NitroX
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Reged: 25/12/02
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I want to build some loads for my .30-06 barrels for my Tikka/Valmet U/O.
I'll see what scopes and spare Valmet mounts I have on hand. Or use the scope an mounts on my 9.3 barrels. I assume it will fit.
I'll be regulating the barrels myself as they are adjustable.
I'll build up suitable accuracy lads for the joint barrels. Then fiddle with the wedges to hopefully get the load regulating.
My question. What projectile should I choose?
I'm thinking of a 180 gr Spitzer.
I've used Nosler Partitions in the past. I don't want to use solid H or A core jacketed projectiles in a DR. Nor mono projectiles. Woodleigh Hydros or similar might work, but are too expensive for a lot of shooting. They do make 180 gr Hydros, useful if they shoot to a reasonably similar point of impact and regulation to a standard bullet. A FMJ solution as well then.
Any recommendations?
I'll probably use the bullets on sambar deer. Other medium sized deer, pigs, goats, other medium game etc. Donkeys, Brumbies, camels etc. That's the hope anyway.
Otherwise a 200 gr projectile. And a 150 gr projectiles and test out the 75% rule ... One load, and 180 grs makes a nice compromise.
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John aka NitroX
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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
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450_EXPRESS
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Reged: 04/01/09
Posts: 371
Loc: S.C.Montana
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I've always had good luck with the 180 gr in the '06, shot a lot of deer sized game with it including my first few elk. Don't think you can go wrong with that load
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NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40612
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
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Brand and bullet type suggestions please. Something suitable for sambar, elk, moose etc.
A useful post on a variety of projectiles:
http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=0&Number=301924&an=&page=0&vc=1
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John aka NitroX
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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
Edited by NitroX (24/06/23 04:09 AM)
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tinker
.416 member
Reged: 12/03/05
Posts: 4835
Loc: Nevada
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Sierra GameKing at 180gr is a great bullet
Known for excellent accuracy in any rifle it's sent from, generations of success on game
Usually easy to find, not expensive at all
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--Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--
"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...
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eagle27
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Reged: 24/01/09
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Another good compromise in 30cal and one that seems popular even in the magnums is the 165gr bullet weight. Particularly in the smaller 30-06 case this weight keeps the velocity up giving a bit more of the shock effect which works well on the ungulate animals.
Although the 150gr bullet weight seems to work okay on deer size animals in the '06, these bullets always seems to me to be a bit stubbie in the 30cal guise and probable compromises long range performance a bit, which may or may not be a consideration with your O/U.
Sounds like a good project for you to develop a load and regulate the Tikka/Valmet.
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DarylS
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Quote:
Sierra GameKing at 180gr is a great bullet
Known for excellent accuracy in any rifle it's sent from, generations of success on game
Usually easy to find, not expensive at all
Second that, along with the 200gr. Speer Spitzer.
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Daryl
"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V
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450_EXPRESS
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Reged: 04/01/09
Posts: 371
Loc: S.C.Montana
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I used to use the Remington Cor Lockt in 180 gr (Nosler Partition as well) and have been using the Hornaday inter locked in 165 gr with good results
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NitroX
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Quote:
Sierra GameKing at 180gr is a great bullet
Known for excellent accuracy in any rifle it's sent from, generations of success on game
Usually easy to find, not expensive at all
Thanks. That might be one. Does it reliably mushroom, heavy or medium soft skinned game? Cheaper is good 
What's a Nosler Accubond 180 gr like? Reliable mushrooming?
I've got no interest in 165 gr projectiles. 180 gr will do everything a 165gr will do
I use 150gr, 180gr and 200gr bullets in my .30-06 M98. All Nosler Partitions. And 150 gr SP Solid Bases years ago for ferals. Later HP Solid Bases, which worked well. I found early 150 gr ballistic tips fragile rubbish. Hopefully improved since.
In my 308 BLR I've only used factory ammo. I think 150gr and 180grs would be good choices for handloads. 180 gr Partitions for sambar and anything big. 150 gr Partitions for other deer. Something cheaper for ferals. I've got a few hundred Winchester 150 gr loaded factory cartridges anyway.
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John aka NitroX
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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
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tinker
.416 member
Reged: 12/03/05
Posts: 4835
Loc: Nevada
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Based on the big-game design premise of the bullet, and the generally big-game league of the 30-06 I wouldn't choose *first* the 180gr GameKing for smaller game that I might have to track
It would likely do fine for killing the light and thin skinned animals, but that 180gr bullet from the '06 is best suited for deer and elk bear etc
Sierra recommends an impact velocity at 1800fps or better for expansion
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--Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--
"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...
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HeymSR20
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Reged: 23/11/11
Posts: 249
Loc: Scotland
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Well here is what I have done with my 7x65r Combination/ Double rifle.
Firstly I have chosen an accurate load that I use in the bottom barrel. Currently this is a 140gn RWS HIT monolithic. I believe its a rebranded Barnes bullet. I use this on Roe and on longer range Red deer. It’s low recoiling, very effective and minimal meat damage. I have a 6x42 Zeiss with a 4a reticle and will happily shoot to 230m. I zero to shoot about 4cm high at 100m. On open ground, if I need a follow up I use the bottom barrel as I know how it shoots.
Secondly with the top barrel - Its an Einstecklauf so removable I have it set up for a 173gn H-Mantle bullet. This is a big thumper. I have a second scope - a 1-4x20 with a red dot reticle and I zero this to be dead on at about 80m with the bottom barrel also shooting the H-Mantle load. The top barrel can be adjusted and have it so it shoots about 3cm high at the zero. This set up I use in woodland after bigger deer or wild boar where a quick follow up shot may be needed.
The open sights are also regulated to this heavier bullet. My scopes are on claw mounts so quickly removable.
Given that we are going lead free I need to adjust the top barrel to use the HiT bullet.
Going back to the Valmet in 30-06 I would choose a bullet that is readily available locally and that can punch through bigger animals whilst staying together. If you have different sighting systems I would probably have one set up with lighter bullet for long open country / smaller game use. Perhaps concentrate this on the lower barrel. And then have a close range thumping load for top barrel / bottom barrel regulated to open sights or a red dot type. This is for up close and personal type use with bigger animals in thicker country.
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prairie_ghost
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Loc: casper, wy
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FWIW- I have had a Valmet 30-06 double rifle for ~40 yrs. My bullet of choice has always been a Hornady 180 flat base interlock. No problems shooting elk size animals. I would not hesitate using a 180 or 200 gr partition in it either; I would expect the same results. The accubond might be the best choice of all.
Edited by prairie_ghost (27/06/23 01:59 PM)
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NitroX
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Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40612
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
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Thanks gentlemen for the replies.
I don't like mono metals or A, H, Partition, jacketed style bullets in a double rifle. They may not damage the barrels, but if they do, it's permanent.
If Woodleigh was in production I'd use a 180 gr Weldcore. I'll wait to see if they make them again before choosing that projectile.
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John aka NitroX
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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
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Igorrock
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Reged: 01/03/07
Posts: 1684
Loc: Finland
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I use 200 grain NORMA Oryx in my .30-06 Mauser. My friend use same but a tad heavier bullet in his 9,3x74R VALMET double rifle.
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http://promaakari.wordpress.com/
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swm
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Reged: 07/04/19
Posts: 12
Loc: Indiana USA
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I am a big fan of Nosler Partition 180gr in my 30-06 however I used to shoot a lot of Speer Grand Slams in my 270. Always thought the 180 grand slams would be real nice on elk/moose size game. they are pretty tough.
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Waidmannsheil
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Reged: 19/04/13
Posts: 2510
Loc: Melbourne Australia
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While I am a Woodleigh fan through and through I am also a big fan of Speer grand Slams. I have used them successfully in my 338 Win Mag. They are a great projectile.
Matt.
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There is nothing wrong with vegetarian food, so long as there is meat with it.
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NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40612
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
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Thanks for the comments.
I'll see what the local gunships sell. If anything worthwhile.
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John aka NitroX
...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
Edited by NitroX (03/07/23 12:32 AM)
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NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40612
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
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Also while on the topic?
Similar for recommendations for a 7x65R barrel in the Tikka combination set?
150 to 175 grs.
Again no monos, or inner partition jacket solid jacket wall.
Decent construction.
Probably used for goats, pigs, deer, up to sambar.
For sambar a 160 to 175 gr is good.
For ferals and lighter deer, a 140 to 150 gr.
A 160 gr might be a good compromise.
***
A single combination barrel shouldn't need much regulation just sighting in. I'll have to have a look if it has wedges. I never bothered with the .223 barrel.
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John aka NitroX
...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
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HeymSR20
.300 member
Reged: 23/11/11
Posts: 249
Loc: Scotland
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My goto load was a 139gn Hornady flat based softpoint over 51.5gn of IMR4831. Worked very well on Roe and Red deer. It was going about 2650 fps, and could be hotted up if needs be.
My thumper is a 173gn RWS H-Mantle or 175gn Hornady Interlock over 50gn of IMR4350.
Both use RWS cases
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DarylS
.700 member
Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27661
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
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I would lean towards a Speer Hot Core 160gr. in spitzer, protected tip or better yet, Grand Slam.
I have ZERO experience with other 7mm. bullets.
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Daryl
"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V
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