30-06 Load Diary

arakboss · Jul 23, 2025

I don't keep load record books. I usually make entries in various threads here with my reload info. I want to make that info easier to find, so I am going to start a diary thread, when I start working with a cartridge type. 30-06 is first up.

Anybody want to share their favorite reduced jacketed bullet 30-06 loads. I have very little H-4895 on hand, so the 60% H-4895 loads will be a last resort.

I am also looking for 30-06 load data using Magpro powder and 150gr bullets.
I bought a bunch of the Magpro powder for super cheap and want to try and burn some up in the 06s (all are bolt rifles).

Hodgdon only had one load listed. It seems like a fairly mild load, velocity & pressure wise, so it might not kick too hard.

arakboss · Jul 23, 2025

If anybody has a link to a free pdf version of this manual, please share. I can usually find the free versions of these manuals but the 30-06 one has eluded me, so far.

I have read of Unique powder 30-06 load data, for jacketed bullets, being put out in early edition load books but haven't found any yet.

The most common load range I have read of people using is around 16gr of unique with 150gr jacketed bullets.

This Ideal Handload Book data would suggest that is in the middle of recommendations. Anybody had success with Unique and jacketed bullets in 30-06? Looking for a softer shooting load for 100yds or less.

arakboss · Jul 23, 2025

These might be too wimpy for my modified "600lb Life" rifle but could be fun to try out. And like Unique powder, I have an abundance of Bullseye powder.

"If low noise and minimum danger space are the goal, carefully load 8 grs. of Bullseye in the .30-'06 or 7.62x54R Russian, or 7 grains of Bullseye in the 7.62 NAT0, 8mm Mauser, 7.65 Argentine, 7.7 Japanese or .303 British with any jacketed bullet or cast bullet of the same weight or lighter than the military service one appropriate for the caliber. Do not reduce charges further with jacketed bullets because much below 1000 f.p.s., you may "stick" a bullet in the bore."

Source Ed Harris article:

Re-visiting .30-06 Guard and Gallery Practice Loads with Bullseye Powder | Fouling Shot Magazine| Join CBA | Cast Bullet Forum

This article by Ed Harris from his series, Tales from the Back Creek Diary, was published in Foul

castbulletassoc.org

arakboss · Jul 23, 2025

I loaded up 20 30-06 rounds with 150gr FMJ and Unique powder. I have 5 each at 14gr, 14.5gr, 15gr and 15.5gr.

I seated a bullet after charging each case to eliminate chance of double charging.

If these shoot OK and it doesn't look like pressure is getting crazy, I will try 16gr and possibly 16.5gr. That would be the max, I would feel comfortable doing.

Tomorrow I will prep a few more pieces of brass. I want to load 5 more rounds with "The Load".

I also want to load 5 rounds with a similar to Unique powder, I have an abundance of. I will do a 14gr charge on those with the similar to Unique powder.

I will get some rounds loaded with similar to magpro powder, this weekend.

2ndtimer · Jul 23, 2025

arakboss said:
I am also looking for 30-06 load data using Magpro powder and 150gr bullets.
I bought a bunch of the Magpro powder for super cheap and want to try and burn some up in the 06s (all are bolt rifles).

I guess if you want to turn your 30-06 into a .30-30 Winchester, you could do that. I would suggest using magnum primers, since you will probably leave a bunch of unburned powder in your barrel and on the ground in front of where you fired. Or you could trade off one of your 30-06's for a .270 Winchester (or rebarrel), and use your MagPro powder where it belongs.
I haven't tried MagPro in my .270 Winchester yet, but it is all my son wants me to load for his .270WSM. The data for the standard .270 Winchester looks very promising as well.

arakboss · Jul 23, 2025

2ndtimer said:
I guess if you want to turn your 30-06 into a .30-30 Winchester, you could do that. I would suggest using magnum primers, since you will probably leave a bunch of unburned powder in your barrel and on the ground in front of where you fired. Or you could trade off one of your 30-06's for a .270 Winchester (or rebarrel), and use your MagPro powder where it belongs.
I haven't tried MagPro in my .270 Winchester yet, but it is all my son wants me to load for his .270WSM. The data for the standard .270 Winchester looks very promising as well.

"I guess if you want to turn your 30-06 into a .30-30 Winchester, you could do that."

That would be awesome if that's how they feel. I will bring a broom to sweep up all that unburned powder

I will use magnum primers.

I have two 270s, a 25-06, a 300WM, a 7mm Rem Mag etc that will share the powder. Magnum powders have been super cheap at American Reloading these days. I picked up the last batch of similar to Magpro for $11.60 a pound shipped. I can afford to leave a few unburned kernels behind.

arrowshooter · Jul 23, 2025

This does not list Magpro for 30.06, published in 2018:

http://www.indaginibalistiche.it/utlities/polveri/accurate_powders_3_3_EN.pdf

arakboss · Jul 23, 2025

arrowshooter said:
This does not list Magpro for 30.06, published in 2018:

http://www.indaginibalistiche.it/utlities/polveri/accurate_powders_3_3_EN.pdf

Good thing it's 2025

arakboss · Jul 23, 2025

arrowshooter said:
This does not list Magpro for 30.06, published in 2018:

http://www.indaginibalistiche.it/utlities/polveri/accurate_powders_3_3_EN.pdf

They don't list magpro for 300 win mag either which is nonsense. Fortunately we don't have to rely on a single source for load data.

arrowshooter · Jul 23, 2025

Magpro is only listed a handfull of times. It's the only powder listed for 338 Lapoowa.

arakboss · Jul 23, 2025

arrowshooter said:
Magpro is only listed a handfull of times. It's the only powder listed for 338 Lapoowa.

Hodgdon has tons of magpro data for lots of cartridges.

And many more.

osprey · Jul 23, 2025

Just because it is listed doesn't make it a good fit. I think you will find Magpro much too slow burning for the 30-06. It is more suited for larger magnum case cartridges. Will it spit a bullet out the end of the barrel, certainly. Will it do it efficiently and accurately, doubtful.

dangerranger60 · Jul 23, 2025

If you want to try pistol caliber loads in a 30-06 look for 110gr bullets from a 30 carbine. They used to shoot them as a varmint round. They were usually loaded with mag pistol powders. DR

dangerranger60 · Jul 23, 2025

One thing I have found in keeping load books is I record both successful loads and failures. its just as important to me to not repeat mistakes as it is to be able to repeat the good loads. If I did not record them I would be wasting time and powder . DR

aasbra · Jul 23, 2025

While I have not loaded 30-06 light loads with Unique, I do load 30-30 with Unique for plinking loads. 8-9 grains with a 165 grain coated cast lead RNFP projectile. I tried a bit more powder and ended up with some leading in the barrel, so settled on this. Plenty accurate for knocking down steel silhouettes at 100 yards or so.

Looks like Lyman 50th and Lyman 4th edition Cast Bullet handbook both have lead bullet loads for 30-06 with suitable powders (Unique included).

arakboss · Jul 23, 2025

dangerranger60 said:
If you want to try pistol caliber loads in a 30-06 look for 110gr bullets from a 30 carbine. They used to shoot them as a varmint round. They were usually loaded with mag pistol powders. DR

I am sure those would work fine too, but I am trying to work with what I have.

arakboss · Jul 23, 2025

aasbra said:
While I have not loaded 30-06 light loads with Unique, I do load 30-30 with Unique for plinking loads. 8-9 grains with a 165 grain coated cast lead RNFP projectile. I tried a bit more powder and ended up with some leading in the barrel, so settled on this. Plenty accurate for knocking down steel silhouettes at 100 yards or so.

Looks like Lyman 50th and Lyman 4th edition Cast Bullet handbook both have lead bullet loads for 30-06 with suitable powders (Unique included).

There is no shortage of Unique data for 30-06 with cast bullets. Finding Unique data for Jacketed bullets is more difficult. You have to reach back to books from the olden days.

arakboss · Jul 23, 2025

osprey said:
Just because it is listed doesn't make it a good fit. I think you will find Magpro much too slow burning for the 30-06. It is more suited for larger magnum case cartridges. Will it spit a bullet out the end of the barrel, certainly. Will it do it efficiently and accurately, doubtful.

With the magpro loads, I will be looking for loads that will get the bullet out the other end. I do understand it will not be an ideal powder for the situation.

arakboss · Jul 23, 2025

I am interested in hearing from others what their favorite reduced loads (with jacketed bullets) are in 30-06.

I did find some 30-06 data with IMR4227 (I have a big jug of that).

110gr jacketed: