30-06 Velocity test with Ramshot Hunter Powder

[Guest]

Last year I loaded some 165 Ballistic Tips with Ramshot Powder and CCI 250 Primers. The little bit of time I took to try them did reveal it was worth devoting more time to it later. Back then I was getting 2900 fps in 50-60 degree temps,which did surprise me, as currently I'm getting 2830 fps with H4350.


Today I clocked enough rounds to get some averages to confirm good. Even though the temps were 83-85 degrees it should be worth looking into.

Remington 700 gun 22" barrel
Winchester 1x fired/re-sized cases
CCI-250 Primer
Ramshot Hunter Powder

61.0 2981 three shot average

62.0 2941 three shot average

Going to give the 61.0 load a go on paper next trip.


Don

 

[DrMike]

It looks as if you peaked at 61.0 grains. Those are decent velocities. Hunter is available intermittently up here, or I would be using a lot more of it.

 

[Guest]

Dr Mike,
Yeah I would agree with the 61.0 load. I know due to the temps I shot in today it influences the velocity, I would anticipate the velocity to settle down in colder weather to the mid to low 2900's

Don

 

[DrMike]

You may be correct about the velocity differential, Don. However, in the great scheme of things, a fifty fps drop in velocity is not that great until you are shooting well past 450 yards. Were that my rifle (and it well could be my load, according to current studies conducted and planned), I'd likely focus on 61.0 grains and play with seating depth to find the proper node. That is a great velocity in the '06.

 

[Guy Miner]

Interesting Don. I have only tried it so far with 180 & 185 gr bullets from the .30-06, and it certainly seems promising. I'm still messing around with the load a bit, but it looks like 2800 fps & good accuracy are going to be a reality for the 24" .30-06 Rem 700. That's nice. I like that...

Ramshot Hunter is a good choice for the .30-06 for sure.

I'm going to have to try some with the 165's, as I believe they're an excellent general purpose .30 cal bullet weight.

Thanks for sharing the info!

Guy

 

[Guest]

Dr Mike and Guy,
I'm in agreement with you on the 61.0 load, I may even see what the AccuBond 165 will do as I have some on hand. I was following what Guy commented on in another post about Hunter Powder using 180's. That is real interesting to me too. I believe it will play out on paper as well. Last year when I did shoot it at the range I was cutting holes with two shots only fired, thought back then it showed some promise to continue with load development.

Don

 

[bobnob]

That's a powerful load. If you can get the accuracy you want, there's not much game on Earth that you couldn't take with it in reason.

Shame we can't get the Ramshot powders here. It seems they are developing some great products. At least we can get ADI/Hodgdon, Alliant and Winchester.

 

[JD338]

Don,

That is a very good velocity. If the accuracy is where you want it, you are set to go with a load that would cover anything in NA.

JD338

 

[Guest]

I agree with you guys. The velocity is surprising to me too. My one concern though is the velocity level with a Ballistic Tip! Fragmenting etc. As I stated earlier I may give the 165 Accubonds a range session with Hunter later.

Here's something I failed to mention when I started this post. While I was clocking the Ramshot Hunter Loads with 61.0 I didn't realize( for some dumb reason) I had loaded some different brands of manufactured brass, just one shot each. I ran them through the gun, not knowing it, but the velocity drop off caught my eye on the chrony. The Brand of Brass you load does make a difference in velocity!!

PMC Brass 61,0 Hunter 2877 fps

Remington 61.0 Hunter 2883 fps

Winchester 61.0 Hunter 2952 fps

These were 1x fired brass loaded with CCI-250 mag primers

This experience makes me want to give Nosler Brass a try with RL-33 testing I'm doing with the 300 RUM compared to Remington Brass.

Don

 

[SJB358]

I have seen the same thing Don. I am surprised WW looks like the fastest as usually, WW has the largest internal volume of most of the cases I've tried.

That is some great speed though. I would think that 165 at 2900 would be a great 30-06 load.

 

[Guest]

Scotty,
Yesterday I loaded some 165 Accubonds with Hunter Powder. It will be interesting to see how the velocity turns out.

Don

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Once you are past the point of increasing marginal returns, additional powder typically results in larger groups and higher SD's.

If you are not happy with the accuracy, work with your seating depth, or decrease you powder charge. Your rig may like something a little cooler.

 

[Guest]

A.S.,
Thanks for the input. It topped out at the 61.0 powder charge as there was a fall off of about 40 fps at 62.0. I loaded six 165 Accubonds at 61.0 to check the ES and SD. After that it's to paper and yes it may require dropping the charge level for accuracy. It will be interesting to try.

Don

 

[trailrider121]

Didn't feel like staring another thread, and hope not to highjack this thread. I'm working on a load using Lapua brass, 190 vld, and Ramshot Hunter. I found a great upper high node around 58.8 to 59.3 grs. Anyone have and quickload data you can PM me, just don't want over pressure the 06.

 

[DrMike]

Cartridge : .30-06 Spring. (SAAMI)
Bullet : .308, 190, Berger VLD G7 #30414
Useable Case Capaci: 58.984 grain H2O = 3.830 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Ramshot Hunter

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 82 46.00 2157 1962 30528 8453 90.2 1.516
-18.0 84 47.15 2211 2062 32590 8725 91.5 1.477
-16.0 86 48.30 2265 2165 34795 8989 92.7 1.438
-14.0 88 49.45 2320 2270 37153 9243 93.8 1.401
-12.0 90 50.60 2374 2379 39677 9486 94.8 1.359
-10.0 92 51.75 2429 2489 42379 9717 95.8 1.317
-08.0 94 52.90 2484 2602 45274 9935 96.6 1.277
-06.0 96 54.05 2538 2718 48384 10139 97.4 1.239
-04.0 98 55.20 2593 2836 51720 10328 98.0 1.202 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 100 56.35 2647 2956 55307 10500 98.6 1.166 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 102 57.50 2701 3078 59154 10656 99.1 1.132 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 104 58.65 2755 3202 63318 10793 99.5 1.098 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 106 59.80 2809 3329 67770 10911 99.7 1.066 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 109 60.95 2862 3457 72549 11009 99.9 1.035 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 111 62.10 2916 3586 77701 11087 100.0 1.005 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 113 63.25 2969 3718 83261 11148 100.0 0.976 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 102 57.50 2821 3358 71458 10311 100.0 1.049 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 102 57.50 2533 2707 47821 10439 93.7 1.240

 

[trailrider121]

DrMike,

Thank you sir, greatly appreciated. I guess its in the red zone, but no signs of pressure. I found a great load at 59.0grs and speed is around 2810 avg with 24" barrel. I was shooting some 3 shot groups at 340 yards, and the 59gr load shot 1" group with 1/2" vertical. So I loaded 10 more rounds and plan to retest again.

 

[DrMike]

DrMike,

Thank you sir, greatly appreciated. I guess its in the red zone, but no signs of pressure. I found a great load at 59.0grs and speed is around 2810 avg with 24" barrel. I was shooting some 3 shot groups at 340 yards, and the 59gr load shot 1" group with 1/2" vertical. So I loaded 10 more rounds and plan to retest again.

This projects on the basis of a chamber reamed to SAAMI specs. Yours may be slight larger, the throat may be slight longer, burn rates for your powder may have varied slight, etc. Any and all of these situations can contribute to a difference in maximum chamber pressure.

 

[Guy Miner]

And... I believe the .30-06 SAAMI pressure limits are artificially low. Possibly due to some of the 100 year old rifles still in use? Or the semi-auto .30-06's?

So yes, if you're running those loads, and they've proven accurate and safe in your rifle, I see no need to change. Ramshot Hunter is good stuff, particularly nice for 180 grain bullets (and apparently heavier) in the .30-06 cartridge.

Guy

 

[DON]

Your results look promising at this point. I have not been able to get to the range to re-visit Ramshot Hunter with my 165 Ballistic Tip load yet. The velocity I got was impressive last year. In fact I loaded some 165 Accubonds to try at the 61.0 grain level too.

Love the current load I shoot and it's a keeper but it is fun to try other things as time permits.

Good luck with your load,

Don

 

[Ryan46]

If you are going to try the 165gr bullets and are looking for very good penetration I would give RL-17 a close look. It is an Alliant powder. In my 24in Savage I got an average of 2965fps with this load using a SMK 168gr bullet with excellent accuracy. The power charge was 55.5grs. This is my go to powder in the 30-06 with all weight bullets I use. Where I live there is no need for a bullet of 180grs and above. However if “Dr. Mike” would run a Quick Load on it I’m sure you will find it will out race any other powder suitable for the 06.

Happy Shooting
Ryan46