I'm new to reloading and ran a max load of 59.3gn superperformance for a 30-06 Hornady 178 eld-x. The book says it should be 2750ft/s but my chronograph shows 2883ft/s. I don't see any pressure signs so is this still a safe load based on the velocity?

How long is your barrel?

22 inches. I'm shooting a savage ultralight with a hypertap muzzle brake

I think you're OK.

Every rifle is a law unto itself. Some are fast, some are slow.

Also, data sources vary and data changes over time. Some data is mild (or becomes that way) in deference to older rifles. In the case of the 30-06, data publishers have to allow for the chance that a hot cartridge could blow up a low-numbered 1903 Springfield.

I checked Hodgdon's 30-06 data (https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center?rdc=true&type=54) since they make Superformance powder. Their data shows about 125 fps faster than Hornady with 175- and 180-grain bullets over similar charges of Superformance.


Okie John

Great, that makes me more comfortable thank you

I think the velocity is your best indicator of safety / pressure. I don't know of any magical rule of physics that allows a rifle to produce more velocity with the same amount of pressure, all else being equal. The myth of "fast' and "slow" barrels operating at equal pressure is just that - myth. If the exact same load is shot in two different barrels of equal length, faster velocities are produced by more pressure. What varies is tolerance/tightness of chamber and bore, bore surface finish, and such. A fast barrel has a tight bore, short throat, or some other contributing factor.When comparing bullet of equal weight, but different manufacture, add in variations in hardness of the bullet, shape of the bullet, friction of jacket material, etc. Ballistics offers no free lunch.

Nathan, Here's what I'd do. Take two case, load and shoot, load and shoot, etc. If you and get 6-10 shots and still have reasonably tight primer pockets I'd rock on.

castnblast, said "I don't know of any magical rule of physics that allows a rifle to produce more velocity with the same amount of pressure, all else being equal. "

You may want to qualify that statement. to discriminate between peak pressure and the energy under the pressure curve.
I agree that velocity is a good indicator of pressure, but to really know, it helps to measure and plot the pressure curve over the entire shot.
In my experience you will see many instances where the same velocity will be generated by different maximum chamber pressures.

In my 270 win Vanguard S2 using 140gr Accubonds I got 3040FPS using Superformance. It was also very accurate. I,m tryingto use it in 7mm-08 with 140gr bullets.

I did a ladder test last week and got over 2900FPS with 3 loads. Loads were getting pretty hot.

crshelton. You are correct of course. my comment was meant to compare the SAME components used in different rifles. Some powders DO allow the same or lower peak pressure with higher velocity, something most of us aspire to achieve in our loads. But with the exact same components, pressure = velocity. Can't see how it could be different.