Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Shorter barrel 30-06, 180 grain load???

I'm very sensitive to muzzle blast and yes the muzzle blast from a shorter barrel can be excessive. Between the service and 60 years of shooting my ears are none too good. I wear hearing aids in both ears and they have a very good feature. They automatically turn off any noise over 95 decibels. Nice feature. So I'm not too concerned about my short- barreled 30-06 noise wise. I was concerned about velocity drop . There must be some but apparently not enough to worry about. Intended use is as a brush rifle for elk and I think it will do just fine. Vic/

"Intended use is as a brush rifle for elk and I think it will do just fine."

Put your 180's together with some H-4350 and I'll bet you're right. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Brad,

If you don't mind my asking, how did you end up with a 21" barrel for your '06? And what is the barrel contour?

I really like IMR 4350 in almost everything I load for. My '06 loves around 57grains with a 165 grainer. But when I tried a 180gr partition, I got better groups with RL 19. I shot right at 1" with 59grs. and right at 1" with 60grs. I split the difference at 59.5grs and starting shooting 3/4" groups. My Chrony is on loan to a friend right now, but I'd guess the load is going at least as fast as any safe 4350 recipe. Probably a little faster. But I'll take accuracy over a little velocity any day. Good luck.

All three of the 30-06's I'm currently loading for seem to love 57Grains of H4350 and 165's too. and 57 grains of IMR 4350 even better. I can say that with all the rifles i've loaded for that could use H or IMR 4350 that the IMR has been just a smidge better performance. I wanted to move to H4350 because its less temp sensitive and thats it. What length bbl does your 30-06 have and whats the 57 Grain/165 chrono's at? Mines 22" and the H4350 is also a smidge slower than the same amount of IMR. Absolutely no pressure signs with either.

Nerf, SS M70 Fwt. Installed open sights and liked the balance with the sights better at 21" so had it cut.

Brad

AZ SP - I load 57gr of IMR4350 behind 165gr Nosler Part. in my 06 w/ a 20" barrel. I was getting 1" groups @ 100yrds. I have some H4831sc that I am going to try next.