Load experience for 150gr E-Tip 30-06

[bullet]

I am looking for any of your experience loading the 150gr E-Tip for the 30-06.

My Mark V 30-06 should be back at the latest in two weeks after having a B&C Metalist Stock in Olive/Black installed (bedded & free-floated), tuned trigger, and Cera-Kote finish on the rifle bases and rings.

Many of you already know of some load development I have done with this 06 and it has been very successful. I am looking to develop a load using the 150gr E-Tip.

I would like powder choices and charges, primer choices, brass choices, and OAL concerning your most accurate loads that had good velocities.

The powders I will try in my opinion for accuracy and velocity will be IMR4350 and H4350 but would like to know what you all have accomplished in this area.

I have ordered the 150gr E-Tips and a box of Nosler Brass. Please take the time to respond to this post so as to save me time and money and which will allow me to have a good experience with the E-Tip.

I believe this will be by design an accurate, hard hitting load that will penetrate without petals braking off and can be used for whitetail as well as large black bear. If this bullet gives me accuracy and fast velocities for my 06, it could become an all around load for my all around hunting rifle the Mark V 30-06. Thank you for any consideration.

 

[JD338]

bullet,

No first hand experience with the 30 cal 150 gr E Tip in 30-06 but I would think IMR4350, RL 19, and RL 22 would be a good place to start. Remember that Nosler published load data does not include E-Tip.
The MID RANGE LOAD DATA will be your MAX LOAD DATA for the T-TIP!

I did test the 7mm 150 gr E-Tip in my 280 AI. Accuracy is sub MOA with impressive penetration, even at 300 yds. With this bullet, even a lower velocity will give you great terminal performance.
http://noslerreloading.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8297

JD338

 

[bullet]

bullet,

No first hand experience with the 30 cal 150 gr E Tip in 30-06 but I would think IMR4350, RL 19, and RL 22 would be a good place to start. Remember that Nosler published load data does not include E-Tip.
The MID RANGE LOAD DATA will be your MAX LOAD DATA for the T-TIP!

I did test the 7mm 150 gr E-Tip in my 280 AI. Accuracy is sub MOA with impressive penetration, even at 300 yds. With this bullet, even a lower velocity will give you great terminal performance.
http://noslerreloading.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8297

JD338

Thanks JD!!! I figured because of the hardness of the alloy and no bearing reducing grooves and bands that the pressures would spike quick using less powders. What I am interested in is the E-Tip's ability from all reports so far to not shed it's petals. I think I will be able with the right primers, IMR4350 and correct OAL to get over 2950-3000fps without pressure signs but will work up slowly knowing that the spike will jump real quick at the upper end of what ever max is with the E-Tip. Thanks again.

 

[JD338]

bullet,

I just want to point out to you that even if you do not hit 2900 fps, the performance will still be there. My load was 2940 fps which I thought was on the low side. The down range performance proved otherwise. The bullet that hit low went through 1 1/2 water jugs and plowed through 12.5" of plywood without loosing its petals. In my mind, thats impressive.

You are correct, due to the longer bearing surface of the E-Tip, pressures can spike fast. Stay with the mid range load data as your MAX and be happy with the velocity you get. Speed is nice, accuracy kills. :wink:

JD338

 

[bullet]

bullet,

I just want to point out to you that even if you do not hit 2900 fps, the performance will still be there. My load was 2940 fps which I thought was on the low side. The down range performance proved otherwise. The bullet that hit low went through 1 1/2 water jugs and plowed through 12.5" of plywood without loosing its petals. In my mind, thats impressive.

You are correct, due to the longer bearing surface of the E-Tip, pressures can spike fast. Stay with the mid range load data as your MAX and be happy with the velocity you get. Speed is nice, accuracy kills. :wink:

JD338

My concern is that if I do not get enough velocity my shots will be limited to around 300yds because I am not sure that at 2100 - 1900fps that the e-tip will expand consistently and enough. Do you know how it performs past 300yds and what velocity I need at muzzle to get good performance to at least 400yds.

PS - I wrote Nosler and ask them what was the minimum velocity that the e-tip will expand.

 

[JD338]

bullet,

The 30 cal 150 gr E-Tip has a .469 BC.
With a 2800 fps MV, you would have a velocity of 1902 fps at 500 yds.
With a 200 yd zero, you are -7.8 @ 300 yds, -22.6 @ 400 yds.
I ma certain you will be closer to the 2900 fps so it will only get better.
You are in fine shape.

JD338

 

[bullet]

bullet,

The 30 cal 150 gr E-Tip has a .469 BC.
With a 2800 fps MV, you would have a velocity of 1902 fps at 500 yds.
With a 200 yd zero, you are -7.8 @ 300 yds, -22.6 @ 400 yds.
I ma certain you will be closer to the 2900 fps so it will only get better.
You are in fine shape.

JD338

Hey, thanks for the trouble JD, that really makes all the difference in the world man, because I do take long shots at times and won't hesitate to do so once I have practice and know where my bullet is hitting. Thanks again, that is exciting and I can't wait for my rifle to get back so I can begin. Just love this stuff!!!!!!!!! :lol:

 

[JD338]

bullet,

You are welcome, we aim to please. :lol:

Try the ballistic calculator here, go to advanced ballistics and plug in your data.

http://www.biggameinfo.com/

BC is .469 for the 308 cal 150 gr E-Tip.
Change the MV and check your trajectory.

I have used this and it is pretty close. Just remember that this is a guide and you will have to confirm your data with actual shooting at longer distances.

JD338

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Here's what a 250 Yard zero looks like:

2.8" high at 100
2.3" high at 200
3.7" low at 300


Trajectory Output
Input Data
Ballistic Coefficient: 0.469 G1 Bullet Weight: 150.00 gr
Caliber: 0.308 in

Muzzle Velocity: 2900.0 ft/s Chronograph Distance: 10.0 ft

Sight Height: 1.50 in Sight Offset: 0.00 in
Zero Height: 0.00 in Zero Offset: 0.00 in
Azimuth: 0.00 MOA Elevation: 0.00 MOA
LOS Angle: 0.0 deg Cant Angle: 0.0 deg

Wind Speed: 10.0 mph Wind Angle: 90.0 deg
Target Speed: 10.0 mph Target Angle: 90.0 deg

Temperature: 59.0 °F Pressure: 29.92 in Hg
Relative Humidity: 0.0 % Altitude: 0 ft

Vital Zone Radius: 5.0 in Std. Atmosphere at Altitude: No
Corrected Pressure: Yes Target Relative Drops: Yes
Zero at Max. Point Blank Range: No
Calculated Parameters
Elevation: 6.13 MOA Azimuth: 0.00 MOA

Atmospheric Density: 0.07647 lbs/ft³ Speed of Sound: 1116.5 ft/s

Maximum PBR: 350 yds Maximum PBR Zero: 297 yds
Range at Max Height: 164 yds Energy at PBR: 1668.3 ft•lbs

Sectional Density: 0.226 lbs/in²

Calculated Table
Range Drop Drop Windage Windage Velocity Mach Energy Time Lead Lead
(yds) (in) (moa) (in) (moa) (ft/s) (none) (ft•lbs) (s) (in) (moa)
0 -1.5 *** 0.0 *** 2906.9 2.604 2813.9 0.000 0.0 ***
50 1.2 2.3 0.2 0.3 2804.9 2.512 2619.9 0.053 9.2 17.7
100 2.8 2.6 0.7 0.6 2705.2 2.423 2437.0 0.107 18.8 18.0
150 3.2 2.0 1.5 1.0 2607.8 2.336 2264.6 0.163 28.8 18.3
200 2.3 1.1 2.8 1.3 2512.4 2.250 2102.0 0.222 39.1 18.7
250 -0.0 -0.0 4.4 1.7 2419.1 2.167 1948.8 0.283 49.8 19.0
300 -3.7 -1.2 6.4 2.0 2327.7 2.085 1804.3 0.346 60.9 19.4
350 -9.1 -2.5 8.9 2.4 2238.3 2.005 1668.3 0.412 72.5 19.8
400 -16.2 -3.9 11.9 2.8 2150.7 1.926 1540.4 0.480 84.5 20.2
450 -25.2 -5.3 15.3 3.2 2065.2 1.850 1420.2 0.551 97.0 20.6
500 -36.2 -6.9 19.3 3.7 1981.6 1.775 1307.6 0.626 110.1 21.0
550 -49.4 -8.6 23.8 4.1 1900.1 1.702 1202.3 0.703 123.7 21.5
600 -65.0 -10.3 28.9 4.6 1820.9 1.631 1104.1 0.783 137.9 21.9
650 -83.3 -12.2 34.6 5.1 1743.9 1.562 1012.7 0.868 152.7 22.4
700 -104.4 -14.2 41.0 5.6 1669.4 1.495 928.1 0.956 168.2 22.9
750 -128.6 -16.4 48.1 6.1 1597.6 1.431 849.9 1.047 184.4 23.5
800 -156.2 -18.7 55.9 6.7 1528.6 1.369 778.1 1.143 201.3 24.0
850 -187.6 -21.1 64.5 7.2 1462.7 1.310 712.5 1.244 218.9 24.6
900 -223.0 -23.7 73.9 7.8 1400.1 1.254 652.8 1.349 237.4 25.2
950 -262.9 -26.4 84.1 8.5 1341.1 1.201 598.9 1.458 256.6 25.8
1000 -307.6 -29.4 95.1 9.1 1286.0 1.152 550.8 1.572 276.8 26.4

 

[onesonek]

I had a love affair for the 30-06 for years, even at times when it flickered. It's back in full now, and I been considering on how to load this newly acquired Encore barrel. Normally I would consider 150gr. .30 cal. a bit light for my intended general purpose round. But reading up some on the various reports of the 150 ET, I'm impressed. So I set about thinking about powders. I'm thinking I got to give the new RE-17 try with this bullet. If it comes anywhere close to the results I'm kinda expect, it should be great for any critter in the lower 48. (not that the 06 was really lacking before :wink: )

Dave

 

[bullet]

I had a love affair for the 30-06 for years, even at times when it flickered. It's back in full now, and I been considering on how to load this newly acquired Encore barrel. Normally I would consider 150gr. .30 cal. a bit light for my intended general purpose round. But reading up some on the various reports of the 150 ET, I'm impressed. So I set about thinking about powders. I'm thinking I got to give the new RE-17 try with this bullet. If it comes anywhere close to the results I'm kinda expect, it should be great for any critter in the lower 48. (not that the 06 was really lacking before :wink: )

Dave

I am with you on the 06. I have hunted with it for years and my Mark V 06 is obtaining 3060fps on the average (as noted by load development I posted on this forum) using the 165gr Sierra HPBT. I think that you will find IMR4350 doing the best job of accuracy and velocity. I have some 150gr E-Tips on the way with some Nosler brass and will compare my loads with Nosler brass in accuracy and velocity with Winchester brass. I am also with you that if I can get the 150gr to shoot accurate and with good to excellent velocity, it could become my all around load for my 06, due to the BC and strong construction of the bullet with the potential to not only open at 06 velocities from 0-500yds but also it is not suppose to shed petals like the TSX does.

 

[bullet]

I am going to work on new loads to see if I can get the 168TSX to group better because velocities were over 3000fps. As I said before, I have some 150gr E-Tips on the way with some Nosler brass and will compare my loads with Nosler brass in accuracy and velocity with Winchester brass. If I can get the 150gr to shoot accurate and with good to excellent velocity, it could become my all around load for my 06, due to a BC of .469 and strong construction of the bullet with the potential ability to open at 06 velocities from 0-500yds but also it is not suppose to shed petals like the TSX does. I know of one person personally who is using 59gr of IMR4350 with the E-Tip and is at 2945fps out of a 22" barrel and is shooting his groups under and inch with no over pressure signs. The way my Mark V 06 is shooting and the consistent velocities over 3000fps and my 24" barrel, I should have no problem duplicating or going over the above data.

If I was to get only 2975fps out of my 24" barrel here is what it would look like for trajectory.

2.6" high at 100yds
2.1" high at 200yds
0.0" zero at 250yds
-3.5" low at 300yds
hold on top shoulder at 350yds good out to 425-450yds
retained velocity at 500yds is 2061 and the E-tip consistently opens up at 1900fps

Now that said, I was thinking about all that we have said to each other about the 30-06 on this forum. As you know I have tried just about every cartridge and rifle make there is out there to try in the 30+ years of shooting and hunting.

When it comes to push and shove and just a true all around general purpose cartridge that has more potential and uses than 90% of hunters today would or could take advantage of, from 125gr moving 3200fps to 240gr bullets moving 2450-2500fps, the 30-06 simply has no rival.

From shooting varmints to moose, big bears, hogs and all the deer type game including some long shots on antelope, coyote and in all kinds of terrain and conditions the 30-06 again has no rival in the role of a true utility cartridge.

Now I say this in light of the fact that I think all hunting if you want to call it hunting should take place from 0-300yds with only and exceptional shot out past 350 - 400yds. In my opinion and I did say my opinion, anything else is not really hunting but only shooting at targets and not real hunting.

In Mississippi and where I hunt here it truly is the champion of all cartridges but I suspect even out west where I have killed black bear, mule deer and coyote with an 06, it still has no rival if one truly knows how to use the 06 and it's versatility. How is that for one of my rants

PS Don't take this post personal if you are not a fan of the 30-06, it does take time to mature through the years of hunting, reloading and shooting to come to my conclusion for the third time in my life. Yes!!! I have three times and this being the third come back home to the 30-06. Maybe I am old enough, wise enough to enjoy the 30-06 for what it is and have fun will all the other cartridges I have learned to like.

 

[YoteSmoker]

The 30-06 is great but the 7 mag will give it a run for the money in versatility and slightly flatter. Both are excellent so pick one or the other IMO, or both.