.30-06 Ammo

[Petey J]

I am working on my plains game rifle, for whenever I finally get to take my first Safari. Rifle is a Ruger No. 1 in .30-06, and I have a Leupold VX3i 3.5-10x40 to mount on it.

The problem right now seems to be feeding it. I want to try a few different rounds to see what it shoots best, but can’t seem to find much. And the prices look like I’m buying 375 rounds.

I really would like to try Swift A-frames, as the seem to be the most commonly recommended. But the only place that looks like I can get them is Pendleton Ammo, and that is not a company I am familiar with. They are also the only place I’ve seen 200gr. a-Frames for .30-06 listed in loaded ammo.

So does anyone have experience with Pendleton? Or know of another source with ammo available? Or do I just get on waiting lists?

 

[YancyW]

GunBroker is about the only place you are going to find much of selection of factory.

 

[curtism1234]

Imo, dont be too picky. Ammo that shoots 1.5" is just as good as ammo that shoots 1". I personally wouldn't get hung up on finding the Aframes. Grab 4 boxes of 180gr federal bear claw or nosler partion and I'm sure they will be more than adequate

 

[JimP]

For a 06 I would stick with a 180-190 grain bullet for the max weight. Yes you can find them up to 220 and a little bit heaver but you will find that performance drops as the bullets get heaver.

For a plains game hunt 165 grain bullets would work quite well. I also agree on grouping, some rifles will become tack drivers with ammo that they like but then there are rifles such as the Ruger #1 that will never drive tacks. Some will but it takes a lot of experimenting to find the load that will do it. Even a extra 1/2 lb of torque on the for-end screw will throw the group off.

 

[Tra3]

+1 for @curtism1234

it is hard to be picky these days. Buy anything and practice with it.

 

[Zambezi]

Whether you're shooting PG on the plains or in the bushveld makes a difference, as well as what game you're shooting. One hardly ever needs a 200gr and up bullet for a 30.06. If you're shooting PG on the plains and you need a bit of distance for game up to around the size of kudu / Gemsbok then 150 - 165gn should get it out there with sufficient energy to do the job. Bushveld hunting a would say only requires 165-180gn for the same quarry.

Obviously this is only "generally speaking"...

I have never ever felt the need to use 200gn or larger.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

For Swift A-Frame load ammo, you can go to the Swift website and enter your email address on the "Out of Stock" update for 30-06, 180 gr SAF. https://www.swiftbullets.com/pages/high-grade-ammunition

My other source for SAF loaded ammo is Hendershots, but due to the shortages, they have suspended ammo orders for the time being. https://hendershots.net/product-category/custom-ammunition/

As mentioned by others, GunBroker is about the only place to shop for ammo these days. Yes, it will be expensive.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/894676501

100 rounds of 180 gr Nosler Partitions:

GunBroker.com - Error

100 rounds 180 gr Nosler Accubond

GunBroker.com - Error

The advice to try some other bullets which will work for PG is good. Try some 180 gr Core-Lokt or Hornady SST. I've had very good results with both. The Hornady ELD-X is a higher ballistic coefficient version of the SST, and people seem to like it a lot judging by the prices being bid on GB. A 20 round box going for $100............crazy!

 

[Firebird]

Where are you located? Maybe one or two members near you could provide you with some options-it’s worth a shot

 

[YancyW]

This is going to be near heresy on here, but I have a rifle that shoots American Whitetail factory ammo extremely well, that ammo uses the interlock bullet. I have used it on a fair amount of game with very good results, before the craziness, it was less than a buck a round. If it was all I had, I would use it on a plains game hunt, no problem.

 

[Viral_SIGness]

Before I started reloading again, I got factory ammo for my .300 Win Mag from Choice Ammunition with the 180 TTSX. They shot 1/2" groups at 100. I'm assuming you aren't a reloader?

Choice has the 180 Accubonds and Partitions in stock for the 30-06 for $57. They are great people to deal with.

30-06 Springfield Archives

Looking for reliable 30-06 Springfield ammunition? Our selection offers top-quality options for hunters, sport shooters, and tactical applications.

choiceammunition.com

 

[Viral_SIGness]

This is going to be near heresy on here, but I have a rifle that shoots American Whitetail factory ammo extremely well, that ammo uses the interlock bullet. I have used it on a fair amount of game with very good results, before the craziness, it was less than a buck a round. If it was all I had, I would use it on a plains game hunt, no problem.

My .300 Win Mag loves the 180 Interlock. In Hornady's old "Heavy Mag" line, I took a buck at 381 yards. Dropped where he stood. The Interlock gets overlooked nowadays because it doesn't have a plastic tip. But it is a great bullet.

 

[RLL]

Before I started reloading again, I got factory ammo for my .300 Win Mag from Choice Ammunition with the 180 TTSX. They shot 1/2" groups at 100. I'm assuming you aren't a reloader?

Choice has the 180 Accubonds and Partitions in stock for the 30-06 for $57. They are great people to deal with.

30-06 Springfield Archives

Looking for reliable 30-06 Springfield ammunition? Our selection offers top-quality options for hunters, sport shooters, and tactical applications.

choiceammunition.com

Second that. I’m taking 3 boxes of Choice 180gr TTSX & Partitions in my 30.06. to SA in 3 weeks

 

[270Guy]

Buy S & B or PPU,both in the 180 Grns,they wont be expensive,but they shoot pretty well.Never had problems with them.

 

[eamyrick]

Buffalo Bore is where I order for my 30-06. They have 180 spires and 168 Barnes TTSX. Both will work wonderfully.

 

[ArmyAV8tor]

My first Africa trip was with an -06 using 165 gr Hornady GMX. Performed flawlessly on Oryx, Zebra, Kudu and Warthog.

 

[Hogpatrol]

30-06 Springfield Cartridge | SGAmmo.com

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[Hogpatrol]

For reloaders, these are the best of times and the worst of times.
It all depends on where your pants are.

 

[YancyW]

Buffalo Bore is where I order for my 30-06. They have 180 spires and 168 Barnes TTSX. Both will work wonderfully.

Buffalo Bore 338wm with the 225gr game kings is super accurate in my rife, I could load develop for a year and not do better.

 

[RLL]

Buffalo Bore 338wm with the 225gr game kings is super accurate in my rife, I could load develop for a year and not do better.

Same for me. Buffalo bore 210 ttsx in my 338 and 270 tsx in my 375 Ruger, all really close to my hand loaded groups.

 

[ActionBob]

I used to think the same thing as all the folks recommending the 150 to 180 grain ammo. But there was the old @Velo Dog talking about round nosed 220 grain bullets. And then I went after a bunch of little critters using the same 06 as my niece was using for zebra, etc. Wish I had listened to both my PH and Paul... @Velo Dog

But I tried to be fancy and took a variety of loads including some very hard to find 180 grain round nosed brass solids. They would tumble and about cut a vervet monkey in half. And blew some way bigger holes in things like klipspringer than a .308 solid should.

See the point of the heavy for caliber bullets was that they move slow so don't expand explosively on the little critters. Yet hit with that heavy chunk of lead and penetrate deeply on the bigger stuff.

Gotta learn the hard way I guess

BTW, I've got a pretty good stash of 30-06 ammo and could sell a few boxes. Unfortunately no A Frames and I'm keeping the Trophy Bonded Bear Claws. But might have a good variety of other things if you want to do some experimenting. PM me if interested.