’06 Load Info Please

  Guys ,

    Anyone got a pet load for the old '06,the rifle I'm dealing with likes to eat up 165gr pills the best. Thought maybe ya'all could save me a little time. This rifle has a 24" tube and will be used for deer hunting,maybe a hog or two.

I'm with Ranch 13 on this.  Of all the powders I've tried in my 30-06, H-414 is the best.  Oh, W-760 does well too. 

I once read on the old Shooters board that W-760 and H-414 were the same stuff.  There was a member that bought a pound of 760.  The label was falling off of the can and beneath the label was H-414.  Maybe he bought H-414 and 760 was underneath... anyway you get the idea.  So one day I tried my exact H-414 load, but used 760 instead.  I couldn't tell a difference... neither could the chronograph.

Since then I've come to believe that BLC2 and 748 are probably the same stuff too.  Also, H-450 and Winchester's old mag powder.  Insteresting to note that these 2 powders were discontinued at the same time... hmmmmm .

Anyway, I would try H-414.  My favorite load is 58.5 gr H-414, 150 Nos BT, Fed 215M.  With 165 gr. bullets the load that has worked well for me is 56 gr H-414, 165 Sierra bt, Fed 215M.

H414 is suppose to be Hodgon's equivalent of H4350, but I find it is just a tad faster.Typcially in a 150 gr  bullet load, my bst accuracy load is 1 gr less in the H414, than the  H4350. I only load the 165 gr in my .308. I prefer the 180/220 gr in my .06,  as I use it for elk mostly. With those bullets, H4831 outshines the H4350, or H414. Of course, the old standby of 4895 works darn good in .06's also

I think Stress Relief has my recipe too.

IMR-4350 57 grains
165 gr. Rem. Core-Lokt
Win. Cases trimmed to 2.484 "
Fed. Gold Medal Match Primers Large Rifle
MY c.o.a.l. = 3.340"

Results:  got a chronied 2600 fps avg. velocity out of my 20 inch barrel (and will be switching to a hotter powder, IMR 4064 as a result of low velocity and switching to Nosler Partitions 165 grainers).  Accuracy was good from such a cheap bullet:  3 shot was around 1 inch and best 2 were around 3/4 inch. 

With a 24 inch barrel, I'd probably try either the IMR or Hodgdons 4350.

Tikkabuck; The above suggestions are all good, I have used every one of them with success. But lately, I ran into a fussy '06 that didn't like any of the conventional recipes that well, so tried a new one. Eureka! 61 grains of Vihtavuori N-160 and the 165 Partition into ½" or so. Backtracking, I tried it in a couple of other "06's I had around and it shot very well in them all. [work up safely, of course] you should get around 2850 + pennies with the 165 in a 24" tube with this load. Regards, Eagleye.

I've tried both W760 and H414 with 150's. I've also used both H4350 and IMR4350 under 165's. I'd be interested in hearing about some high speed long range bean field loads using 150's. Most of my .30/06 hunting and shooting though has been with 165's of some sort since I don't really trust 150's at smokin' speeds for normal deer hunting. Too much of a good thing. AW

I like a 165 grain bullet as an all-around choice.  For elk and larger game, I liket the Nosler Partition Jacket 165 (the .30-06 is my backup rifle.)

I like H414 in the .30-06 (56 grains behind the 165 grain bullet), and also in the 6.5X55 Mauser (44 grains behind a 140 grain bullet.)

steve - welome to the baitshop! we're looking forward to benefitting from your experiences!

mike - i have only loaded for the .30/06 once. i used a fairly mild, but accurate load of IMR 4895 and, i believe, 150-grain hornady interlocks. i gave them to my dad and  haven't heard from him since, so i am unable to tell you whether it was a good load or a bad one.

     I took the old 06 out memorial day weekend, and was looking forward to trying some 165 grain loads I did up quite awhile back, after all these posters talking up H-414 a powder i like in my Roberts and my 7X57, memeory told me my loads were with 414, but when i got the box open the note said RL-22. It worked real well around MOA and 2900 FPS and the barnes tripple shock was awsome !!! tj3006

Sorry, after a lot of blood shot meat over 25 years ago, I got away from the 150 gr in my 30-06's and went straight to the 180's.  I don't think the 165's were available yet; may be!  Not sure!  Can't remember!

Anyway, it's been  180's ever since. 

I've run H4895, H4350, H4831/SC, H414, IMR 4350, IMR 3031, IMR 4320, Rel 22 and most recently Ramshot Hunter.  Probably forgetting a few.  Most accurate is with H4895, darn it all, 'cause it's not giving me the velocity I want.  Ramshot Hunter's giving me the fastest velocities I've seen from this 22" Mag-Na-Ported barrel but have yet to complete my testing and find a accurate load.  The 4350's typically have very good accuracy/velocity.  Rel 22, for me, was a poor velocity performer. 

So many good powders to choose from.

Keep on Patterning

Big Al