The perennial 30-06-a better mousetrap

[marky123]

Howdy
I've been reloading 30-06 for a year or so with 150 Sierra gamekings and ADI2208(varget).Its a 1/2" 100 yard load at 2776fps average.Good so far.
Trouble is I've been reading on various forums how bulletproof deer are nowadays and I worked all the way up to book max.loads for 180gr and ADI2209(h4350)
57.5 grains with 3.300" oal.The temperature was about 8 deg.C.This load is giving me no pressure signs whatsoever with Federal brass.
I haven't clocked this load yet.It shoots 1 1/4" at 100 yards.
Can I go higher?

 

[Dano1]

Hi Marky,

You can work up higher in .5grain increments till you find your rifles max. Book maxes are just guidelines anyway and for the .30-06, rightly so due to the varied vintages of rifles out there. But as long as yours is a newer, modern rifle, you could safely work up to higher pressure.

Now, I'd probably recommend a different approach for loading your .30-06, I'd go with a 165g Sierra Gameking rather than a 180 as long as your shooting is less than 500yds, I'd use a 180 for longer distances. and I'd go with H4350. They (the 165g Gameking and H4350) seem to be a match made in heaven. I've killed numerous Muley bucks and a few elk with them and never have I had one fail.

Just a thought,

Dano

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

Two things, if you are thinking of pushing your 30-06, why not just get a 300mag.? You can run well over 30-06 levels with mild loads with a 300 win, and the 300 rum will push a 225 faster than the 30-06 will push a 150. I've had 4 different 30-06 rifles; I don't own any at present but have two 300mag's.
I've never run over 57.5 of either h or I 4350 with a 165 and you are using a 180 with that charge so I'd guess you are rather much up there. You should to chrono. it too see where you fall velocity wise, and anything in the 2750-2850 fps range is good to go.

 

[gohring3006]

I don't think any deer inside 400yrds. Is going to be bullet proof with a 150. I liked 165grn. Bullets for my '06 (50grns imr 4064 165 hornady btsp @ 2850fps.) but then I started shooting past 500yrds. I went to 200grn. Smks (imr 4350 52.0grns. @2600fps.) no pressure with either load in my rifle my point is you don't have to push the 30\06 to get things done. I'm actually going to switch to 210smk or 215-230 hybrids or 208 amax which ever I can get my hands on first then it will really make my 30\06 shine. I personally don't think any bullet lighter than 200grn. With the exception of some of the 180grn. Vld bullets should not be considered for longrange shooting for 30\06 just my opinion....

 

[MudRunner2005]

I'm shooting 185 VLD's in my .30-06 AI backed by about 62gr of 7828 SSC. With my 26" 1:12 barrel I should be pushing them (according to quickload) around 2,900 fps...

Who needs a .300 WM when you get that kind of performance with alot less powder and cheaper brass? Seriously, you could have one of those, and step up to a .300 Wby or .300 Ackley and never need the inbetween step (.300 WM).

 

[gohring3006]

I'm shooting 185 VLD's in my .30-06 AI backed by about 62gr of 7828 SSC. With my 26" 1:12 barrel I should be pushing them (according to quickload) around 2,900 fps...

Who needs a .300 WM when you get that kind of performance with alot less powder and cheaper brass? Seriously, you could have one of those, and step up to a .300 Wby or .300 Ackley and never need the inbetween step (.300 WM).

I checked out those 185 vlds you speak of when I read a couple of your post about them. They have close to the same BC. As my 200 smks so if I can't get any 210 smks, 215-230 hybrids I'm going to try the 185s same BC performance with higher velocity don't think I can go wrong...

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

I'm shooting 185 VLD's in my .30-06 AI backed by about 62gr of 7828 SSC. With my 26" 1:12 barrel I should be pushing them (according to quickload) around 2,900 fps...

Who needs a .300 WM when you get that kind of performance with alot less powder and cheaper brass? Seriously, you could have one of those, and step up to a .300 Wby or .300 Ackley and never need the inbetween step (.300 WM).

Muddy, you sure do love those AI's. The '06 AI is capable of 1.5% more velocity than the '06 in a given bbl. length and twist at the same pressure. That said, my last ruger '06 was well over 2800 fps with a 180 and rl22. The mid size 30's have their purpose, but I want a bit more than they can safely put out. Who knows, maybe my boys will want a '06. I've still got dies.
2800-2900 fps with a 180 in a 300win is start to mid load depending on the powder in a 24" bbl.. It's not hard to break 3100 fps with a 180 in a 300win. Heck, Broz is claiming nearly 3000 fps with a 215 berger with his 300win.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Muddy, you sure do love those AI's. The '06 AI is capable of 1.5% more velocity than the '06 in a given bbl. length and twist at the same pressure. That said, my last ruger '06 was well over 2800 fps with a 180 and rl22. The mid size 30's have their purpose, but I want a bit more than they can safely put out. Who knows, maybe my boys will want a '06. I've still got dies.
2800-2900 fps with a 180 in a 300win is start to mid load depending on the powder in a 24" bbl.. It's not hard to break 3100 fps with a 180 in a 300win. Heck, Broz is claiming nearly 3000 fps with a 215 berger with his 300win.

Everyone has their favorites, and everyone's favorites are the best there is. Know what I mean?

I was also jesting about rendering the .300 WM useless. There's a place for everything, and everything has its place.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

Everyone has their favorites, and everyone's favorites are the best there is. Know what I mean?

I was also jesting about rendering the .300 WM useless. There's a place for everything, and everything has its place.

I got ya Buddy!! I like to tease you on the AI's too because a lot of the real world gains on those AI's is really higher pressure loads. They don't show heavy bolt lift as early as the standard cal's with the sharper shoulder angle so you can crank her up a bit and still get the bolt open.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I got ya Buddy!! I like to tease you on the AI's too because a lot of the real world gains on those AI's is really higher pressure loads. They don't show heavy bolt lift as early as the standard cal's with the sharper shoulder angle so you can crank her up a bit and still get the bolt open.

I've noticed that as well. When my STW reaches its point, it takes a dang hammer to knock the bolt backwards sometimes. I'm 100% serious...I've had to do that at the range. LOL

Mostly with H1000, which is just another reason I hate that powder. With 7828 SSC I can get better velocities at lower pressures with the heavier bullets.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

I've noticed that as well. When my STW reaches its point, it takes a dang hammer to knock the bolt backwards sometimes. I'm 100% serious...I've had to do that at the range. LOL

Mostly with H1000, which is just another reason I hate that powder. With 7828 SSC I can get better velocities at lower pressures with the heavier bullets.

I'd go to either rl33, rl50, or 50bmg with that horse and don't look back. the mid speed magnum powders (rl22, 7828) are too quick for that much bullet weight ( your 168 or 180) when you are that over bore. Low 80's for rl33, 86 grains or so for the others would do well with a 175-180 grain pill.
I got away from h1000 in the stw quick as she wouldn't develop vel. without horrible pressure just like you are describing.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I'd go to either rl33, rl50, or 50bmg with that horse and don't look back. the mid speed magnum powders (rl22, 7828) are too quick for that much bullet weight ( your 168 or 180) when you are that over bore. Low 80's for rl33, 86 grains or so for the others would do well with a 175-180 grain pill.
I got away from h1000 in the stw quick as she wouldn't develop vel. without horrible pressure just like you are describing.

Nobody sells those powders around here... I'll have to look online.

Yeah, H1000 is the 2nd most overrated magnum powder I've used. The worst is Retumbo. I couldn't get ANY of my 7mm RM's to like it. Still got pribably 1/2 a lb or more of it.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

Nobody sells those powders around here... I'll have to look online.

Yeah, H1000 is the 2nd most overrated magnum powder I've used. The worst is Retumbo. I couldn't get ANY of my 7mm RM's to like it. Still got pribably 1/2 a lb or more of it.

h1000 has at least two uses that I've found; heavy bullets in a 300win, and giving it to someone to try (if you want to see tufts of hair pulled out in frustration). Retumbo is a bit better. It is good for some overbore magnum loads in the 7 and 30 rums. I'm using it with a mild load in my 7rum with 175 hdy sp's at present to burn it up. I'd rather be on rl33 or 50 with that rifle, but availability like you mentioned has bitten a bit and I've only got enough for my 300rum.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I hate Alliant powders, and think they're only good using to fire-form Ackley brass.

That's seriously all I use Alliant powders for these days.

7828 SSC is where it's at for me. Works in every caliber from .25-06 AI up to .300 Ackley and gets me good results. For anything smaller than a .25-06 AI, I use Varget.