Need An Accurate 30-06 Load Using 180 gr Woodleigh Weldcore

[Doug3006]

Hi folks. I have a couple of boxes of .308 Woodleigh Welcore PP. For obvious reasons, I’d hate to shoot more of them than I need to get an accurate load. They’ll have to last a while! Anyone have a pet load they’d like to share? I’ll be shooting them from a Winchester Model 70 that seems to shoot most loads well.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Nevada Mike]

I have never shot the .308 caliber Woodleighs. They are very similar to the Bitteroot Bonded Bullets that I used to shoot in my '06 and 7mmRM. I could never get better than about 2" groups, but the terminal performance was truly excellent. I hope you have better luck than I did.

 

[cash_tx]

My apologies that I don't have experience with that specific bullet, but have done a fair bit of reloading for 30-06 with various bullets over the years. My go-to powder for 30-06 is IMR 4350; and for a 180 grain bullet, I think something in the range of 53-56 grains should be the right medicine. If it were me, and in order to save on bullet cost, I would first do my load workup using some lower cost 180 FMJ bullets or something like that (then you could fine tune with the Woodleighs at the end).

I would first start with a seating depth of .020" off of JAM (see the Erik Cortina video on YouTube for how to do this); and then I would work up a set of loads from 53-56 grains in 1/2 grain increments to narrow down on what the gun likes best. Being within a 1/2 grain of ideal is good enough for me with a hunting rifle, but you could narrow down further in 1/3 or 1/4 grain increments to get more precise. After determining the powder charge that your rifle favors, then you could start working out the ideal seating depth; in .003" increments from your starting length (again, the Erik Cortina video helps with explaining this process).

Sorry for the novel, but as you may already know, every rifle/bullet/powder/primer combo has its own unique recipe for success that you just gotta work through. My hunch is that you'll wind up somewhere around 55-56 grains as the preferred charge, but best to work up to that. Good luck!

 

[Joker12]

I have never shot them but I have never met the bullet that wouldn't shoot well with enough IMR4831 to give it around 2650- 2700fps from a good 30'06.

 

[503]

I emailed Woodleigh a while back for some 3006 load data and Geoff answered. I attached a pick. I haven't used the hydros yet but the 240s are very accurate and I have some 180 PP loaded thr same as the hydros that shoot well also.

Cheers

 

[Doug3006]

I emailed Woodleigh a while back for some 3006 load data and Geoff answered. I attached a pick. I haven't used the hydros yet but the 240s are very accurate and I have some 180 PP loaded thr same as the hydros that shoot well also.

Cheers

Thanks 503!

 

[503]

No worries, btw when is the next AH Stl drink night? Haha

 

[Doug3006]

You call it 503! I’ll be there to drink.

 

[Areaonereal]

I have Tried and Tried to get the 180 to shoot in 2 30 06 were custom barrels with a .115 FB. Powders….h 4831, h 4350, imr 4350, ramshot Hunter, imr 4831, h 4831, Norma up, Alliant 17 and 19, imr 4451 and others but could never get better than 1.5 3 shot groups, from on land to .020 off to .060 off and in between. Rifle both shot less than.075 in with most other 180. Good luck. I think it is an excellent bullet

 

[Doug3006]

Thanks Areaonereal. I’ll see what I can do. Probably using H4359 to start.

 

[Doug3006]

H4350 rather.

 

[503]

Here's some more load data for 180 gr 3006 from medium cartridges for African game.

 

[503]

Forgot to attach them.

 

[White32]

H-414 works very well in a few 06's I've loaded for.....

 

[PARA45]

IMR 4350 is your friend. When I get home I'll check my book, I have a load with 180 grs Accubonds. I've read that IMR 4350 powder and the 30-06 are a match made in heaven.