loads for Tikka T3 in 30-06

[sisu]

Hi guys, I just picked up a tikka in 30-06.  In order to shorten the process I was wondering if anybody has some pet loads for say, 150 gr. for deer and 180 gr. for moose. 
 
Thanks

[abolt-fan]

How about 165gr. bullets for everything?

You can load a standard cup/core bullet for practice and deer, then load a premium such as the Barnes TSX for bear, moose or elk.  There are also a lot of good factory loads, both premium and standard, in the 165gr. weight.

My Tikka -06 is capable of 1/2 in. groups with 165gr. Hornady SP, 57-58gr. H4350 powder and WLR primers.

[LanceR]

It has been a while since I loaded for 30-06 but I used 150 grain sptizer Sierra Game King and 180 grain round nose Sierra Pro Hunter bullets out of both a Remington 760 and a pre '64 Winchester Model 70.

I never really shot the 760 for tight groups but only worried about getting a minute of deer accuracy out of it since in the woods where I used it 150 yards was a long, long shot.  The Winchester was what I took if I had a chance at a 200 yard or longer shot.

57.5 grains of IMR 4350 behind the 150 grain bullet and 54 grains under the 180 with both zeroed 2.7" high at 100 yard kept both bullets within an inch of each other out to 250 yards.  I used one zero and when zeroed that way both bullets fly within 3" of the crosshairs to over 250 yards so I just held the center of the heat/lung area and accounted for any wind.  I never cronographed them but the book 24" barrel velocity was 2900 FPS for the 150 and 2700 for the 180 grain bullet.

A few minutes with a ballistic calculator will help save some range time (and components) by finding you some starting loads with pretty identical trajectories.   
That way after tweaking for best groups you should be able to use one zero and not worry about sight changes.

I use a .308 now and like abolt-fan's suggestion I generally use 165s for deer and bear and switch between Game King and Barnes TTSX bullets depending on whether I'm in an area closed for bear hunting or in an area with a real chance of a shot at a black bear.  I've never hunted anything as big as moose though so I've never thought too much about bullet choices for them.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy the new gun.

Lance

[jager]

The T3 has a 1:11 twist in the 30/06. Mine likes: (1) 56.0/IMR4350/180Spt Hornady or Nosler Partition  (2) 58.0/AA4350/165 SBT  (3) 51.2/IMR4064/150 PtP Rem.  Other 30/06's I have owned seem to shoot these recipes well.  I usually try to "narrow" my choices by going to Ken Water's, "Pet Loads" and usually find one or two that saves me some "component" time.  Good luck!

[sturgeonhunter]

I have shot and reloaded 165gr speer boattails for 20 years find the best bullet for your rifle and shoot it exclusivly and you will be happy.