Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Barnes 175gr LRX 30/06 Load Data?

Looking for a good load for this combination:

175 Barnes LRX in 30/06

Thanks!

Although I’ve never used the 175 LRX in 30-06, I’ve loaded enough 165/168 - 180 gr bullets over RL26, that would be my first choice of powder.
Then maybe H4831SC, RL17 or H4350.

Barnes has the preferred powder for that load as IMR 4064.

IMR-4064 may be the preferred by Barnes, but the velocity is slow. 200-250 fps slow.

IMO, IMR-4064 has too fast a burn rate for 175gr. Works great for 150 gr in 30-06.

BC looks pretty good. However, I prescribe to the philosophy to drive monos fast and light for caliber. 175gr LRX doesn’t fit that model.

Ramshot Hunter is your Huckleberry

53 gr of H4350 behind the 175 Lrx has shot well in both my 06s. It worked for me on a Moose a couple years ago.

I load 60gn of H4350 in my model 70 featherweight for 2828fps and great accuracy.

This is an example of the real world variation you will see from rifles, barrels and powder batch and maybe chronograph as well.

Start light and determine your own max working load.

You’ll get no argument from me on this train of thought. Even though LRX’s are made for longer range shots than TTSX’s, I want more velocity. Now if it was a bonded bullet, I may not care about a little slower velocity.

Pretty much my philosophy with mono bullets. In the ‘06 I use no heavier than a 165gr TTSX but really prefer the 150gr version. I want to start them about 3000 fps or more with any cartridge.

The latest load (2020) I worked up in my Ultra Light Arms .30-06 was the 175 LRX with IMR 4451,. Used the Hodgdon data for the Sierra HPBT, which listed a max charge of 56.0 grains, and worked up to that, whereupon three shots grouped into .57 inch. The load has grouped right around there ever since, with an average velocity from its 24" barrel (using more than one chronograph) of 2850 fps. Haven't recovered one yet from big game, with penetration up to around 4 feet.

Don't know what North American big game animals couldn't be killed with that combo. Though of course IMR4451 production has been suspended, and though I have plenty if had to try another powder it would H4350, because so far loads with 4451 have been very close to the same, both in accuracy and velocity, with charges within a couple grains.

Hodgdon lists 59.0 H4350 as max for the Sierra, for 2842 fps from a 24" barrel--which is right around what Aussie Gun Writer gets with the 175 LRX with 60 grains. In general Barnes Xs result in a little less pressure than lead-cored bullets of the same weight and diameter.

Might also add that I prefer more temperature-resistant powders than several that have been mentioned here, due to living in Montana.

Yes...that would be my first choice.