advice on heavy for caliber .30-06 load

[tguns]

15 years ago, I got a bug to buy a long range rifle. I was sort of fly by the seat of my pants back then; I had a little money, but didn't plan things out real well. I ended up going with a Savage 110FP in .30-06 and a Leupold VariX III 8.5-25x 40mm (I don't think they make that one anymore). Some of you may remember Arnold Arms was offering an accurizing package for around $300 (Don't think they're around either, but I don't know) which I bought into while replacing the stock. I had big thoughts of shooting some long range and never really got around to it. I did some load development and got a good 178gr A-Max worked up that did 2 1/2" at 300 yards with 3 of the 5 shots in 1" but even then I didn't play with it much to really tune it up.


5 years in the Marine Corps, marriage and 4 kids later, I'm finally getting back to working on my Savage. Why I didn't go with .308 I'll never know. I guess I figured the 06 had a bigger case and would shine at longer range, but like I said, I was short on planning back then. So I'm sorta stuck with what I got and I have some time to work on it so I'm seeking advice.


I have an opportunity to shoot some extended ranges (600-1000yards) about once a month and I'd like to get into it a bit now that I have the chance. I don't shoot competition, just hitting steel and hopefully the satisfaction of an MOA group on paper at some of those ranges. I can get a few things like a 15 or 20 MOA rail, but the idea of a new rig is completely out, I really need to make do with what I have.


Working with my set up, Savage 110FP (pre accutrigger) 1:10 24" bull barrel I'd like to develop a long range load. I was thinking 190gr SMK or even the heavier 208gr AMAX but I don't know if I can push those fast enough to make the heavier bullet worth the trade off in velocity. Would a coated bullet let me push it fast enough to make the heavier stuff worthwile (in case the moly horse isn't beat to death yet)? Or should I stick with good ol plain jacket SMK or A-MAX type stuff? I've never really dealt with the Moly stuff but the theory is sound... Enough of my rambling.. any thoughts?


Thanks for any advice.

 

[longdayjake]

There are plenty of guys using the 190s and 200's in .308. My guess is a .30-06 would be even better for it.

 

[john wall]

I have had great results with the Sierra 190 gr Match King over several tablespoons of Alliant RL-22.

Get familiar with precision case prep and Competition dies sets for extreme long range.

 

[Clark]

It took me ~5 years to get my first one inch 5 shot group at 100 yards.
On October 20, 2002 with a 0.9" group.
On November 21, 2002 I got a 0.7" group.
On November 26, 2002, I got a 0.6" group.

Now I am spending years trying to get my reliable kill zone out to 600 yards.

 

[41 Mag]

I have had good luck with RL-22 and heavier weight bullets in some "06's I have loaded over the years.

The one caveat, is that when compressed and in cold weather 30'ish degrees you need a mag primer to light it off properly. This said the same load will be somewhat hot in anything over 60 degrees. So if your planning on shooting in both cold and warm weather work you up a load for each.

With other powder I have had good results but never as tight a groups as I got with the RL-22. As for the primer issue I use WIN-WLR for the warm weather and Fed 215M's for the cold stuff. Course since working up the load I have only shot maybe 5 from the three initial boxes of cold weather stuff. Also as long as it isn't compressed it worked out great with the standard primer.

Good luck.

 

[USSR]

As previously mention RL22 is the powder you want to use. Depending upon the brass you use, 59.0 - 60.0gr with the 208gr Amax should put you where you want to be. My personal load with the 190SMK in Lapua or LC Match brass is 60.7gr of RL22 for 2900fps.

Don

 

[ArchAngelCD]

First off there's nothing wrong with a 30-06 for long range shooting instead of the .308. Most shooters buy a .308 because that's what the military now uses, not because it's better. I use a 30-06 for long range shooting and it's just as good or better than any .308. The only good thing about a .308 is the shorter action can be slightly stiffer aiding in accuracy but if the action is a good one the longer action can be just as stiff.

I shoot a 168gr Sierra MatchKing for 600 yards or less and further it's a 175gr SMK. (not that I get a chance to shoot past 400 yards that often) You shouldn't need anything heavier than that although the 180gr and 190gr SMK bullets are also good but in a 300 Win Mag, not a 30-06. (IMO of course) It's my opinion the additional weight of a 190gr bullet is counterproductive whereas with the 175gr bullet you get a good mix of sustained velocity and additional mass in a 30-06 and even more in a 308...

I suggest using IMR or H4350 for your target loads. IMO the slower powder works very well in the 30-06 especially in that 24" heavy barrel you have. Again, no need to buy a different rifle just to go to a .308 when you already have a 30-06. If you were to buy a new rifle it should be something in a 6.5mm, not a 308 for 1000 yard shooting. (maybe a 6.5X284)

 

[DoubleMag]

Nosler Accubond 200gr
a +Reloader 22
problem solved

 

[helotaxi]

The Accubond is a great hunting bullet but prohibitively expensive as a target bullet.

The 208 AMax would be the bullet that I would start work with. The ballistic coefficient is fantastic and the reduced wind drift that brings more than offsets the reduced velocity once you get into the 500yds+ range. It's also a far sight less expensive than the Sierra offerings AND you have to go to the 240gn SMK to get a better BC. It all adds up to being an excellent choice for long range shooting in the .30cal cartridges.

I don't shoot .30-06 so I'll defer to the others on load specifics.

 

[DoubleMag]

yes it is a bit pricey I reread the OP and did state, target. Opps on my part I guess. So another suggestion,190gr Nosler Custom Comp fills the bill and I'll still stand by R22

Good tip 41M on the mag primer in colder weather

 

[tguns]

Thanks to all for the advice! Since no one mentioned coated bullets, I'll assume I should just stay with jacketed. I think I'll try 175gr and 190 SMK and see how they do. again, thanks for he advice, it's good to hear what others have been doing.

 

[jr_roosa]

This blog is written by a 1000 yd competitive shooter who loves 30-06.

He has a bunch of articles in the archives you should read.

After a few hundred yards your ability to read wind will make more of a difference than equipment and ammo. Get a load that is reasonable at 200yd that will keep you above 1200 fps at the range you want to shoot and get to work. It will probably be a while until you can shoot well enough to be able to develop an ideal long range load.

Also see if there are some midrange prone matches or F class matches in your area. You can't shoot in the "tactical" F class with 30-06 but who cares it will be good practice and the community will help you with all kinds of advice.

http://www.riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/

J.

 

[USSR]

About 10 years ago, myself and another guy (MontanaMarine) on Sniper's Hide worked on developing a heavy bullet .30-06 load that basically duplicated the Federal Gold Medal .300WM Match load (190SMK at 2900fps). I cannot begin to tell you the criticism we faced for doing this. Comments from "can't be done" to "just get a .300WM". We both soon came to the realization that if any powder was going to get us there and remain within the .30-06's 60k psi pressure level, it would be RL22. Quick Load software gave us an idea as to how much powder we could use, and the beauty of using this powder is, it's hard to get enough powder in the .30-06 case to get into trouble with it. I used 60.7gr of RL22 in Lapua brass with a Fed 210M primer to reach 2900fps, and my friend MontanaMarine used 61+gr in the much lighter Norma brass to reach 2900fps. I used this load from 2003 to 2006 in 1,000 yard F Class Competition. As I recall, this load required dialing in 30MOA from a 100 yard zero to reach 1k. I have some Norma brass that I hope to team up with RL22 and some 208gr Amax's sometime this summer. I will be interesting to see what kind of velocity is attainable with those big boys.

Don

 

[ArchAngelCD]

About 10 years ago, myself and another guy (MontanaMarine) on Sniper's Hide worked on developing a heavy bullet .30-06 load that basically duplicated the Federal Gold Medal .300WM Match load (190SMK at 2900fps). I cannot begin to tell you the criticism we faced for doing this. Comments from "can't be done" to "just get a .300WM". We both soon came to the realization that if any powder was going to get us there and remain within the .30-06's 60k psi pressure level, it would be RL22. Quick Load software gave us an idea as to how much powder we could use, and the beauty of using this powder is, it's hard to get enough powder in the .30-06 case to get into trouble with it. I used 60.7gr of RL22 in Lapua brass with a Fed 210M primer to reach 2900fps, and my friend MontanaMarine used 61+gr in the much lighter Norma brass to reach 2900fps. I used this load from 2003 to 2006 in 1,000 yard F Class Competition. As I recall, this load required dialing in 30MOA from a 100 yard zero to reach 1k. I have some Norma brass that I hope to team up with RL22 and some 208gr Amax's sometime this summer. I will be interesting to see what kind of velocity is attainable with those big boys.

Don

That's some good information, thank you...