30-06 M2 Ball loads with Ramshot Hunter?

[Rockthehouse1968]

I came by an 8lb can of Ramshot Hunter some years ago in a trade but have never used it because I couldn’t find load data for M2 ball loads for my old 1903, 1917 and M1’s. Any thoughts on this? I’ve seen data for more modern 30-06 loads with Hunter. But I’m just trying to mimic M2 loads: 150 gr fmj moving no faster than 2700 fps. Without unsafe chamber pressures for my old gals.
Thanks for any thoughts or help!
Mike
Rockthehouse1968

 

[Guy Miner]

I'm a big fan of the 30-06, and of Ramshot Hunter. However it is likely at its best in higher intensity, higher velocity 30-06 loads. For instance the starting load of Hunter with a 150 grain Hornady FMJ bullet churns up 2880 fps, and can reach 3100 fps.



The M1 Garand in particular requires specific loads - and I don't see Hunter or the other slow-burning powders recommended for it anywhere. It's likely best to stick with well proven H4895 and IMR 4064 loads for the Garand.

I'd recommend trading off that Hunter for something more suitable for those 2700 fps, 150 grain M1 friendly loads you seek.

Welcome to the forum!

Regards, Guy

 

[salmonchaser]

Welcome aboard, I’m guessing from your notes you have appropriate loads, just not with Ramshot. Me I”m still waiting on my coffee this morning. My first 06 when I was 12 years old was an 03/a3. If memory serves I was loading 3031 or 4831 in the old girl to keep the loads ‘safe’. Don’t know what the hell my dad was thinking- turning me loose with gunpowder and all….

 

[clearwater]

My dad thought the 03-a3 was plenty strong for modern loads. His dad reamed one to 338 Win Mag and my Dad happily hunted Elk with it for a long time. Currently I shoot full power loads in a 1928 Springfield. Have heard certain older ones needed some extra investigation due to heat treatment of the steel.

 

[Guy Miner]

My dad thought the 03-a3 was plenty strong for modern loads. His dad reamed one to 338 Win Mag and my Dad happily hunted Elk with it for a long time. Currently I shoot full power loads in a 1928 Springfield. Have heard certain older ones needed some extra investigation due to heat treatment of the steel.

Yes - I think highly of my Springfields and the 1917 as well. I understand that the 1917 is a particularly strong action. Some of the earlier Springfields might be suspect? Articles have been written about that subject.

I've happily loaded some pretty intense 30-06 ammo for the 1917 and the Springfields with no known issues.

Regards, Guy

 

[RL338]

Hornady’s M1 data for 150’s

 

[michsteve]

Ramshot Hunter is for heavier grain projectiles in 30/06 if you have an adjustable plug on your Garand you could possibly use it but it is not the powder for the Garand. Ramshot doesn't really have a powder for the Garand closest likely being Big Game but even that powder may have too slow of burn rate.

 

[Joec7651]

Either 4895, or Accutate 2495 should put you in the neighborhood you’re trying to get too. Its burn rate is what your rifles were designed to optimize. You can also go a little below the starting load of H4895 to be at the velocity you want. It doesn’t create unsafe conditions when reduced loads are used. You also won’t beat up your actions with H4895 as well.

 

[Rockthehouse1968]

Guys!
Thank you all for all this help! My usual load for these rifles is 45gr of 4895 pushing a 150gr fmj. It looks like I'll be trying to sell my big can of Ramshot this weekend at a gunshow here in Columbia SC.
I appreciate all these ideas and data!
Mike

 

[Guy Miner]

Guys!
Thank you all for all this help! My usual load for these rifles is 45gr of 4895 pushing a 150gr fmj. It looks like I'll be trying to sell my big can of Ramshot this weekend at a gunshow here in Columbia SC.
I appreciate all these ideas and data!
Mike

You're welcome.

Grab a seat at the fire here anytime. It's a friendly forum here.

Regards, Guy

 

[Joec7651]

Guys!
Thank you all for all this help! My usual load for these rifles is 45gr of 4895 pushing a 150gr fmj. It looks like I'll be trying to sell my big can of Ramshot this weekend at a gunshow here in Columbia SC.
I appreciate all these ideas and data!
Mike

Ooorrrrrrrr………get a 270 win, or 280 Rem or AI. That way you wouldn’t be the cause of homeless powder. I enable where I can.

 

[clearwater]

Ooorrrrrrrr………get a 270 win, or 280 Rem or AI. That way you wouldn’t be the cause of homeless powder. I enable where I can.

For sure, found some interesting range brass, now need to get a gun to match.

 

[Alaska]

I came by an 8lb can of Ramshot Hunter some years ago in a trade but have never used it because I couldn’t find load data for M2 ball loads for my old 1903, 1917 and M1’s. Any thoughts on this? I’ve seen data for more modern 30-06 loads with Hunter. But I’m just trying to mimic M2 loads: 150 gr fmj moving no faster than 2700 fps. Without unsafe chamber pressures for my old gals.
Thanks for any thoughts or help!
Mike
Rockthehouse1968

M2 loads
47.2 of IMR 4895 with 175gr in Military 30-06 brass

 

[Alaska]

I came by an 8lb can of Ramshot Hunter some years ago in a trade but have never used it because I couldn’t find load data for M2 ball loads for my old 1903, 1917 and M1’s. Any thoughts on this? I’ve seen data for more modern 30-06 loads with Hunter. But I’m just trying to mimic M2 loads: 150 gr fmj moving no faster than 2700 fps. Without unsafe chamber pressures for my old gals.
Thanks for any thoughts or help!
Mike
Rockthehouse196

IMR 4985 or H4895 to mimic M2 loads !

 

[Alaska]

I came by an 8lb can of Ramshot Hunter some years ago in a trade but have never used it because I couldn’t find load data for M2 ball loads for my old 1903, 1917 and M1’s. Any thoughts on this? I’ve seen data for more modern 30-06 loads with Hunter. But I’m just trying to mimic M2 loads: 150 gr fmj moving no faster than 2700 fps. Without unsafe chamber pressures for my old gals.
Thanks for any thoughts or help!
Mike
Rockthehouse1968

Also useful for REM 742 / 7400 in 30-06

 

[gerryaz]

I'm a big fan of the 30-06, and of Ramshot Hunter. However it is likely at its best in higher intensity, higher velocity 30-06 loads. For instance the starting load of Hunter with a 150 grain Hornady FMJ bullet churns up 2880 fps, and can reach 3100 fps.

View attachment 25558

The M1 Garand in particular requires specific loads - and I don't see Hunter or the other slow-burning powders recommended for it anywhere. It's likely best to stick with well proven H4895 and IMR 4064 loads for the Garand.

I'd recommend trading off that Hunter for something more suitable for those 2700 fps, 150 grain M1 friendly loads you seek.

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Use only published load data from reputable sources (Ramshot/Hodgdon, Hornady, Lyman, etc.). Have your 1903/1917/M1 checked for proper headspace and overall condition first. If you find Ramshot Hunter data for 30‑06 with a 150‑gr FMJ, start at the published starting charge and work up slowly with a chronograph, watching for pressure signs (sticky bolt, flattened primers, difficult extraction). If Ramshot doesn’t list that exact combo, use only other powders and recipes that are explicitly published for 150‑gr 30‑06 in reputable manuals. When in doubt, get a gunsmith or experienced reloader to review safety first.