Reloading 30-06

[SARuger]

In my Ruger American, I use a 165g SBT Sierra Game King with RL-15. Very accurate and versatile.

The 30-06 is my favorite rifle to load for.

 

[brasscollector]

I'm curious if I can resize the 50 pieces of 25-06 brass I have to use in the 30-06

My first thought was no, but I had to try for myself. Here are my quick results:
Sized 3 cases, 2 hornady and one R-P. One hornady case split the neck, not surprising. Not sure how many firings these cases had, all three were in the brass bucket (scrap) if that says anything. My initial thought was that the brass would be too thin in the neck. The R-P case seemed to stretch only 1/4 to 1/3 of the neck material so one side of the neck was thin and one side remained at the original thickness. The hornady case seemed to stretch the material evenly resulting in a relatively concentric case. Measuring before and after on the Hornady case I tried resulted in about .001-.0015" thinner neck material.

 

[44 AMP]

Considering 06 brass is plentiful and relatively cheap, I see no reason to size 25-06 up, a 25-06 shooter will probably either buy or trade for your brass (if its not crap).

If you are going to do it, the best way is to anneal the .25-06 necks, then expand them in STAGES. Go to 6.5 (26caliber) then 7mm (28 caliber) THEN go to .30. This will minimize neck splits.

Cases will likely be a bit shorter than specs, but will work.

 

[Wendyj]

I shot out 40 rounds of Rem Cor Locs today. 150 and 180 grain. Rifle hated the 150 but I got sub moa at 100 with the 180. Waiting on ss pin tumbler to clean them up and reload some Nosler ballistic tips and some sst and Sierra game kings. Will find something it likes. Had a good day at the range with it.

 

[supercub99]

I have several 06's, more than I care to admit. they are 2, 4, and 6 groove. All are 1-10 twist. Barrel length is 24-26", one is a bull barrel, the others military or newer off the shelf Remington 700.

Here's a couple to try;

180 Gr Sierra Game King
43.5 gr. Varget
Oal 3.30 if your have the room
Should get you around 2500 fps.

Spendy but I get excellent results from two 06's and these are strictly for hunting so I don't need a lot .

Swift 180 gr. Scirocco ll
55 gr. H 4831sc
.02 off the lands in my guns.

Both of these produce less than an inch groups at 100-115 and do so consistently in my 1-10 twist 06's.
I have been told and read more than once that 4831 wasn't an ideal 06 powder. I have used it for years with nothing but success and it's my go to powder from 150 gr up to the 200.

A fun load that seems to shoot amazingly well, some really tiny groups is;
125 gr. Hornady sst
48 gr. IMR 4064
2800+ fps.
I seat these just short of the crimp groove.
It has very little kick so it's great to just have fun with.

All loads are in the books and below max.

Good luck

 

[hooligan1]

Pm sent.

 

[RC20]

I would not get to bent on super accurate for hunting.

I have yet to get 4350 to shoot a good target group but more than acceptable for hunting (1.5 at 100 is my bench mark for good)

4831 has been a good go to powder for the 30-06, usually good accuracy (150 and over)

Had to wonder about the one remark about 150 and 180 being the only 30-06 out there.

220 round nose as been there as well, maybe have to be in heavy bear country.

You sure don't need anything past a 150 for a deer though. 180 will do it, but you are better off it does not expand much, there is not much meat in a deer, shame to waste it.

And this is from a guy shoots a Caribou at 75 yds in the fog one time. Ugh, cleaned it up and did not loose a lot but very messy.

The other shots were out at 200 - 250 yds and much less mess.

 

[hooligan1]

RC20, I have yet to see a 30-06 rifle that didn't like 150 grn and 165 grn bullets with IMR 4350, and I've tested in 10 different rifles for 35 years, which isn't a lot, but all rifles would shoot decently with this combos.