30-06 rifle load recomendation

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vfjr

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I have been reloading only for a short time now, 4 months. Been loading 40 S&W. So far with excellent luck, partially due to the massive amount of lurking on this site. Thank you all for the great tips and info.

Now for my question. I have a Remington 742 woodmaster in 30-06. This was my dad's gun. I don't think that he shot more than 50 rounds through it. I probably shot about another 50. Both he and I have only used reminington soft points through it.
I have IMR 4064 (rated most accurate in the manuals I have). The load data says 47 gr min to 51 max for a Nosler 150 gr ballistic tip bullet. Being that this is a semi auto rifle, do I start at the minimum or should I start in the middle? For now I will be using it for target so that I get used to shooting it. Eventually I plan to use it for deer and elk here in Colorado.

Also any other tips on reloading or care for this rifle would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
First, full length resize for vany autoloading rifle. 4064 is an excellent powder choice. Start at minimum, and work up to most reliable/accurate just as with any other cartridge.
Good luck.:D
 
thanks for the quick replies. I did get the FL sizing die. so got that covered.
thanks cheygriz.

Stay on the south end of 49.0 grains, and you will be fine.
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will do. any particular reason. just so I know the why I do things. thanks.

Any recommendation on the crimp? I have the lee FCD for 30-06.
 
Quote:
Stay on the south end of 49.0 grains, and you will be fine.

will do. any particular reason. just so I know the why I do things. thanks.

Any recommendation on the crimp? I have the lee FCD for 30-06.
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You're loading for an autoloader, no need to punish it. The Remington's are not called "Jam-o-matics" for nothing. No need to crimp with sufficient neck tension. Grasp the loaded cartridge by the case and try pushing the bullet into a table top with hand pressure. If the bullet does not move in the case, you are GTG.

Don
 
168 Gr Sierra over 49 Gr IMR 4895 is another good combo. IMR 4064 is probably easier to find since us M1 Garand owners tend to snatch up bottles of IMR 4895 whenever we spot them on the shelves. :)
 
IMR 4064 is probably easier to find since us M1 Garand owners tend to snatch up bottles of IMR 4895 whenever we spot them on the shelves.
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Funny thing is IMR4064 will work just as well in the Garand as IMR4895 will.

I'm not much on 150gr bullet in the 30-06 so I can't advise you on them but I do like 165gr bullets a lot. I use H4350 with a 165/168gr bullet in the 30-06 with very good results.
 
Thanks for all the good info. This is why I like this site so much.

I'm not much on 150gr bullet in the 30-06 so I can't advise you on them but I do like 165gr bullets a lot.
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any particular reason you like the 165/168 over a 150 or just personal preference? If you couldn't guess I'm kinda new to my ammo choices. LOL. Thanks again for the help.
 
I've never used 4064, but your right it does have the potential to produce accurate loads. Considering your loading for an auto loading rifle, I would start some where in the middle of listed data. And just a tip, make sure you keep your brass trimmed to length, reamed and chamfered. Seating depth is pretty important too, so it will feed realiably.
If you decide to try some other powders check out RL19, H1000, or IMR4350. The 30-06 has a good number of powders to work with, and an endless number of bullets to choose from as well. Enjoy, 30-06 has a wide variety of target and hunting applications to play with.
 
any particular reason you like the 165/168 over a 150 or just personal preference? If you couldn't guess I'm kinda new to my ammo choices. LOL. Thanks again for the help.
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It's my opinion a 150gr bullet is too light in the 30-06 and I feel the 180gr bullet is unnecessary so I steeled on the 165gr bullet. It shoots flatter than the 180gr bullet but carries more energy to the game than a 150gr bullet. It's just my opinion but I feel the 165gr bullet is the perfect weight for the 30-06.
 
vfjr, when you go elk hunting, i would switch over to a partition. 165 gn is a good all around weight imop.

murf
 
I feel the 165gr bullet is the perfect weight for the 30-06.
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That would explain the lack of 165's on the shelves at my local stores. I have the 150s and 180s in my stock. When I find the 165s I'll pick some up.

thanks again
 
For deer. the 150's are fine. Out to about 400yds, the 150's shoot flatter than the 165's.

From your semi-auto, you'll get your best results with 50.0gr of IMR4064 with a 150gr bullet.. I'd start at 48.0 and try at 1.0gr intervals. FWIW, the 48.0gr load duplicates the WWII mil-spec load for about 2,700fps.

I've loaded for a number of different '06's, and typically best accuracy is between 48.5 and 50.0gr with IMR4064 and a 150gr bullet. For best accuracy try the Sierra 150gr Flat-base. Typically shoots tighter groups at 100-300yds than the boat-tail in most rifles.

With some bullets, and in a bolt-action, you can go as high as 53.0gr of IMR4064, but the difference between 2,950 and 3,050fps is only discernable by a chronograph.

If you decide to try the 165's and 180's, your Remington semi-auto will shoot fine with IMR4350. The gas system of the Garand type rifles (M1 and M14/M1A) don't handle the slower burning powders as well (bent op-rods).
I personally haven't found an '06 that won't shoot 56.5gr of IMR4350 and a 165gr bullet well. Two have given best accuracy with that combination. My current favorite '06 gets 2,850fps with 57.0gr of IMR4350 and is sub-moa (and is a 6lb rifle !!). It also likes a 180gr over 55.0gr of IMR4350 for 2,775fps. This is my "elk"load for this rifle.. (RL22 and H4831 get more velocity but aren't as accurate..., but close!).

I killed my first deer with an '06 in 1975. It's still my favorite cartridge. Only thing wrong with the '06 is that its "boring". It just does everything really, really, well......
 
+1 on IMR 4350 and 165 grain BTSP's. Absolutely the sweet spot for my M70 after lots of tinkering with other loads.
 
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