Any long range 30-06 loads?

[Fatelvis]

I just aquired a pre-64 mod 70 in 30-06, in very nice shape and would like to work up some good 600yd loads. I have a bunch of 175 SMKs, and almost every rifle powder known to man, and several different LR primers. Can you share a few loads to help me get started? Thanks !

 

[RPRNY]

175grs is where I would start with H4350. I like mag primers with 4350 but with the 175 grain pills, I would start at 57.5 grs Large Rifle primers and work up in 0.2 gr increments until good groups started showing signs of widening vertical stringing. At 0.4 below where stringing became obvious, i would try the same load with Mag primers (assuming you are at least 5K below max pressure) and see how that does vis-a-vis LR primers. 600 yards is beyond my abilities but if I could shoot well at that distance, that's how I would go about it.

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[kyhunter]

If you ever step up to heavier bullets such as 180+ grain, a case nearly full of RL22 will definitely be your friend. I wont give any specific load data but if you search for RL22 and .30-06 there are some threads and results from here that are simply amazing.

 

[Match10]

The .30-06 can do anything the .308 can do, and just a little better. seriously, there are many long range loads available in the manual with the heavier boat tail spitzers.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I just aquired a pre-64 mod 70 in 30-06, in very nice shape and would like to work up some good 600yd loads. I have a bunch of 175 SMKs, and almost every rifle powder known to man, and several different LR primers. Can you share a few loads to help me get started? Thanks !

I use mostly a 168gr SMK in my 30-06 and they are just fine out to 600 yards. It's when you're shooting longer than 600 yards the 175gr SMK shines.

I use H4350 and a CCI LRP for most of my 30-06 ammo and for both the 168gr and 175gr bullets. I'm sure you will find a good load for your rifle using those components. I charge 58.0gr H4350 under a 168gr SMK and the same charge weight under the 175gr SMK. (and with the 165gr SGK too)

 

[gamestalker]

I have been loading the 30-06 for many years, and after trying a number of other good slow burners, RL22 is the king. IMR-4350 worked very well also, but nothing else I tried, including IMR-4350, ever performed as well as RL22. I've probably never loaded with H4350 but once I think, so I can't comment much about it.

Enjoy that pre "64". I bought my wife a M70 in the mid 80's, a "Feather Weight".

GS

 

[41 Mag]

With the loads I have worked up through the years it has been either 4350 or RL-22 for the longer range stuff. Either of the IMR or Hodgdon will work just depends on which your rifle likes, BUT the data isn't a direct cross over so use listed data for work ups.

With 165gr bullets, as similarly mentioned I have had no issues getting groups at or under 2" out to 450yds. These were slow fire, bench and bag shot groups. The range is as far as I can stretch out across my back pasture.

For primers I simply used Win WLR as they are to me hard to beat. They are in between most of the standard and mag primers out there. They have only once let me down with a full case of RL-22, but I honestly think the 26 degree temps had a major effect on that as well.

 

[USSR]

Fatelvis,

I shot the .30-06 in 1,000 yard F Class competition for several years. Here is my load data:

Lapua or LC M72 Match brass
190gr Sierra MatchKing bullet
60.7gr RL22 powder
Fed 210M primer
2900fps out of my 26" Krieger barrel
30.5MOA from a 100 yard zero to 1k

Don

 

[Sav .250]

Get yourself one of the many Hand-loading books that are available. Get the facts.

 

[Fatelvis]

Thanks for the tips guys! Don't get me wrong, I have 30 yrs worth of the Hornady, Sierra, Lyman, etc load manuals, but I wanted a hint on where to start. Especially with this cartridge, there is a myriad of choices and components that are "suitable", but I am trying to get some tips to use as a head start.