30.06 semi auto loads
Anyone out there have any info on what loads work best in semi-auto 30.06s? I shoot bolt action, but have two friends I reload for and seems to me the semi-autos aren't nearly as accurate, so I'm wondering if there's any advice on what loads might work best in those guns. At least one of them is a Browning. Thanks for any advice on this one.
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Traditionally, bolt action firearms have always been considered more accurate than semi-autos. Bolt actions seems to shoot more manufacturers well, while semi-autos may be "picky". I have a Savage 110 (30.06) that is bolt action and will eat whatever I put through it. For my semi-auto 30.06 (Remington 742), I have not found it to pattern as tight at the Savage, but it has eaten whatever I have put in it.
I think you will probably have better success with feed and accuracy with a factory load in a semi-auto, whereas the bolt action will not be as choosey.
Aaron0 -
Benoo,
Hello, and welcome to our forums here on Gunbroker.com
When loading for the semi-automatic sporting rifles like the Browning BAR, Remington 742, and Winchester 100, you will need to use a Full Length Small Base die. RCBS makes them, for resizing. You will also neet to make sure the case is properly trimmed to length, deburred, and chamfered. Your best powder will be either IMR-4350, or W-W 760.
Best0 -
Thanks for the tips. I do a fair amount of reloading, so everything is chamfered, sized and trimmed to length, powder is accurately measured, etc. I was wondering if you seat them differently from bolt actions or if anyone had any specific load recommendations. I loaded the last rounds using 57 gr. IMR-4350, CCI-200 primers for a 165 gr. Nosler ballistic tip (since the guy was shooting deer, not elk). But like I said, the groups are just a lot bigger than my bolt action rifles, so that's why I was wondering if there was something about the semi-autos I was missing.
Also, I guess I may as well ask, what's the diff between the regular RCBS 30-06 die and the "full lenghth, small-base" die?? The rounds went through his rifle no problem after being sized with my Hornady 06 dies.
Thanks again for the help. Sure do appreciate it.0 -
Small base dies are designed to return the case to factory-pre fired dimensions. Standard sizers do not.
There's a risk of slam-fire when using a self-loading firearm with previously fired casings (out of size cases are a contributing factor).
Small base dies also contribute to reliable function. The only recorded instances of 'out of battery' (slam) firing of the cartridge has been with re-loaded ammunition. Nary an instance with fresh, commercial ammo.
That's the reason. You will be eliminating an unknown, as all the prior rounds fired are not as important as the very next round fired. Therein lies the problem. Without small-base dies, you are increasing the chance of a functioning problem. Best, Joe0 -
Thanks, Joe. Your advice and that of the others will be taken. I also looked at the RCBS tech info on small base dies, so had a pretty good idea of what was going on.
No wonder I stick with my good old reliable bolt action!0 -
I enjoy shooting my M1 Garands (30-06) to the tune of about 500-800 rounds per year. In my experience, reloading reliable ammunition for them has been dependent on 3 things. The first, as reported by the other fellows is brass resizing. They have explained that well so I will not repeat. The second has been to not try to reload the brass too many times. I keep track of each batch of brass. I fire factory ammo, reload it twice and discard it. Several times I have had several case heads separate on the fourth time in the gun. I keep a broken shell extractor in the stock of my Garands so it is not a major problem to remove the brass from the chamber, but it does concern me from a safety standpoint. It's also a real annoyance to have to clear a half dozen broken cases from the chamber to get through a bandoleer of ammo. I think the semi-auto guns stretch the brass way more than bolt guns. The same brass is good for 8 trips through my Ruger M77 bolt rifle. The third issue I have experienced problems with in the semi-auto 30-06 M1 Garand is Over All Cartridge Length. If the total length of the loaded cartridge is more than 3.355" I have had feeding problems. Some of the other semi-auto models mentioned may be more forgiving about the length???
Excellent information on the subject. Thank you and welcome to our forum.0 -
I;ve had excellent results in Rem 742's and 7400's with a 165gr Speer bullet and using IMR 3031 powder loaded to around 2700 fps. I've never used small base sizing dies and have never had a problem loading and shooting well over 1000 rounds over the years. 0 -
I agree with most of the above but would like to add. Stay with the polymer tip bullets, they don't get deformed like soft tips do in auto feeders. 
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Benoo,
All the posts have covered ammo loading quirks for semi-auto's quite well.
BUT! chances are the trouble is in the auto gun & not your ammo. Auto's are more trouble to clean properly (from the muzzle end) & this tends to deminish the accuracy in time.
Check the crown closely with a glass, looking for wear or damage caused from cleaning rods, also look for metal fowling.
Auto guns are fun & often get shot in longer strings of rapid fire than do their bolt action cousins so throat erosion can happen from over heating the barrel. A trip to a gunsmith for a bore scope evaluation may be warrented if a good cleaning & muzzle check doesn't show anything.
Jim0 -
Pals - Thanks a million for all the advice. I think we can consider this topic closed unless someone, somewhere has additional advice.
Really appreciate you folks taking the time to share your expertise and knowledge on this. I've sent the entire thread on to my friends with the semi-auto 06s so they can read 'em.
Thanks again -- it's hunting season in Montana, so time to get off the computer and out into the field.0 -
This thread is a perfect example of why I love this forum.
Informed gentlemen taking the time to thoughtfully address a subject for a new member.
Great job, folks.
Don0
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