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Loads for testing the accuracy of a 30-06
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posted 01 June 2005 16:26
OK you ought six owners help this Englishman test his new (to him) 06 to see if it's accurate!

He has a set of dies, lapua brass, WLR primers and Viht N135, N150, N550 and H4350 to hand. He'd rather not buy any more powder. What bullet/load would you use to determine accuracy. Rifle will be used for whitetailed sized deer so partitions TSXs or over 165gr not particularly desired.
 
Posts: 2032 | Registered: 05 January 2005Reply With Quote
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Picture of ricciardelli
posted 01 June 2005 16:56Hide Post
With the powders you mention and 168 Sierra HPBT:
N-135 From 39.5 grains to 46.0 grains

N-150 From 39.3 grains to 52.5 grains

N-550 From 40.7 grains to 55.1 grains

H-4350 From 46.8 grains to 60.0 grains

I prefer:
IMR-4350 From 47.5 grains to 59.0 grains
 
Posts: 3282 | Location: Saint Marie, Montana | Registered: 22 May 2002Reply With Quote
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Picture of vapodog
posted 01 June 2005 17:02Hide Post
There's no "silver bullet" so to speak that will display the real accuracy of any cartridge but of all the bullets I've tried the Nosler Ballistic Tip has proven an accuracy record that is hard to beat. Even some of the so-called "match" bullets are not as good. Hornady's flat base interlocks are a close second in this category and IMO are a slightly better bullet for terminal performance outside the bonded bullets.
Give these a try and see what your rifle does.


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Posts: 28849 | Location: western Nebraska | Registered: 27 May 2003Reply With Quote
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Picture of craven
posted 01 June 2005 20:46Hide Post
Im with Steve and Vapodog on this, I have found that my 06 loves IMR 4350 and 165gr nosler ballistic tips. I use 57gr of powder and cci 200 primers and have true moa with this combo no matter what brass I use.

Craven beer
 
Posts: 139 | Location: Florida | Registered: 09 February 2005Reply With Quote
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posted 01 June 2005 21:03Hide Post
Yeah, BTs are usually a good place to start for accuracy. Sorry, can't help you with the powders you mention. RL15 worked well for me with 150 grs BTs. Good that you got Lapua brass, trim to same length, deburr, and sort for neck thickness variance. That will give you a pretty solid foundation.
- mike


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The rifle is a noble weapon... It entices its bearer into primeval forests, into mountains and deserts untenanted by man. - Horace Kephart
 
Posts: 6653 | Location: Switzerland | Registered: 11 March 2002Reply With Quote
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posted 01 June 2005 21:22Hide Post
I keep 168gr. Matchkings on hand for just this purpose.
 
Posts: 45 | Registered: 13 April 2005Reply With Quote
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posted 01 June 2005 22:18Hide Post
SmilerI don't understand the phrase "loads for testing accuracy of a 30/06." Not ever 30/06 will shoot well with certian bullets although it is one of the bset to do so. You can usually think 150 to 180 grains in the 30/06 and do well. I have shot 165 balistic tips and worked up a good load for them. But some 30/06s love the 180 grain. So pick what bullet you want and work on it. There is no special accuracy load for any caliber, if so reloading would be a thing of the past. Taking the loads worked up by thoase like Steve who gets to, and has shot a big bunch, will give you a starting point. But don't expect it to be the one your rifle likes. And just because you ae using some expensive brass it will help a lot. I tried three different Remington factory rounds in an 06, 150, 165, 180 grain and then refined the 165 using Remington cases as it shot the best. Was shooting .500 when I quit on it.
 
Posts: 671 | Location: none | Registered: 14 February 2005Reply With Quote
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posted 02 June 2005 04:30Hide Post
Which ever one of those powders that closly relates to IMR-4064 or IMR-4895 should give you excellent accuracy, maybe...but that all depends on YOUR rifle not someone elses, you have to discovers those things yourself, these guys can't help you there...


Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120

rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
 
Posts: 42354 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000Reply With Quote
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posted 02 June 2005 04:34Hide Post
SmilerThanks Ray. you answered it on the button. IMR 4895 and IMR 4064 are great powders for the 30/06 but my best may be his worst!
 
Posts: 671 | Location: none | Registered: 14 February 2005Reply With Quote
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posted 02 June 2005 08:23Hide Post
I'd echo what Vapodog said about BT's and Hornaday flat based bullets. If your rifle won't shoot one of those, its going to be a long search. I'd go with 165gr or 180gr bullets in the -06. My theory is that there isn't a single thing a 150 or 165 grain bullet will do, that a 180 won't do better.

With the 180gr bullet, I really like the 4350 powders the best. If you can find them, the Federal 210Match primers are hard to beat. And if you want to treat yourself, use Lapua or Norma brass. Kudude
 
Posts: 1473 | Location: Tallahassee, Florida | Registered: 04 January 2005Reply With Quote
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Picture of Doc
posted 02 June 2005 09:31Hide Post
I've had very accurate groups using H4350 and IMR4350 with 165 ballistic tips and Hornady 165 bullets.

My very best load to date with my .06 is 55.0grains of H4350 with 168 Barnes Triple Shocks. Too bad you don't want to try those bullets. Second to that is the ballistic tip.


Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns
 
Posts: 7906 | Registered: 05 July 2004Reply With Quote
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posted 02 June 2005 10:01Hide Post
I have worked with N-550 and 165 bullets,it's certainly not the powder to test the rifle.I used 54grs of H-4350 and 165 Hornadys to test rifles,it may not be a pet load but it should be under 2" at 100m.But try a run of H-4350,a grain apart.That will give you a pretty good idea of the rifle.I have found the IMR-4350 more consistant with 165,but if he doesn't have it,that's not much help.


You can hunt longer with the wind at your back
 
Posts: 480 | Location: B.C.,Canada | Registered: 20 January 2002Reply With Quote
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posted 02 June 2005 10:01Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by vapodog:
There's no "silver bullet" so to speak that will display the real accuracy of any cartridge but of all the bullets I've tried the Nosler Ballistic Tip has proven an accuracy record that is hard to beat. Even some of the so-called "match" bullets are not as good. Hornady's flat base interlocks are a close second in this category and IMO are a slightly better bullet for terminal performance outside the bonded bullets.
Give these a try and see what your rifle does.

Excellent advice vapodog!
I wasn't a Hornady fan and shuned "Frontier" ammunition, but that was the 1970's. I have since learned that Hornady makes some of the best non-premium bullets that fly. I've always liked Nosler's bullets and used the old solid base bullet years before the ballistic tip came along. However, it was a Hornady bullet and H-414 in 30-06 that educated me as to just what velocieties could safely be achieved -another reason I'm not a 270 fan.
My point, a Hornady flat base bullet along with Nosler's boat tail, are the two best combination that one could stuff thru a .30 calibre tube for testing, or any reason for that matter.
What little I've used the V-V powders(3N-37, N-160, and N-550) I'm impressed. I have yet to run into the variations I've seen with the Reloader powders.
Best of luck!
 
Posts: 3889 | Registered: 12 May 2005Reply With Quote
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Picture of Alaska Bush Man
posted 06 June 2005 04:05Hide Post
If you need a accurate load for a bolt 30-06:

Sierra 165 Gameking
57.5 of IMR 4350
Fed 210M GM primers
Fed or WW cases

Sierra 180 Gameking
56.0 of IMR 4350
Fed 210M GM Primers
Fed or WW cases


Jeff
North Pole, Alaska

Red Team 98

 
Posts: 523 | Location: North Pole, Alaska | Registered: 26 January 2003Reply With Quote
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posted 06 June 2005 05:42Hide Post
I used 58 grains of AA4350 behind a 165-grain GS, touched off by a CCI-200. That is close to maximum, and I worked up to it. I would tell you that H4350 is right at a grain slower than the AA, in my experiences. Sadly, the Eddystone '06 isn't mine any more. The 5-groove rifle shot wonderfully well,and in a mad stroke of lunacy, I sold it!??? (Maybe the Remington 721 that is coming will shoot as well...) But Buckshot, it STILL won't be a .270! Big Grin
 
Posts: 4748 | Location: TX | Registered: 01 April 2005Reply With Quote
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posted 06 June 2005 15:07Hide Post
OK I know that there is no magic load poor terminology - what I meant was a good powder bullet combination for an initial range session. As the 06 is completely new to me I thought I would get the benefit of what seems to consistantly work well for all you people who have owned countless scores of 06s.

I will buy a box of 150gr BTs to try with VVN150 (IMR 4064 clone) and have a play.

Later on I hope a 165gr Interbond under a stiff charge of H4350 will prove good for some big field fallow where a flat shooting round with authority might allow a bit of extra range.
 
Posts: 2032 | Registered: 05 January 2005Reply With Quote
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posted 06 June 2005 17:52Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by 1894mk2:
OK I know that there is no magic load poor terminology - what I meant was a good powder bullet combination for an initial range session.
I always like to begin BenchMarking a new rifle with Match Grade bullets(Sierra, Hornady, Speer or Nosler as all make fine ones). That "generally" lets me know quickly if the rifle has good accuracy potential as-is, or if it needs work done on it.

Nothing at all wrong with trying:
quote:
I will buy a box of 150gr BTs to try with VVN150 (IMR 4064 clone) and have a play.
If they don't shoot well though, try a 168gr MatchKing or 165gr BTip. Some rifles just don't shoot a specific bullet weight very accurately and by switching weights it may become a fine rifle. And some rifles like anything. Just don't get tunnel vision on the bullet.

quote:
Later on I hope a 165gr Interbond under a stiff charge of H4350 will prove good for some big field fallow where a flat shooting round with authority might allow a bit of extra range.
That being the ultimate goal, I would load the 168gr Sierra MatchKing so it is Seated 0.010" Into-the-Lands and begin working up with the H4350 while watching for Pressure Indicators.

If the groups look good, then I'd go back and determine if the rifle will allow me to Seat the 165gr Interbond 0.015" Off-the-Lands and still fit inside the magazine. If so, I'd work up again from below with the Interbond and once I find the best Load combination, I'd do some Fine Tuning by adjusting the Seating Depth.

Best of luck to you.
 
Posts: 9920 | Location: Carolinas, USA | Registered: 22 April 2001Reply With Quote
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posted 06 June 2005 23:04Hide Post
I can't add much to what the gentlemen have pointed out above.... The only one little input that I can add is that if your rifle is not accurate at the higher velocities for an 06, then try reducing the velocity.....

I helped many guys with problem 30/06s make them accurate, by loading a 150, 165 grain bullet in the velocity of a 300 Savage or so, from 2400 to 2600 fps....

Since most deer in the USA are taken within 100 yds or less, you don't need max velocity.... many of the bullets for an 06 open just fine at these velocities.... and if you are recoil sensitive, you might notice a difference of an MV of 2400 to 2500 fps compared to 2800 to 3000 fps with a 150 grain bullet....

YOU will also find out that a ballistic tip will open up further and penetrate further when the MV is less than 2700 fps... It doesn't blow up as much upon impact and allows the rear core to stay together better... try it out in milk jugs or in wood and you will find the results substantial... at least I sure have in every caliber I have tested them out in...

Good luck and Cheers
seafire
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Posts: 16144 | Location: Southern Oregon USA | Registered: 04 January 2005Reply With Quote
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posted 06 June 2005 23:42Hide Post
I don't use any of the powders mentioned, but i do shoot a lot of 30-06. I settled on two loads, the 180 gr. Sierra for deer sized animals and the 180 gr. Nosler Partion for larger animals. This has worked well for me as both loads use the same powder charge and both shoot to the same point of impact. thumb
My choice of the 180 gr. bullets is partly arbitrary and part necessity. I used the 150 gr. Sierra Pro-hunter for years, but got tired of the good eating meat that got mangled in the process. I tried 165 gr. bullets, but my rifle never would shoot one worth a damn, so I went to the 180 gr. Sierra Pro-hunter.
My point is, if the rifle won't shoot a Sierra well, you just might have a problem. While I would much prefer a 165 gr. bullet, at least for deer, as I said, "my rifle" won't shoot them, and I've tried just about all of the ones available.
FWIW, the 165 gr. Speer Hot-core has been a jewel in my .308 Win., and all the deer I've taken with that rifle have ben one shot kills. You just might want to try that bullet.
Paul B.
 
Posts: 2814 | Location: Tucson AZ USA | Registered: 11 May 2001Reply With Quote
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posted 07 June 2005 23:09Hide Post
As others have said, different '06 rifles will give different results. But the rifle I've been shooting recently -- A Remington 700 CDL, with its 24" barrel -- gives excellent results with H414 powder. In fact, I was out today shooting that rifle and a load using the 180 grain Hornady flat-base Interlock bullet, 56 grains of H414 in Remington brass with a WLR primer, loaded to an overall length of 3.30" and crimped with the Lee Factory Crimp Die. Velocity was 2791 f.p.s. and a 3-shot group at 100 yards measures 0.28 inches!


"How's that whole 'hopey-changey' thing working out for ya?"
 
Posts: 5883 | Location: People's Republic of Maryland | Registered: 11 March 2001Reply With Quote
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