Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Has anyone pushed 200 ABs in a 30/06

John,

That's the load I've used in a old Mark X with great results and speeds similar to what you noted. I may have been lead to that combo from your writings.

For giggles I ran that load through QL just to see where it stood on the analytical side and sure enough it is exactly as you stated...slightly higher than SAAMI but still below 65 ksi with a velocity near to your numbers; nothing earth-shattering here other than this is one case where it seems to do OK and I have some empirical data for compaison. I'm an empirical guy but like to mess around with QL as a curiosity if anything.

Thanks for your input and feedback on the 200 partition.




Cartridge : .30-06 Spring. (SAAMI)
Bullet : .308, 200, Nosler PART SP 35626
Useable Case Capaci: 57.954 grain H2O = 3.763 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.300 inch = 83.82 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder : Hodgdon H4831 SC

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 87 47.20 2125 2004 31197 7357 85.1 1.619
-18.0 90 48.38 2180 2111 33425 7614 86.5 1.573
-16.0 92 49.56 2237 2222 35823 7866 87.9 1.528
-14.0 94 50.74 2293 2336 38409 8112 89.3 1.481
-12.0 96 51.92 2351 2454 41202 8350 90.5 1.433
-10.0 98 53.10 2408 2575 44220 8579 91.7 1.387
-08.0 101 54.28 2466 2701 47487 8799 92.9 1.342
-06.0 103 55.46 2524 2830 51026 9007 93.9 1.299 ! Near Maximum !
-04.0 105 56.64 2583 2962 54874 9203 94.9 1.258 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 107 57.82 2641 3099 59058 9386 95.8 1.218 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 109 59.00 2701 3239 63620 9555 96.6 1.179 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0 111 60.18 2760 3382 68605 9708 97.4 1.141 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 114 61.36 2819 3530 74067 9843 98.0 1.104 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 116 62.54 2879 3681 80066 9961 98.6 1.069 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 118 63.72 2939 3836 86681 10059 99.1 1.035 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 120 64.90 2999 3995 93990 10136 99.5 1.001 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Could it be that the distribution of lead with in the confines of the bullets shape produce better results with the Partition at near (normal hunting) ranges? The Accubond has a center of gravity (because of the basically hollow front portion) more rearward than the Partition. After a couple decades with 'X' bullet I now use the Accubond or Partition for hunting.

That could be part of the reason. Another possible reason is that often the long plastic tip sometimes doesn't allow AccuBonds to be seated as close to the lands, due to magazine length.

I think the 200 AB is a good bullet choice, as is the 200 NP I used for decades before the AB was even a glimmer in old man Nosler's eye.

But... I wouldn't choose a 300 WSM Custom Savage for what you want to do. There's a big difference in feeding and bolt operation between a 30-06 and 300 WSM, and to compound that issue, if you've never owned one, the Savage action is not really smooth feeding, and does not inspire confidence in an urgent situation.

THe Savage action was originally designed to be as cheap as possible to manufacture, and while that's great for the manufacturer, such as it is I wouldn't deem it ready for prime time.

For the same money, or likely less money, I would pick up a 30-06 Win M70 or MRC or even a Montana, and have the added benefit of a reliable, slick feeding rifle with 2 more rounds in the mag for backup...just in case.

A M70 in 30-06 with a 200 gr Partition is already loaded for bear, so to speak, or mostly anything one might encounter. There is no advantage on target to the WSM compared to a fully loaded-up '06 under 500 yards, and little beyond that.

Under 500 yards, I would also consider the 150 or 165 GMX bullet to up the ante a notch. The GMX is often under-appreciated considering it's performance values of expansion and penetration.

I'd run any of those same bullets in a 308, and feel confident in what I was carrying.

The 300 WSM in one of those rifles is fine, but I'd still rather have those 2 extra rounds in the mag.

I have a couple Savages. I've had them worked, but they feed very smooth. I kicked around a Montana, but I don't feel like rolling the dice for that kind of money.

I've been back and forth in my head as to the pros and cons of extra power of the WSM vs the extra capacity in /06.

I've been wanting to try a Tikka. I may look at their superlite in /06 or split the diference with a win mag.

Have you noticed more velocity potential with the PT?

In some rifles, maybe. Depending on magazine and throat length, there's sometimes more powder room available in the case with Partitions, without crunching the powder a lot.

I've been wanting to try a Tikka. I may look at their superlite in /06 or split the diference with a win mag.


Once you go Tikka there will be no coming back if accuracy/precision are the criteria, all my Rem 700's are gone and Tikka's take their place.

That's def part. I like the smooth action and 70 degree bolt lift. I'm a savage guy now, so accuracy might be tough to top.

I can't think of a better endorsement for the 30-06 and heavy bullets (200 NPT or NAB) than JB's and Phil's experiences.

I just wonder how the 208 AMAX compares.

ya want max velocity with heavier bullets in an 06, then 4831 SC is your friend...

as quoted to me by one of the ballisticians at Nosler.. you can't get enough 4831 SC into an 06 case to exceed SAAMI pressure specs..

Agreed .... It will really come down to what platform/caliber I get a good deal on. I have the donor for 300 WSM, but I'm keeping my eyes peeled for another /06 to lighten up. Or, I could always restock/rescope my current /06 since it has already been re-worked.

I would not hesitate to use 208 Amax if I was not planning to be in bear country. I can't get warm and fuzzy on Amax/Berger style bullets when bears are around.

The new Nosler 190gr AB could be easily pushed to 2700-2800 .640 G1 is pretty slick.

30 Caliber 190 Grain
AccuBond Long Range Bullet
Part# 58456
Spitzer Point

G1 Ballistic Coefficient 0.640
G7 Ballistic Coefficient 0.325

I dont have a good feeling on the AB LR for a bear encounter up close. They're not designed like the orig AB. They're not as stout (based on shooter accounts and talking to Nosler). The increase in BC really does not come into it's own until 500-600. Considering that's my max, I'd prefer the standard AB or PT.

Just for comp sake since you folks have lots of experience with the /06, how does a 165 TTSX compare to the 200 Partition/Accubond?

The 165 TTSX is a great bullet, as any other monometal plastic-tip would be, whether a Hornady GMX or Nosler E-Tip.

The only reservation I have about monometal bullets is a few instances where they didn't expand the way they should. I'm not talking about losing petals (which in my experience makes no perceivable difference at all in killing power), but failure to expand to some degree, which naturally reduces tissue damage and hence killing power. Have never seen a 200 Partition fail to expand in 35+ years of using them, even on whitetail or pronghorn does, and never seen one fail to penetrate sufficiently even on angling shots through heavy bone on bull elk.

I think that answers my curiosity. Considering the reason for having this discussion, 200 PT will be my choice. I decided to just give my current 30/06 a make over and use it. I'm young enough I don't think the extra 1 pound or so will make a difference - for now. I'd rather put that extra $2 grand or so toward the hunt itself rather than in a new gun that will require new dies, loads, everything.

the federal high energy load for 30-06 ( TT4 ) with the 180 bonded bear claw gets 2880 fps. a tough bullet with a high BC too. all the fed high energy loads I have Chrono'd came in higher than that too. have not loaded for the 300 wsm ; but superperformance powder shows almost 200 fps higher than any other powder from the data on the Hogdon site.

I'm not familiar with Hogdens site, but I didn't see it lit superfoance for anything over 165gr

a 165 partition at 3273. compare that to any you are considering.