Heavier bullet loads, .30-06?

[Guy Miner]

Most of my shooting with the .30-06 in recent years has been with the 165 grain bullet weight. So much so, that I haven't used any other bullet weight afield in a long, long time, from the .30-06 cartridge. Am a huge fan of H4350 with that bullet weight.

However, am getting the itch to try hunting with some heavier bullets. 180's at minimum, 200's preferably, and yes, I have a couple of boxes of those cool 220 gr semi-spitzer Nosler Partitions.

Thoughts on powders for the heavier bullets?

On hand I've got good amounts of:

H4350
RL-22
Hunter

Any problems with Hunter in cold weather?

Not averse to trying other powders, that's just what I've got on hand that looked reasonable for the application.

Thanks, Guy

 

[Polaris]

4350 is the go-to for 180 gr. Either of the 4831s has been a standard for the cruise missiles for a long time.

 

[jason miller]

Of the powders you mention, RL22 will almost certainly give top velocities. Not 100% certain, but I think 61 grains is a popular load for 200's with that powder. I like 54ish grains of RL17 behind a 200 AB. It gives a little over 2700 in a 22" barrel and is accurate. Stole that load from someone else who was getting identical velocity. Barsness recommends H4831(59? grains) for 2650 or so, I believe. Another powder I'd try if top velocity were the primary goal would be RL26.

 

[joelkdouglas]

Guy, in January of 2014 I posted this on 24hr...

Went to the range today with my 30-06 loads I used this fall for deer. The weather here in Leavenworth, KS today is 10 F above, with 25 mph winds gusting to 35 mph, with a wind chill of -10 F. Not as cold as many places today.

I put the rounds in the back of my truck this morning before church, and they stayed out until I made the range trip after church. The rounds were in the shade all day also, even at the range, as the shooting positions are covered and were shaded today.

The rifle is chambered in 30-06.
The load is 58.8 grains Ramshot Hunter, CCI 250 (magnum) primers, Nosler brass, 180 Nosler Partitions.

When I last ran this load over the Magnetospeed this summer (about 85 F), the load averaged 2760 fps, with about 8 or 9 rounds shot for the average.

The Magnetospeed picked up every round today, no problems with the batteries. I had a set of spare batteries in my shirt pocket in case I needed to make the switch.

Average today, with 8 rounds shot for the average: 2590.

---------end cut/paste-----------

I didn't have any problems with primer ignition, but I would want to work up loads closer to the temperature I was hunting in before developing a load with Hunter at 85 degrees and going hunting at 0 degrees. I travel pretty often to hunt game, so I switched to H4350 for the 30-06.

 

[Guy Miner]

Wow, a 200 fps difference is huge! So... I have some Hunter and have played with it and the 180's, but I think I'll set it aside for now.

Good info guys. Looking for more.

I do actually have plenty of H4350 by luck, so can just stick with that easily. Top velocity isn't vital, but I'd like to be able to make 300 yard hits readily, with my 200 yard zero.

Thanks, Guy

 

[Rol_P]

Guy, my original load for my Remington 700 CDL 30-06 was 61 grains of Reloder 22 in Nosler brass with 180 Accubonds or Partitions. Good accuracy and velocity, in the 2,700+ FPS range. I got leary of the talk of temperature sensitivty and found some H4350 and used it with good results on paper, never tried it on game. Then it became difficult, actually impossible for me to find in my area.

Since have found IMR 4451 to be a good substitute, with 56.6 gr yielding 2,750 +/- FPS in Nosler once fired cases using the Nosler 180 Partitions, with good accuracy, less than 1MOA @ 200yds when I do my part. This load, with one shot, dropped my cow elk @ 300 yds last season although she did drop about 100 yds from where I shot her.

I have not tried heavier bullets or the 165 grain bullets that you prefer due to the excellent performance of the 180 Accubonds and Partitions.

I hope this helps. Regards, Rol

 

[wisconsinteacher]

My 30-06 fell in love with 180 btips and RL22 this year. Close to 2800 fps and .75" groups at 100.

 

[Elkman]

My elk load for the 06 was 61 grains of H-4831, with the 180 Partition, and Winchester cases.

 

[preacher]

In Mod 700's (like yours) were I could seat the bullet out a bit, I used 61gr R22/Nosler 200PT with BR2 primer. A tad under 2700 in that rifle. I also used 54gr R15/Woodleigh 240 for 2400. R15 is a good one in the cold. I only tried them in a Mod 70 FWT and could never load the Nosler 220 very fast w/o compressed loads with about anything; I don't mind compressed loads, but that soft forward section always dimpled real bad, I never hunted with it. I checked that R15/310 Woodleigh load in my 35 WAI awhile back. It was going 2424 av in 75 deg...later that winter around 25 deg ( if I remember right) it was going 2400. Nice. I also had no change of zero at a bit over 200yds with a Sierra 300/76gr WW760, Fed 215M in cold weather either. That kind of surprised me, but hey, we sure shot a lot of 5.56 and 7.62 ammo loaded with ball powders in the early 70's in Germany in the Army from hot to cold to very very cold...I don't know what they feed them with now of course. I don't know how VV N560 is but a guy on Reloader's Nest shows that 56.6 gives a 240 Woodleigh almost 2600! I'm going to try that one later this year.

 

[mjcmichigan]

In Mod 700's (like yours) were I could seat the bullet out a bit, I used 61gr R22/Nosler 200PT with BR2 primer. A tad under 2700 in that rifle. I also used 54gr R15/Woodleigh 240 for 2400. R15 is a good one in the cold. I only tried them in a Mod 70 FWT and could never load the Nosler 220 very fast w/o compressed loads with about anything; I don't mind compressed loads, but that soft forward section always dimpled real bad, I never hunted with it. I checked that R15/310 Woodleigh load in my 35 WAI awhile back. It was going 2424 av in 75 deg...later that winter around 25 deg ( if I remember right) it was going 2400. Nice. I also had no change of zero at a bit over 200yds with a Sierra 300/76gr WW760, Fed 215M in cold weather either. That kind of surprised me, but hey, we sure shot a lot of 5.56 and 7.62 ammo loaded with ball powders in the early 70's in Germany in the Army from hot to cold to very very cold...I don't know what they feed them with now of course. I don't know how VV N560 is but a guy on Reloader's Nest shows that 56.6 gives a 240 Woodleigh almost 2600! I'm going to try that one later this year.

Is there much difference between between H4350, IMR4350, or Accurate 4350. I have IMR, but I tend to favor RL15 or Big Game.
Temperature does matter to me.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[preacher]

Well, H4350 is a bit slower than IMR 4350, and I just don't know about Accurate 4350 for sure, seems to me it was closer to IMR but can't swear to it. Big Game is supposed to be good in the cold. I really like R15 for its accuracy but was pleasantly surprised to see it stable below freezing. That WW760 375 load was worked up around 75deg and I killed a cow elk in a whiteout in late October of that year with it is how I know my zero didn't change. John Barsness over on 24 Hr Campfire has done some cold weather powders testing. I was surprised that Hunter didn't go as fast in the cold in above post. I know its always best to check/work up loads at the temps one expects to hunt in, but not always doable. I tend to "Hedge my bet" with the Hodgdon Extreme powders.

 

[TXbaldhunter]

Well, H4350 is a bit slower than IMR 4350, and I just don't know about Accurate 4350 for sure, seems to me it was closer to IMR but can't swear to it. Big Game is supposed to be good in the cold. I really like R15 for its accuracy but was pleasantly surprised to see it stable below freezing. That WW760 375 load was worked up around 75deg and I killed a cow elk in a whiteout in late October of that year with it is how I know my zero didn't change. John Barsness over on 24 Hr Campfire has done some cold weather powders testing. I was surprised that Hunter didn't go as fast in the cold in above post. I know its always best to check/work up loads at the temps one expects to hunt in, but not always doable. I tend to "Hedge my bet" with the Hodgdon Extreme powders.

I've compared the three in my 30-06 and they all three are close.AA-4350 and IMR-4350 seem to be real close in velocity and I load them the same.H-4350,I load at least a .5gr more.

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

Guy I loaded up some 200 grain ABs years ago and while the velocity was about 2520, they were a pleasure to shoot and accurate too.

I believe I used RL19 or RL22, I cannot remember. A friend gave me 20 as a freebie so I loaded them up with the Nosler #5 accuracy load with whichever was in there and went to the range. Seems like bullets of 180 grains or heavier really prefer slower burners than 4350, though I am sure it will shoot just fine with these as well. For a mixed cover elk/bear/moose load, I am not sure you could want for more. I like you decided on the 165 grain bullets years back and have used them nearly exclusively since, though I have used 150s and 180s on rare occasion.

Knew an old Horse Vet that died years ago, he owned a Remington 742 with a Bausch and Lomb Balvar 2.5-8x on top. He used the 180 and 220 grain Roundnose Remington factory loads for deer and elk. Whatever our small town General Store had on hand between the two. He was a good shot and these bullets did the trick.

Of course be sure to let us know what you come up with.

Dale

 

[TXbaldhunter]

This is what I load in the 30-06 with 180gr bullets.
59.0grs Hunter
55.5grs Big Game
63.0grs H-4831
57.0grs AA-4350 or IMR-4350
56.0grs Win.760
61.0grs Reloader-22

 

[mjcmichigan]

This is what I load in the 30-06 with 180gr bullets.
59.0grs Hunter
55.5grs Big Game
63.0grs H-4831
57.0grs AA-4350 or IMR-4350
56.0grs Win.760
61.0grs Reloader-22

Thank you TX. I will be working up a 180 Partition for black bear soon. I have all those powders except RL22, and I might go buy that too. I'll put all these in my recipe book for reference. Normally I'm loading 150 or 165.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mjcmichigan]

Well, H4350 is a bit slower than IMR 4350, and I just don't know about Accurate 4350 for sure, seems to me it was closer to IMR but can't swear to it. Big Game is supposed to be good in the cold. I really like R15 for its accuracy but was pleasantly surprised to see it stable below freezing. That WW760 375 load was worked up around 75deg and I killed a cow elk in a whiteout in late October of that year with it is how I know my zero didn't change. John Barsness over on 24 Hr Campfire has done some cold weather powders testing. I was surprised that Hunter didn't go as fast in the cold in above post. I know its always best to check/work up loads at the temps one expects to hunt in, but not always doable. I tend to "Hedge my bet" with the Hodgdon Extreme powders.

Thank you Preacher! I'll get the H4350. Nice my local store has a good powder supply!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DON]

Guy,
I tried all the powders you listed this past fall during load development for my 180 BT.
I use Winchester brass with CCI250 mag primers. H4350 gave me the best accuracy of all the powders. I could not argue with 2775 fps in that load either from a Rem. 700 22" barrel. When I used RL22 and did not get the velocity others have experienced on our site here.

I've had very good results with H4350 using 165 & 180 bullets to date. It's my go to powder!


Don

 

[woods]

200 gr AccuBond in front of 55 gr RL17 has been my go to load for a couple of years now. Consistent 2725 fps hot or cold. Shot some this morning when it was 35 degrees, right on speed

Excellent accuracy

 

[Guy Miner]

This is what I load in the 30-06 with 180gr bullets.
59.0grs Hunter
55.5grs Big Game
63.0grs H-4831
57.0grs AA-4350 or IMR-4350
56.0grs Win.760
61.0grs Reloader-22

So, which do you load? Or, better stated, which do you prefer and why?

Thanks!

Guy

 

[Guy Miner]

200 gr AccuBond in front of 55 gr RL17 has been my go to load for a couple of years now. Consistent 2725 fps hot or cold. Shot some this morning when it was 35 degrees, right on speed

Excellent accuracy

Thanks! Have never tried RL17. Might have to do that.

Guy,
I tried all the powders you listed this past fall during load development for my 180 BT.
I use Winchester brass with CCI250 mag primers. H4350 gave me the best accuracy of all the powders. I could not argue with 2775 fps in that load either from a Rem. 700 22" barrel. When I used RL22 and did not get the velocity others have experienced on our site here.

I've had very good results with H4350 using 165 & 180 bullets to date. It's my go to powder!


Don

Thanks Don, I really like H4350 with the 165's and just might have to try it with the 180's as well. I could happily hunt with 2775 fps and good 180 gr bullets!

Regards, Guy