The Essential Centerfire Hunting Rifle Part 2

It is tough to watch the news these days and not feel the country slipping away. I am fortunate to have grown up in America 50 years ago, when there were role models that set good examples and high school students didn’t major in cynicism. People were a little more reserved and considered when they spoke, understanding that measured opinion was worth something and credibility was everything. Today, public airwaves are flooded with undeserving people whining about only having some things and not having everything, gods of their own invention and managers of public perception.

I’m pretty sure I can’t change the course of the world, but I can do the little things within my power to give myself peace of mind. I can cast a vote, I can speak up and not go quietly, I can create some handloads, and I can shoot this Winchester to the best of my ability and enjoy  what life offers me. So with Hank Williams’ Honkey Tonk Blues playing in the background…

Six bullets were selected for the handload portion of the project. Bullet weight ranges from 125 grains to 190 grains. The lightest weight is a good fit for small whitetail, pronghorn and coyote at a distance. The heaviest bullet carries a thick jacket and tough lead core, offering a deep penetration and controlled expansion on big, tough game. Table top to bottom, bullets and cartridges left to right.

Warning: Not for use in Trapdoor design rifles of any date of manufacturer and not for use in vintage firearms. Bullet selections are specific, and loads are not valid with substitutions of different bullets of the same weight. Variations in bullet length will alter net case capacity,  pressure and velocity. Primer selection is specific and primer types are not interchangeable. These are maximum loads in my firearms and may easily be excessive in others. All loads should be reduced by 5%,  and developed following safe handloading practices as represented in established reloading manuals produced by component manufacturers. Presentation of these loads does not constitute a solicitation for their use, nor a recommendation.   Cartridge: 30-06 Springfield  Firearm: Winchester M70 Featherweight COL: Min 2.940″ / Max 3.340″  Bullet Diameter: 0.308″  Primer: CCI 200  Barrel: 22.0″  Reloading Dies: RCBS + Less Crimp  Max case length: 2.494″ +0.000/-0.020″  Groups: 100 Yards 3 Shots

COL and Capacity   Load Data & Performance Bullet Type Bullet Weight C.O.L. Inches Case Grains Water   Powder Charge Grains Muzzle Velocity FPS Muzzle Energy Ft/Lbs 100 Yard Group Inches Hornady SST 125 3.230 62.5   IMR 4064 56.0 3114 2692 0.8 Hornady SST 125 3.230 62.5   IMR 4895 57.5 3259 2949 1.1 Sierra Game King 165 3.330 62.3   Superformance 61.0 2907 3097 1.0 Sierra Game King 165 3.330 62.3   IMR 4350 59.0 2808 2890 0.9 Berger VLD 175 3.330 60.2   IMR 4350 57.0 2717 2869 1.2 Berger VLD 175 3.330 60.2   Win 760 58.0 2847 3150 0.8 Nosler Partition 180 3.330 60.2   Reloder 17 57.0 2815 3168 1.0 Nosler Partition 180 3.330 60.2   Reloder 19 60.0 2726 2971 1.1 Hornady Interlock 190 3.240 57.9   Reloder 17 55.0 2785 3273 1.1 Hornady Interlock 190 3.240 57.9   Norma URP 54.0 2658 2981 1.2

Of the powder types tried, these worked the best with the bullets selected and the results could be duplicated on a re-shoot. Most current firearms can out shoot owners, and the Winchester Model 70 is no exception. There were shot from a simple rest and shooting bags.

There was a time in my life when I could not see loading a 30-06 cartridge with a less than 180 grain bullet. But then Texas Instruments started shipping pocket calculators, I figured out how to operate one and things changed. Handloaders, me included, often spend too much time on a bullet weight/velocity paradigm and forget to look at BC and realistic shooting distances before selecting a bullet. Yes, paradigm is a word wealth selection for me and, no, it is not pronounced para-dig-em.

What might all of these look like…

This bullet is no longer in production, but I have enough to last a couple of decade or so. If I last that long I will be wearing Depends so I think I am all set. If I am cloned, I suspect I would replace this one with a Hornady 200 grain ELD-X™ or a Sierra 200 grain SBT.

The Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in 30-06 Springfield…

Some folks accumulate firearms for their uniqueness rather than as a tool to facilitate hunting. Those folks might see this as one of many rifles they would like to own. For a hunter, however, where getting the job done is the priority, this Winchester could be a one firearm solution for medium to large North American game. The rifle’s fit and finish is quality, the action is slick and it remained so throughout a good deal of shooting. Between stock fit and trigger, it is an easy rifle to shoot accurately. It is a terrific all around big game rifle.