For all you 30-06 owners, what bullet are you using?

[bamban]

Trued 700, bedded VG2 stock, 28 inch 10T Krieger chambered with Serengeti reamer, 3-15x50 HLT, prepped LC67 Match brass, CCI250, N540 58.5 launching the 137 HH @ 3370.

Yesterday 200 yards remounted after clearing the pic rail touching the scope. Cold bore was after cooling barrel for about 45 minutes.

 

[clawman]

Curious as to what folks are using. So many rifles seem to have a few bullets that are really popular - 300wm and the Berger 215, 6.5 PRC and the 156, etc. But the 30-06 doesn't seem to have that hugely popular favorite bullet. Since there is such a huge selection of bullets, I would expect to see answers all over the map.

I wanted to shoot the Nosler 180 BT but I would get a flier a third of the time, Switched to Berger 185 VLD and it went away. With N560 I'm getting 2877 with this bullet and it should easily dispatch anything smaller than an elk, and could work for elk as well although it won't be my primary elk gun.

What are other people shooting?

It would seem important to include twist rate in any conversation concerning bullets.

 

[Eric H]

I have an old pre 80s 10 twist 30.06 and looking for some ideas on loads with 165gr SST and 150gr flat base SP bullets. Any help would be appreciated. I also have some 150gr Nosler spitzers.

 

[asd9055]

I have an old pre 80s 10 twist 30.06 and looking for some ideas on loads with 165gr SST and 150gr flat base SP bullets. Any help would be appreciated. I also have some 150gr Nosler spitzers.

I have a mid 90's model 70, 10 twist, it loves 150 Nosler BT with H4831 and 0.010" of the lands. 1/2" groups.

 

[QuietTexan]

There are a ton of powders that will work, what do you have on hand? And what do you want to do with the loads?

I use Hornady Superperformance to good effect behind SSTs, but tends to fill up the case and pressure out sooner than other options. H380 is a solid, low pressure, high speed standby powder for the 30-06 that will work with both weights. Basically everything from H335 to Superperformance on the burn rate chart will work, it's a great case like that.

I seat the SSTs to the cannelure and don't bother changing seating depth, they've all been ~MOA shooters at that depth and work for the ranges I'm shooting them at. I'm also not hot rodding them. Just making reliable, handy loads that are functional, not perfect. Eat up leftover bullets and such.

 

[Eric H]

There are a ton of powders that will work, what do you have on hand? And what do you want to do with the loads?

I use Hornady Superperformance to good effect behind SSTs, but tends to fill up the case and pressure out sooner than other options. H380 is a solid, low pressure, high speed standby powder for the 30-06 that will work with both weights. Basically everything from H335 to Superperformance on the burn rate chart will work, it's a great case like that.

I seat the SSTs to the cannelure and don't bother changing seating depth, they've all been ~MOA shooters at that depth and work for the ranges I'm shooting them at. I'm also not hot rodding them. Just making reliable, handy loads that are functional, not perfect. Eat up leftover bullets and such.

8208, H4350, H4895, CFE223, Superformance, VARGET, IMR3031, IMR4064,STABALL, IMR4166. White tail deer hunting

 

[QuietTexan]

I'd start with 57.0gn of Superperformance behind the 165 SST, max will be in the ballpark of 61.0gn/2900 FPS.

Start at 58.0gn behind the 150s, max will around 62.0gn, will likely be compressed at that point, and speed should be 3k. Hodgon says you can take 150gn Nosler BTs up to 65.0gn but 62gn was hot enough for me - 150gn SST from a 22' barrel going 2900FPS, more than adequate for what I wanted.

 

[asd9055]

I think 30.06 is probably the easiest cartridge to load! Hunted with 150 and 180 but you can go lighter or heavier

 

[Hunterjones]

168 TTSX .
56-57 Grains H4350 depending on rifle.
2700-2900 FPS depending on rifle.
It's hard to find a rifle that does not shoot this combo well. I usually start at .030 off of lands when I have a new rifle to work with.
I have shot several rifles that shoot this bullet and powder under 1/2 MOA. From $3500 semi customs to 55 year old REM 700's

 

[Hugnot]

The 06 will always beat the .308 for hunting. Back in 1903-1906 the developers of the 06 probably did not have a clue of powders like H414, RS Big Game, H4350 & RL19 for 06 loads. Many hunters heading for far off places include a 06 in their rifle assortment because it just plain works.

 

[spladi]

178 Hornady BTHP and Re -17 (55.2), and 125's and 165's and 168's and on and on........in Tikka Sporter weight

 

[Chrsm]

For white tail deer 165 gr Sierra HPBT #4140 bullets and IMR4350 powder and elk 180 gr Partitions and IMR4350 powder

That 165grain Sierra HPBT really puts them down to earth fast with my 3006!!

 

[Karey Kimmel]

165gr Sierra Game Kings This target is 3 shots @200 yds from a bench. I've taken Mule deer, antelope, elk and white tail deer out to 300 yds.

 

[Eric H]

View attachment 326540165gr Sierra Game Kings This target is 3 shots @200 yds from a bench. I've taken Mule deer, antelope, elk and white tail deer out to 300 yds.

What's you recipe if you don't mind me asking?