Quick Load help please

[sniper208]

I am thinking of changing from Hornady to Nosler for my .30-06. I currently shoot 180 grain SST and would like some help with QL to load 180 grain Ballistic Tip (deer-sized game out to 400 yards). This may or may not be others' idea of hunting, but long distance is one of the benefits of hunting on private land out west.

My data:

Barrel: 21 29/32", 1:10
Remington brass empty weight: 195.47 gr.
Remington brass H20: 265.40
Case OAL: 2.486"
Remington 9 1/2 LR primer
Cartridge OAL: 3.245"
Bullet: Hornady 180 grain SST
Powder: Reloader-17
Charge: 53.6 gr.
MV: 2700 fps
Performance: 0.40" at 100 yards, 1.10" at 300 yards

I want to use my current components and want to avoid buying (trying to buy) different in today's market (not too much available at large box stores or small shops). Any input/guidance is appreciated! Tim

 

[SJB358]

I am thinking of changing from Hornady to Nosler for my .30-06. I currently shoot 180 grain SST and would like some help with QL to load 180 grain Ballistic Tip (deer-sized game out to 400 yards). This may or may not be others' idea of hunting, but long distance is one of the benefits of hunting on private land out west.

My data:

Barrel: 21 29/32", 1:10
Remington brass empty weight: 195.47 gr.
Remington brass H20: 265.40
Case OAL: 2.486"
Remington 9 1/2 LR primer
Cartridge OAL: 3.245"
Bullet: Hornady 180 grain SST
Powder: Reloader-17
Charge: 53.6 gr.
MV: 2700 fps
Performance: 0.40" at 100 yards, 1.10" at 300 yards

I want to use my current components and want to avoid buying (trying to buy) different in today's market (not too much available at large box stores or small shops). Any input/guidance is appreciated! Tim

Cartridge : .30-06 Spring. (SAAMI)
Bullet : .308, 180, Nosler BalTip 39583
Useable Case Capaci: 59.095 grain H2O = 3.837 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-17

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% 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

-10.0 84 48.24 2464 2426 41242 9345 97.6 1.291
-09.0 85 48.78 2490 2478 42532 9441 98.0 1.272
-08.0 86 49.31 2516 2530 43863 9533 98.3 1.254
-07.0 87 49.85 2542 2582 45233 9622 98.5 1.236
-06.0 88 50.38 2568 2635 46649 9707 98.8 1.219
-05.0 89 50.92 2594 2689 48111 9787 99.0 1.202
-04.0 90 51.46 2620 2743 49618 9864 99.3 1.185
-03.0 91 51.99 2645 2797 51175 9937 99.4 1.168
-02.0 92 52.53 2671 2852 52782 10006 99.6 1.152
-01.0 93 53.06 2697 2906 54441 10070 99.7 1.136 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 94 53.60 2722 2962 56156 10130 99.8 1.120 ! Near Maximum !
+01.0 95 54.14 2748 3017 57927 10185 99.9 1.105 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 96 54.67 2773 3073 59757 10236 100.0 1.090 ! Near Maximum !
+03.0 97 55.21 2798 3129 61649 10282 100.0 1.075 ! Near Maximum !
+04.0 98 55.74 2823 3186 63602 10323 100.0 1.060 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0 98 56.28 2848 3242 65629 10363 100.0 1.046 !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 94 53.60 2829 3200 66896 9741 100.0 1.043 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 94 53.60 2566 2632 46433 10093 95.8 1.220


That is what I got Tim. I am not the one to question of why someone is using something different than a Nosler, but why the switch from the SST to the BT? Just wondering. I have heard the 180 SST is a good bullet as well.

As for your load, I would probably back off 5% or so and work back up. Seems like if you have an accurate load with the Hornady, shouldn't take much to make the BT shoot. The 180 BT is an awesome bullet.

 

[sniper208]

Thanks! The primary driver in changing is availability. I lived in Florida and we got hit with three back-to-back-to-back hurricanes and I'm witnessing the same panic-buying mentality in anything firearms-related! I've checked online and in our two "local" Cabela's (one is 90 minutes south and the other is "only" 45 minutes north. Neither has much of anything (no powder or primers at either store), except a descent supply of Nosler bullets. I want to develop an alternate load just in case.

Now for the magic question from one who has only been given the final answer: How do I interpret the data? A friend in Ohio ran QL for my SST load and gave me the low and the high charge. I loaded both and they printed identical groups with a 350 fps difference. I'm running with the high end @ 53.6 grains. Sorry for the "ignorant" question (or... a question from an uninformed person).

 

[SJB358]

Tim, if you are already having luck with the 53.6 grain charge of RL17, would drop back just a hair come back up to it. Chances are it'll shoot the BT about the same. You may have to adjust the seating depth a little to make it group, but I can't see any issues. I wouldn't drop back much more than 5%, as both the SST's and BT's are fairly soft bullets and you aren't running near the max for the 30-06, so I think you would be safe coming up from a little below and then looking for an accuracy node .5 grains around your normal charge, being mindful of any unexpected pressure signs.

Also, if you shop around Nosler, sometimes you can get VERY good deals on 180 BT's as well. They just might turn into a primary bullet.

How have the SST's done for you so far on game? Any recovered bullets?

 

[sniper208]

Thanks for your insight. I've shot two deer with the SST and have not recovered wither bullet. I was surprised at the lack of meat damage. The first shot was on a doe at 175 yards. I hit her between the spine and the shoulder, about 2" behind the shoulder. That was my first bang-flop - dropped in her tracks and didn't twitch. The other deer was at 250 yards and that buck dropped with a taxidermy-ready pose. I read a lot of guys complaining about losing a shoulder or half of a deer. I haven't had those bad experiences. I like the SST, but availability is the issue. BT is a good bullet, albeit at 2x the price of the SST.

On a side note - a friend in Colorado dropped a "small" (700#) 4x4 elk from 265 yards with a 180 grain SST in his .30-06. It ran about 25 yards before it piled up and he didn't ruin any meat either. Hornady's Interbond has the same design, shape and ballistics as the SST, but it's bonded whereas the SST is not.

 

[sniper208]

Another quick question - am I safe in assuming the difference in the BC between the SST and BT is so small I won't notice much difference (0.480 and 0.507, respectively)?

 

[OU812]

Another quick question - am I safe in assuming the difference in the BC between the SST and BT is so small I won't notice much difference (0.480 and 0.507, respectively)?

IMO you are correct, not enough difference to worry about and I won't tell the deer if you won't. :grin:

 

[sniper208]

Thanks! I ran the tables and it looks like it's about an inch difference at 500 yards and an inch in a 10 mph cross-wind. As for not telling....I can only "be vewy quiet" if I can find my Elmer Fudd hunting hat.

 

[SJB358]

Thanks! I ran the tables and it looks like it's about an inch difference at 500 yards and an inch in a 10 mph cross-wind. As for not telling....I can only "be vewy quiet" if I can find my Elmer Fudd hunting hat.

I don't think any of us could shoot that difference in hunting rifles from the field.

The 30-06 is pretty easy on 180's, I wouldn't expect many bullets to not work well at that speed.. I think you'll be in great shape when you find a load.

 

[sniper208]

Thanks for your help! I will start the process this weekend or next, depending on whether or not I get my brass this week or next. I'm trying to shorten the time between concept to finding the final load. A few tweaks here and there should lock it in.

 

[OU812]

Thanks! I ran the tables and it looks like it's about an inch difference at 500 yards and an inch in a 10 mph cross-wind. As for not telling....I can only "be vewy quiet" if I can find my Elmer Fudd hunting hat.

Sounds like you have a great load already which lends more time to locate your Fudd hat. :mrgreen:

 

[sniper208]

LMAO!!!! Too funny....

 

[SJB358]

Thanks! I ran the tables and it looks like it's about an inch difference at 500 yards and an inch in a 10 mph cross-wind. As for not telling....I can only "be vewy quiet" if I can find my Elmer Fudd hunting hat.

Sounds like you have a great load already which lends more time to locate your Fudd hat. :mrgreen:

I love my Kromer!

 

[sniper208]

Nice shot! I didn't put in for a tag this past season, but will definitely put in for one here in WA this year and probably a non-res in CO too. Freezer supply starting to dwindle....

 

[SJB358]

Nice shot! I didn't put in for a tag this past season, but will definitely put in for one here in WA this year and probably a non-res in CO too. Freezer supply starting to dwindle....

Thank you. Yeah, we put some meat in the freezer this Fall, but it takes alot of 100lb deer to add up!