30-06 reloads

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Caveman4

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Ok it is time to start getting ready for elk hunting! I am getting ready to work up some loads for my 06, this is my first year reloading my own. I am going to start with a nosler partition 180 gr and I am looking to see what powder you all have had good luck with.
 
Bolt gun for your .30-06?

(I ask because some powders are not compatible with stock-configuration Garands. 180g projectiles are not a great choice with stock-configuration Garands either).

Assuming a bolt gun, 180g projectiles with H4350 will permit max velocity loadings. IMR4064 is also a nice choice for that application too. Get a good reloading manual if you haven't already, lots of great advice and it will have specific load data too.

Nosler Partition 180 good choice for elk.
 
you are right bolt gun, I shooting a weatherby vanguard 22" barrel, I have a speer book and I am getting a nosler book. I was just trying to find a stating point to work from. Sometimes I get reading and trying to learn so much my brain starts to burn! Thanks for the help
 
H4350 is my goto powder for full power 06 loads over 165 grs . for 165 or below i also use H4350 but i use Varget more due to better accuracy in my weapon.
 
Like the others have said, I like IMR4350 for 165 and heavier. I get good results with Varget with Hornady 150 SPBT. It is very accurate with 150's.
 
Last fall when I was working up my '06 loads for a new rifle for an elk hunt to Wyoming, I tried RL22, H4831, IMR4831, and IMR4350.

I ended up using the old tried and true load of 55.0gr of IMR4350 under either a Hornady 180gr SST, Nosler 180 BallisticTip, Hornady 180 Ptspt, and 180gr Remington CorLokt.

Of the bunch, the CorLokt was the most accurate at 100yds.Go figure! However, I carried the Ballistic Tips as I had the most of them.

From the 24"bbl of my Colt Light-Rifle, I was getting right at 2,800fps.

However, my Savage M110 LH, won't easily extract this load. It prefers for accuracy and ease of extraction, 54.0gr for around 2,700fps from it's 22" bbl. It has a much tighter chamber and shorter throat than the Colt, which still has a tight short chamber and throat.

With the Savage I took a 130lb doe in Alabama in December with a shoulder-spine shot. Performance of the 180gr Hornady Spt was splendid. I'd always used a 165gr or lighter bullet. From now on though, a 165gr is going to be the lightest I use in an '06 so I don't have to resight for a western elk hunt. I've decided I really like the 180's. (Yeah, I know! the 150's will work on elk- my brother has killed several with his .308 and 150gr Nosler Partitons....)

Sighted in 3" high at 100yds the 180's will give you a zero of about 250yds. All you need for most any N.American hunting.
 
IMO both IMR and H4350 will serve you best with a 180gr bullet in the 06. I use mostly H4350 when it's available. I use nothing but 4350 with a 165gr bullet and heavier. with lighter bullets I use Varget, IMR4064 or 4895. (mostly 4895 because I have so much of it)
 
I like Re-19 with 180 gr bullets. H, AA, or IMR-4350 also work well.Haven't tried Re-22 but have heard good things about it.Alliant powder's new reloading guide lists Re-17 for 180gr .30-06 loads. This powder gives the highest velocity listed.
 
For 180's I'd go with H4350 or IMR 4350....Just about perfect speed for that weight. You could use Reloder 19 or 22 but since I have no experience in that caliber and bullet weight with those powders I can't give difinitive answers. I do know you'll run out of bullet room with R22 before you reach max pressures cuz it's so slow of a powder.
 
I use IMR 4895 and IMR 4064 in my M1 Garand with 168 SPBT Sierras (MatchKings or Game Kings I can't remember which).
 
I've traditionally had good luck with Reloder 19, but recently I've been using Ramshot. These powders are cleaner than any I've ever tried, even reducing copper fouling. They also meter better than stick powders. I don't know if any of them are best for getting maximum velocity, but I never bother trying to exceed 2700 with a 180 in the '06.
 
I've shot more IMR 4350 than anything else, but Reloader 19, RL 22, H4350 amd IMR 4831 all work well in the 06. You might try the 180 gr Accubond too. Super accurate and good controled expansion. The partition will give you better penetration, however.
 
4350 For Mine...

4350 gives me 1"-2" groups with 180s in my 03-A4 when I take it out of its dark home & shoot it every year or so. I tried just about every IMR, Hodgden, AA & RL powder in it & the 03-A3 & M1903 & it was the favorite of my trio of 06 bolt guns for 165 & 180 gr.
 
I agree with Captcurt. He picked some good powders for you and the Accubond has a lot going for it. I love the 4350's in .30-06, but Allian't powders are great also.
 
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