powders for BAR

barthowes · Mar 17, 2010

I own a 1969 BAR 30-06

Recently bought Nosler 125gr BT for it. Was wondering what powder to use for it. Heard automatics prefer a certain burn rate to keep Velocity spreads low :? Bought REL-15 but @52gr (the accuracy load) casings came out powder burned on outside. indcating low pressure. Loaded some more @ 54gr just haven't shot them yet.

DrMike · Mar 17, 2010

barthowes,

Welcome to the forum. Good to have you on board. You have an excellent powder in RL15. Before you go back to the range, load up three more cartridges with 55 grains and three more with 56 grains (maximum charge according to the Nosler 6th Reloading Guide). Then, check out the groups with each of the charges. They should work quite well in your BAR. Other powders you might want to try would be H4895, Varget, Big Game and even IMR4831.

barthowes · Mar 17, 2010

with these shorter bullets should I even try varying seating depths? I am informed I should seat in at least one bullet diameter. That doesn't leave much room to play with. Right now I'm seating to a COL of 3.18 I think??

CAhunter · Mar 17, 2010

Welcome. RL 15 is a good powder. Just wondering why such a light bullet in a 30-06? From my experience the 06 performs better with a little heavier bullet. Maybe a 150 or 165. Just my .02.

barthowes · Mar 17, 2010

Using on coyote. Wanted to try and get something faster out to 300 or so yards. Maybe I'll find they're no good for me. Have a NEF singleshot that shoots 168TTSX with 50gr IMR4064 into nickle sized holes.

DrMike · Mar 17, 2010

barthowes,

Because you will be shooting them in a BAR, you will want to ensure that you have reasonable tension on your neck, so yes, you likely will need to load them to a shorter OAL. If your rifle shoots them well, bonus. If not, nothing lost in trying for velocity.

Alaska · Mar 17, 2010

I have a 1973 Bar in 30-06

All BAR seem to favor IMR 4350........

The BAR has a different gas system that the Garand or Rem 742 so the IMR 4895/Reloder 15 burn rate does not apply in the BAR.

Seems when Browning made this rifle all the cal.....243/30-06/270/300/338/7mm RM worked very well with IMR 4350.

My dad bought me this BAR Grade 2 in 1974 for $300. I have shot plenty of game for it over the years....couple of years ago I replaced the action spring with a Power spring made by Wolff. Works just like new again. Also watch what you clean the bore with it can end up in your Gas Piston area.....

As for dies RCBS Small Base Dies were made just for the BAR's. I suggest getting the sizer Die RCBS small base.

Get a operator manual off E bay and learn to take the gas piston system apart and clean it yearly, its easy! If you just got it that would be the first thing I would do and order the spring replacement from Wolff for $20 due to the age of the firearm.

As for loads my BAR really like 165 Sierra Gameking with IMR 4350 @ 57.5 grains with WW brass using CCI 200 primers.

If you need any more info feel free to PM me.