Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 30-06 Heavy Bullet Powder Question

I like to use H4895 or H4831SC for bullet weights over 165.

Here are some 200 grain plus loads I have used in my .30/06:

200gn Speer SP Vel Energy
58gn Rel 19 2572
53gn IMR 4350 2620
54gn H 4350 2644
55gn H 4350 2737 3328

200gn Barnes X
53gn H 4350 2659 3141 Tikka 22" barrel
54gn H 4350 2694 3224 Warm

200gn Accubond
55gn H 414 2636 3087 Mild
56gn H 414 2720 2.5"
57gn H 414 2703 Warm
59gn H 4350 2650 3120 1" Good Load
60gn H 4831 2437 Mild - Compressed

200gn Nosler Part
57gn H 414 2733 3318 1" Good Load
58gn H 414 2762 Warm 1.5"
58gn H 4350 2556 Mild
59gn H 4350 2651 2" Seat out further
61gn H 4831 2496 Mild - Compressed Load
62.5gn H 4831 2559 2909 Mild - Powder too slow

220gn Woodleigh
57gn H 4350 2551 3180 .508"

220gn Sierra RN
56gn Win 760 2560
57gn Win 760 2605 1.2 MOA
57gn H 4350 2524 .556"
59gn H 4350 2603 Warm
51gn IMR 4350 2393
52gn IMR 4350 2403
52gn Rel 19 2170 .7" Mild

Thanks for the info. What length of barrel are you toting?

Something to note from my handloads:

Firstly, I always use my Oehler 35P when working up loads because if the velocity is uncharacteristically excessive for the cartridge, then I know the pressures are too high, irrespective of the pressure signs witnessed or otherwise.

This is an important comment because some rifles do not show much in the way of what is considered traditional excess pressure signs. Because I spent a lot of years and range time testing rifles, components and cartridges, I witnessed some rifles that never had tight extraction, sticky both lift, or any other traditional sign including flat primers, or anything else, but if the chrono said too high, it is too high.

Handloads can teach you some things but again, signs are not fact. Sloppy primer pockets are not signs of excess pressure if the brass is soft, but pressure is still too high for that particular lot of brass.

Hand weighed loads are not fool proof, maybe the best option, but still not foolproof. I have hammered the bolt open on repeat handloads that were tested over long periods as safe.

Never ever trust a new batch of powder. Always work up.

Never expect all primers to be the same. They can generate different velocities and especially, can change group size and shape as well as POI.

Recommended loads are always to be viewed as "someone else's loads" "not yours" until you test and verify by working up and confirming where your best loads are to be for a given rifle.

My loads are just to give you a head start on where some powders performed. Yet another reason why bulk supplies of the same lot are always the best money spent.

Another thing to consider is that manufacturers change spec's without telling you....ever,

Bullet shapes, ogives, bearing surfaces, boat tail dimensions, internal jacket dimensions, exposure internal diameter at bullet tip, cannelure depth and location can change and that's just the bullet.

Powders are changed and you are not told. Some powders are re-branded. That means the source can change. That also means an established powder can change to suit the new contract, ie new burning rate requirement.

Fortunately, this usually means a slower version which is another reason there is no announcement because making powders slower "usually" means a lowering of pressures so as long as the rifle goes back, "Joe Paycheck", won't notice any difference as these subtle changes still permit Joe;s deer to fall over as usual.

Trust nothing, check everything and you will have a relatively surprise free handloading life.

One thing I would mention is that you will notice my 4831 loads are unimpressive compared to the 760/4350ish loads. In my handloading which some years could burn 30 pounds of powder, never ever got the velocities many other people get for the 4831's particularly in the .30/06 case.

That is why these are my loads.

John

For lighter weight bullets in the 150 gr class, you can't get enough H4831 powder in a .06 case to be dangerous. Kick that up to 180,then 200 and 220gr, and you are in trouble. 58&1/2 seems to be the limit in my gun.

Many years ago, shooting competition when 4831 as in the 50 cents a pound realm, and you could buy DCM bullets for 2 cents apiece, it was common practice to scoop the case full of 4831, tap it on the bench and then scoop to fill it, then seat a 150 gr bullet. You could weigh all you want, but still couldn't get much more than 60 grains in it. Even with a 18" drop tube, you couldn't get much more.