handloading the 30-06

kentucky hareraiser · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 8:57 am Post subject: handloading the 30-06

i now reload the 308 win. in a rem 700 with 165 grain bullets. i recently got this 30-06 rifle and want to reload those shells too. i know i will need a set of dies for the 06 ,but here is my question.since i'm well stocked up on the 30 cal bullets for the 308 ,can i load the same bullets in the 06 casings.

wncchester · Member Joined: Apr 08, 2006 Posts: 160

TRBLSHTR · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 9:49 am Post subject: Re: handloading the 30-06

And most 165s shoot very well in 06s-some of my most accurate loadings in 06'. Very Happy

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 1:27 pm Post subject: Re: handloading the 30-06

Kentucky, what reference manuals are you using?

DKAllen · Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:53 pm Post subject: Re: handloading the 30-06

IMR 4350, Winchester 760 & RL 22, all do well in my 06/ with 165 Gr. Bullets.

Joe Boleo · Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 4:27 am Post subject: Re: Handloading the 30-06

These folks have given good advice. Just follow the recommended loadings in you reloading manuals and you will do just fine. Take care...
Joe

kentucky hareraiser · Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 10:34 am Post subject: Re: handloading the 30-06

nosler #4 and lyman 46 edition plus some thats on the web by hodgdon,,imr shooting data here ect. and they all are diffrent.. loaded some last night with 48.5 grains of imr4064 . try'em out this evening

Wicky · Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 2:35 pm Post subject: Re: handloading the 30-06

Just a suggestion, but why not load the '06 with a heavier projectile?
I load my 308 with 150's and load the '06 with 180's for bigger game.
I find that the 180 is a good all round projectile in the '06.

wiersy111 · Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 5:16 pm Post subject: Re: handloading the 30-06

I have loaded my 30-06 with 150gr boat tails for many years and have killed many deer with it. I have never found the need to load a heavier bullet. I've taken deer from neck shots at 20 yards to shoulder shots out to 300 yards and never had a critter run more then 75 yards after the hit. The fact is they do a fine job and don't have a lot of recoil.

chambered221 · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:13 am Post subject: Re: handloading the 30-06

wiersy111 wrote:

I've taken deer from neck shots at 20 yards to shoulder shots out to 300 yards and never had a critter run more then 75 yards after the hit.

I’ve heard hunters make statements like this a lot over the years !!! (it tends to be 50-75 yards)
I’ve been known to say it myself. (in the past)
I’ve had deer run 50-75 yards with perfectly placed heart and lung shots. wtf

I’ve shot deer in the head and neck that needed a second shot to finish them off. Shocked

I’ve even shot a deer so close that he got powder burned and still ran !!! Shocked

(not really but he was close)

What I’m trying to tell you is, if deer consistently run after being shot, you need to give some thought about your ammo choice.
The 30-06 is way more gun than needed to take whitetail with, especially inside 100 yards where most deer are taken.
Don’t get me wrong here I’m not saying to quit using the 06. I’ve got hunting friends using 300’s that put deer down with the crack of the gun and stay down.
All that may be needed is a velocity adjustment or maybe a different choice in bullets.

Bushmaster · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 7:48 am Post subject: Re: handloading the 30-06

Hummm. Sometimes Chambered comes up with common sense (well maybe) Very Happy

. I"ve use my .30-06 on deer with good results. And I have never had a deer run more then 10-15 yards after being hit. What have I done? I use Sierra's 165 grain BTHP Gameking and slowed down to 2400-2500 fps. My Ol' Jackhandle is used for those close and personal shots (one being a 4 yard head shot). I use 170 grain Speer HCFN and run them at 2100 fps. The head shot fell right where he stood.

Some people seem to think that you have to have a "speeding bullet" to hunt. That's not so, unless you antisipate a shot over 200 yards. I do load 180 grain Sierra Gameking for those long shots on big game to 2700 +/- fps and 165 grain sierra BTHP to 2700 +/- fps for the long shots on medium game.

wiersy111 · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 7:50 am Post subject: Re: handloading the 30-06

Hang on there a minute.... I do know how far 20 yards is! I only said that I have never had a deer run more then 75 yards I didn't say they all run. As a matter of fact only about 1 in 5 take more then one step. I have not had a deer even move after being hit in the neck. As for 30-06 being way more gun than is needed for whitetail that sounds like a personal preference. I have seen hunters say that before only to eat crow because they think their smaller guns are equal to the 30-06. As far as needing to adjust velocity or change bullets why screw with something that has worked for so many years?

fnuser · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 7:55 am Post subject: Re: handloading the 30-06

I don't think Wiersy is complaining, bragging, just stating his experience. I am also confident he has had alot of bang, flops. His yardage is stated as a maximum only. Not to say they all run exactly 75 yrds then die, if that were the fact then he'd probably have figured out how to make them run 75 yards in the right direction by now.

fnuser · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 7:57 am Post subject: Re: handloading the 30-06

oops I think w and I were typing at the same time.

Bushmaster · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 8:02 am Post subject: Re: handloading the 30-06

Bullet performance at target termination. On some shots in my early years using the .30-06 at under 100 yards I've had bullets pass through with "small hole in/small hole out" and a running deer even with a good solid hit. I want the damned bullet to open up before it hits that stupid tree...If it means slowing it down a bit, but not under needed terminal velosity to perform properly then so be it...

Wiersy111. No one said the '-06 wasn't a fine round. In fact, it is possibly the most perfect round ever invented to date. Mostly because of it's versitility. Every gun manufacturer trys to copy it with their new fangled idea. You can obtain more bullet sizes, shapes and weights of any caliber. Not only that. you can configure the round to any game you wish with just a powder change or bullet type. [And I don't care what you say...It still kicks no matter what bullet/powder combination you use Very Happy

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