Reloading for 30 06

[Sourdough]

I reread your question:  I would shoot the 165gr bullet for deer.  And depending on your abilities as to wheather I would recommend using it for Elk.  If you can place them consistantly at 200 or 300 yards on a six inch pie plate, go for it.  If not use the 180s for Elk. 

As for reloading equipment.  I have RCBS, Lyman, and Lee presses.  I use the Lee 80% of the time.  Dies I have all makes.  Dies are dies and they all work the same.  I have a Lyman and an RCBS electronic scale.  I prefer the RCBS, the Lyman is too prone to getting powder under the tray and going into error.  The Lyman also takes too long to warm-up and initialize.  I full length resize everything because I have multiple guns in every caliber I reload for except one.

With the 30-06 I'm partial to IMR powders and Winchester 760.  I like the factory duplication loads out of the Hodgden reloading manual using Winchester 760, and all Winchester components.

[safetysheriff]

buckman'

equipment?

Hornady bullet-seating dies because of the floating seater/crimper.   RCBS full-length dies because for some reason their expander ball seems to drag less than Hornady's in every application where i've used them both.   (i can't explain that one, because i polish them all with 1000 grit machinists wet or dri paper.)    i admit that in n.e. Ohio we see enough gun shows that i don't have to buy new die sets to get good dies.   there are enough used sets at the shows, in good condition, to suffice.   Some of the sets are a 'steal' (read that:  blessing) when you get 3 rifle dies including a neck-sizer thrown in for only $15.     

if you agree that 130 gr' bullets in the .270 Win' are great killers of elk and moose then the use of 165 gr' bullets on elk and moose out of handloaded .30-06 ammo' might be a consideration if recoil is a problem.   HOWEVER:  i think sourdough is right to advocate the 180's instead; and recommend that you just pull the rifle tightly into your shoulder to minimize the recoil-pulse/velocity that your body must absorb.   it certainly helps me, and it probably is a Big help to the scope and those related parts that also must handle recoil.   otherwise you may want to buy a recoil pad or some such thing to help absorb the punishment.   

i load IMR 4320, a finely-grained stick powder, in my .30-06's with 165 gr' Core-Lokts.   it is an amazingly accurate load out of my Rem' Model 700.     i don't think i'd spend much time on working up a load for 180 gr' bullets, however, using '4320'.   i'd go with IMR 4350 instead.

Casull:

i'll 'pm' you to explain my position on these variables.   i have not posted these things on a whim.

the best to all,

ss'   

[Winter Hawk]

Okay, the Buckman has his equipment which should be stout enough for the rest of his life.  I am a little concerned about the loading manual he picked up.  It should be a current edition.  Powder manufacturers do make changes in their formulation, enough that an old manual might lead to making high pressure loads.  I suggest that he make sure which edition he has, and get a new one if it isn't current.

That said, the NEF in .30-06 is very easy on recoil.  For deer and paper, use the 150 or 165 grain bullets.  Go with 180s for the bigger critters.

-WH-

[quickdtoo]

Buckman, if ya got the Lyman 48th 2nd printing (May 2004), you have their latest.

Tim

[Buckman]

I'm a short range kind of guy. I like to sit and wait  for him to come to me.  That's one of the reasons I was leaning towards the 165 as I plan on shooting under 150 yards.

[Sourdough]

If you can hit a six inch pie plate consistantly from 50 to 150 yards with 165s, you'd be welcome in my camp.

[Buckman]

Well we finally made it to the range today to try out the hand loads in my handi 30 06..  I am using IMR 4064 with a 165 Hornady BTSP.  I started at 47g then 48, 49, and finally at 50 they started to group.  Will try 51 and 52 and 53 g next time.  If I didn't have a bum shoulder it would be way easier.  It was still lots of fun and met some new shooters too!