OK ... picked up my first reloading manual the other day, and have been reading it, thumbing thru, just trying to get familiar with what's in there (besides load data charts). I had posted a while back about 'taking the plunge' into reloading, and got lots of great advice, but of course, I can still use more (can't we all?) ...

So, what I'd like to do is ask for some of you guys to list your favorite loads for the '06. Preferrably, I'd like you to list all the details ... brass, powder, primer, bullet, etc. because I'm very new to this, and need all the possible info I can get.

To help you guys out in what you want to list (if anything), here's what I've got... I have a CZ 550 w/ a 23.6" barrel, 4 lands/grooves, 1:10 twist, typical sporter contour. It's never really that cold here in southern Louisiana (meaning, I dont have to deal w/ extreme cold temps with regards to powder burning) ... I will be using this '06 for mid to long range shots (150yards - 300yards), mostly from some sort of stand. (I'll be doing my ground hunting and/or stalking w/ my .30-30) Our deer are not huge, but they are not tiny ... doe run the 80-120lb range, and nice bucks from 180-220lbs.

If left simply up to me, I'd probably choose 165gr projectiles, but I'm perfectly open to anywhere from 150-180 ... In fact, I know I'll end up going with whatever load is most accurate out of my rifle. So far, I've only shot factory fodder, many different brands and weights, and for the most part this rifle is a 1 to 1.5 MOA rifle, so I'm hoping that the handloading will get it to consistently be a 3/4 to 1 MOA rifle, if not better.

Thanks in advance to all who post loads for me to try ... I only have a few more reloading tools to acquire before I can start 'rolling my own' ... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Favorite loads for several decades
1. hunting
Win case primer 58gr 4350 165 Nosler.
2. targets
any case primer 46gr 4064 168 Sierra Matchking.
-Doc-

My rifle is the older version of yours,zkk-600. I used IMI brass and 59grs. of rl-22 with a 180 gr. nosler partition or speer hot-cor with winchester primers. I got 2757 f.p.s. with that load. It was a good deer slayer.

I use 58 grains IMR 4350 with 165 nosler partitions and 165 hornady interlocks with tremendous accuracy. 5 shots at 200 yards at 2-2.25 inches.

For the smallish deer you are hunting, I would suggest a 150 partition or Interlock at about 2900 fps. Try IMR 4350 and a CCI 200 primer -- any case is fine. Load up from 57 - 59 grains. The max for my rifle was 60.5 and I was getting about 3050 fps. That's way more than you need. And it may be too warm in your particular rifle. My wife and daughter are using the 150 nosler with a Fed 210 primer an 46 grains of IMR3031 for a velocity of 2840 fps, and they both killed deer at just under 200 yards last fall with one shot. The doe was right around 170 pounds dressed, and the buck was a little bigger - mayber 180. My buck went well over 200 pounds last year and the year before I got a ten point that went 300.

shootist ... please export some of those crazy big canadian deer down here please ... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

also, so far, thanks to all of you for your input ... much obliged.

W760 has also done some wonderful things for me with 165's, about 56 grains should work.

H4350 gives sub moa groups with bullet weight's from 150-180 gr's in my M70 while being temperature stable... I'd look no further than that powder.

I was told any 4350 and Hornady 165 FBs.

How about 58ish grains of H4350 pushing 168 TSX 2900-2950. There is no animal falling within the range where 30 cal makes sense that can't be cleanly taken with that load............

58.5 grns. H4350 and 165 Hornnady IB's @ 2800 fps gave me 4 out of 5 shots that I could cover with a dime last week. Great terminal performance on pigs.

Primers are Federal 210's

Cases are Lupau.

Good shooting to ya.. BP...

Win Brass, Win Lg Primer, 165 Hornady SST w/ 54.0 or 57.0 grains of H414. This load will do 1 moa or better consistently. The other one is Win Brass, Win Lg Primer, Hornady 165 BTSP Interlok w/ 55.5 of H414. Esox357

I've had good luck with IMR4350 and RL 19 using both 165 & 180's. Partial to Partitions but any bullet that expands well works fine on deer in a 30 caliber at '06 velocity.

If I were in your shoes and looking for a deer load, I'd look no further than 165gr. Hornady SPs and H4350. I'd figure on 56-58gr. giving me all I'd ever need in a deer load, best of luck to ya.

Sounds like you made a very good choice in the CZ / .30-06 setup. I also believe that you are on the right track with the 165 grain bullet. I know lots of people don't, but I really like Nosler ballistic Tips for deer. THe 165 grain BT will make you a death ray for whitetails at the ranges you describe. If you don't particularly like the BT's then just pick the 165 grain bullet that trips your trigger and you should be good to go!

Well, let me join the ranks of the 4350/165's ranks. I've shot mostly the IMR version, but will be trying the H version soon. I shoot Ballistic Tips on my Georgia whitetails, and it's pure poison.

The 150 grainers have also responded well to 4350 also, and some of the 150's open quicker than the 165's - something that I think helps put 'em in their tracks a bit better sometimes, again for our southern whitetails.

I've also shot a case full of H-4831 with the 180 flat base Hornadys, and it was amazingly accurate in the one gun I tried it in, but the expansion was more "controlled" than I wanted so I went with the 165's and 150's, shooting whichever shot best for me in the several '06's I've had through the years.

If for some reason one of the 4350's doesn't work with your rifle, I'd try IMR-4064, and if that won't shoot with the 150's or 165's, I'd have the bedding checked out. It just shouldn't be hard to work up a really good load in an '06. It ain't flashy like the WSM's, but it'll hold more ammo in the magazine, and you won't really notice anything special it's lacking in the field either, when compared to the WSM's, etc.

Darn good round, and she just doesn't get the respect this grand ol' lady's due any more ... at least except for those who still use her, of course. With all the "wonder bullets" out there now, and improvements in powders, she's even better now than she used to be when she was widely, almost universally recognized as the "do anything" caliber, and folks didn't know any better than to go out and slay great beasts with her. Sad to see the old gal abandoned for those flashy new calibers, with their painted lips and high dollar hairdos. The .308 may have taken the moniker of being "most accurate .30" from her, but she'll STILL make a good man's brows rise if fed and handled properly.

She's reliable and as trouble free as a caliber can be for most purposes. Darn fine recommendation if you ask me.

I am using some PMP brass that was once fired in my rifle so here is my recipe

PMP brass
H4895 47 gr
CCI 200 primer
trim to standard book length
150 gr Winchester Western Power pointed bullets.

180/4350 is a classic and only beats 165/4350 for really big game. The Partition will open on deer and punch completely through a mud-caked hog. There is a sweet spot at 57.5 grs; 58 is max in most rifles. In the nightmare scenario of having to stop a charging nutria, the faster 165 may edge out the 180.

Okie John

Blackwater - well said. Best, John

WGM

I was playing with the 130gr Barnes XLC in the 30-06. I would never use such a light bullet except for the fact that its an X derivative and should retain almost all its weight.

The only problem i had with it was that it didnt shoot too well, but i believe Barnes is making a TSX version which could shoot better. I used the max load from a load chart in the package of bullets which was different from their reloading manual #3 it listed a max load of 57.5grs of IMR 4064 at a stated velocity of 3,396fps. This load was hot, and i wonder about its velocity and pressure, in the manual they listed a max load of 54.5grs @ 3,261fps of IMR 4064.

If your wondering about the penetration abilities of this bullet, i have read on the net of people using this combo for moose with complete penetration and quick deaths. It should be awesome for deer and i would still like to see what it does on deer.

Well, thanks! Now I have to deal with that at night!
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Back in the day when I was a '06 junkie, I loaded 165 Hornady Interlok BTSP's with IMR4350 - 58.5 grains and a CCI 200 primer for a MV of 2892 fps. Shot real well in my rifle, and it killed moose real well. I think my extreme spread was 23 fps on a 10 shot string, and all ten shots went into just over an inch. I also shot IMR4350 with the 180 Hornady BTSP Interloks -- 55 gr. IIRC, the MV was 2840 fps and it shot about an inch and a quarter at 100 yards. Killed moose like a thunderbolt.

Boring regularity for an old gentleman. (the round, I mean -- not me!)

Hi from the land of the big whitetails you got some very good advise from everyone for loads for 06, I had a rem 700 with 26" hart barrel for hunting rather long. 1 in 12 twist imr 4350
59 grs "don't start there" gave me 1/2 groups with 168 sierra
match and a hair bigger with nosler partitions 165gr I have seen bucks 300lbs one behind sholder is toast. same for a moose. good luck
he man don't be discouraged with the 06 there is not much out there better.

Has anyone mentioned 4350 and a good 165gr bullet?

Oh yes, I see they have! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

OK ... here's the update ...

I just finished ordering and/or acquiring the rest of my reloading supplies... and will be working to assemble my bench asap. I'm going to be loading up some once fired WW and R-P brass, and possibly some virgin Lapua brass with CCI primers, H4350, and 168gr Barnes TSX's ... I will be shooting them from a CZ 550 with a 23.5" sporter bbl w/ a 1:10" twist ... Temperatures around here will be about 60 degrees, with slightly above average humidity... and hopefully not too much wind. I'll let you know more as it happens.

125 gr. bal tip 57.5 gr. IMR 4350. 3in high at 100 , 2 inches highat 200. 3 to 4 in. low at 300. very accurate,very fast. I only like long shots, will wait all day for a chance at 250 yds plus. I'm too old to pound the bushes anymore. For average deer woods ranges 50 to 150, partitions at 165gr. and IMR 4350 can not be beat. Been using these since 1978 and the partition has saved my bacon more than once.

Welcome to the world of reloading!

IMO, the 30-06 is about the easiest rifle round in the world to load for. Most people find that almost anything shoots well in this caliber. That might make it boring, but its a good kind of boring. AKA reliable and consistent. My unoriginal favorite load is a 180 gr Sierra prohunter over 56 gr H4350. Some manuals say you can go up to 58 grs or a little more with this powder, but I get best accuracy and no pressure signs with a little less. You can use about the same amout of IMR 4350. As others have said, you can basically just buy some kind of 4350 powder and never use another for loading this cartridge. But where's the fun in that?

H4350 and Barnes 168 TSX?

I don't speak from experience (on the TSX) but reputation says you're in good hands for taking many critters.

I agree with Chinook. Most of the '06 loads especially with 165-168gr. bullets involve IMR or Hodgdon 4350.

oh ... believe me ... I'm very much looking forward to this load ... all things point toward wonderful accuracy, velocity, and the ability to firmly anchor any deer sized game I encounter ... what else does someone need or even want ???

I'll report back when I have a chance to load and test.

OK ... I've not got everything I need to start reloading in general, and for my '06. Got my last package from Midway today, so this weekend I need to find some time to get the bench set up. I've got a swingset to build for my son, so I'm going to be heading to the depot for pieces parts .. and will pick up the remainder of things I need to actually build the bench. Hopefully that will all be done within a week or so, and then I can get some loads worked up in time to test them at the range before the season.

Just to go over my "inventory" ... I've got the following:

Lee O-Ring press
Lee Powder Measure
RCBS Powder Trickler
Hornady Case Trimmer
Lee Powder Scale
Lyman check-weight set
Loading blocks
Redding 2 die set (.30-06)
Lee Case Lube
Digital Calipers
Once-fired and virgin brass
Barnes 168gr .308cal TSX's
Lee Chamfer Tool
Case neck brushes
Lee Primer Pocket tool
H4350 powder
Lee Powder Measuer Scoop Kit (15 scoops)
CCI Primers

That should cover it, right? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

(edit to add primers ... I knew I'd forget something)

Looks like a complete list--just think of all the money you are saving.

The only things I could think to add are a priming tool (I like the Lee, others like the RCBS, which I hate with a passion) and a good loading manual, or one of those caliber-specific Loadbooks.

I forgot to mention that too !!! I have the Lee AutoPrime hand tool ... and I have the Nosler 5th edition Reloading manual. Even though I'd rather have 3 or 4 manuals lying around, I think that the Nosler, plus all the info here, will do me just fine. I've got all the measurements I need from the manual, and I have more than enough info from all of you about H4350, 55 to 59 grains ... I know that any of the primers (Federal 210, CCI, WLR) will all do fine for me .. just pick one.... and if the TSX 168gr BT's do what they are supposed to, I should be shooting great groups quickly, and anchoring any deer I shoot at with ease.

More later, as it transpires... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hey all,
Just returned from the range with my custom '06 and 58.5 gr's of H4350, 168 gr. Barnes Triple Shocks seated .030 off the lands .5 inch groups and 2950 fps out of a 24" Krieger barrel.

Man, I love this rifle!!!!!!!!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Huntr

Huntr ... your results, and your excitement, are precisely what I'm hoping (and kind of expecting) from that same basic load from my '06 and it's 23.6" bbl ... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the info on precisely what your load is ... Now, just to top it off, how about sharing the primer and brass combo with us? Once fired, or virgin brass?

I gave my teenage boy a boring Mauser with 24" barrel and sent him to Wyoming this afternoon. He was told not to come back until he gets a mule deer and an antelope or has a good time whichever comes first. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
I stuffed some 150 Hornady SST bullets on top of 52 grs of 4064 to make sure they don't get stuck in the barrel halfway down. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
Hope he has fun!
GWN

One thing you will find handy and cheap is the Lee trimmer and 30.06 gage.If you chuck it in a drill motor,you can clean the inside of the necks with a bore brush(RCBS makes handles)and polish the outsides with piece of extra fine Sctchbrite.

The Lee scale is very accurate but must be on a dead level surface.

Record your setting with the powder measure,BTW my last run of Bang,51.5/IMR4064/150 Hornady BTSP.I was able to get within 4 sticks of 4064.That was very good day.

I started with 30.06,mine and my two sons,but after a while I realized that no caliber is odd,I now have a 308Norma,264WM,8x57 and a 338.06.

WGM,

It aint a sexy powder in 30-06, but H4895 and either the Nosler 180 Accubond or Ballistic Tip give me 5 shot groups over and over that all stay within an one inch. My best is .337". And this from a Rem 700 that I had customized over 20 years ago. The barrel was turned down to a toothpick (.550" at the muzzle) and only has an M8 4x Leupold scope. I'm over Hodgdon's max by 3 to 3.5 grains but both Noslers are seated out to 3.395". Win cases, WLR primers. Powder charge is "thrown" from my Harrells or RCBS Uniflow powder meters, not weighed.

Works for me!

Big Al

Well...looks like you got some excellent advise here. Considering your scenario, deer out to 300 yards, you can almost use anything reasonable in your '06 and not go wrong. Even 200 grainers loaded semi-hot and sighted in 2 1/2 - 3" high at 100 yards will let you hold center-of-chest out to about 250yds + or -. Hold on the back of deer at 300yds and your right where you need to be. Either way, here are my loads for my '06:

I use RP cases and Fed 210 primers.

For 150 grainers - 50-53grains of RL 15 has been accurate. 51 grains with a 150gr Hornady got a nice, light kicking 9/16" group for me once. I also got good accuracy with RL 19, but I had to crank it up to 59 grains or so to get under 1" groups.

With 165 grainers - 57 grains of IMR 4350 - Done. My last experiment was with 165gr. Hornadys...3/4" groups at 100 yards is common, and my last group at 200 yards was exactly 1". If you can this (or something close) to shoot in your rifle, I would say you probably would not need to look any further. The Hornady should do everything you would need your '06 to do. Another thing I like about reloading Hornadys is after you've tried different recipes and shot fouling shots and even sighted in, you still have 70 or 75 of them left in the box.

180 grainers - I tried 59 and 60 grains of RL 19 behind a 180gr. Nosler Partitions. Both shot right at 1" at 100 yds - I was happy. I split the difference and loaded 59.5grs. and now it shoots that bullet under 1" - I'm happier. Does it matter in the field? No. But again, I'm happier, that's what counts.

Good luck!

WGM,
Sorry for not getting back to you, I just clicked on this post again been busy getting ready to pack into elk camp tomorrow!

I use Winchester brass and WLR primers.

HTH's

Huntr

My deer round is 59 gr of H4350 in a Winchester case with a CCI primer. I am getting Sub MOA groups with this load behind a 150 gr Hornady SST seated 0.015 off the lands at 2980 FPS. Oddly enough I have worked up the same load for 165 gr Interbonds at 2925 FPS. I have not been able to duplicate the accuracy but I am still shooting MOA. On shooting sticks I can maintain 3 inch groups at 300 yards. I am praying for the opportunity to use this load on a Elk this year during Colorados 3rd season.

OK ... I finally got my bench fully set up, and have started loading ... I've got one question though ... for those of you that use H4350, does 56.0+ grains of powder seem to completely fill the case up?

When I dump my powder in, and "settle" it in the case, it seems to be somewhere about halfway up thru the shoulder on the way to the bottom of the neck ... and these 168gr Barnes TSX's are long, and I know they are pushing into the powder. In fact, if I shake a fully completed round, there's no powder shaking inside the case that I can hear ... I'm not sure how compressed it is, but I know the weight of the powder is correct, as I bought a set of check weights to verify things and it's spot on.

I guess I'm not that worried ... yet ... because I've not fired any of my reloads ... but the Remington factory ammo that I have sounds like it's got plenty of room for the powder to shake in the case. Granted, I have no clue what type of powder is in that factory round, nor how many grains ... but I just thought I'd ask you guys ... better safe than sorry, right?

WGM,

Your loads are perfectly acceptable as you described them.
The factory loads you described are loaded with a faster burn rate powder and do not use as much of the case capacity.

Many of my 30-06 loads with H4831 filled the case with powder nearly to the top of the neck, after compacting techniques were used during loading. You can often hear the powder granules crushing as the bullet is seated. As long as the bullet is not pushed back out of the case by the powder there is no problem.

One of the techniques I use to compact the powder in the case is the swirl technique:
Pour the powder slowly from the weigh pan of the scale into the top edge of the powder funnel. When done correctly the powder will swirl almost a complete circle of the funnel as it flows downward. This swirl tends to align the granules of a stick powder and allows it to settle deeper into the case.

Another technique is to simply tap the side of the case with a spoon as the powder is added, this will vibrate the powder and help it to settle.

Thanks Idaho ... then I know I've done things just fine. I have loaded 25 rounds ... in groups of 5 ... 56 grains, 56.5 grains, 57 grains, 57.5 grains, and 58 grains ... all once fired R-P brass, all Barnes TSX 168gr bullets, all seated identically (within +/- .003" ... approximately .045" off the lands).

Now all I need to do is wait for a good day to shoot the loads I've developed to see what my rifle likes best ... wish me luck <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

ok ... I shot the 25 rounds I made today ... and for the most part, they shot (or I shot) terribly ... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

I guess the good news is, there were no signs of pressure, and I didn't blow myself up <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> ... and I did have fun reloading, and shooting my own reloads.

Now, I had my best 5 shot group w/ the 57.5 grains H4350 ... The group was a little over 1" at 100 yards .. The rest of the groups went anywhere from about 1.75" to 2.3" ... I'm thinking that one "ok" group might be a fluke ... but I'm going to try it again, and see...

So, right now, I'm at my bench, and I just noticed something curious ... I trimmed my cases to length, cleaned them, etc ... and have started running them thru my FL sizing die, which I basically have set up to only size the neck. Here's what I noticed ... My once fired, trimmed brass is measuring 2.480" before I run it thru the die ... but when it comes out, it measures 2.485" !? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I can only imagine that the expander ball is pulling the neck out 0.005" when I cycle the case thru? Is this normal? Is this bad? The brass chambers w/out effort, so I know it's not too long ... I just want to get some input from the more experienced reloaders ...

thanks in advance ...

I have made it a standard procedure to test all .30/06 rifles I have reviewed this way:

130 grain Speer HP over 58 grains of Varget, this will generate 3250-3300fps and most good rifles will usually put 5 shots on or just under the inch out of the box. (meaning more often than not)

That tells me I have reasonable rifle to work with.

Next step is to load the 150 grain Sierra flat base over 62 grains of 760 and shoot another 5 shots. This groups will usually be under .7 MOA for the first 3 and the may or may not put the next 2 right on or just over the inch.

If it does this, I call my friends and tell them I have a keeper and see who wants to buy the test rifle. After bedding and accurzing it will be better again.

If it won't do this, it is going back as an average performer.

I can't count the rifles I have reviewed as I have cases of magazine articles I have written in my garage but every one of them was range shot to perform load development and then taken into the field and used on a few dozen animals to not only test the rifle cartridge combo but also determine (and keep track of) bullet variations in batch to batch performance.

The .30/06 is always a good choice and realistically any rifle that shoots under 2 inches is still a fine performer, it is just that it is not enough to saftisfy my personal critera for a keeper.

Aussie ...

Thanks for the info ... I might just have to give this a try. Down here in Louisiana, the 130 and 150 grain bullets, of "standard construction" are all I really need for the sized deer we have here. Heck, even the bigger ones are not immune to non-premium bullets.

However, my predicament (if you want to call it that) is that I do not yet have a slew of rifles ... so I kinda need my rifles to perform multiple tasks. For instance, I would like my '06 to be capable of being a true MOA rifle out to 500 yards ... and I was (and still am) hoping that a bullet the likes of the 168grain TSX would be the bullet I can count on for both big game and long range accuracy. Of course, my reasoning is that I could develop that ever elusive single load that I could practice with, hunt with, and shoot long with ... so that I get to know my rifle and it's ballistic characteristics as well as possible.

Now, the 168gr TSX is not a cheap bullet, and all things equal, I'm not wanting to pay the higher price for plinking loads, but I would be willing to do so if this bullet were part of the "magical load" formula I hope to develop. I've loaded up the remainder of the bullets, and intend to test them again, just to be sure. If they don't group well, it's time to move to another bullet. If I needed the TSX, then I'd be trying different powders ... but I know that H4350 is a powder you can count on in an '06, so I'm guessing I just need to try some different pills ...

Now, back to the bullet weight issue ... I guess I've gotten too wrapped up in "long for caliber" as being the end-all-be-all .. and have been shying away from shooting 150's or less in a .308cal ... Couple that with the fact that the 165 to 168 grain weight for a .308cal being such a standard, I thought for sure I'd have some magic w/ the combo I chose. Seems now, what I'm learning, is that you can't count on any real "standards" when it comes to rifles, bullets, and powders ... and I just need to keep an open mind about it and not become discouraged. After all, I can find a lot of good reasons to like the 150's and 130's , if I try just a little bit.

For now, since I've got such an incredibly modest reloading bench, and only reload for two rifles, I'm not planning on going out and buying 4 or 5 different powders to try ... I'm going to stick w/ the H4350 for a bit longer, trying different bullets and weights, and more than likely I'll find a load that is MOA or better out of my rifle. I say that only because the Hornady factory loads that I shot in 165gr were just about there, so I figure I might try to duplicate that load, give or take, and I know I will have a good deer round. I'll just have to work on a long range accurate load separately ...

Thanks again for your help ... and that extends to you all who have chimed in on this thread. It's very hard to learn to load on your own, with basically no help from people standing next to you watching what you're doing. There's no way I could have started doing this without you guys, so thank you very much.

Might be boring but it works for me. 52 grns 1mr 4064 with 150 grn bullet 2900 in a Bar carbine. If I point it right the deer is mine. Mostly though I shoot factory stuff, this rifle is so reliable it hasn't changed zero in 10 yrs and 150 grn WW power points shoo6 into less than an inch, so I just check zero before deer season anfd go hunting. Shot one a few weeks ago at 163 yds, deer weighed 251 lbs on a scale and had a decent rack. No tracking required, same story every year but it is reliable and I like that kind of boring.

Considering that this one loading gave you better accuracy, This is what I would do next.

One, I would load up about fifteen more rounds the same way and shoot them into three five round groups to see what happens, or better yet, shoot all fifteen into the same target.

That will really tell you if you have a consistant and predictable load.

Second, If the load continues to deliver good accuracy, I would then shoot some groups with three or four different primers over this same bullet and powder charge. One can never tell which component will deliver the best barrel harmonics for accuracy.

Third, I would then pick the primer that gave the best groups and go back to powder charge rate adjustments. I would load five rounds each at 57.2, 57.3, 57.4, 57.6, 57.7, and 57.8 gr.

Shoot these to see how they compare to the original 57.5 gr loading.

For this type of load developement I always use five round groups. they tell us much more statistically than three round groups do. As some have stated before, a rifle will sometimes miss into the group as well as out of it.

I tend to take the pain out of load developement by shooting lots of balistic tips.


In regards to the case neck stretching. One can apply a little bit of case lube to the inside of the neck with either a Q-tip or a neck brush of the proper caliber made for this purpose.

I prefer to use dry white mica from MidwayUSA. It is available in a kit with a box to mount on the bench and several brushes for different calibers which mount in the box.

Well ... I think I've found at least one load that my rifle likes ... Even though I only ran thru one set of developmental loads using the 168g TSX, I'm ready to ditch them, at least for now. The good thing about this situation is that my hunting doesn't require the use of an X or TSX bullet. So, the other night in the gun shop, I picked up a box of Hornady Interbonds (165g) and some WLR primers. I loaded them up in virgin Lapua brass over 57.0g H4350... Actually, I loaded up 5 like that, 5 @ 57.5g, 5@ 58.0g, and 5 at 58.5g ... I have not had the chance to shoot any of them excep the 57.0g loads. Well, here's the target. I'm thinking it won't matter much how the rest of these loads perform ... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />




The bottom group, 3 shots, are from the .223 at 200 yards ... I did not try to dial in the drop because I had no clue what it would be ... so I aimed center target, and they landed 3.75" low ... group size was not too shabby either ... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />


The group on top was shot at 100 yards w/ my CZ-550 .30-06 ... the odd shot in there is the shot I fired first to foul the bbl ... unfortunately, I didn't bring any "crap" loads to do that so I had to waste a shot from the 5 shot group ...

Sure looks like you have a winner there. Great shooting.

Sure is nice to see '06 aficionados on the forum. If you haven't tried IMR4064 you may be missing the boat. Start around 49 1/2 gr w/ the 150's and work up. Same with the 165's....It's magic. Regards, Rick.

Another '06 fanatic here!!! Looks like you definitely found a great load. I am suprised that the 168 Triple Shock didn't work for you, you would be the first I have heard of. I have loaded it in 2 different '06's (1 custom, 1 factory M70) both shoot .5-.75 with boring regularity.

Huntr

Thanks fellas ... I have to admit, I was very excited to see those loads go into one ragged hole ... However, the truth will come with repetition, so I'm not counting my chickens just yet ...

As I said in my last post, I was hoping to achieve a dual purpose load with the TSX's ... a good, accurate, consistent killer load for deer hunting, and be able to use that same load to shoot out to longer distances because of it's (dare I say it?) inherent accuracy ... It's really no big deal that it didn't seem to work out, but I do have some more loads worked up w/ the rest of the TSX's, and will try them again another day.

Back to the Interbond loads ... I'm really just as excited, as they have a nice reputation for terminal performance as well as accuracy ... and low and behold, they cost a lot less than the TSX's ... so I guess it's a good thing they work better <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Now, I'm not an '06 afficianado by any means, nor am I some kind of expert in the fields of hunting, shooting, or firearms ... I just have a passion for it, and as of late have been given the opportunity to learn more and get more involved - ie: learning to hand load. I am having a great time, learning a lot ... but most of all, I'm learning that I have a LOT more to learn before I deem myself someone "in the know" ...

and on that note, I have one last set of related questions... On the subject of case trimming and case length, How important is it to have every case precisely the same length? If it's not important to have them exact, what tolerances should I hold to? And, when chamfering/deburring after trimming, how perfectly smooth does the case mouth need to be? Does it have a relevent effect on the neck tension if you put a really good chamfer on there - since it (in the literal sense) removes part of the bearing surface from the inside of the case neck?

The reason I ask is because I was just prepping some .223 cases (once fired) and they varied in length by about 0.008" ... most longer than 1.760" (which I am pretty sure is the SAAMI max length) ... Is it ok for them to be 1.762", or is that a huge NO-NO ??? Should I trim them all to, let's say, 1.755", give or take?

Sorry for the long post, but I have nobody but this forum to talk to about this ... I am, unfortunately, one of the people that has no shooting friends that are into this like I am ... in fact, most of them are worried I'm going to blow myself up, and wonder why I care about doing this anyway ...

Thanks again, and thanks in advance for any and all responses to my questions above !

Generally the trim to length is 10 thousandths shorter than the maximum length. What you will find over time is that firing and reforming will eventually stretch the cases so that you will start to encounter difficult to chamber rounds.

Reloading is a great sport to accentuate the sport of shooting. I have been reloading for near 30 years, and it was only just recently that I bought a case trimmer. Haven't been able to substantiate that it has helped my accuracy any . . . . yet, but I am no longer having issues with long brass. I learned the hard way that one has to size his brass before trimming to length. I'm still learning too. I suspect when I quit learning, I will be dead. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Deburring is not as precise, in my estimation. If it feels smooth to the touch, I count it as smooth enough. I do not shoot ragged one hole groups, except on deer. One hole is usually enough. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

WGM,

TRIMMING: trim the cases AFTER you run them through your FL die. The die is causing the cases to stretch (normal).

Also, I have found with the TSX bullets that you need to make sure you have removed ALL the copper (if you have fired non-TSX bullets) out of the barrel before you start shooting them.

I just bought a Pre64 30-06 and don't have time to load for it before deer season (I load TSX in my 7mm-08 and my brothers 7mm-08). Bought several boxs of factory ammo including the 180 TSX Federal load. Sighted in with Fusion ammo (1.5 -1.75 moa @ 100yds), then some 180 Partitions HE (2"+ moa) then the TSX (1.75 moa). Couple of days later got to shoot again, tried the Partitions again (no better) then spent about 20 minutes cleanning my barrel with JB BorePaste and Butch's BoreShine. First TSX group (no fouling shot) was .75 MOA @ 100 yds, at 200yds it was 1.5 MOA and then a single bullseye at 300 yards. Stopped right there so I wouldn't shoot up all my bullets. I'll reload in the offseason with 168 and 180 TSX to pick my best load.

Took that '06 to my deer stand a couple of days later, 105 lb doe at 160 yards, bullet opened on the entry shoulder, bang/flop. Overkill? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

I'll admit that when I fired those first sets of developmental loads, I had not cleaned my bore in a while... and the bbl on my '06 is quite prone to fouling. I didn't take a look at it for the purposes of checking for copper fouling, but I did clean it before I shot my next set of loads that I made using the Interbonds ... I can't say for sure if that's the difference or not, but either way I am perfectly happy with shooting a bullet like the Interbond instead of the TSX ... I don't need the TSX for deer hunting ... The Interbond costs about 2/3 the price ... it's got a BC of close to .450 ... so I think I'm in a win-win situation.

I have the rest of my TSX's loaded up and ready to go, and will try them again when I have thoroughly cleaned my bore out. I have no idea when that will be, but I hope it goes better than last time !!! So far, considering everything I've run thru my '06 ... my first set of handloads was by far the worst set.

As for case trimming, I realize now that the trimming comes after the resizing ... and have adjusted my practices accordingly. Right now, I have twenty-two .223rem cases sitting in my loading block that are no more than 0.003" different in length between them all ... most of them precisely 0.005" shorter than max length <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> ... and I have a pound of Benchmark sitting there waiting to fill the cases up... but that's a whole different thread entirely.

150gr nosler ballistic tips, h414 powder, mag primers.

WGM,
I hunt mostly thickets here in N. La. with most of my shots under--way under 100 yards. A fully loaded .30'06, while fine for elk or long range, is a bit much for this use. While I could just use my .30-30, and do, sometimes I have the urge to use my Mannlicher-Schoenauer.
What I decided on was a 170 grain FP bullet ( just because they were on hand, 165 Ballistic Tips would probably do as well) at about 2400 fps, so yesterday, I loaded up some Nosler Flat Point Solid Base and 42 grains of IMR-3031 for starters. Wow! First group exactly center of hold at 100 yards, with my normal load sighted in 1.5" high, and measured .690" C-C, with a velocity of 2349 fps. I called it good enough for the rest of the season and will wring it out fully early next year.
The increase in length you experienced comes from squeezing the brass back to specs, after it has swollen to chamber specs, which happens in all.
I have found this caliber very easy to load for, with just about any powder/bullet combo giving from acceptable to outstanding accuracy. Fine lady, this "Thirty Oh Six", and to think she's prepairing for her 100th birthday.-Joe

Joe ... you make excellent points, and give great advice ... In fact, my "other" hunting rifle is a Marlin 336 .30-30 w/ a 1.5-5x scope on it... shooting 170gr flat nosed bullets. I use the .30-06 when I'm in an area or stand that offers shots over fields, or down long food plots, roads, and cut-overs. However, when I'm in the thickets (believe me, we have them down here as well) I carry the handy little lever rifle ...