Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 30-06 +p with low temp sensitivity

Thanks for posting that. 55.0 gr with 200s is what I have worked up to as the max load after seeing what several others have found to be a sweet spot.

Good load density, easy extraction, punched primers look normal, primer pockets stay snug and all the rest of the indirect indications of not stupid-high pressures.

I am getting around .5 MOA for three in a Steyr SBS and then usually mess up the group with sloppy follow through.


Just wondering what PSI we are running at when doing so.

I've been loading 54 gr RL-17 under a moly'd 208 Amax. 22.5" bbl, 2650-2700 fps depending on time of year.



Did some load workup with moly'd Nosler 190 ABLRs a while back.

Same 22.5" bbl, RL-17

56gr - 2865 fps
57gr - 2915 fps
58gr - 2950 fps, primer starting to flatten a little.

I'm still pretty new to handloading, so I've never messed with coated bullets.

Is it correct to assume that coated bullets effectively lower the pressures created?

Yes, it's just a dry lube. Reduces friction/pressure.

Anyone tried RL-17 with 215 Bergers in the 06?

To answer the OP's question, I don't think there's enough "+P" there in an '06 case to justify creating a class of ammo for it.

The .257 Roberts is widely available in a +P designation, but there is a significant difference in pressure limits between the two, so for people with modern rifles it's worthwhile to have the +P loads. That's not really true in the '06, when you're talking about going from 60ksi to 65 ksi. And if someone is silly enough to stick a 65ksi load in a Garand, or one of the common '06 pump or autoloaders, it could damage the gun.

I've got a few guns that I run above book loads, but in those cases I've studied the data very carefully and have worked up loads watching chrono and case expansion data, but I don't claim anyone could use it in their rifle.

Yes, moly coated, 22.5" bbl.

54.0 gr - 2650 fps, very accurate (3 shots, .207" at 100 yards)
55.0 gr - 2700 fps, a little bolt stiffness

All the details here,

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...0/215_gr_Berger_in_the_30-06#Post9704870

Should I sell him the pound and a half of H205 that I still have? Or do you think there may have been a reason it was discontinued? An ancient Nosler book said 165 @ 3100....

Not a writer but Bob Hagel made me do it.

Jack

PS, I don't hot rod my Springfield 1903 for two reasons. It is old and I don't want to blow up an engraving job and a piece of wood that 3 grand might not replace. Besides that, factory 150s kill deer.

Also, Superformance works. ( but in a stronger action, not the 1903) Buy Hornaday factory stuff. It is tested.

Hammer down that is a great load.

I shot some federal high energy factory 30-06 ammo through my chronograph. 180 grain partition 2888. 22 inch barrel rem 700 ti. recoil was noticeable. Used it on a big 6x6 elk. If you/I/we could get the federal 3006 Load P3006tt4. 2880 fps with a tipped trophy bonded bullet. Awesome!!!

Bob -
Thnx for this chart. A lot of good info AND pressure tests.
I appreciate it.

Jerry

Thanks, FYI my gun has a 1-11" twist.

How have those RL-17 loads performed at temperatures from zero to 90?

Mule Deer, it never gets to 0f here. Have shot R17 loads with 168s, 180s and 208s at around 40C with non moly bullets and had no probs.

I find about 20-40fps difference between hot weather (about 40c) and cold weather (about 7c) with these loads. That's as wide a variation as I get the chance to shoot in.

Will try to find the link to those charts for those asking. He tested lots of Alliant and H powders with bullets 180 to 220g from memory.

Think it was the ACCURATERELOADING forum if someone has the time to search. I'm on my meal break at work and venison curry is calling.

I have been overloading dozens of cartridges for 15 years to see what happens. This pic is from 9-12-2003.

1) I would have bet money I could not get as much velocity in 270 150 gr as I did with Re17.

But once I include the temp sensitivity into my derating calculation for a useful load, Re17 is down with the rest of the powders and trajectory that changes with temp.

So I never used Re17 for anything after that, due to my wide temperature range hunting.

2) 30-06 published data exists in old load books that takes advantage of all the strength in the large boxer primer pocket version of the Mauser case head.

3) I am currently using IMR 4451 with temp stability and anti Copper fouling coatings using H4350 data.

I am also using IMR 4161 with temp stability and anti Copper fouling coatings using IMR 4895 data.

And - did you find out anything groundbreaking?

I would say he did...



My interpretation is that Rl 17 gives excellent velocity but obviously it's lost in temp swings.

Jerry

The mere act of loading the '06 with temp stable powder using published load data will put performance levels into the +p range as temperature drops.

Clarkm,

That's why I asked my question! My experience with 17 is it's not nearly as temp-resistant as it was billed as when introduced.

One of the interesting things noticed when 17 first appeared was how many handloaders were reporting magic velocities--when no pressure tested data had yet been published. Then when data was published, those magic loads and velocities weren't included. In fact, some older Alliant powders beat 17's velocity in a number of loads, and newer Alliant powders in a bunch of other loads.

But once a powder gets a reputation for magic, the rep tends to stick.

I don't believe in magic.

RL-17 is just another powder, with it's own capabilities and limitations.