I'm going on my first elk hunt this fall. I have a 30-06 that I would like to work up some 180 gr. loads for. I haven't used the 30-06 since I started reloading, so I would like to pick the brains of some of you guys that has been loading for this cartridge. I have looked at my reloading books and it looks like IMR4831, RE 19, IMR&H4350 are the best powders to start with. Thanks.

C-ROY

Croy, I started a thread on the Big Game forum entitled "ACTUAL 30-06 180 gr Velocities" or something like that... it's on page two (3/14/2002). You may find good info there.

Brad

I've shot Nosler 165 BTs for whitetail for 15-20 years C-Roy. Most of that time, the load and gun loved IMR4064. It still does, but about 2-3 years ago I also started playing around with IMR4350 and have used it the past couple of years. One or both of those powders should work well with the slightly heavier bullet.

IMR 4350 is hard to beat with the 180 grain bullet, but in your individual rifle it is just as likely to do its best with H4831 (not IMR 4831), RL 19, VV 160, WW 760/H-414, or any other powder in that burning range.

My personal favorite with a 180 Nosler is 58 grains of IMR 4350 (2800 fps out of a 24" bbl.), but your gun may be different

FWIW, I've found that my -06 (Savage w/ 22" tube) does best with IMR4350. I've also tried H414, Reloader19 and H4831. All are under Sierra 150gr GK's.
IMR4350 has produced the best performance in both velocity and accuracy.
On the terminal performance end, I have never shot an elk, but I would not hesitate to shoot this bullet at one. It has been used to take many Axis and WT deer and very few have taken more than one step after being hit. I should say that if it's not going to be a wall mount I shoot for the head or upper neck.
Good luck on the hunt. *Nut*

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My wife said "If you load ONE more box of ammo, I'm gonna take the dog and leave"
God, I'm sure gonna miss that dog. )

I use imr 4350 in the 30/06. But for the most velocity you might look at the loads in the Nosler Handbook for Rel. 22. They are 150 fps higher than any other powder. I have not tried them (and I may never try them).

Depending upon the rifle, about 55 - 57 gr
of Vhitavouri N160 with the 180 grain bullets.
Very hard to beat this combo.

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RC

I have 2 basic loads for the 30-06 and am going to try somethings to get better velocity out of them problem being that IMR 4350 I think may be a tad slow even with 180`s in a 22 inch barrel if my barrel was 24 I would not change a thing.I have chronyed my 165 load at a mean velocity of 2839 accuracy is good.I have not ran my 180 load threw the chrony yet but will soon.

FED brass
165 seirra spbt
CCI 200 primer
IMR 4350 at 57.5 grains

R-P brass
180 cor-loc rem
CCI 200
IMR 4350

RL-22, 62 grains
190 gr SMK

This load averages 2826 fps from my 30-06, 26" barrel.

Nosler manual #4 indicates 61 gr of RL-22 under a 180 gr bullet achieves 2872 fps from a 24" Lilja barrel.

MM

I use 57.0 H4350, Fed 210 Match, Fed Match Brass behind either a Speer 180 Grand Slam or HotCore. Extremely accurate and consistent velocity. Gives 2750 fps out of my 22" Rem ADL and my 24" Rem BDL. Go figure.