Thread: Fail-safe 30 06 load

I realise alot of folk on here these days have probably never seen a 30 06 let alone shot or loaded for one, but as still probably one of the most popular calibres world wide {Try telling Fishing and clothing that} there must be a few who have done both

Really over the years there must be a number of these loads that just work in a calibre like this. Such as 46grn of Varget in a 308 behind a 150gr bullet.

Looking for a 30 06 load with a 165/168gr spitzer boat tail with either ADI, Hodgdon powder, aware some are one in the same.
And yes I have reloading manuals, just want to try something that plain works.

@gundoc

56grains of 2209 and 165 spire point is what a couple of cobbers used, @Brian will have some good loads with ADI

ADI2209 2grn under max(59grn) and work up

59gn's 2209, withe either a 165 SST, or SGK, easy peasy.

Cheers gentlemen, seems a popular choice will give it a crack
there had to be something that just worked for such a widespread calibre.

only ever use win 760 125/165 projectiles

I have been shooting .30-06 for over 50 years. I use i50 grain for hunting and 168 grain Hornady for long range target. There are heaps of good loads for the 150 grain hunting bullets in the 2900-3000 fps range that will suit modern sporting rifles. My long range load with the 168 achieves 2950 fps in a 26 inch barrel with AR2213SC but it would be too slow burning for shorter barrels. Out to about 350 metres there is very little difference between the performance of .308 and .30-06 but after that range the .30-06 is noticeably superior.

Yeah, 56-58 gns of 2209 behind a 165. Brass can matter, hint.

Yep 56.5gr 2209 is a pretty universal load with 165gr projectile.

I use AR2209 with a max load of 59 gr with a 165 Sierra game king or Nosler ballistic tip. I have used dominion, sako, Winchester, Remington and Nosler brass with the Nosler having the best results. CCI primers have been the best performer for me in the 06. Interestingly I had a play a number of years ago to see if I could get a bit more velocity out of the old duck so I increased powder charge by 0.2gr all the way up to 61gr of 2209 and I only got another 50fps over the chronograph with the extra 2gr of powder and no better accuracy with increased pressure signs. There is no point in a 22inch barrel trying to get magnum velocities.
It sure is a great caliber and certainly performs well on game.

56 to 58 grains gives me 2800 to 2900 fps in a 24 inch tube with a 165 BT without pressure signs in RP brass.

Better accuracy in the 56-57 grain range.