Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting 170 grain FP (30-30) loads for 30-06

A cousin of mine used 170s in his '06, for one deer. He lost a LOT of meat, or so he said. The bullet came apart pretty abruptly, and he had a tracking job. He was probably running it too fast, but that's his story. I'm just relating it......

At least he found the deer, but he wasn't happy at all with the results. He went back to his "normal" .30/06 loads afterwards. He also experimented with 168 match bullets, and had similar results.

According to Hodgdon you can reduce the load to 60% of max for any bullet where H4895 is listed as appropriate. Their online manual lists 46.7gr H4895 with a 175 Sierra as max load. This would translate to a reduced starting load of about 28 gr of H4895. I think this would translate to about 1700-1800 fps. I bet about 30 to 32gr of H4895 with a 170 gr FP would be about right. See if you can get someone to chronograph your loads. Good idea to load down, effective and minimal recoil. Good luck with your loads.

Try IMR 4759, 30 grs. gives me 2265 fps in my sons rifle.
This should work just fine at close range in the woods IMO.
We will find out in a few months.
Did I mention the light recoil and that this is a very accurate load?
whelennut

In my Sako M85 06 for light practice shooting I use Hornady 170 gr. FP bullets over 47 grains of R-15. Haven't run them over the chronograph but estimate they are running at 2400 to 2500 fps.

In the Hornady manual in their list of bullets they say the following for the 170 FP's: "velocity 2000 to 2500 fps for medium/medium heavy game".

I do not have anything smaller than the 06 in a 30 caliber so if a light load is wanted or needed this is it.

Groups run anywhere from 5/8" to 1" depending on how well I am shooting on any given day. In the hands of a younger shooter with young eyes the load is likely capable of producing much smaller groups.

Jim

agree but don't need another gun to add to the fleet I'm trying to reduce the herd and need it for large black bear and hopefully an elk hunt, Lucky for me it's a Ruger #1 RSI so it's overall length is like a lever gun and it handle much like my O/U bird gun. And thanks to all for the tips.

problem is, if anyone has worked with these Hodgdon Reduced loads with H 4895, they will quickly find that they give quite a muzzle blast ( compared to other powders) and their accuracy is nothing to write home about..

I really think that Hodgdon promotes them, because ADI has given them tons of load data that they worked up and tested in Australia...this is the only explanation I can come up with, when they push H 4895 at the same time selling a whole bunch of other powders that are better suited for the job, and are much more consistently accurate and don't come with the ridiculous Muzzle blast...which tends to intimidate younger new shooters and women...defeating the purpose..

A proposal: Judging from the number of views of several posts, just for the 30.06, on reduced loads of different grained bullets, it would appear that there's quite an interest in "softer"/shorter range loads for .30 cal, not just the '06, and perhaps for other calibers.

Chuck Hawks has published reduced loads and I've received wonderful support on this site from numerous members. I'm wondering... proposing,, and wondering how to get this going... I'm proposing that "The Writers", write an article, or get a post going, specifically for low velocity/soft rounds/close range loads for the .30 caliber, as well as other cals. Perhaps the article could have links to postings, or articles for specific calibers... I say calibers, because there's not much difference 'tween my .308 and 30.06 capabilities of running the same bullets at similar velocities. Perhaps the same is true for other .30 cals and even different cals. Maybe "Reduced Loads" needs its own category??

So, I'm hoping for a good article/post, which consolidates and makes info more accessible. I will be posting this as well on other posts I'm on... What do y'all think?

Take care,,, Ken

brinky72, I have loaded hornady 170 gr flat points in the 30-06. I ended up with 41.5 with h4895 at an average of 2318 fps, and 52.5 with h4350 at an average of 2448 fps. With most loads this rifle shoots .6 to 1.0 moa at 100 yards. The h4895 averaged 2.75, and the h4350 1.25. I always say I'm going to try them on deer, but haven't so far.

I hope this helps.
adam

I worked up a short range deer load for my Mannlicher-Schoenauer in .30'06 consisting of 170 grain Nosler Solid Base and 42 grains of IMR-3031. It's traveling 2349 fps at the muzzle and groups about 1.25". I've never had that rifle so loaded whenever a deer came by so, I can't give a first hand account on the effectiveness but have no doubts.

I just noticed in my notes that I made a similar load for my M.70 Fetherweight '06 using Sierra 170 and 45 grains of Milsurplus 4895. 5 groups averaged 1.6" with a mv of 2348 fps.

I have a book on cast bullet loads I can dig out.That should be in the ballpark velocity wise

Many years ago I was looking for a good timber anchoriing round for my friend's 308win. The thought of a 170gr FP at 2600FPS held great promise so I called Speer and asked someone in the ballistic lab about using it for the 308. He told me there would be no problem using the 170 at 308 velocities. He said it would open up more violently, but would not blow up and would kill very nicely.

So, on his advice, I loaded 4064 under the 170FP and gave them to my friend. He proceeded to kill almost 20 deer over the years with that load and NEVER needed a second shot. Deer dropped so fast it was like flipping a switch. Running, walking, standing, it didn't matter. That big FP hitting at 2600FPS was like ther Hammer of Thor and shot flat enough for 300yd shots if needed.

When I started loading for my 308 carbine, I worked up a load with 170gr FP and plan on using them this fall too. Your 30'06 should be no different. Use 307Win data or loads for 180gr bullets and you should be fine.

IME muzzle blast is just as intimidating as recoil to young shooters, women, he-men, etc.
IMR 4759 fills the case fairly well reducing the possibility of double charges. Muzzle blast is very mild, recoil is negligible. I like it! My kids like it!
I use it in the 375 H&H Magnum as well, and for the same reasons! YMMV.
whelennut