Medium contour 22" #2 barrel, deep throated (as my brass will attest). What say you? Doing load development for IMR 4350 right now, but now that powder's coming back into reasonable supply you fellas think I should get a faster burning powder? Pushing 165 grain Hornady SST's.
Best load for a 22" 30-06
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It's hard to go too far astray with 4350 and a 165g bullet in .30/06. It has good load density. Mine prefers R-17 or Norma URP with the 150g to 167g bullets. I run the 167g Lapua Scenars in mine. I played with Varget and R-15 ( both faster than 4350 ) but had consistency issues that I couldn't amalgamate until I switched from those powders. YMMV. Two of my good friends use H4350 with the Nosler 165 BT and the Hornady 165 SST both of them run +2,800fps conservatively loaded to an accuracy node.... I've recently been fiddling with the 230g Berger OTM at just under 2,500fps using H4831SC, but that's a tangent, Sorry. I digress, 4350 burn rate powders are really friendly in .30/06 IMO your on the right path. Have fun, be safe. Let us know what you find!
cowboy
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Just got done going through this last night with a 30 yr old 22" rem adl that they called their mountain rifle that has a pencil thin barrel. This rifle doesn't have maybe 300 rounds through it and has been pretty much playing safe queen. Started 2 weeks ago, had quite a bit of IMR 4350 and no H4350. So I used the IMR4350.
After loading 2 sets of ladder tests that were the same I ran them through my magnetospeed at 400 yds, then I loaded up 2 groups of three and ran for group accuracy at 200 yds. with charge that showed potential from the 2 ladder tests. One group was 1.1 MOA (had a flyer or a driver malfunction) and one was .4 MOA.
This was using berger 168 classic hunters, lit with fed 210M primers.
Next thing is to stretch it out to at least 700 yds and we'll see what I can do with that pencil thin barrel at distances. Can't expect too much from a 8 lb fully dressed setup.
I just wish I had had some H4350 and was this far along - but that's just because of personal preference.
I ended up having to push them pretty hard to get much velocity but am not showing any pressure signs at 70 degrees outside temp at 3500 ft elevation.
4350 will pretty much fill up an '06 case to get any velocity out of it.
After loading 2 sets of ladder tests that were the same I ran them through my magnetospeed at 400 yds, then I loaded up 2 groups of three and ran for group accuracy at 200 yds. with charge that showed potential from the 2 ladder tests. One group was 1.1 MOA (had a flyer or a driver malfunction) and one was .4 MOA.
This was using berger 168 classic hunters, lit with fed 210M primers.
Next thing is to stretch it out to at least 700 yds and we'll see what I can do with that pencil thin barrel at distances. Can't expect too much from a 8 lb fully dressed setup.
I just wish I had had some H4350 and was this far along - but that's just because of personal preference.
I ended up having to push them pretty hard to get much velocity but am not showing any pressure signs at 70 degrees outside temp at 3500 ft elevation.
4350 will pretty much fill up an '06 case to get any velocity out of it.
I have been using 56 grains of IMR 4350 with a Sierra 165gr BT in both of my 30-06s for 40 years.I have no thoughts of changing.One is a 41 year old 760 and the other is a 39 year old 700 Both of them have been out to Montana and what ever the distance was they did the job if I did mine
excellent fellas, thanks. I'm gonna work up a lighter load for my rifle and its sister gun (Friend bought a Weatherby vanguard S2 30-06 with the 24" barrel after shooting my Howa haha) for antelope and doe too, but the 165 is going to be my go-to so this is good news. I've also got a pound of H4350 sitting around 
I'll take it to the range tomorrow weather permitting.
I'll take it to the range tomorrow weather permitting.branwill25
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IMO you should just stick with the 165 if you find a good load that shoots well. I promise the deer will not know the difference and the bullet will not damage a doe any more than it will a buck. Unless you just want to play with different bullet weights. I bought some 125 grain accubonds and they are amazing on game. They shoot the same as a ballistic tip and hold together no matter how fast you shoot them. I hope this helps. Good luck
Brandon
Brandon
Just figured the 165 would do a proportionally larger amount of damage to the smaller animal. I've heard the 165 grain SST also likes to stay together until it decelerates a good deal, which I'm a bit concerned about if I get a shot off under 300m
The 165 is ideal in the 30-06. use it for everything from coyotes to elk. i have not used the sst. but i have used the sierra btsp, horn btsp and nosler partition and the nosler balistic tip ; also the 167 scenar, the 168 cbt and the 168 berger. it is one of my favoritie rounds. 4350 ideal also. one year when i was competing a lot i loaded and fired over 2500 rounds.
Very nice. I've got the American Whitetail's from Hornady (light factory loaded 165 grain Interlock) for all of my rifles and the Custom 165 SST for my starting factory loads. Since then things have only gotten better with handloads. Using the same thing for my buddy's Weatherby.
