If anyone shoots the 06 AI, I have found a load that you may want to try. Win case, WLR primer, 64gr. RL22 and a 180gr. Hornady SP (averages for three shot groups are between .550" and .700"). The nosler book lists a max with this powder at 62gr. but that seems to be very low as the max with the standard 06 is 61gr. I chrony'd three rounds at 10 feet for an average of 2976fps (24" barrel). This load duplicates a factory standard 300WM and I can load 5 in the rifle. There are alot of people that claim the 06AI isn't worth the hassle but so far I am very impressed

I'm intrigued. Wonder what it'll do with 165s and 150s? Now if I can find an '06 with a 24 inch barrel easily. Maybe a number 1 with a 26?
My wife is gonna kill me.

W. Wilson,
My rifle came with the standard 22" barrel. When I talked to the gunsmith about the project I told him I wanted a longer tube but I couldn't justify a $300 ouput. His suggestion to me was to use a factory take-off barrel he had lying around the shop. It was from an old Rem. 721 originally chambered for the 06. He assured me the barrel was like new and he even let me use a bore scope to check things out before I accepted. Everything looked real good, the throat and lands were in perfect shape. The best thing about the barrel was the price, just $35. I asked him to, rechamber to the 06 imp. recontour, recrown and reblue to a matte bead blasted finish. Out the door the bill was $170. Not bad for a honest .5"-.75" shooter with the velocity to match. I'm very happy with the outcome and I hope yours turns out just as well.
Elk Country

Elk Country

Thanks for the load info. I have a 24" Shilen barrel on a Remington 700. My best load has been 62 grains of IMR 4831, a Fed 210M primers, and Nosler 180 gr. Partition using Lapua cases. With that I get 2925 fps at 61,000 psi (M43). I did try RL 22 as it had worked well in a previous 30-06. However, I could only get 2850 fps with 63.2 gr or RL 22 at the same PSI in the 30-06 AI. That was about the same I got from the previous 30-06. It goes to show how different barrels can be. It is still a fun cartridge. Have you tried VV 550? That is the next powder I plan to try.

Logger,

I love my '06 imp. and can't see the need for anything bigger, maybe for big bears! I have not tried any of the V powders. All that is available is the 2 lb. cans and don't really need that much powder laying around if it didn't work. The way the RL22 has been working, I think I'll stick with that. My load of 64gr. is probably a max load but I have never seen or measured a case to indicate overpressure. The bolt lifts very easily and primers aren't even flattened! I could try another .5-1gr. but if it ain't broke don't fix it!
Elk Country

Elk,

Your load sounds about right to me.

In my standard 30-06, I've been loading 63gr RL-22 under Sierra 190gr Matchkings (moly) for 2903 fps from my 26" bbl. No pressure signs.

MM

[ 09-28-2002, 14:44: Message edited by: MontanaMarine ]