30-06 handloads

What are someone of your favorite hunting hand loads for the 30-06?

One of the most publicized loads for the 30-06 is 56 grs.of IMR 4350 powder and the 180 gr. bullet. My Parker Hale 30-06 is sighted in for that load. My 30-06 Springfield prefers the Alliant (Hercules) Reloder powder. The Alliant booklet shows 60 grs. of Reloder 19 for the 180 gr. bullet. This is a mild load in my gun. I prefer heavy bullets in my guns because the difference in drop is very little at long distance and the terminal energy is greater.

These loads are for big game and a lighter bullet and faster powder should be used for varmints.

Bob Gourley

Bob, I've had fine luck with a book maximum charge of IMR4350 under a 180 grain Nosler Partition in Federal brass lit by either Federal or Winchester large rifle primers. Of course this load is very conveniently duplicated by the Federal Premium load so I don't load for the '06 as much as I used to. I used a book maximum charge of IMR4350 under a Hornady 220 roundnose soft in Africa. It was as accurate as any load in my M700 and killed great but was a little on the soft side and my Remington does not feed roundnose slugs when the action is worked very fast. Good hunting! Michael

60 gr. Acc. 3100, Fed. Mag primer, Hornady 190 gr btsp. WORK UP TO

56 Grs. of IMR 4350 with a Hornady 165Gr. SST. CCI Large Rifle Primer This has worked well for me on Antelope, Mule and Whitetail Deer, Elk and Bison. Just loaded up a bunch more yesterday. I'm ITCHING for fall to get here!

52 gr IMR 4895 pushes a 165 gr Nosler boattail at an average instrument velocity as measured at 15 feet of 2951 fps from a Remington model 700 with a 22 inch barrel. Excellent loading for antelope and deer. DON'T SHOOT THIS LOAD IF YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIND THE LOADING LIMIT OF YOUR RIFLE. Also, shot a four point elk, western count, and a cow with this loading. The cow was standing broadside at about 30 yards and went down immediately when the bullet went through the top of her heart; but then, she got to her feet. A shot through her neck put her back down. Shot the bull through his ear holes and he died instantly. I usually harvest elk with my .375 H&H (76 gr IMR 4895 pushes a Hornady 270 gr FB bullet to an instrument velocity of 2850 fps). It is a much more positive cartridge for elk. Please do not use these loadings in your rifles without carefully ascertaining the limits of loadings for your rifle.

165 grain Remington Corlokt Bullet (Bought from Midway) 50 grains of 4064 IMR, Winchester or CCI large rifle primer, in a Winchester case.. Good, accurate, load, that kills well...enough said!! bpf

2750 fps in my rifle.