Anyone shooting the Hornady light magnum rounds for 30-06

[Atoyot1031]

The ballistics show that the 150 grain performs damn close to a 300WM!

That would sure beat the hell out of buying a whole new rifle and scope (not that I don't want another rifle)!

[Atoyot1031]

TTT, I'm thinking about getting a 300 WBY as I was looking at the ballistic data and it looks like the best long range performer in the .30 cal range...

[highlandcruzer]

If you need the capabilities and don't mind the recoil I'd say go with the 300.......


PS Says: Don’t Buy
We don’t mind paying top dollar for products that deliver top-of-the-line performance. However, we certainly don’t want to pay extra for products that aren’t demonstrably better. Based on the results of our tests, we think that, in general, the performance of the Hornady Light Magnum and Federal High Energy ammunition lines do not justify their higher cost.
Our reasons for making this judgment are simple:
With few exceptions, muzzle velocities were not significantly greater with Light Magnum and High Energy rounds when compared to standard factory loadings.
Accuracy in the high-speed rounds was certainly no better, on average, than that provided by standard factory ammunition.
Felt recoil was somewhat higher, and noticeable, in the Light Magnum and High Energy cartridges. In hunting, the bottom line is being able to place a well-constructed bullet precisely on target. With both Light Magnum and High Energy cartridges at present, shooters will pay more money for small performance gains that will, in all probability, not significantly help them harvest more game.

[2damslow]

I fired some a long time ago and they were actually really really accurate. I pulled one apart to see what the propellant looked like or maybe if there was anything special inside there, and I could NOT get the propellant back in there. They must tamp it in there or vibrate it in there or something. I couldn't get it all back in.

[highlandcruzer]

Originally Posted by 2damslow

I fired some a long time ago and they were actually really really accurate. I pulled one apart to see what the propellant looked like or maybe if there was anything special inside there, and I could NOT get the propellant back in there. They must tamp it in there or vibrate it in there or something. I couldn't get it all back in.

Yeah, they say it's not a load that should be attempted at home. Some fancy new- fangled powder and loading process. Supposedly the type of powder ball?.. used isn't available to the public.

[Atoyot1031]

The cost is about the same as the rounds I usually put through my 30-06 that I buy from Sportsmans Guide. Maybe I should try a box or two.

[highlandcruzer]

Originally Posted by Atoyot1031

The cost is about the same as the rounds I usually put through my 30-06 that I buy from Sportsmans Guide. Maybe I should try a box or two.

Yeah , can't hurt.

I haven't tried the light magnums in 30-06 , myself. From what I've read , I figured it wasn't worth it . Supposedly , more felt recoil , for very little gain.

Let us know how they compare for you. Particularly any long range improvements. I'm getting a new-to-me 30-06 this week . I might like to try out a box and see how they do in this gun compared to standard loads.

[T.U.F.F.]

Not in 30-06 but my daughters both use them in 243 win. Very accurate and neither complain of recoil in remington model 7's. I will ask a buddy who uses them and get his opinion.

[bigndn]

Originally Posted by highlandcruzer

If you need the capabilities and don't mind the recoil I'd say go with the 300.......

I recently picked up a Rem 700 XCR in .300 RUM. That bastard kicked HARD!! I had it ported by my local gunsmith (he formerly worked for magna-port) and the trigger pull dropped to 2 lbs 10 oz. It's like a totally different rifle. Now, it kicks more like a .30-06.

[Atoyot1031]

Also check out the Limbsaver recoil pads. They do an amazing job and cost ~$40 IIRC, which sure beats a couple hundred for porting or installing a brake.

[highlandcruzer]

It's a little spendy ....... but , I believe my next purchase will be the Benelli R1 synthetic in a 300 SM.

Their adds claim that their fancy recoil dampening design makes their 300 mag "shoot like a light 270" !! ........

[highlandcruzer]

Originally Posted by Atoyot1031

TTT, I'm thinking about getting a 300 WBY as I was looking at the ballistic data and it looks like the best long range performer in the .30 cal range...

My buddy's been shooting/hunting with the Weatherby for a few years now.... I can tell you , it's a very impressive performer.

[cruiserdan]

Originally Posted by highlandcruzer

Yeah, they say it's not a load that should be attempted at home. Some fancy new- fangled powder and loading process. Supposedly the type of powder ball?.. used isn't available to the public.

Most "factory" powers are not available to the reloading public. If they were the ammunition manufacturers would lose the "advantage" in the velocity race.

What matters is the ability to place the shot where it needs to go. It doesn't matter weather it's paper or game. The fastest bullet on the planet is worthless if it misses.

[highlandcruzer]

Originally Posted by cruiserdan

Most "factory" powers are not available to the reloading public. If they were the ammunition manufacturers would lose the "advantage" in the velocity race.

Sure........I guess that, what I was mostly referring to , was the type and technique used to produce the light magnum loads safely , and not have them "blow up" in your face. Apparently pretty dangerous to attempt yourself. I'm not much of a reloader though. Just what I've read.

Safety First
The most important concern in upping velocities in any metallic cartridge is safety. Using handloads, we’ve tried to increase performance in many different hunting-rifle cartridges over the years, to the point where primers have been flattened or popped and cases split. Heretofore, achieving .300 Magnum performance from a .30-06 or 7mm Remington Magnum performance from a .280 Remington has not been safe.

Both Hornady and Federal emphasize that the powder used in their Light Magnum and High Energy ammunition is not available to the general public, nor do handloaders have the equipment or the skills necessary to drop the powder the same way these companies do. Trying to recreate the process at home is dangerous, and should not be attempted, we feel.

However, when we fired 150 rounds of Light Magnum and High Energy ammunition during our testing, we could find no obvious dangerous-pressure signs on the cases, such as flattened primers or case separations. Also, the cartridges fed and extracted easily from all four of our test rifles, so we don’t have any safety concerns about the supercharged factory fodder.

Still, there were plenty of performance issues we wanted to investigate

[Atoyot1031]

Originally Posted by cruiserdan

What matters is the ability to place the shot where it needs to go. It doesn't matter weather it's paper or game. The fastest bullet on the planet is worthless if it misses.

Dan chimes in with the wisdom of the Shaman once again!

Kidding aside, I definitely agree with you. I have a few friends who suffer from SMS (Small Man's Syndrome) and carry silly guns when we know that there won't be an opportunity for a shot over 150 yards. Meanwhile I'll carry my 30-30 (with the Hornady Leverevolution rounds ), and easily be able to handle anything to 100 yards with open sights and a ridiculously light, easy to carry, and quick target acquiring rifle.

[FJ40_owner]

Originally Posted by Atoyot1031

The ballistics show that the 150 grain performs damn close to a 300WM!

That would sure beat the hell out of buying a whole new rifle and scope (not that I don't want another rifle)!

What are you attempting to shoot? And at what range. IMO the '06 is well suited to most game in No America. Felt recoil is not so bad. A 300 grain '06 loaded up is pretty bad ass. My friends that shoot .300 Win or .338 Mag miss or are off target because they wince and anticapate the recoil.

For CA deer I like a Federal 30-06 160 grain round. Good for at least 200 yards IMO.

Shoot what you like and like what you shoot, then practice.

JB

[Atoyot1031]

Originally Posted by FJ40_owner

What are you attempting to shoot? And at what range.

Wapiti. Sometimes near, most of the times far...

[highlandcruzer]

Originally Posted by Atoyot1031

Wapiti. Sometimes near, most of the times far...

300.......

edit:yesss...the aught six is prolly adequate.