to reload 30.06 ammo?

[tribull]

Hi to all, I am new here and have beed reloading shotgun ammo for a while and have been searching for everything I would need to start reloading .30-06 ammo. If anyone could give me a good list of what all I need I would apreciate it very much. Or if there is anything on the market I shouldn't use for reloading.I am shooting a savage bolt action 30.06, but don't know if that will affect on how you reload. Thank you

 

[ants]

Hello, tribull

Fortunately, there's a Sticky at the top of the Reloading page.

"Sticky: For the New Reloader: Thinking about Reloading; Equipment Basics -- READ THIS FIRST"

Please take a look and read. It will save the guys here lots of time retyping the info they have typed a thousand times.

 

[tribull]

thanks, I read it and is there anything I shouldn't use, like bad reviews on things for this sizeof ammo when reloading?

 

[JimKirk]

anything I shouldn't use

As long as you use the componets that are called for in a recipe, you should be fine.

Jimmy K

 

[Idano]

Welcome Tribul,

Personally I would recommend getting a single stage or turret press to start out plus the following for reloading 30-06:

• Good beam scale - I like the RCBS 10-10 which use to be the old Ohaus scale
• Reloading Manual - I started out with Speer #9 that tells you how long I've been reloading.
• Possum Hollow Kwick Case trimmer
• RCBS X-Dies
• Large primer pocket cleaning tool - I like the Hornady best
• Lyman Case Length Head Space Gauge

Extras if you can spare the cash right now:

• Case Tumbler - the Franford Arsenal makes a decent one for the money
• Micrometer - I have a Dial Mitutoyo but I like my digital Harbor Freight one better and it is just as accurate for only $15
• Bullet puller - The kinetic hammer style work good on 30 cal bullets but for 22 cal I prefer the Hornady collet bullet puller.

I have two loads that I have used in my M70: MAKE SURE THAT YOU DOUBLE CHECK THE FOLLOW LOAD DATA OR ANY LOAD DATA PUBLISHED ON THIS FORM WITH YOUR MANUAL

Sierra 125 gr Spitzer with 50 grs of 3031 1.1 MOA
Hornady 165 gr SST with 57.5 grs of H4350 1.4 MOA​

I am very happy with the IMR-30301, it has taken down a lot of deer but I'm less then impressed with the accuracy from H4350. I have some 165 gr factory Federal High Power ammo pushing higher velocities with a 1.0 MOA that I would like to duplicate.

Hope this helps you get started.

 

[tribull]

So how much on average does it cost you all to reload your 30.06 ammo, because around here its at cheapest 18.00 a box and I figure I can reload around .30 cents a round or $6 a box

 

[GooseGestapo]

I've used and loaded for the .30/06 since 1975. I prefer IMR4350 with 165-180gr bullets. With the 150's and lighter, it's either IMR4064 or Reloader15. Neither my brother who also shoots an Garand in HighPower nor myself have gotten as good of accuracy from H4350 as the IMR4350. (Don't use the 4350's in the Garand....)

For accuracy, my Savage M110 LH, prefers 50.0gr of IMR4064. With a 165gr bullet, it's 56.5gr and with 180gr it's 54.0gr of IMR4350.

These are well below max, and less than what I run through other '06's.

The Savage lacks the camming action with the bolt opening of other action designs and my gun has a very short throat, so it won't tolerate loads that other guns will. Some factory ammo is too hot for my gun... Not a slam against the Savages, I have several, just an observation. My .243 was the same, as well as my .300RUM.....

Do start with the recommended starting loads, and don't try to "hot-rod" your rounds. With the '06, it isn't even needed...

I've not gotten as good of accuracy with either IMR3031 or H or IMR4895 or Varget as with IMR4064. Same goes for the .308 as well. Your results may be different however as many still use the H4895 in the '06 and .308.

Magnum primers aren't needed either, just use the standard large rifle. I prefer Federal, and Winchester, it that order.... Not crazy about the CCI's but I have used them with the others weren't available.

Most brass is about the same, however, Mil-spec brass will need the charges dropped about 1.5-2gr below commercial brass due to incresed thickness in the base area.

 

[tribull]

Thanks goose, that helps me alot on what I am looking for.