Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Still playing around with 30-06 loads....

Have gotten 1" groups at 100 yds with this load: 165 gr Sierra Pro-Hunter and 57 gr of IMR-4350. Then I tried 180 gr BT bulles with the same powder in charges of 55.5, 56, 56.5, and 57.0. Accuracy was much worse. The brass showed signs of over pressure at 56.5 and 57 grains.

Curious: Is it likely I could get better results with 180gr BTs if I switched to H4895? I have some H4895 and will likley try it just to see once I verify a charge weight range. Just curiuos if I should EXPECT accuracy to be better with this powder.

I don't think you "should" expect accuracy to be better with the H4895. Your velocity window will definitely be lower for the same pressures as the 4350. Seating depth changes may make more of a difference than switching powders, from my experience.

Well, with the 180's, I did only try one seating depth of 3.285", which was the same as the best accuracy with 165 gr bullets. I should probably play seating depth and IMR4350 before I move to H4895.

I had my best results with 180's and 59.0grs H4831

IMR 4831 has been good for 180's along with the 4350's. I usually use 54.5-55 grains of IMR 4350 with my 180 loads which are usually around 2600 ish, no critter has ever seemed to noticed it less than 100 fps than published figures.

H4895 is usually suited for lighter bullets, but would prolly work for 180's albeit a bit slower.

Try 4831SC....with 180s and above

My Remington 700 Mountain Rifle in .30-06 with 165's didn't like IMR-4350, but loves 58.0gr of H-4350. Same brass, same primers, same seating depth, but great, small, round groups with the H version.

Under both Hornady 165gr BTSP and Barnes 165gr TSX.

Ed

In both the .30-06 and .308, I've had better luck from an accuracy standpoint using the 180 Sierras rather than the 165s. I've found the flatbase Sierra 180 spitzer will generally shoot at least slightly better than the BT version. I use 55 grs. H4350 for 2,700 fps from a 24" barrel. As for H4895, it's the best powder I've found for 180s in the .308. It may also work very well in the .30-06, but you'll probably give up a little velocity in comparison with H4350.

An old "no muss-no fuss" load for 180s in the '06 was a case full of 4831, leveled off, with a lead-cored bullet seated. Modern H4831 works about the same. Or just grab some Hunter.

I'm wondering why your seating depth is the same with both bullets? How far off the lands are you running them?

Try Hunter powder with 168 to 185 grain bullets. If you're interested throw me a pm and I'll give you a few recipes.




P

4895 is good stuff in the ol 06

For an accuracy load, try 56-57 gr of RL19 and almost any 165 bullet. Set base to ogive length at 3.560. Muzzle velocity with 22 inch barrel will be 2600-2700.

Are you shooting a Remington? That's a long seating depth! No two reamers cut the same exact chamber dimensions, and with all the reamers out there through time cutting 30-06 chambers, it is safe to say that seating depth recommendations for a rifle you have never seen can border on stupidly dangerous.

Darn good question! Can't believe I said that, but I did! Actually, the 165 gr BTs were set to 3.285" and the 180 gr Flat Based were set to 3.330" OAL. Stupid mis-type on my part. That would have been way short for the 180s.

FYI, the 165s are 0.040" shorter than the 180s.

I referenced several books and on-line references to come up with those OALs. As it worked out, those OALs are with the base of the bullet at the bottom of the case neck.

Got to be a typo on that OAL = 3.560. The 180 gr bullet is just 0.110" into the case!

If I load the max listed OAL of 3.340", the 180s are still way off the lands. Don't recall the exact length, but my Rem 700 has a deep throat.

I've got a couple lbs. of 4895. Think I'll load some up with both the 160s and 180s just see how that works out. If still lacking, then I'll buy some of the powders other have suggested.

Gun Geezer, maybe you don't know how to read!!!! That 3.56 is using the Sinclair Nut. COAL is 3.300+/-

Well now, in your post you did not mention anything about a "Sinclair Nut". Whatever that is. But, I think that a 30-06 cartridge measured from the base to anyting 3.560" away makes for a LONG cartridge.

But then, I'm new at this. Just color me as confused.

GunGeezer, you need to find out how far off the lands you are running those pills. Books suggested OAL's, usually don't give the best accuracy. I would disregard what the books say (concerning OAL) and load for YOUR rifle.