Ground Hog load for 30-06

[thumbs]

Does anyone have a nice load for ground hogs and smaller varmints? As much as I love my rifle a few shots and I'm pretty much done.

thanks for the help

 

[436]

Does anyone have a nice load for ground hogs and smaller varmints? As much as I love my rifle a few shots and I'm pretty much done.

thanks for the help

I'd say the Speer 130gr HP flat base an any reduced load would do just fine.
You could try; IMR 3031 (52.5grs) Winchester WLM primer, WW case. Should run about 3100 fps.... Data from Speer #Nine The reduced end of the load is;
(48.5grs) 2850 fps
436

 

[thumbs]

Thanks 436

Could you give me a quick education here? How do I determine a "light" load? Ok I know how that sounds and understand it sounds a bit silly but let me explain and if you would tell me where I am wrong.

I understand a lighter bullet will travel faster and produce less "drag" should I say traveling out the barrel due to it's lighter weight. In other words it will be easier to push down the barrel. I will "assume" it will also reduce felt recoil. Right?

Looking in the Lee reloading book "most" of the powder charges really aren't that different in weight and depending on the burn rate "seem" to produce pressures in the same ballpark.

I am using IMR 4320 51.8gr with a Hornaby 165gr bt sp bullet. Can I actually go below the minimum powder charge in the book?

All that said is recoil mostly do to bullet weight and not charge weight?

My reasoning for all this is to be able to shoot the rifle more and also be able to download for varmints. Maybe not the best caliber but it's what I have. Most shots are under 150 yards.

Thanks I am real wet behind the ears when I comes to loading my 30-36.

 

[436]

Thanks 436

Could you give me a quick education here? How do I determine a "light" load? Ok I know how that sounds and understand it sounds a bit silly but let me explain and if you would tell me where I am wrong.

I understand a lighter bullet will travel faster and produce less "drag" should I say traveling out the barrel due to it's lighter weight. In other words it will be easier to push down the barrel. I will "assume" it will also reduce felt recoil. Right?

Looking in the Lee reloading book "most" of the powder charges really aren't that different in weight and depending on the burn rate "seem" to produce pressures in the same ballpark.

I am using IMR 4320 51.8gr with a Hornaby 165gr bt sp bullet. Can I actually go below the minimum powder charge in the book?

All that said is recoil mostly do to bullet weight and not charge weight?

My reasoning for all this is to be able to shoot the rifle more and also be able to download for varmints. Maybe not the best caliber but it's what I have. Most shots are under 150 yards.

Thanks I am real wet behind the ears when I comes to loading my 30-36.

What you need to do is; look up of these points in a ballistics book.

Ballistic Coefficient
Sectional Density
Bearing Surface: Friction of bullet surface and design property.
Burning Rate: Powder vs Powder
Loading Density
Recoil
Reduce loads: The Detonation Phenomenon; Be careful don't go to low,, It can be as bad as to much

In short;
Yes the lighter bullets and lighter powder charges kick less'.., together or on their own.

If you already have IMR-4320 try a 165gr at (45.0grs) it should be around 2450 fps
Or the 130gr Speer at (50.5grs) for 2790 fps
Either should pop critters at 150 yards plus; with no trouble, an very little recoil.

Good Luck
436

 

[thumbs]

Hey thanks I'll give that load a try. I kinda want this to be as close to an all around rifle as practical but that will require less recoil for smaller stuff where you get a few shots. I don't mind the recoil for deer only get a shot or two anyway. Ten shots with the heavier loads and I'm done. LOL

thanks for your help

 

[436]

Your welcome Bro.
436

 

[jehu]

30-06 is way too much for GH's with any load IMO. Just get a 22-250 for that role and fire away.gun)

 

[thumbs]

I know I won't be under gunned with it but like you say it's either downloading or a new rifle. I would rather, at this point, try to get a light load. I would think there are loads out there from gh's to moose. The other thing is I would like a load I can shoot at the range and not get beat up. It's a great little rifle and I hate to see it just sitting in the cabinet. My area changed to shotgun a while back and the 06 has pretty much just sat.

If I get another chance to hunt P dogs I would like to take it along also.

 

[Canvsbk]

I've shot woodchucks with both my '06 and .300 H&H. The bullet I always loaded was a Nosler 125 ballistic tip, very little recoil and flat put's it on 'em too...

 

[COBrad]

I used to use a 110 gr. Spire Point. I believe Speer made it. It was a nice shooting load.

 

[bowhunthard88]

Lapua also makes a 100 gr. bullet, it's called a Cutting Edge Hollow Point. It works great out of the 30-06 and .308 win. Awesome accuracy too! I've been using H335 for powder, great velocity, low recoil.

 

[436]

Lapua also makes a 100 gr. bullet, it's called a Cutting Edge Hollow Point. It works great out of the 30-06 and .308 win. Awesome accuracy too! I've been using H335 for powder, great velocity, low recoil.

That CEHP from Lupua is a great looking bullet. Any one ever tried it in a .30 Carbine? I'm definitely going to pick up a box(s) for my .30 30 and 308 Win
436

 

[COBrad]

Here's another thought.
How many rounds do you anticipate firing at a sitting, and, here's the important part, how far are you shooting?
Berger makes their 30 cal hunting VLD's as light as 155 gr. This will give you superior BC to the light weights we have been discussing, and I have found them to be deadly on ground hogs, even at extended ranges.
I use the 180 gr 7mm version in a LR 7 mag. They have worked unbelievably well out past 1100 yards.
The 140 gr version I am using in my 270 WSM will turn about turn a 'hog inside out at 350, and provided DRT kills out to 600.

The Bergers would be good practice, and a load that would be just as deadly on LR deer. That's why I shoot so many GH's with my 270, it's the same load I use for deer and elk, and after shooting lots of little furrys, my confidence level is way high when shooting those big 'ol deer at similar ranges.

 

[thumbs]

Here's another thought.
How many rounds do you anticipate firing at a sitting, and, here's the important part, how far are you shooting?
Berger makes their 30 cal hunting VLD's as light as 155 gr. This will give you superior BC to the light weights we have been discussing, and I have found them to be deadly on ground hogs, even at extended ranges.


I would like to use these round for ground hogs to around 150 or 200 yards. Around here you can't see much further and even at that you have to be in a tree stand. I don't mind the recoil if hunting large game but for ground hogs I "usually" get several shots and the recoil is a problem there.