I am reloading my Winchester Pre 64 Model 70 in .30-06 with 165 gr. Nosler Partitions for Texas Whitetail hunting. My question is should I set the OAL to the maximum that will fit in the magazine or should I set the OAL to the same as factory loads? I would like to be able to load these just off the rifling, but then they won't fit in the magazine. Can I expect a loss in accuracy by seating them to fit in the magazine or by matching factory load length? Help!

According to my Lyman manual the OAL for 165gr 30-06 is 3.285. According to my 'smith, this is a good place to begin. Ku-dude

If you can't get close to the lands because you are limited by the length of the magazine I would load them as long as the magazine will allow (and still feed)...if they don't shoot to your liking there I would very, very gradually seat the bullets deeper to see if you can find a sweet spot....be careful as sometimes pressures will go up quickly as you seat the bullet deeper.

In my experience with Rem 700 .308 and Browning .338WinMag, I cannot reach the lands loading to magazine length.

I get best accuracy in mag length ammo when it is loaded near or slightly over book max with slow for case/bullet powder. The "jump" into the lands lowers peak pressure compared to a load touching the lands and has worked well in my rifles. But, take your time and work up slowly if you are approaching or exceeding book max. Don't push it if signs of excess pressure appear.

MM

Ku-dude,

In order to fit the rounds (Nosler 165 gr. Partition) in the magazine, I need to keep the OAL to 3.270". This is .025" off the rifling.

Also, on this pre 64 Model 70 it looks like the front sling swivel screws into the barrel. Could this present accuracy problems versus being free floated like many newer guns?

Montana Marine,

It seems as if the best powder so far is 62 gr. of R19. I am getting 1" groups at 2850 fps and there are no signs of pressure problems. However I would like to get smaller than 1" groups at 2900 fps.

Thanks for the help! Shark Bait.

quote:

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Originally posted by Ku-dude:
According to my Lyman manual the OAL for 165gr 30-06 is 3.285. According to my 'smith, this is a good place to begin. Ku-dude

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[ 08-28-2002, 08:51: Message edited by: Shark Bait ]

Sharkbait,
If 3.285 won't fit, then 3.270" it is! Most pre-64 owners tighten the barrel screw just tight enough to keep it in.

I have a 270 pre-64 that will shoot under .5MOA; however, old M70's generally are MOA rifles without tinkering.

If I was getting good accuracy at 2850, I would not grouse too much. You can attempt to perfect a load with 62gr of RL19. I would also consider RL22 and H4350. It is possible to get better velocity and you know it is capable of one inch groups. I would also try various primers particularly FC210 Match. Ku-dude