I have decided that I want to start reloading 30-06 shells!! I can see the savings and I think that is what me and the kids are going to shoot from now on! Where is a good place to buy 30-06 bullets for reloading and which do you think are the best for whitetails?
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Well I am going to start reloading!!!
- Thread starter Big J
- Start date
I would load some 165 gr Nosler ballistic tips or Hornady SSTs. You could step up to the Nosler Accubond or Hornady Interbond, but for deer it probably wont matter. I usually buy my bullets from www.midwayusa.com . Its also hard to beat a standard cup n core like a Sierra Gameking, Speer Hotcor, or Hornady Interlock. I would look for some RL 19, H4350 or H4831 for powder.
Midsouth Shooters Supply, Graff & Sons, Powder Valley and Widener's are 3 more good places to get your supplies. Shop carefully and compare. Check shipping rates as a lot of what you'll buy for reloading is heavy stuff. I'd buy powder and primers locally if I could to avoid hazmat fees.
So ok what brass, primers(Which seem to be obsolete) and I will shoot Hornady ssts. If you could give me some links to each product that would be nice!
I am going to start out with a lee classic. If that works out ok then I will find a press you guys recommend!
I am ready to get started!
Anyone got any brass? Where can I find it decently priced and how many times can I reload it?
I am going to start out with a lee classic. If that works out ok then I will find a press you guys recommend!
I am ready to get started!
Anyone got any brass? Where can I find it decently priced and how many times can I reload it?
MANDATORY FIRST.....Get a couple of reloading manuals and READ them. Then READ them AGAIN. Your life could easily depend on what you learn/don't learn depending on your attention to details in the manuals. ANYTHING that you don't COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND needs to be questioned of other people that reload. I'm no expert by any means and learn more as I tinker more.
I don't load for 30-06 but I do for other rifle and pistol calibers....
Buy any Large Rifle Primers that you can find as they are hard to come by. Winchester is good brass and not hard to find.
These rifles you're gonna load for...are they bolt action? Whether they are or not, keep track of the brass and keep it dedicated to the rifle it was first fired in. Neck size only for bolt rifle until about the 5th firing or if it gets a bit tight to chamber and then full length resize. If you load for an autoloader you'll need to full length resize every time.
I don't load for 30-06 but I do for other rifle and pistol calibers....
Buy any Large Rifle Primers that you can find as they are hard to come by. Winchester is good brass and not hard to find.
These rifles you're gonna load for...are they bolt action? Whether they are or not, keep track of the brass and keep it dedicated to the rifle it was first fired in. Neck size only for bolt rifle until about the 5th firing or if it gets a bit tight to chamber and then full length resize. If you load for an autoloader you'll need to full length resize every time.
You got to do what you got to do but I think I would take good look at the Lyman Kits reason Case Trimmer.
Hornady is still offering free bullets with theres.
If you want Noslers
http://www.shootersproshop.com/index.php
Don't know were your at but Gun Shows are usally a good place to find reloading items at least around here. If your near Mt.Juilet The Reloaders Bench.
I would stay away from Widners right now after what they did to DOC and a good friend of mine who still hasn't heard anything else on his order with them.
Might also want to check out a Reloading DVD or Vidieo as well as the manuals.
I like Rem and Win Nickel Brass myself, Nosler Custom is ready to go out of the box and is darn good. Just save your emptys form the factory loads your shooting now as it really doesn't matter that much,just start low and work up and keep all the "headstamps" the same during load work ups. Life span of the brass for reloading will depend on your load and set up,when in doubt trash it.
Win WLR (Standard) for Primers
I really don't think there is a bad powder for the 06 but I would suggest you get some RL-19 esp if you will be using 150gr pills.
Good luck and have Fun.
Hornady is still offering free bullets with theres.
If you want Noslers
http://www.shootersproshop.com/index.php
Don't know were your at but Gun Shows are usally a good place to find reloading items at least around here. If your near Mt.Juilet The Reloaders Bench.
I would stay away from Widners right now after what they did to DOC and a good friend of mine who still hasn't heard anything else on his order with them.
Might also want to check out a Reloading DVD or Vidieo as well as the manuals.
I like Rem and Win Nickel Brass myself, Nosler Custom is ready to go out of the box and is darn good. Just save your emptys form the factory loads your shooting now as it really doesn't matter that much,just start low and work up and keep all the "headstamps" the same during load work ups. Life span of the brass for reloading will depend on your load and set up,when in doubt trash it.
Win WLR (Standard) for Primers
I really don't think there is a bad powder for the 06 but I would suggest you get some RL-19 esp if you will be using 150gr pills.
Good luck and have Fun.
Model70Man
Well-Known Member
Remington, Winchester, Hornady, and Federal are good brass headstamps. I prefer Hornady. Cabelas seems to always have brass in stock.
Primers are hard to find right now and are going at a premium. If you find some Large Rifle or Large Magnum rifle primers, get them.
Powder is also hard to find as well. RL17 is getting RAVE reviews with better velocities with less pressure. I'm loading some for my 270 Win and will post results soon.
You might want to check around on here to find someone close to you that can show you the steps a couple times before you go on your own. Get several different reloading books as well. They are great to cross reference with.
Primers are hard to find right now and are going at a premium. If you find some Large Rifle or Large Magnum rifle primers, get them.
Powder is also hard to find as well. RL17 is getting RAVE reviews with better velocities with less pressure. I'm loading some for my 270 Win and will post results soon.
You might want to check around on here to find someone close to you that can show you the steps a couple times before you go on your own. Get several different reloading books as well. They are great to cross reference with.
Model70man-
RL-17 is a tad slower burning than H-4350.
I've shot almost a pound of it through my .40 and it gives me 50-75 fps slower velocity compared to the same charge of H-4350.
I'm sure the data is out there for your caliber, but if not, starting with the H-4350 data wouldn't be a bad idea.
FWIW- I don't think you can beat RL-22 for the .270 (and most other calibers too.)
RL-22 may be my favorite powder.
Good luck.
RL-17 is a tad slower burning than H-4350.
I've shot almost a pound of it through my .40 and it gives me 50-75 fps slower velocity compared to the same charge of H-4350.
I'm sure the data is out there for your caliber, but if not, starting with the H-4350 data wouldn't be a bad idea.
FWIW- I don't think you can beat RL-22 for the .270 (and most other calibers too.)
RL-22 may be my favorite powder.
Good luck.
Model70Man
Well-Known Member
ewc said:
Everybody that has used RL17 has stated that they get better velocity with less pressure on other forums. I have 3 pounds of it and I'll give it a run in my WSM's and the 270 Win. to verify this. I love H4350 in my WSM's. I have lots of RL22 as well.
mr.big
Well-Known Member
I always used a little faster powder in 30-06,,4064 and 4350 both work great with 150 and 165 gr bullets,
I would put money on 4064 and the 150 Sierra in any 30-06 on any whitetail in North America,,
you will have to hot rod the 30-06 to get much more than 4064,414,4350 will give ya,,then you need a 300 Win Mag
I would put money on 4064 and the 150 Sierra in any 30-06 on any whitetail in North America,,
you will have to hot rod the 30-06 to get much more than 4064,414,4350 will give ya,,then you need a 300 Win Mag
M70-
What I meant was it's slower burning than H-4350 - meaning at the same charge weight of H-4350, there will be less pressure with RL-17.
My .40 caliber muzzleloader may be diff, I don't know. A 12/75 charge of H-4350 gave me 2,826, While a 12/75 charge of RL-17 gave me 2,782 (at less predicted pressure than the H-4350).
Pressure was predicted, but not actually measured.
I could have easily bumped up the charge of RL-17 to the same pressure as 4350 and had greater speed.
Hope that all made sense.
What I meant was it's slower burning than H-4350 - meaning at the same charge weight of H-4350, there will be less pressure with RL-17.
My .40 caliber muzzleloader may be diff, I don't know. A 12/75 charge of H-4350 gave me 2,826, While a 12/75 charge of RL-17 gave me 2,782 (at less predicted pressure than the H-4350).
Pressure was predicted, but not actually measured.
I could have easily bumped up the charge of RL-17 to the same pressure as 4350 and had greater speed.
Hope that all made sense.
Model70Man
Well-Known Member
10-4. I understand what you mean. That's what I have been reading as well.
WC gave you the best advice so far in this thread. Before you worry about bullets, powders, etc. get a couple of good manuals and read and re-read the instructional and reference sections. I like the Lyman manual because the reference sections are good and there's more variety of bullets and powders than you may get in a manual published by a bullet manufacturer. Don't get your loads from guys the internet, unless they're within the range of loads you find on powder manufacturers' websites. It's easy to get overwhelmed with powders, bullets, etc. but IMR 4064 or 4350 would be hard to beat; they're consistent lot-to-lot and widely available under more normal circumstances. The relatively inexpensive bulk-pack bullets from Winchester or Remington should be reasonably accurate in your rifle, and have been killing deer for decades if you hit them where they live. Primers are tough right now but just get two or three hundred if you can find them until the scalper prices subside-you may also be surprised how long a couple hundred primers last. I prefer Winchester primers, but right now you may have to get whatever you can find. Make sure you're going to like reloading before you tie up a lot of money in tools and a variety of components. Keep it simple to begin with-I'm still using the single-stage press and dies I bought in the 60's. You should be able to get what you need, even the generic bullets, at the Reloader's Bench in Mt. Juliet. You'll probably find that you won't spend any less for ammo over a years time, but you'll understand rifles and ammunition better, and you should be able to practice enough to be a better shot.
Mountian Man_TN
Well-Known Member
I agree, get good manuals and read. Safety is always first. And remember the only stupid question is the one you don't ask. Also when you do start loading load fo the region you will be hunting in. Nothing is worst than a hot load that over penetrates and not perform to it's potential. Most bullets on the market today are ok. I might suggest if you have friends that reload, to ask for a few samples. Or write to the manufactures for samples. beleive it or not i have had good success, as few as 3 and as many as ten to try out. Just remember to return the favor by giving your findings to them. Be it good bad or indifferent. Seirra is really good to answer questions. Use you resorces.
Also loads will vary from rifle to fifle, brand to brand as well. Find what works best for you and stick to it.
Also loads will vary from rifle to fifle, brand to brand as well. Find what works best for you and stick to it.
Bobby Williamson
Well-Known Member
Get a couple of reloading manuals and READ them. Then READ them AGAIN. Your life could easily depend on what you learn/don't learn depending on your attentGet a couple of reloading manuals and READ them. Then READ them AGAIN. Your life could easily depend on what you learn/don't learn depending on your attention to details in the manualsion to details in the manuals
What WC said....... what WC said....
Reloading is not everybody, Ask yourself some questions.
Are you a patient person?
Do you like learning and dealing with the details of issues?
Why do you want to reload?
Do you have some perfectionist in you?
I don't want to discourge you by any means, but I want you to understand reloading to very serious business. Not everyone to cut out for it. But if have the skills needed, reloading is very, very rewarding and you can enjoy it for decades.
Read the manuals over and over, understand them. Come here and ask questions. If you have a good friend who reloads spend some time with them at the bench and don't be bashful ASK QUESTIONS.
Good Luck,
Reloading is not everybody, Ask yourself some questions.
Are you a patient person?
Do you like learning and dealing with the details of issues?
Why do you want to reload?
Do you have some perfectionist in you?
I don't want to discourge you by any means, but I want you to understand reloading to very serious business. Not everyone to cut out for it. But if have the skills needed, reloading is very, very rewarding and you can enjoy it for decades.
Read the manuals over and over, understand them. Come here and ask questions. If you have a good friend who reloads spend some time with them at the bench and don't be bashful ASK QUESTIONS.
Good Luck,
upatree
Well-Known Member
i see your not too far from mt juliet. the realoaders bench is a great place to go. you can talk face to face and they carry all the major brands of brass and bulletts.they got it all.
