very good experiences as well with Alliant RL19 for both 150 grain and 180 grain Nosler bullets.

I prefer the 150 and 165-grain bullet weights for the big mulies in N.M. and CO, but use the 200-grain Nosler Partition for elk. I use 59 grains of H4831 in my 200-grain '06 loads. This produces just at 2700 FPS in a 26" barrel. In my Ruger No. 1's, I have found that I can usually work up loads using Sierra bullets, then switch to Nosler Partition bullets of the same weight for hunting, and that they usually shoot to the same point of impact (BUT, not always! You have to test this to be sure if no sight changes will be required after switching, naturally!!)

There's a lot to be said for 180's in 30-06, long bearing surface for the rifling and generally they are very accurate. For most hunting bullets, the 180 will exceed the 150's and 165's velocities beyond 300 yards due to ballistic cooeficients and it's heavier mass will carry more energy. Sharp pointed 165-8 grain target bullets are an exception to this, but you won't use them for hunting anyway.
Heavy loads of 4350 is always a winner in 30-06 with the exception of the M-1 Garand.

regards,
Graycg

Bullet:Sierra 168 Grain Boat Tail Hollow Point
Powder:56.6 grains of IMR-4350
Primer:Winchester 8-1/2
Case:Winchester
Velocity:2801 FPS @ 15' from muzzle
Accuracy:Less than 0.75" for 5 shots at 200-yards

Bullet:Nosler 180 Grain Partition
Powder:55.0 grains of IMR-4350
Primer:Winchester 8-1/2
Case:Winchester
Velocity:2705 FPS @ 15' from muzzle
Accuracy:Less than 0.75" for 5 shots at 200-yards

RP Brass, WLR Primer, 57 to 57.5 gr's H4350 and any 180 grainer works in my 22" bbl'd M70 giving 2,750 to 2,780 fps and excellent accuracy... my rifle absolutely refuses to group boattail's but loves flatbase 180's!

Thanks for the information. I was told there was a wealth of info on this forum and it seems to be true. Really appreciate the help. Now just got to work up some loads and sight the #1 in.