Low-ish recoil loads for .30-06?

M

Mosin-Marauder

New member
Without buying those loads specifically tailored to be low recoil, and still being able to take NC/VA Deer, something commercial that is 150 ish grains and doesn't kick very much? Id like to buy a hundred rounds or so of it so I'll be set with plenty of good brass whenever I start reloading for it. Thanks!

Regards,

-Mo.
 
30 caliber rifles, especially light weight models, will have decent recoil. They are supposed too. If you are looking for a cartridge for a youth or someone of light frame then you may have picked the wrong caliber. I have several 06's and they all "kick" to some degree. I just ignore it. Once you have a deer in your sights you will forget all about recoil. Depending on what your rifle likes, I would go with the lighter grain commercial ammo (165 or less) in the old tried and true loadings. Like Core-Loks, for example, or some of the lower priced Winchesters. "Usually" the less expensive ammo is the slower ammo and hence has less recoil. Find one that will group at 100 yards and go hunting. ;)
 
Most any 150 gr factory load is probably about as good as it will get until you start getting into special low recoil loads. Recoil from standard factory 30-06 rifles with most factory loads just ain't that bad. About the same as the Mosin you have and something most anyone can tolerate.

A 30-06 is one of those rounds loaded very conservatively from the factory. With some of the hotter hand loads you can get it to within 100-150 fps of 300 WM and get some stout recoil. Or if you choose one of the truly lightweight guns.
 
Winchester Model 70 Ranger, has a birch stock and a very small recoil pad on the rifle. I should probably just pick up some ammo and shoot it. I am probably overthinking the amount of recoil.
 
28 grs. of 4895 under a 150 gr. bullet with a little dacron stuffing will give you a very accurate load that is the ballistic equivalent of a 30-30 and will kill deer very well. Just make up a trajectory chart to get used to the drop.

If you get a new gun, shooting a hundred rounds of 10-13 grs. red dot with some 150 gr. cast bullets will give you a good familiarity and break in with your new gun.

If you had kids, they will enjoy shooting a big-boy gun without the recoil that often hampers new or smaller shooters.
 
It would be less expensive to have a good recoil pad mounted - your stock may need to be cut as a good pad will be thicker than the pad you have.
 
Not a "hunting" load at all, but I know a couple of guys who buy "Garand safe" 150gn FMJ ammo just to practice with. They don't reload, so they'll pick up a box or two of, e.g., PPU Garand-safe ammo, just to have a reduced-power load to shoot before hunting season. Other companies also make a similar M1-specific 150gn load.

These reduced '06 loads are tailored to prevent damaging the M1's unique gas system, which could happen with full-power hunting ammo. But in a bolt action rifle these reduced loads also serve to mitigate felt-recoil - again, if you don't reload.

Just FYI, ...
 
You better get out and shoot it. Then if you want lower recoil loads you're better to reload them yourself with 150 grain lead cast and greendot powder.
 
The Lyman Cast book as a listing for 151 grain pushed by a starting load of 12 grains of greendot. Max load is 15.

I have a load for shooting 30-30 and it feels like a 22.
 
"...something commercial..." Your only option is Remington 125 grain SP Managed Recoil brand. Sight in 3" high at 100 and do not shoot past 200.
The rifle is far more important though.
If you can handle the felt recoil of a 7.62 x 54R, a 150 out of a .30-06 will not bother you.
 
If you dont have any shoulder injuries then I wouldnt worry about anything that comes out of a box for -06. A buddy of mine did grab some managed recoil load because thats all that was on the shelf that day. I was very surprised at how well they shot out of his Ruger American. The ones he bought were soft point 125ish and im sure they will drop a whitetail out to 200yds.
But seriously the MN carbines recoil is as bad or more than my Remy -06 carbine.
 
I still vote for the Muzzle Brake. They are even effective on rifles without heavy recoil. Such as a 243. You'd be surprised how they will help your shooting.


They aren't that expensive.
 
getting your barrel threaded for a brake isn't very costly, but could really hurt a very accurate rifle. i don't have a problem with you doing it, it will definetly make a difference, but try to find someone that has done it already. barrel porting is an option, but pricey.

are the "garand" loads lower charged by chance?
 
I used to load the Speer 130gr HP over a charge of IMR 4895. It shoot well but the bullet does a fairly thin jacket. Never bought any loaded lower power 30-06 though. I always wanted to try a 150 gr 30-30 bullet over a minimum listed loading manual load using 4895.
 
Nosler 125 grain Ballistic Tip, if my 12 year old Daughter can handle this bullet at 3050 fps out of her .300 Savage you can out of a .30-06. She killed three deer last season with this bullet from 100 to 340 yards all one shot kills. Don't worry about the bullet only being 125 grains, it's tough and has a thick jacket. It won't explode on contact, but will penetrate and leave good blood trails if you need them.
 
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