.30-06, 180gr Bullets, favorite powder?

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Okay, so got the new .30-06 here on AH a number of weeks ago and finally getting around to developing loads.

I already know the other M70 in 30-06 likes IMR4350 and 165gr pills, pretty much like it seems every .30-06 does. I'll giving that recipe a go and tweak as necessary.

But I'd like to develop a 180gr load, so what powder do you guys like?

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Mine likes IMR 4350 best behind 180s. About 55 grains for about 2650 fps. That’s where my accuracy is.
Reloader 19 and IMR 4831 worked okay but not as well.

 

[meigsbucks]

Mine likes IMR 4350 best behind 180s. About 55 grains for about 2650 fps. That’s where my accuracy is.
Reloader 19 and IMR 4831 worked okay but not as well.

Ditto, but RL19 gets me about 40 fps more but I give up about a 1/4” in group size.

 

[Joker12]

In my several '06s with 180gr bullets IMR4831 gives by far the best performance. That being said I would guess that R22 would perhaps be as good.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Good deal, I actually have quite a bit of IMR4350.

 

[shootist~]

My 22" Tikka 30-06 really likes 56.3 grains of H-4350 with a 180 Swift A-F.
Lapua brass, F150 primer, .050" off the lands. 2,757 fps at 59*F.
5.9 SD, but only 6 chronographed, so that could be a fluke.

Pics of three recovered in Africa last July here:

Bullet Performance Database

400 grain Nosler Partition out of a 416 RM at about 2400 fps MV. Recovered from a cape buffalo on recent trip to Limpopo SA. Buff was about 65 yards, quartering away. Aimed at off-side shoulder, where bullet was found (in shoulder, not through it). One shot, buff was down with 75 yards...

www.africahunting.com

 

[sestoppelman]

As noted IMR4350 is the classic powder for 180, which can be driven to over 2800 fps if desired and carefully loaded.
Re22/MRP is a good choice for top loads.

 

[Newboomer]

My MRC loves Barnes 180grTSX ahead of 53gr of IMR4350. Don't have a chronograph but I get 1" at 100 yd and one shot kills on red stag and fallow deer out to 180 yd. no tracking.

 

[wswolf]

The .30-'06 does very well with a number of powders and 180 gn bullets. I have had excellent results with IMR4350 (of course), Hunter, Reloder 26, StaBall 6.5, N560, and H4350. My favorite is a load from Alliant data: 180 Nosler Partition and 56 grains of Reloder 16. Since I live in Montana, where temperatures during hunting season can vary from 70 to -20 degrees F., I prefer the more temperature stable powders, omitting IMR4350 and Hunter from my top choices. Reloder 26 is not designed to be temperature stable but is very predictable with temperature changes and performs wonderfully with 180 grain bullets as well as my preferred 200 grain Partitions.

 

[Shootist43]

The one and only load I've ever used in my '06 hunting rifles is 54.7 gr. of Winchester 760 pushing a 180 Gn. Hornady Round Nose. I've shot numerous 10 shot groups well under an inch with my Remington 742 using this load, never had a reason to try anything else.

 

[Rem700stw]

I am a late in life convert to the .30-06. prior to 7 years ago I had never owned one. I now have three.

I worked up a load for my Weatherby Ultralight in .30-06 consisting of a Barnes 180 grain TSX over 62 grains of Reloader 22. It produced a ragged one hole group in that rifle. On a whim I fired groups in my CZ 550 and Kimber rifles in .30-06 and got the same result.

I do not know if this load in MAGIC or if I just got LUCKY but I am thrilled as this is the only time in over 35 years of handloading that I have one load that is perfect for 3 rifles

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Well it's NASCAR's championship weekend here in Phoenix. I'm a big fan and attend all of the races.

So I took the day off today for a long weekend, but started it with a day at the range with the new to me .30-06. My 165gr NF load that I used with our other .30-06 was okay, could hunt with it. But not as accurate as with the older rifle.

But I also loaded up a bunch of 180gr NF softs and IMR4350. Found a nice group at 54gr and +/- 0.5gr from there was okay too. Some more tweaking to do, but I think we'll have a NF load in short order with the IMR4350. May try to load them also with H4831 for giggles.

Now if I could just lay my hands on some 180gr A-Frames......

 

[Mr. 16 gauge]

My 30-06 Interarms Mk X likes IMR 4064 with most 180 grain slugs............not a speedy load compared to others, but quite accurate. I also have a load using 180 grain Nosler partitions and 58.0 grains of Reloader 19, a Remington case, and a CCI 200 primer that is quite accurate as well.

 

[Art Lambart II]

30-06 loads come in something other than 180 grain, why?

 

[7x57Joe]

30-06 loads come in something other than 180 grain, why?

I've shot and hunted with other weights but, every head of game I've taken with the '06 has been with 180 grain. I think it's a perfect match for the .30'06 case size.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

30-06 loads come in something other than 180 grain, why?

Because sometimes the rifle is on the light side and the loads are developed for the fine good Mrs PHOENIX PHIL. But now with having shot much more and a bit heavier SG M70, she will be moving up.

 

[Areaonereal]

IMR 4350…56 grains…Fed 210 M…180 Nosler Accubond…..over 150 head of African plains from Duiker to Zebra and Wildebeast and all in between. 2750 FPS in a custom Rock Creek barrel 1 10 twist..Norma URP and IMR 4451 works well also. Love that caliber. 57 grains of the 4350 and 168 grain Barnes TTSX worked well in my sons 06 as well At 2810 FPS.

 

[Marcos Rodriguez]

Because sometimes the rifle is on the light side and the loads are developed for the fine good Mrs PHOENIX PHIL. But now with having shot much more and a bit heavier SG M70, she will be moving up.

Hi Phil!!!
Greetings to you!
I might you should use the 308 win...
You´re wife will be gratefull!!! hahaha!!!
Do you develop any load with 165 gn bullets? I remember a post time ago....
Whath happened ?

 

[Ridgewalker]

I’ve taken antelope, deer and elk with the 30-06 using 165s, 180s, and 200s. All seemed to do a good job. I’ve used IMR4350, H4350 (until the 6.5 Cm guys bought it all!), H4831, and during the Obama shortages H414 (Win 760). Now I’ll be venturing out again due to the Biden shortages trying Hunter.
We shall see how it goes.
Best of luck finding that “perfect” load!

 

[Puddle]

In my 24" barreled custom '06 I use the following:
- 180 gr. NPT, 57 grains H4350, seated 0.020" back from the rifling.
- 180 gr. SAF, 56.5 grains H4350, seated 0.050" back from the rifling.

Brass is Norma, primer is Fed 210M.
Both loads produce right close to 2750 fps MV.
Both are intended to match up with my 270 gr. SAF load in my .375 H&H.