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Game Loads and Practical Ballistics for the American Hunter 1978 Robert Hagel


Bought my first copy from the Outdoor Book Club, that photo of a great mulie always intrigued me. In 1978 Bob Hagel wrote:

"The old 30-06 cartridge, when loaded to its full potential with modern powders in a strong bolt action like this Weatherby Vanguard - and with the right bullet-makes a good all-around cartridge for nearly any American game"

Still pretty much the same today, 30-06 gets her done:
Circa 1990 Browning Abolt 30-06 WW 760, 165 Nosler BT, Idaho


Circa 1990 Browning Abolt 30-06 WW 760, 165 Nosler BT, Wyoming


30 years later:

2020 Rem 700 Ti 30-06 RS Big Game 150gr Hornady GMX, Colorado


2019 Rem 700 Ti 30-06 RS Big Game 150gr Hornady GMX, Colorado


I originally started out using 150gr Sierras over IMR4350 in a Win Featherweight, later an Abolt and it worked fine on deer. Later switched to WW760 under 165s based on "The Perfect 165" by Dave Petzal, Sports Afield (lost that issue). Shortly afterwards went to H4350 for better temp sensitivity. Last couple years went with RS Big Game based on Mule Deer's excellent article " Getting The Most Out Of Your 30-06". Had to switch to mono bullets since it became a requirement here in Kalifornia.

I use the 7-08 alot too since its basically a 270...... and Hagel did include the 7x57 in his line up.


Finn Aagaard was a huge fan of the 7x57 as well, he wrote excellent articles on it in the NRA magazines. So not much has changed including loonyism, lols.

Nice bucks and bull. I think Ole Bob might have been known to lean a little hard on stuff in the loads department, like the 30/06 Win Mag he described in the picture. Not that it really matters as the 06 kills just fine at sane pressures and velocity as do many other cartridges.

30-06 win mag is correct! 2938 with a 180 from an -06?! Stout!

My understanding Bob loaded everything up to the gills. Wonder what the pressure on that load would be.
GreggH

Great bunch of bucks. I recently gave the 30-06 a whirl this year myself with the 212 ELDs at 2700... Made me pretty happy actually.

I was curious too, QL didn't have N205 in it, but from what I read, MRP replaced it and is maybe a bit slower. Assuming a 24" barrel, you might be able to get close or hit those numbers with MRP or RL-26.... with a long drop tube or some vibratory settling.

Alliant Reloder-26 *C 109.4 65.5 4.25 2962 100.0 60000
Norma MRP *C 109.9 63.9 4.14 2924 98.7 60000
ReloadSwiss RS 60 *T 99.6 58.2 3.77 2906 100.0 60000
ReloadSwiss RS 70 *C 102.3 60.7 3.94 2895 99.8 60000
Vihtavuori N560 *C 111.0 63.2 4.10 2887 95.4 59175
Alliant Reloder-17 *T 98.7 57.7 3.74 2886 100.0 60000
Elcho 17 98.7 57.7 3.74 2886 100.0 60000
Vihtavuori N555 *C*T 111.0 60.7 3.93 2873 100.0 59829
Alliant Reloder-16 *C *T 103.6 56.2 3.64 2872 100.0 60000
Bofors RL16 TZ *C *T 103.6 56.2 3.64 2872 100.0 60000
IMR 7828 SSC 109.4 62.6 4.06 2870 95.8 60000



What in the world is up with the rack on that bull? Does one side of his rack grow forward? Did his right brow tine grow through his skull? Got any more close up pics?

I found a copy of Mr. Hagel's book, "The Game Rifle", almost 20 years in a local used book store. It's never far from my reach.

Blessed with big jugs of ‘26 and MRP, but will go easy on my ‘06.

Guess Hagel’s ‘06 Magnum “Abort” and Vanguard were obviously pretty strong.

We “Fire types” don’t need to sound too snooty, throwing rocks at him for pushing the envelope.

He would have fit right in, here.

DF

I think he broke his skull plate on his roll down the hill. That’s just a guess though as my brother was on the bins, said he had horns so I didn’t really look at the horns and was focusing on getting a bullet in him. The horns look completely normal for a little rag horn though.

Amen DF... probably guilty as charged myself...

I learned by watching Gunner

Uhhh.... How did 'shrapnel' come by his handle ?

Sorry Shrap..... I just couldn't resist !


FWIW - In the rifle/cartridges I've had that Bob H used, I, myself, have tested - loaded - graphed - & hunted the SAME loads and 'never' had a sticky bolt handle or ruined a case.

I STILL use 62 grs of H 205 and 165 HBTSP in my 30-06 and get 2900+ fps.

Down to my last can !


Jerry

I'm certainly not in a position to judge. I do wish I had a couple jugs of that magic fairy dust they call RL26... Don't think I've seen it on the shelf for over a year, and I only have a half pound or so left.




Ah, ok, it must have been the angle in the second photo in your first post that made the rack look crazy, broken skull plate makes sense though.

[quote=MtnHtr]Game Loads and Practical Ballistics for the American Hunter 1978 Robert Hagel


Bought my first copy from the Outdoor Book Club, that photo of a great mulie always intrigued me. In 1978 Bob Hagel wrote:

"The old 30-06 cartridge, when loaded to its full potential with modern powders in a strong bolt action like this Weatherby Vanguard - and with the right bullet-makes a good all-around cartridge for nearly any American game"

x-x-x-x-x-x-x

YEP ! I got mine about the same time. Outdoor Life B C had a great price and it's been worth much more to me.



Jerry

Amen DF... probably guilty as charged myself...

I learned by watching Gunner

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Here's a page from Bob's book on the 06. If you compare his loads to 'some' posted here on the 'Fire' you'll notice they are not that diff. i.e. 60 grs IMR 4350 under 165 gr bullets ! Still works.



I ain't ashamed !

Jerry

I’m a gunner fan, too.

The boy does get his money’s worth out of a round.

Hagel would be proud.

DF

Check out Staball 6.5 as well. It’s all over the shelves here around me and man, I looked at Hodgdon data and decided to try it. Worked really well with the 212 ELD. I think I’m at 2730 with it and it shoots wonderfully.

It looks pretty speedy with the lighter stuff as well and that’s at Hodgdons lower 30-06 PSI’s used.

MtnHtr, you have done well with the 30-06.

Hagel and Aagaard in the same post, excellent.

beretzs, a good whirl you gave that 30-06.

I’ll admit... I kinda had fun with it.

No, he wouldn't have................way too many wimps & nanny's here. Jusy sayin'.

Besides, we have waaaaaaaaaaaaay to much instrumentation today to even depend on "experience", whatever that word means.

Besides, everyone knows that a 180 at 2700 kills just a deadly as one at 2938 & that is just really doesn't matter.

YMMV

MM