Newbie needs ammo advice / help ?

[rugersworld]

Just go to your local ammo store and buy some 150gr soft point bullets by remington, winchester, federal - nothing high power i.e. "light magnums". Go shoot and save your brass to reload. Use current reloading data and try for around 2800fps muzzle velocity. It is easier to load for bolt guns than semi-autos. No need to slug your bore, just clean the old copper fouling out good from time to time.

[Roofuss]

Exactly what I'm gonna do , thanks for the input !!

[Calif-Steve]

Try this one: Civilian Marksmanship Program. CMP ammo is cheap and right for you. Save your brass!

[purple]

Your 03-A3 was made with modern, high grade steels and if in sound condition, it will handle any off-the-shelf .30-06 ammo. When reloading IMR4895 and IMR4064 are great choices for accuracy with 150, 165, and 168gr bullets. I'd give 4064 a nose advantage after a lot of reloading for M1903s, Garands, and M1917s. Best accuracy is often found at less than top velocity.

[Roofuss]

I just so happen to have both powders already on hand . I do have 150 gr. , 165gr. and 165 gr. bullets also in my reloading stash .
Already loaded up 20 rounds of the 150 gr. and will be doing another { probably 165 gr. } 20 rounds today. Thanks for the advice .........

[Rick H.]

Try 168 Amax I think you will like them. Hornady also makes an M-1 Garand factory load that you can purchase using 168 Amax's. It works very well in all my 03/03A3's and Garands.

Rick H.

[Leeroy151]

Prvi Partizan is OK ammo and brass to reload. the sweet spot on a 30.06 is 150 grain bullets. Hornady is the best bullet for the money. Lee dies and reloading accessories are the best value for the money.

[Roofuss]

Meaning to say in post # 15 the bullets I had were 150 swc, 150 fmj and 165.
My reloading stuff is 99% RCBS, and it's always worked great for me .
I personally do not cast , but an old friend who has been reloading for 50+ yrs. does, and he has volunteered to do some for me in various weights .
Due to the holiday, and my work schedule, I will not be able to get out to try anything till at least next weekend

In the meantime thanks for all the suggestions !

[browningautorifle]

The cast stuff works well, I would suggest using gas checks on the bullets. You may have to slug to get best performance.

[Roofuss]

Yup, all the cast stuff I have loaded so far are "gas checks ". Thanks, Jim !!