One load for a 30.06

19 December 2011, 19:37

Hello,
If you could only have or load 1 load for a 30.06 what would it be.
The rifle is to be used in the west hunting Deer, Elk and Bear. 100-300 yards.
I have always used Winchester 165gr "silvertips" but am running low and cant find them any more.
Lets hear your opinions please.
Thanks
Greg

19 December 2011, 19:49

pagosawingnut

Hornady Interloks in the 165 gr have worked very well for me in Colorado. Don't always exit an elk but they still take them down and the penetration is more than sufficient to take the bullet to the off side hide on a lung/shoulder shot.
Or might even consider the 165 gr Barnes TSX I know that bullet will work quite well.

19 December 2011, 21:06

DWright

A 180 gr. bullet with 56 gr. IMR4350.

19 December 2011, 21:16

vapodog

aq 180 accubind will do it all and with room to spare.

19 December 2011, 21:44

Alberta Canuck

The one .30-'06 load I have used for the last 40 years in the U.S. and Canada for all sizes of game is surplus G.I. brass, Winchester or RWS primers, either 53.0 or 54.0 grains (whichever is most accurate in a particular rifle) H-4831 (not short cut), and 200 grain Nosler Partitions. It is a heavy enough bullet that it does not explode on small thin skinned animals, and a heavy enough bullet that it does penetrate clear through moose lengthwise.

I have used this load in rifles from the Remington 742 autoloader carbine through all kinds of bolt action guns...mainly though, in my Winchester pre-war Model 70 standard weight.

It is not an ideal 500 yard load because of the trajectory at long, unknown distances, but does just fine at 300+ long paces.

It is NOT satisfactory for use in a Garand because of the high muzzle end port pressure.

19 December 2011, 21:48

Ghubert

I bugger about a lot with loads with my 30.06 but really and truly could do everything I need to in Europe with a 180gr Hornady interlock and 60gr H4831SC.

It's not the fastest load but shoots three touching from my rifle and does the job out to 400 yards at least.

19 December 2011, 21:52

Blacktailer

Since you have been using 165gr, stick with that. Any premium bullet should work, just go with the one that is accurate in your rifle at the velocity you want.

19 December 2011, 22:36

Atkinson

That is easy, the 200 gr. Nosler Partition at 2700 FPS..I would and have hunted most of the worlds soft skinned game including Eland and Cape Buffalo with that load. It would be my choice for deer, antelope and elk also, but the 180 gr. Nosler bullet at the same velocity is excellent choice also for the NA continient, except for the big bears and it will work on them for sure, but I feel better with the 200 gr...It is a superb elk load even on going away Texas Heart shots in close range Idaho timber.

19 December 2011, 23:17

wasbeeman

57grs IMR4350 + 165gr NP. Or a 165gr Corelokt. I've tried this load in several '06s and it's been a good one every time.

19 December 2011, 23:33

mrbofus

quote:
Originally posted by wasbeeman:
57grs IMR4350 + 165gr NP. Or a 165gr Corelokt. I've tried this load in several '06s and it's been a good one every time.

Interesting comments, no clear cut winner but I did ask for opinions.

I was actually considering loading a round of 165 NP's. I have always liked the Noslers.

19 December 2011, 23:38

metric

A 180 grs NP would have almost the same trajectory, and pack a bit more punch.

M

20 December 2011, 00:18

Hasher

I have been successfully using Barnes 165 gr Triple Shocks on everything up through elk as well as on my safari this year.

20 December 2011, 00:25

zimbabwe

Have actually only used the 30-06 in Africa but my load was with a 220gr Nosler Partition and it had no problem on everything up thru Wildebeest. Many animals taken from Impala up. That with my 375H&H I would feel adequately prepared for any occaison.

20 December 2011, 00:44

Paul B

quote:
Originally posted by mrbofus:
Hello,
If you could only have or load 1 load for a 30.06 what would it be.
The rifle is to be used in the west hunting Deer, Elk and Bear. 100-300 yards.
I have always used Winchester 165gr "silvertips" but am running low and cant find them any more.

If you read the book "One Man, One Rifle, one land", the author used a Remington 700 ADL and a custom handload using the 180 gr. Nosler partition for most of hunt hunting. His goal was to collect all the species of huntable North American big game. Based on the weight and thickness of the book, he was pretty successful. Unfortunately, there was very little detail on the load other than what I've said. he had someone other than himself load his ammo. He may have on occasion also used some 165 gr. Nosler partitions.
I guess if it were me, I'd just do the 180's for everything.
Paul B.
Lets hear your opinions please.
Thanks
Greg

20 December 2011, 13:20

buckeyeshooter

quote:
Originally posted by Ghubert:
I bugger about a lot with loads with my 30.06 but really and truly could do everything I need to in Europe with a 180gr Hornady interlock and 60gr H4831SC.

It's not the fastest load but shoots three touching from my rifle and does the job out to 400 yards at least.

same load but I use a 180 grain nosler partition.

20 December 2011, 14:21

Ghubert

quote:
Originally posted by buckeyeshooter:
quote:
Originally posted by Ghubert:
I bugger about a lot with loads with my 30.06 but really and truly could do everything I need to in Europe with a 180gr Hornady interlock and 60gr H4831SC.

It's not the fastest load but shoots three touching from my rifle and does the job out to 400 yards at least.

same load but I use a 180 grain nosler partition.

For tough hunts away from home I would do the same, but they are very expensive over here and the hornady does everything below bear and moose. That's more of a personally imposed limit than a reflection on the bullet but a 180gr NP or 200gr Accubond just makes me feel a little better for really big stuff.

20 December 2011, 14:40

DJM

How about 168gr Ballistic Tips or Combined Tech Ballistic Silver Tips

20 December 2011, 14:58

Ghubert

quote:
Originally posted by DJM:
How about 168gr Ballistic Tips or Combined Tech Ballistic Silver Tips

I would but unfortunately you wanted them....

20 December 2011, 18:48

Ken Cline

150 grain TTSX. Will do everything a 165 or 180 grain jacketed bullet will do, while shooting flatter and faster.

20 December 2011, 19:15

mrbofus

quote:
Originally posted by Ghubert:
a 180gr Hornady interlock and 60gr H4831SC.

It's not the fastest load but shoots three touching from my rifle and does the job out to 400 yards at least.

I guess I dont get that concerned with "speed" of the bullet. I am more concerned with accuracy and bullet energy. Bullet speed=energy but faster isnt always better,
so i would agree with your statement.
Thanks
Greg

Another reason I've asked this is because I also have a 300 Win Mag. But the .06 have always been my go to.

20 December 2011, 19:18

bartsche

Personally the 180 or 200 grain NP would be hard to beat at 06 velocities. For that matter most of the cup and core would be fine unless you're expecting full penetration with Texas heart shots on bull moose. Don't see how you can go wrong.

roger

20 December 2011, 19:24

mrbofus

quote:
Originally posted by bartsche:
full penetration with Texas heart shots on bull moose. roger

Thanks,
Personally this is something I would NEVER do. But good to know in case the demons in my head win out.

20 December 2011, 20:04

M 98

The more i use the 200 N P in my 06 the more i like it @2700, its effective on the really small stuff like impala,/ chamios,hog deer etc, and on the bigger stuff like Sambar sable kudu zebra Brown Bear s lacks absolutley nothing
The 180 @2850-2900 is not a bad choice either

20 December 2011, 20:29

Bigbird34

This load is an accurate load,that has made many nonbelievers into believers,when it comes to reloading,as they can shoot under a M.O.A.

Sierra 165 SBT
IMR 4895 (45 gr's)
Any Large rifle primer.

BB34

20 December 2011, 20:48

MileHighShooter

Same as I said for the 300 Win, probably the 168gr TSX. Not sure on the powder, I haven't reloaded for a 30-06 before (never actually owned one either!) but I'm going to swallow some pride after years of never supporting it, and try! Got one on layaway (although it was the gun that made the decision, not the caliber)

22 December 2011, 00:03

kjjm4

I'd probably use whatever 180 grain or 200 grain controlled-expansion bullet shot best in the rifle. I'd avoid the softer cup and core bullets (speer, sierra, Nosler balistic tip, etc).

22 December 2011, 02:53

I really like the "one load for everything" and do exactly that most of the time...

When i lived where their were big bears, i carried 200NP's all the time in my 30-06's and 300 mags, but for the rest of the US, i would carry 180NP's.

DM

22 December 2011, 03:51

Ed Scarboro

Both of my 30-06's are loaded with 180gr Sierra Pro Hunter bullets and IMR4350.

22 December 2011, 04:29

cobra

180 gr. Swift A-Frames and RL-19.

22 December 2011, 05:05

Scott King

I am suprised the TSX doesn't get better press here.

I've used 165g tsx's on interior grizzly, dall sheep and mule deer with great results. I had excellent penetration, accuracy and expansion.

When I took the my 30-06 to Africa a couple of years ago I used the 180g tsx on kudu, impala and bushbuk with the same results mentioned above.

I wouldn't think twice about using the 165g tsx on all lower 48 game.

22 December 2011, 05:13

Wstrnhuntr

54.5 grs IMR 4350 behind a 180 gn Hornady interlock. I think the velocity was about 2750 fs.. I also use this load with accubonds.

22 December 2011, 06:53

Dave Bush

quote:
Originally posted by Hasher:
I have been successfully using Barnes 165 gr Triple Shocks on everything up through elk as well as on my safari this year.

Dave
DRSS
Chapuis 9.3X74
Chapuis "Jungle" .375 FL
Krieghoff 500/.416 NE
Krieghoff 500 NE

"Git as close as y can laddie an then git ten yards closer"

"If the biggest, baddest animals on the planet are on the menu, and you'd rather pay a taxidermist than a mortician, consider the 500 NE as the last word in life insurance." Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading (8th Edition).

22 December 2011, 08:15

Snellstrom

My one load for everything load in my 30/06 is 56 grains of IMR-4350, CCI or WW primers with WW brass and a 180 grain Sierra SPBT.
Very accurate and works perfect for me on Numerous Elk, Deer, Antelope, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, Coyotes, Marmots, Hogs, Ravens etc.
I tried Speer, and Accubonds in the same weight with less than stellar results.
Partitions don't give me the same accuracy so I stick with Sierra.

22 December 2011, 08:51

Atkinson

I see one load depends on who is using the rifle, I see a lot of recommendations doting on the 165 gr. bullets and I suppose they work pretty good on local stuff..but if confined to one load are you ready to take on an Alaskan Brown bear, or a African Cape buffalo or Lion, even and elephant..If so your backside is showing...but you can use a 220 gr. Nosler and any of Africas big 5 IMO, and get away with it, even on elephant, great on Lion, good enough on buffalo and hippo, and on elephant with a heart shot,not ideal but it'll do if you ain't got anything better..I know many an African that has made it work including Phil Shoemakers son while guiding in Africa. His backup was a 30-06 and he is still around. I have shot buffalo, hippo and backed up on lion with the 220 gr. Nosler...

My favorite options is a 200 gr. Nosler at 2700 FPS for all but buffalo Hippo and Elaphant, I really prefer a 404 for those 3 buggers, if I have the option.

Given on a bet or a one year free hunt to walk from the cape to the Kenya border and live off tha land, and I had to pack all my gear on my body, then the 30-06 and 220 gr. GS Customs Flat nose solids would be my choice. that is the only true ALL AROUND LOAD IN THE 30-06.

22 December 2011, 19:07

Doc

quote:
Originally posted by Dave Bush:
quote:
Originally posted by Hasher:
I have been successfully using Barnes 165 gr Triple Shocks on everything up through elk as well as on my safari this year.

+1

168 TSX or TTSX over stout charge of 4350. Everything I've used that load on was dumped on the spot. First few were TSX bullets, last 2 were with TTSX.

Sure 180s and 200s are nice but I prefer a better blend of speed with good bullet wt.

22 December 2011, 22:03

Scott King

quote:
Originally posted by Atkinson:
I see one load depends on who is using the rifle, I see a lot of recommendations doting on the 165 gr. bullets and I suppose they work pretty good on local stuff..but if confined to one load are you ready to take on an Alaskan Brown bear, or a African Cape buffalo or Lion, even and elephant..If so your backside is showing...but you can use a 220 gr. Nosler and any of Africas big 5 IMO, and get away with it, even on elephant, great on Lion, good enough on buffalo and hippo, and on elephant with a heart shot,not ideal but it'll do if you ain't got anything better..I know many an African that has made it work including Phil Shoemakers son while guiding in Africa. His backup was a 30-06 and he is still around. I have shot buffalo, hippo and backed up on lion with the 220 gr. Nosler...

My favorite options is a 200 gr. Nosler at 2700 FPS for all but buffalo Hippo and Elaphant, I really prefer a 404 for those 3 buggers, if I have the option.

Given on a bet or a one year free hunt to walk from the cape to the Kenya border and live off tha land, and I had to pack all my gear on my body, then the 30-06 and 220 gr. GS Customs Flat nose solids would be my choice. that is the only true ALL AROUND LOAD IN THE 30-06.

Ray, the question regards western lower 48 hunting, not Africa or anywhere else.

I'd not prefer a heavy bullet in the -06 for this particular application for velocity/ trajectory reasons. The 165g tsx shoots flatter and penetrates well.

26 December 2011, 09:12

drummondlindsey

quote:
Originally posted by Scott King:
Ray, the question regards western lower 48 hunting, not Africa or anywhere else.

I'd not prefer a heavy bullet in the -06 for this particular application for velocity/ trajectory reasons. The 165g tsx shoots flatter and penetrates well.

When your as worldly as old Ray it's hard to speak about just one region of earth

I agree with your opinion about the 165g tsx

26 December 2011, 09:24

Jeff Sullivan

I bought a Blaser K95 in 30-06 a few weeks ago, and I bought 800 rounds of RWS 184 gr Rap-X ammo from Midway. Fortunately, my gun seems to really get along well with it, so I figure that will be my "one load" for my only 30-06.

26 December 2011, 09:34

Wstrnhuntr

quote:
Originally posted by Scott King:
I'd not prefer a heavy bullet in the -06 for this particular application for velocity/ trajectory reasons. The 165g tsx shoots flatter and penetrates well.

I expect these results will vary from one rifle to another, but when I was comparing on the chrony with my rifle I got little or nothing more out of the 165's than I did the 180's. That means the 180's will actualy cary flatter and farther, at least from my rifle. I do believe that the 165'ish slugs are the optimum from a .308 win though.

YMMV.