Brooksy, I would also advise that you either be an astute reloader, or look for the rare rifle in .30 Gov’t06 with tight headspace. Most I have checked with headspace gauges show they lock up nicely with the “no go” gauge! If not too bad they will tolerate being shot with new ammo without separation. An astute reloader can custom load for that rifle only so the case no longer stretches unduly in the head/web area and separates quickly. Get the gauges, and check the headspace. My opinion, at least. Tim
Brooksy said
Thanks for the info. I have been reloading for decades and will check what ever 30-06 I end up with.
If you measure the chamber, exact length where the shoulder of the case contacts the chamber, you can adjust the FL sizing die not to move the shoulder back anymore that necessary to load the case. To be most precise you have to shoot/expand a case to fit your rifle’s chamber to be used for the measurements. You should not do this if everything is not safe. Like Tim said these cases may not fit other guns.
I reload ’06 for my 95s. I found that ‘back in the day’ (1916 Winchester Catalog), Winchester ballistics show a muzzle velocity for the 30 Gov’t M. ’06, at 2,700 f.p.s. using the 150 grain bullet. Shooting with a comparable load I get great accuracy, mild recoil and the brass shows no excessive pressure signs. I suspect that shooting the higher velocity, 3,000 f.p.s. or more is what causes the brass and chamber problems. Just my observation. RDB
A properly fit case and correct powder load to match the appropriate pressure rating usually only expands the neck and shoulder area. Some might expand the body a little and others will eventually grow in length. Split necks mean bad or no annealing or old brass. Case head separation is generally not a problem except for old worn out brass or a headspace problem that shoulder bumping can’t overcome.
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