What handload works well with .30-06 Remington 700?

[streetstang67]

I know this is a common rifle and common cartridge, what handloads have you found to work well in it? I'm looking for a good starting point.

 

[rangerruck]

I think it works pretty good with the 168's and 175's really. I have heard very good things about the 185's as well.

 

[streetstang67]

What powder? how much?

I've been reloading for a while, but only to save money on ammo. I'm not really sure where to start to find the best handload for my rifle.

 

[byf43]

Here's a favorite of mine:

Federal brass trimmed to 'trim-to' length (2.484", I believe it is)
47.7 gr. W-748
WLR primer
Sierra 165 gr. BTHP Gameking or 168 gr BTHP Matchking bullet.
Seat bullet to fit magazine, OR if that is no issue, fit 'til bullet touches lands, then turn seater down 1/16th turn.

In my 700 BDL w/Leupold mounts and Leupold VXII 3x9 scope, it'll put 3 shots into a group right at 1" or a tiny bit smaller at 100 yds. off sandbags.

IHTH.

 

[Sunray]

No two rifles will shoot the same ammo the same way. Even two Rem 700's that are exactly the same. So using the load that works in my rifles won't necessarily shoot well in yours. However, the .30-06 gives the best hunting accuracy with a 165 grain bullet. Try IMR4064 or IMR4895 and work up the load beginning with the starting load in your manual.

 

[GooseGestapo]

180gr bullet(Premium such as Hornady, Nosler, or Sierra)
60.0gr of RL-22 (2,750fps from 22"bbl) Usually moa or less with most .30/06's
55.0gr IMR4350 (2,700fps)
58.0gr H4831 (2,650-2,700fps)

If it dosen't give good accuracy with one of those three; try this:
165gr w/ 56.5gr IMR4350 or; (2,750-2,775fps)
150gr w/52.0gr of IMR4064. (2,900-3,000fps)

Use OFB from YOUR rifle.
Use Federal #210M Primer if available.

If these don't work well,

Trade the rifle for another one;
It AIN'T GONNA SHOOT WELL !

This is from 35+yrs of shooting a variety of .30/06's.

 

[ChristopherG]

Sunray is right, both in the caveats and in the guidelines. 165gr. BTSP (Speer, Sierra, whatever) over IMR4064--in my 700, worked up to the max load on IMR's website, 52.5, is powerful accurate.

 

[streetstang67]

What style bullet works best?

I was under the impression that hollow-point, boat-tail is the best way to go, but that requires the bullet to be seated further in b/c the boat-tail portion doesn't seat.

So what style?

 

[BsChoy]

3rd for 4064 think I'm going back to it after I shot up the Varget rounds I have made. For me 50 grains of 4064 and a 150 sst is magic...works pretty well for 165's too but my experience with that combo is limited. As far as which bullet, there are guns that shoot flat base bullets better than boats and seating isn't that much different with the 2