30-06 Ackley Improved really humming

[Griffbl]

I don't know who on this forum original posted 63.5grs of Reloader 26 with 180gr bullets out of the 30-06,but that load works beautifully out of all my 30-06's.I used Winchester cases,WLRM primers and 180gr Nosler Ballistic Tips.My 23" Rock Creek barrel was getting 2890fps and my 24" Sako was 2880fps,my 28" Pacnor 3021fps.That was about the same velocities I was getting with 165-168gr with the more traditional powders that the 30-06 is loaded with.That slow powder take the 30-06 to another level with the heavier bullets.I never tried to go above 63.5grs of Reloader 26,but I was happy to get the great results, so I quit right there.I dropped down to 61.0grs of Reloader 26,loaded a 200gr AccuBond and got 2800fps out of my 28" Pacnor barrel,with a beautiful clover group and I tested no further with that either.The Winchester case has a little more capacity than some other brands and are capable of maybe a grain or more powder.I can see where the AI 30-06 can squeeze a few more fps with the larger case capacity.We really have some amazing powders to work with these days for sure.The 30-06 plain or AI versions are way better cartridges than most give them credit for.If they did it would probably hurt the sales of a lot of other newer cartridges.

Now, I just have to find some Reloader 26

 

[salmonchaser]

I get the wring everything out of the 06 you can, I bought my first when I was 12 with money earned working on farms and I still have and use that rifle going on 60 years. I’ve got her pushing 180s in the low 28s as well. A few lucky decisions in life and I was able to hunt more and buy rifles to match the occasion, but I still pushed some of them just to see what they could do.
I was at the Kenmore rifle range, just north of Seattle, on a training day about 20 years ago. Fella came up to me with a 30 06 in his hands asking if I had a hammer in my patrol car. He explained his bolt was stuck but he was well short of what “his buddy” said was a max load. I referred him to the rangemasters office. Short while later I saw him walking back to the firing line his rifle free of the offending cartridge. A few minutes later there was a commotion down on the other end of the line, the rifle did not survive although he did.
The incident gave me pause and allowed me to buy more rifles. When I decided I needed to hit 3000 fps with a 180 I bought a 300 A few weeks ago I tried VV 560 in my 300 HH pushing 180 accubonds. Action was a little sticky on the #1 with the max listed load. Velocity out of my rifle was 150 fps faster than listed as well. Fella at the range let me set up for one shot over his chronograph. Same result, near 3150. Went home pulled those bullets, did some math and reloaded with a couple grains less. 3050 and decent accuracy. Had another box with a further reduced load. 3000 on the nose with perfectly smooth extraction. If I decided I needed 3200 fps out of a 30 cal I’ll have a #1 built in a 300 rum.
Now to have my first cup of coffee this morning.

 

[FOTIS]

Remember when it comes to powder its the coating that makes a difference!!! The coating determines the burning rate. The rest is pretty much the same.
Are you keeping the 26" tube at that length?