Bullet Weight for the 30-06?

[ArchAngelCD]

I've decided to use IMR4895 to reload for the 30-06 since that was the first Military powder used for that caliber. I'll probable try other powders in the future but will start with that one.

I bought a 1917 Enfield Eddystone Military rifle a while back. I was happy to see it had a Winchester barrel on it. I want to target shoot out to 200 yards for practice to compete in my local club's relic rifle shoot. (200 yards, simulated 400 yards, open sights) I will be reloading for this because there's no way I can afford the ammo to practice the way prices are now.

The Question: Which bullet should I use? I was thinking about a 165/168 gr BT. Is that a good weight and type for 200 yard shots from a 30-06 or should I go heavier? (or lighter??) What about the bullet type?

**EDIT** I meant to put 165/168 gr in the Poll but forgot to add the 168 gr bullet. I can't edit the Poll entries so I'm putting it here.

 

[Jim Watson]

At 200 yards the main thing to go for is accuracy. At longer ranges, wind has a great effect but you can try different bullets for group at 200. Back when .30-06 was GI and the most common match rifle, some people would shoot 125 - 130 grain bullets at 200 or even 300 yards for less recoil; and keep the 168, 173, or 180s for 600 yard slowfire.

The other approach was to load the 173 gr military match bullet down in velocity for the shorter ranges.

Get match bullets. Hard to go wrong with Sierra Match King boattail hollowpoints in any weight; the 155 Palma, 168 International, or the 175 they brought out to give the trajectory of the 173 gr M1/NM bullet.
You might do ok with a hunting bullet; I have had good shooting with the 130 gr Speer hollowpoint made for varmint hunting with a .30 cal.

FMJs are unlikely to be as accurate as target or varmint hollowpoints.

Sorry, you are just going to have to shoot the gun and not the poll. But if you want me to pick a starting place, I'd go with the 175 gr SMK.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Sorry, you are just going to have to shoot the gun and not the poll. But if you want me to pick a starting place, I'd go with the 175 gr SMK.

Jim Watson,
That's exactly what this Poll is about, finding a good starting point. I don't want to spend any money needlessly since bullets are expensive these days. I have shot mostly handguns and reloaded for only handguns previously so I'm looking for a little guidance on where to start.

 

[USSR]

Jim's right, there's no telling what bullet your particular rifle will like, so there's no substitute for load development with various bullets. However, if I were you, I would try to duplicate the International load that the gov't made for 300 meter shooting: 174gr M72 Match bullet over 42.0gr of IMR4895. Just substitute either a 168gr or 175gr Sierra MatchKing for this.

Don

 

[glockman19]

I shoot both the 150 & 165 grain. I practice with Remington UMC & hunt with Federal Vital Shok, Power Shok, & Fusion ammo

 

[JG2000]

Sierra Matchking 168gr HPBT but since thats not on your list I voted 165

 

[Jim Watson]

duplicate the International load that the gov't made for 300 meter shooting: 174gr M72 Match bullet over 42.0gr of IMR4895.

Thanks!
I have always wondered what to use instead of Hi-Vel No 2 for the old 300 metre load.

 

[The Bushmaster]

I voted for 165 grain bullets, but I use two in my .30-06. the 165 grain Sierra HPBT and the 180 grain Sierra SPBT. I use from 58 to 61 grains of H4831 SC for these bullets.

 

[Ala Dan]

Sierra makes mighty fine bullets, so I also vote for the 168 grain MatchKing~!

 

[Never No More]

In my M1

I use only boat tailed 152gr
46gr IMR 4895
CCI #34
LC cases

In my M700

178gr A-Max.
51grs IMR 4895
Match primers
LC match cases

My zero is better than 200 yards.

 

[browningguy]

I voted for 180, since that's what most of my '06's have liked. However my HK SLB hates anything over 150 gr. For 200 yard shooting I would stick with a flat base bullet and look at Berger's or SMK's, although I think all the SMK's in .30 may be boattails.

 

[USSR]

Thanks!
I have always wondered what to use instead of Hi-Vel No 2 for the old 300 metre load.

No problem.

Don

 

[ArchAngelCD]

USSR,
Thank you for that information on the M72 Match round. I'm going to try both the 168gr and 175gr Sierra MatchKing and see which shoots better in my rifle.

One more question, the Hodgdon load data site lists 46.0 to 49.0 gr of IMR4895 for the 175 GR. SIE HPBT. You said the Match load is 42 gr, is that a light load meant for Match rounds?

 

[Jim Watson]

The load USSR cites is based on the old 300 metre free rifle load; the 173 at 2300 fps. It is a somewhat reduced load for offhand shooting at moderate range.

Regular data will get you more velocity for longer ranges. I load that bullet to 2650 fps in a .308, for example; and a .30-06 will push it faster.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm not against a slightly reduced load if it's accurate, after all, that's what it's all about!! LOL Since I'll be shooting 200 yards and at a smaller target 200 yards out to simulate 400 yards, that sounds like the perfect round. I was just wondering why the charge was lower than the starting load published by IMR. (Hodgdon)

 

[USSR]

As Jim indicated, it's a reduced velocity load for shooting at close range (300 meter) targets. The regular M72 Match loads used the same bullet and anywhere's between 46.0gr and 48.5gr of IMR4895, depending upon the year and the lot of IMR4895 they had that year.

Don

 

[dogrunner]

When you do try another powder give IMR 4350 a shot. I have used 57.5 under Sierra's #2140 165 HPBT for years in two Browning '06's, plus my 1940's mfg. M/70......Its a little slow for the autos, but accurate as all get out. Consistantly shoots sub minute groups at a 100 yd range. Do avoid it for the Garand if you shoot one tho, I have read accounts of bent operating rods due the longer pressure curve!

I have never had a deer or hog MOVE from the location it was hit using that bullet!

That is NOT to disparage 4895, but I was looking for a powder that allowed for no overcharged loadings. You just can't stuff enough 4350 in a standard case to do that.

 

[USSR]

Speaking of IMR4350, here's the FA International 300 meter loading of 1956:

174gr Match bullet
46.7gr IMR4350
2260fps

As previously stated, don't use IMR4350 in a Garand.

Don

 

[Smokey Joe]

Bullet and weight--

ArchAngel CD--Another bullet you might try is the Nosler Ballistic Tip. Nosler calls it "The hunting bullet that thinks it's a target bullet," not without justification.

I too like IMR 4350 for the '06.

And IMX, the 165 grain bullet is the best place to start trying weights for your particular rifle in .30 cal.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

It looks like I'll be loading both the Sierra 168gr BTHP Match and 175gr BTHP Match over IMR4895 and IMR4350 and see which powder/bullet/charge my old M1917 likes best. If I load 3 rounds of each bullet with both powders and several different charges I'm guessing it will only take 60 or so rounds to find the "sweet load" for that rifle.

I'm going to start with 42 gr IMR4895 and work up to 46 gr with both bullets. Then I'll repeat the process with IMR4350 after I try the first batch of rounds and start at 46.7 gr.

USSR,
Where are you getting the data for the old Match loads?
I would love to look at all the data and try to duplicate what they shot.

 

[USSR]

ArchAngelCD,

American Rifleman magazine, September 1969 issue.

Don

 

[ArchAngelCD]

OMG!! Thank you very much Sir, I truly appreciate your efforts!!

 

[countryrebel]

I used to use 150s for everything with great success but now I use
165s.