30-06 Pet Loads

[Camel 23]

I recently won an Encore with a 24in barrel in 30-06.    I've tried a couple loads already but nothing that has impressed me yet.  The trigger is really heavy and I know that isn't helping things.  I have tried the Sierra 165gr BTHP's with H4895 and H380 and both will shoot clover leaves at 50yds but open up to about 3in at 100yds.  I'm guessing I might have better luck with a different bullet but with so many out there to choose from I don't know where to start.  Other powders I have on hand are H4350 and Benchmark.  I will use this load for whitetails and maybe black bear so I don't need a real heavy load.

I also have a Contender with several different barrels and they all shoot great so I have been kinda disappointed with the Encore so far.  Any suggestions on what has worked for you would be appreciated.

[LHitchcox]

I don't think that a load shooting that tight at fifty would open up that much at one hundred. Have you checked the scope for parallax error at 100?

Leon

[stanw]

Before you do any thing else try a different scope I wasted a lot of time only to find out it was a scope problem. Then try different loads I shoot 150 gr. Hornady SST with 61 grains H4350.

[Camel 23]

The scope and mounts seem fine.  The elevation and windage adjustments are tracking as they should.  The parallax is set for 100yds from the factory (Nikon) and is not adjustable, it is better at 100 than it is at 50 for sure.  I'm pretty sure the gun just does not like the 165gr bullet as the barrel is a fairly slow twist and I feel a lighter bullet will do better.  I have heard from other Encore 30-06 shooters that the 150gr bullets are the way to go so I will give them a try.

[JustaShooter]

What twist is your barrel?  Most .30-06 barrels are 1 in 10, which should handle the 165gr just fine unless they are very low velocity.  Any idea how fast you are pushing them?

Of course, your barrel might just not like the Sierra 165s, I'd give Speer, Hornady or one of the others a try before dropping down to a 150. 

Just my opinion.

- Just a Shooter

[Grumulkin]

I have a 24 in. Encore 30/06 barrel and the powder I've had excellent success with using 165 to 168 gr. bullets is Varget.  It will shoot 3 shot groups of less than 1 inch to perhaps 1.5 inches with a variety of bullets including Nosler and Sierra match bullets and Barnes TSX and banded solids.

I doubt very much that you have a scope problem.  First of all, try a bullet that you know has potential for excellent accuracy like the Sierra match bullet you're already using.  Use that bullet to see what your rifle will do.  I generally start with a Berger, Nosler or Sierra match bullet.  Once you have found your load, you can experiment with other bullets.  If you can't get it to shoot one of these match bullets well, it probably won't shoot anything else well.  I don't think any of the bullets mentioned have better accuracy potential than the Sierra bullets you're using.

I would also suspect you have a mild load.  The fact that your groups at 50 yards are good and and 100 yards are poor out of proportion to the range, tells me that your velocity is probably a bit too low.  As a general rule, I've found that my Encores in various calibers shoot best at loads ranging from 75% of maximum to 100% of the maximum recommended loads.  The usual precaution of working up in small increments of powder (in my 30/06 I work up in 1 grain increments until approaching maximum loads and then in 0.5 grain increments) applies.

The twist in all .308 caliber T/C barrels is 1:10.

[Camel 23]

You're both right on the 1:10 twist.  I must have read the chart wrong before, I was thinking it was a 1:14 for some reason.  With the loads that I've tried so far I feel that I've been in the 2700-2800fps range.  None of them have been max loads.  I know I can get more velocity out of 4350 for sure, maybe I'll give that a try with the 165's that I have left before I try a different bullet.