New Lots of Powder Can Be Trying-30-06 shooting good

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Sometimes new lots of powder can present all kinds of problems for the reloader and one thing for sure GB300Win was correct when he said, "I would groan every time I had to go to a new lot of powder." Man was that ever a descriptive statement.

My 358Win really loved that first pound of AA2495BR that GB300Win gave me to try. I would get 2480fps out of it and you all know how accurate the stuff was. Well, Jerry also gave me eight pounds of AA2495BR, new, never opened and it was a different lot than the first.

Well it was as accurate as the first pound he gave me, but would only give me 2330-2360fps. It was 4.85% cooler than the initial pound Jerry gave me to try. I had to develop new loads using Varget and IMR4320 that gave 1/2" to 3/4" groups with velocities of 2478fps-2510fps. So when I run out of that first pound of AA2495BR I will have good go to loads for my 358Win.

I have found a use for this eight pounds of AA2495BR. I will be using it in my 30-06 that I have been working with. This 06 has caused me to have patience but I always believed I could get it to shoot good without doing anything to the rifle. It is a good out of the box shooter.

POP ran his program and it said that with a 165gr bullet 51grs and above was dangerous. I have been able to get this lot of powder with a 165gr bullet to 52grs of powder and no flattened primers, no mark bases of brass and no over expanded brass bases.

51grs-52grs of AA2495BR brass

Here are the results of the day:

50.5grs just over an inch

51grs just under 3/4"

51.5grs 1/2"

52grs .832"

52.5grs I put two through the same hole and threw the third but new I did. Will test that load again. Here are the fps of 52.5grs

 

[Greg Nolan]

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Those 30-06 loads look like keepers and with good velocity no less. What 165 gr. bullet are you using?

 

[JD338]

Bullet,

Good results. Always a good idea to buy the 5 or 8 lb jugs when you can.

JD338

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Bullet, that's why I like 8 pound jugs!

 

[bullet]

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Those 30-06 loads look like keepers and with good velocity no less. What 165 gr. bullet are you using?

Greg, I am using the Sierra 165gr HPBT. I tried some 150gr E-Tips. Got 3000fps with 50grs of this AA2495BR and had inch and a half group. I was using Nosler brass and will switch to Winchester and try some more loads with the E-Tip. I think I am getting close to the seating depth for my rifle when using the E-Tip.

 

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Bullet, that's why I like 8 pound jugs!

Amen on that Antelope Sniper, AMEN!!!!!!!

 

[bullet]

Bullet,

Good results. Always a good idea to buy the 5 or 8 lb jugs when you can.

JD338

Yes, it is and I will from now on. I got 3000fps out of 50grs of this stuff pushing the 150gr E-Tip and if looked good enough to make me believe I am getting close to the seating depth my rifle likes and these Velocities with out any pressure signs with this lot of powder.

 

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Accuracy is the same but was able to accomplish the following in "FPS" with AA2495BR and without having above max pressure signs.

With the 165gr bullet in Winchester brass I was able to go to 52grs of AA2495BR with this cool lot and not have any over max pressure signs, 52.5 was on the edge of being over max. I was only able to reach 51grs with Nosler brass because at 51.5 pressure jumped.

Here are the FPS results using AA2495BR, 210 Fed primers, Winchester brass and 165gr Sierra HPBT, OAL 3.1945"

50grs AA2495BR velocity and extreme spread

51.5grs AA2495BR velocity and extreme spread

52grs AA2495BR velocity and extreme spread

 

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I do like to make sure of my loads so I have complete confidence in the field that when I put my scope on what ever I am hunting with in my limits as a shooter that I do connect and make a quick kill.

I will be going back if weather permits this Thursday and will confirm my loads not only in accuracy but my fps as well as extreme spread. If all continues as is or improves I will have established a very good load in terms of hunting accuracy, velocity, energy and momentum.