Question about loading for 3006

I just recently picked up a cz557 3006, it has a 20 in barrel and a 1:10 twist. I bought some factory ammo in 150,165,168,170,175gr. and had terrible results. I loaded some of the brass from the factory ammo with some speer 190g and 185 Berger hunters and my groups shrunk from like 2 inches to 0.80. Seems to like heavier loads. Question is should I try a heavier bullet and if so what do you suggest. Thanks in advance, I just don't have any experience with 3006.

What powders are you using?

H4350

Stadoc said:

I just recently picked up a cz557 3006, it has a 20 in barrel and a 1:10 twist. I bought some factory ammo in 150,165,168,170,175gr. and had terrible results. I loaded some of the brass from the factory ammo with some speer 190g and 185 Berger hunters and my groups shrunk from like 2 inches to 0.80. Seems to like heavier loads. Question is should I try a heavier bullet and if so what do you suggest. Thanks in advance, I just don't have any experience with 3006.

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i have never loaded for or shot an '06 with a short barrel. You might need to go to a faster burning powder. I load 48gr IMR3031 165gr Nosler Partitions. Not a hot load but it sure performs on Deer and targets. My rifle is a 24" Rem700 from 1969 1:10 twist.

Bullet selection depends on your intended goal(s). Target accuracy? Hunting, and if so for what? Tactical/military? Tell us more and we can make suggestions on bullet selection.

Also it's for deer, or stray pigs

Stadoc said:

Also it's for deer, or stray pigs

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Out of my 30–06 with a 26" hart barrel I use 58 grains of imr4350 , Berger 168 classic hunter bullets , 20 thousands off the lands. .5 MOA.

I would not necessarily equate the poor performance of factory ammo with light to medium weight bullets and the much better performance with heavier weight handloads to the rifle liking heavier weight bullets. Handloads often perfrom better especially with berger bullets. For your application, deer and pigs I see no reason to go heavier, if anything I would explore 165s

1) H4350 is a great powder for the 30-06, so stick with that
2) 56-58 grains for a non-monometal bullet and 55-57 for a monometal 165 grain bullet shoots very well in most 30-06s. My experience across 6 different 30-06s.
3) For bullets in the 180-185 range non monometal, I would try in the range of 54.5-56.5 grains
3) Remember max pressure for a 30-06 is only 60K PSI and every modern 30-06 action and piece of brass mfg'd was was built to also be a 270 Winchester at 65K PSI, so don't worry if the best load you find is slightly over book max.

I always load a couple of "safety check" rounds below my starting load.

I don't think there is anything wrong with the heavier bullet for the purpose and ranges you're contemplating. I've loaded a few 30-06 rifles and have found a variety of powders work in it. Very versatile and forgiving that way! I've personally settled on a 165gr AB with H4350 around 2875fps, but I have a 24" barrel on a classic Husqvarna. Groups a nice 3/4 moa. Taken bear, deer and moose with it. Even taken a griz with a fast MV 168gr TSX load @ 2915fps! I have an all-weather -06 build coming in the near future actually! *I digress* If you're able, it doesn't hurt to try some different powders. I've found IMR4350 (this with bullet weights 150 - 200gr!), H414, H4895 and IMR4064 to be good powders in the -06 with a variety of bullets as well. RL17 is another good one if you can get you're hands on some! But H4350 is a good powder in the -06 too. Good luck.

I have reloaded for the 30-06 for a few years (since 1972 as I recall). 1:10 should stabilize anything from 100 gr to 220 gr. IMR and H 4350 work well for 150-220 gr bullets in my experience. Your results seem unique. Be certain to check all your fasteners, ie, action screws, scope mounts, etc.
I currently have a Kimber Montana 30-06 I am having trouble with that I bought from a LRH member. For some reason the 24" barrel had been cut from 24" to 23". After wasting a bunch of factory ammo and reloads trying to find a load I started looking things over only to find the muzzle crowning was awful! I have an order in to PT&D for a 45* crowning tool to see if that helps. You may have the same issue.
FYI the heavier bullets shoot better with the bad crown than the lighter ones in mine.

Also John Barsness has a good article called something like "getting the most out of your 30-06". It may help you work up a load.

I load from 100 gr Speer Plinkers to 200 gr Nosler Partitions all depending on what the task is. The 30-06 is still a great universal cartridge IMO&E! Don't give up on it!

OP, sounds like you are already heading in the right direction if you shrank your groups in half.
Stick with the H4350. I'd do a little more experimenting and would also try bullets down to the 150 grain range for out to 500 yards. In my '06s, I get good hunting accuracy with 150 & 165 Ballistic tips, 168 Bergers, 168 TTSX, all using H4350.

med358-boise said:

I would not necessarily equate the poor performance of factory ammo with light to medium weight bullets and the much better performance with heavier weight handloads to the rifle liking heavier weight bullets. Handloads often perfrom better especially with berger bullets. For your application, deer and pigs I see no reason to go heavier, if anything I would explore 165s

1) H4350 is a great powder for the 30-06, so stick with that
2) 56-58 grains for a non-monometal bullet and 55-57 for a monometal 165 grain bullet shoots very well in most 30-06s. My experience across 6 different 30-06s.
3) For bullets in the 180-185 range non monometal, I would try in the range of 54.5-56.5 grains
3) Remember max pressure for a 30-06 is only 60K PSI and every modern 30-06 action and piece of brass mfg'd was was built to also be a 270 Winchester at 65K PSI, so don't worry if the best load you find is slightly over book max.

I always load a couple of "safety check" rounds below my starting load.

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Thank you for the advice I will definitely look into this

med358-boise said:

I would not necessarily equate the poor performance of factory ammo with light to medium weight bullets and the much better performance with heavier weight handloads to the rifle liking heavier weight bullets. Handloads often perfrom better especially with berger bullets. For your application, deer and pigs I see no reason to go heavier, if anything I would explore 165s

1) H4350 is a great powder for the 30-06, so stick with that
2) 56-58 grains for a non-monometal bullet and 55-57 for a monometal 165 grain bullet shoots very well in most 30-06s. My experience across 6 different 30-06s.
3) For bullets in the 180-185 range non monometal, I would try in the range of 54.5-56.5 grains
3) Remember max pressure for a 30-06 is only 60K PSI and every modern 30-06 action and piece of brass mfg'd was was built to also be a 270 Winchester at 65K PSI, so don't worry if the best load you find is slightly over book max.

I always load a couple of "safety check" rounds below my starting load.

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Sounds good, I wasn't even aware of the psi
Thanks