What should my first load be?

[AhSpray]

I've gathered the items I need to make my first reload attempt - except the components. I am planning on starting with a .30-06 load for my Rem. 700 CDL SF. I am trying to narrow down my bullet selection. I'm looking at a 150 or 165 grain bullet that I will hope to hunt deer with - although I'll be doing a lot of paper-punching to maximize accuracy. I'm looking at Nosler, Berger and Sierra bullets. And I was planning on using IMR 4064 or 4350 powder. I've seen recipes using both CCI 200 and 250 primers. What would your advice be to me as to which specific components to use?
I'm really excited about finally launching some loads down range.
Thanks in advance for any help you offer.

[Divernhunter]

I would suggest the IMR4064 powder and the cci mag primers for sure fies in any weather. I use the Nosler 150gr PAR bullet to hunt with and sight the rife in with that. Then pick up any 150gr bullet that is cheap such as rem corelocks or PVI bullets for paper punching. I load my hunting ammo at max for better results and you can download the paper punchers for less recoil and gun wear. The rem corelocks are also a decent deer bullet.

[Whiterabbit]

Sierra, whatever you want for everything else.

why? The powders are all the same price, and cheap per cartridge.

The bullet will be your biggest cost. And it's your first load? go with the cheapest. I don;t care if you load only 20 before going to accubonds or whatever you want, but I bet you'll be in a much better position after loading AND shooting a few to know what to do with the expensive or boutique bullets.

This is only opinion. Sierra prohunters are pushing 20 bucks per hundred. Some of those other choices are 40 or even $50 per 50.

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I don't care about minute-of-paper-plate, I load for max accuracy on the bench. If the bullet and load is good for what I want to hunt, I am good to go. If I'm trying to max out a bullet for a particular animal and sacrifice accuracy, I'm asking for worse field results. Time then to re-evaluate and pick a new bullet for that animal.

The only bullet I've ever loaded that was most accurate at max was a barnes all-copper. nothing else.

[AhSpray]

Thank you!

Thank you for the input. I welcome more.
I'm leaning toward a Sierra SBT Gameking in 150 and/or 165 grains.
Think I'll go with the IMR 4064 and 250 primers.
Whaddya think?
Thanks in advance.

[5.56Geo]

Thank you for the input. I welcome more.
I'm leaning toward a Sierra SBT Gameking in 150 and/or 165 grains.
Think I'll go with the IMR 4064 and 250 primers.
Whaddya think?
Thanks in advance.

+1 I would choose the 150grain if you hunt here in California. It's a good size bullet for Cali deer. You will get more feet per second and a flatter trajectory for the same or less amount of powder. Some may say, "go with the 165 it hits harder" but harder is not alway better.

[24Sailor]

I have an old Remington 700 that I've loaded with lots of different bullet brands from 150 gr. to 190gr. I use standard rifle primers, IMR 4064 behind bullets up to 168 gr. and IMR 4350 or 4831 behind heavier bullets. Having entirely too much time on my hands I search for the most accurate hunting bullet load. Best accuracy in my 700 22" barrel is with 165/168 grain bullets over all other bullet weights lighter or heavier. Most accurate is the Berger VLD after lots of fiddling with OAL per Berger loading instructions. Next is a 3 way tie with Barnes TTSX, Nosler Accubond (white tip) and Nosler Balistic tipped (green tip). All four of these bullets have different terminal performance characteristics. The Accubond needs pretty stiff velocities to mushroom, so if your rifle likes 150 gr. bullets try them there where you can push them faster. The Berger bullets after about 3 inches of penetration shed and cause major internal damage. Barnes TTSX mushroom beautifully and retain over 90 % of their mass.

I've loaded 200 gr. Gamekings in 8 x 57 JS but haven't recovered any. Just loaded some 250 gr. Gamekings with a boatload of 4064 behind them for .375 H&H. Bought these because they were on a Midway clearance sale. I'll check them for accuracy at a range.

[AhSpray]

Thanks GEO. I appreciate the endorsement on the 150 grs. I'm sure they'll do the job - if I place the shot where it needs to go.

And Sailor: Thank you for the 700-specific advice. Just what I was looking for. It sounds like our goals are very similar - you just provided me with a head start.
Please report back with your experience with the 250 gr. bullets.

[Whiterabbit]

not a 700 shooter, but I load a cartridge similar to 308 and LOVE H4350. So if that 4064 doesn't work out or if you need a #2 powder to go to for fun experimentation in full velocity cartridges, I suggest H4350.