Looking for Sierra Load Data for .30-06 - Help Needed!

Ammunition & Reloading
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Introduction

I’ve recently taken up reloading for my .30-06 Springfield and I’m specifically looking to use Sierra bullets. I want to get the best performance out of my setup but I’m a bit overwhelmed by the amount of information out there. I’m hoping to gather some advice and insights from fellow enthusiasts!

What I’m Looking For

I’d really appreciate if you could share:

  • Specific load data you’ve successfully used with Sierra bullets (especially any recommendations for different bullet weights).
  • Preferred powders that work well with Sierra bullets for the .30-06. I’ve heard there are several options but not sure which ones yield the best results.
  • Personal experiences—If you’ve had success with a particular load, I’d love to hear about your process and the results you achieved.

Questions I Have

  • Are there optimal bullet weights for hunting versus target shooting?
  • How do other factors like temperature and altitude affect your loads?
  • Any pitfalls to avoid when starting out with .30-06 load data?

Conclusion

In short, any insights or load data you could share would be super helpful. I’m eager to learn and make my time at the range as enjoyable and productive as possible. Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide! Looking forward to your responses and hopeful for valuable insights from this awesome community.

4 Likes
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I’m looking into loading .30-06 with Sierra bullets as well! I read that IMR 4064 is a popular choice for its consistency and accuracy. Has anyone had great results with this powder?

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Absolutely! IMR 4064 is a solid pick. I also found that Varget provides great velocity and low standard deviation. It worked wonders for my 180-grain Sierra boat tails.

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Powder choice can really depend on the specific Sierra bullet you’re using. Are you loading for hunting or target shooting?

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Great point, Cathy! I’m mostly interested in hunting loads. Would you recommend different powders for that?

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For hunting, many users swear by H4895 with Sierra 150-grain bullets. It’s accurate and provides good terminal performance without excessive recoil.

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The .30-06 is such a versatile cartridge, how’s the recoil with H4895? I want something that packs a punch without being too harsh.

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I’ve had good experiences with H4895 too! Plus, it doesn’t burn as dirty as some others, which is a bonus.

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Speaking of clean burning, how does the performance of these powders stack up when it comes to fouling? Anyone see a significant difference?

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From my experience, IMR 4350 burns pretty clean, especially when you load it to mid-range levels. It might be worth trying.

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Do any of you find that certain powders affect your group sizes? I’m curious if switching from IMR 4064 to Varget might tighten my groups.

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Totally, Marc! I’ve seen drastic improvements using Varget over others. Sometimes it feels like magic when you find the right load!

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I’m looking for Sierra load data too! Specifically, how do the varmint bullets perform at longer ranges with .30-06?

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Great question! I’ve found that the Sierra MatchKing bullets offer excellent accuracy and consistency, particularly at distances over 500 yards.

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I used the Sierra Pro Hunter bullets for deer hunting. Their terminal performance was impressive, and I experienced minimal meat damage.

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Does anyone have load data specifically for the MatchKing with Varget powder?

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I highly recommend using Sierra’s reloading manual; it provides detailed load data and performance metrics for .30-06. Definitely worth a look!

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I’ve heard varying opinions on terminal performance with lead-free bullets. Anyone compared the Sierra Tipped MatchKing vs. the usual MatchKing?

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Thanks for sharing! Those Pro Hunters really shine in the field. What specific load data did you use?

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Why do so many people love the .30-06? It seems like there’s an endless debate. Maybe we just enjoy our time at the range too much!