30-06 Reloading

[Pitweiler]

I'm curious to know how much faster than factory you can hand load the '06. I've tried doing bing and google searches but haven't really found much. I'm specifically interested in 150 grain and 180 grain loads.

Thanks.

[stangfish]

How fast are the factory loads going? How fast do you want to go? Is there a specific method to the madness? Are you looking for 300wm performance?

[Pitweiler]

I don't have a chrono yet so I'm not sure, but spec'd velocity is 2900-2910 for 150 grain and 2700 for 180 grain.

[mikein]

Pitweiler, I'm not sure where you're going with this! Is your question a hypothetical? After 50 years of reloading, my question is always "how accurate can I get with the 150's and 180's?" Then, once I've developed the most accurate load, I go to my chronograph to record the MV of that most accurate load. Muzzle velocity doesn't kill; shot placement kills.

[Pitweiler]

I'm trying to see how much faster the 30-06 can be loaded when compare to a 308 and a 300WM. Basically, I'm curious as to what the true potential of the 30-06 is. I imagine the factories load the round conservatively and there is more performance available.

I'm really just curious. I read a lot of people saying that the 30-06 is a marginal caliber for the biggest NA game, but that a 300WM is just fine. Curiosity is driving this.

[Beekeeper]

According to one manual the 180 grain bullet in .308 can be loaded to about 2550, in .30-06 it can be loaded to a little over 2800, and in .300WM it can be loaded to around 3050.

However, speed does not kill, putting your bullet where it needs to go is what kills. I've seen plenty of big white tailed deer dropped by the .30-30. Peoples opinions on what should be used for hunting will vary greatly. I don't believe you need a 300WM to hunt elk, but I'm sure there are plenty of people who feel you do.

[fgw_in_fla]

If you truly are curious about the potential of the 30.06, ask anyone that served during WWII.


It makes no difference how fast the bullet travels if you can't put them on target consistently.

[Pitweiler]

Guys, I'm not asking about shot placement. All I'm asking is what is the highest velocity achievable from the .30-06 when hand loaded.

I should have been more specific. How much more versatile is the 30-06 than the 308 when hand loading? How much faster than a 308 can you push a 30-06? I'm working on drawing up some plans for a "do-everything" hunting rifle. I've got a 111 chambered in '06 and a 12 I could barrel to 308.

I didn't ask this question well. I should have been clearer. Sorry. What I really want to know is, is the 30-06 a more versatile round to load than 308? I know the 30-06 can be loaded down to 308 level, but can it be loaded up approaching 300WM levels?

Sorry for making this so confusing.

[FW Conch]

You can ream a 30/06 to 30 Gibbs and it still will not be a 300Win. That being said, if I could only have "one "high power rifle, it would be a 30/06! Read "Cartridges of the World". ;-)

[fgw_in_fla]

You can ream a 30/06 to 30 Gibbs and it still will not be a 300Win. That being said, if I could only have "one "high power rifle, it would be a 30/06! Read "Cartridges of the World". ;-)

We think much alike, my brother...

[wbm]

What I really want to know is, is the 30-06 a more versatile round to load than 308?

Yes.

[stangfish]

You can have it throated to shoot the 230/240 and still get a case full of powder for some .7 G1 BC's. I know a guy that pushes a 220 Nosler Partition about 2550 fps. Can't do that with a 308.


You can go light loads as well. my buddy loads his Garand with some light 168 loads and they shoot great in hi rifle with less recoil than LR 308 loads and very accurate.

If you are trying to win an argument with your friend, the 3006 is very versatile and has taken everything that lives on this continent without problems.

[mikein]

pitwieler, go here: http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp That site will give you a pretty good idea of what Hodgdon thinks are the safe limits for loading the 30-06. Not the final word, or the only word, but a good dependable guide.

[fgw_in_fla]

Then, after you've perused the Hodgdon site, go here & read.
A lot....

http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2011/02/cartridges-30-06-update.html

[stangfish]

There is a plethora of information on The Riflemans Journal. How deep do you want to get into the shooting and reloading aspects of this sport.

[fgw_in_fla]

There is a plethora of information on The Riflemans Journal. How deep do you want to get into the shooting and reloading aspects of this sport.

Indeed, a plethora of pertinent prescriptions & propositions on the German's site.

[Pitweiler]

I've read the riflemans blog before. I'll lol through hodgdon.

[Pitweiler]

I looked at the hodgdon data and it doesn't seem to be much better than factory performance.

[mikein]

OK, pitweiler, you now know the "industry or SAMMI standard" for safe reloading of the '06, as far as Hodgdon is concerned. You will probably find somewhat different standards and recommendations in every reloading manual and every ballistic software program you look at. Once you know all that, then it's your call on where you go from there. If you push the safe, published limits, you risk injuring yourself, other people around your shooting bench, and your firearm. Are a couple hundred feet per second of MV worth it? I, personally, do not exceed the published standards, and I've been reloading for over 50 years. As I mentioned before, my preference is accuracy over speed every time.

[keith1]

I'm curious to know how much faster than factory you can hand load the '06. I've tried doing bing and google searches but haven't really found much. I'm specifically interested in 150 grain and 180 grain loads.

Thanks.

Pitweiler,
In Handloader Magizine May-June 1973 issue 43 Bob Hagel wrote an article titled "Spry Septuagenarian 30/06". In this article Bob like you wanted to find the full potential of this old cartridge. The article was very informative like all of Bob's articles were. He found that the 30/06 is indeed "Spry".

With the best powder which was old discontenued Norma 205 powder and 150 grain Hornadys out of a 22 inch barrel Remington 700 velocity was 3021 FPS. With 180 grain Sierras 2825 FPS was reached.

With a 24 inch barrel Sako Finnbear velocities were 3103/2930 FPS with the same bullets.

Since N205 is no longer marketed Bob's next best powder was IMR 4350. Bob's 165 grain load is the one that I use. His rifle produced 2883 FPS but mine only does 2805. I have used his load since reading this article in 1973 in several different 30/06s with good results.

Anyone that is curious about the 30/06 should read this article but I have never seen it published except in the magazine that is laying beside me right now.

Regards, Keith