Thread: "Karhu" A.K.A "Finnish Bear" 30-06 load developement

So recently I picked up a very nice example of a Sako Finnbear in the caliber of the Gods the mighty 30-06.
I'm still finalizing a few bits to get this rifle together but once it's ready I'll be developing a nice accurate hunting load for it.
So far I have accumulated some ADI2209, Norma brass, 165gn speer btsp's and 178gn Hornady eldx to get me started.
The Finnbear has a 24" barrel and a 1:11 twist so hopefully both pills will stablize.
Tomorrow I'll get started by doing some brass prep, and hopefully figure out max COAL possible with the mag box and my jam length.
My previous experience with a 270 finnbear tells me that there should be heaps of room in the mag and if the 30-06 version is like the 270 I should be able seat projectiles out far enough to be jammed in the lands and still mag feed.
Obviously I won't start there but I'll try and seat my projectiles out as far as I can so as to maximize case volume.
I haven't taken any measurements yet but I have been thinking.... depending which projectiles I use, to seat 10 thou off the lands I may not leave sufficient projectile in the neck for consistent seating etc.... I guess I will find out tomorrow.
I do love me a bit of load developement especially something as beautiful and accommodating as the Sako Finnbear with it's generous mag box and long throat.

TBC.....







For those wondering "Karhu" is the Finnish word for Bear