Quickload

[joelkdouglas]

Can I get a Quickload for Ramshot Big Game and a .308 180 Partition out of a 30-06?

Thanks gents!

 

[DrMike]

Cartridge : .30-06 Spring. (SAAMI)
Bullet : .308, 180, Nosler PART SP 16331
Useable Case Capaci: 60.400 grain H2O = 3.922 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Ramshot BigGame

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% 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

-20.0 76 43.60 2217 1964 31004 8348 94.3 1.483
-18.0 78 44.69 2269 2057 33019 8584 95.3 1.444
-16.0 80 45.78 2321 2152 35163 8809 96.2 1.407
-14.0 82 46.87 2372 2250 37445 9023 97.0 1.368
-12.0 83 47.96 2424 2348 39874 9226 97.7 1.329
-10.0 85 49.05 2475 2449 42458 9415 98.3 1.291
-08.0 87 50.14 2526 2551 45189 9591 98.8 1.254
-06.0 89 51.23 2577 2654 48069 9753 99.2 1.219
-04.0 91 52.32 2627 2759 51124 9899 99.6 1.185 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 93 53.41 2677 2865 54369 10030 99.8 1.153 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 95 54.50 2727 2972 57818 10145 100.0 1.122 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 97 55.59 2776 3080 61484 10242 100.0 1.091 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 99 56.68 2825 3189 65384 10330 100.0 1.062 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 100 57.77 2873 3299 69535 10414 100.0 1.034 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 102 58.86 2921 3410 73958 10496 100.0 1.007 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 104 59.95 2968 3521 78675 10575 100.0 0.981 !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 95 54.50 2827 3195 68822 9761 100.0 1.045 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 95 54.50 2579 2658 47017 10205 96.8 1.224

 

[joelkdouglas]

Thanks Dr. Mike.

Ramshot's data with Big Game and 180 grain bullets indicates a max load somewhere in between 54 and 57 grains. Quite a variation there.

I started with 52 grains, just to be safe. I think I'll start to see pressure signs at 56 grains or so, from the data above. Of course, that doesn't mean the pressure won't be there, I just don't think I'll see it until I get to 62000 or 63000 psi. That should be around 2775 fps, maybe a bit higher.

 

[DrMike]

There are a lot of variables entailed. Keep an eye on your loads and let us know what you find in your rifle.

 

[joelkdouglas]

Dr. Mike,

Some feedback on this one:

A windy day on Sunday here, at the range. We're not talking Wyoming wind, but windy for Louisiana.

All powders below are Ramshot Big Game, with a 180 grain Nosler Partition, CCI Magnum primers, and Lapua brass. Velocities from a chrono.

52.0 grains = 2594 fps
53.0 grains = 2693 fps
54.0 grains = 2749 fps
55.0 grains = 2783 fps -- I believe this to be at max, or maybe 0.5 grains above max
55.5 grains = 2836 fps
56.0 grains = 2864 fps
56.5 grains = above 2900 fps, ejector marks

Unfortunately I couldn't test the groupings very well, as the test groups I made all started at 55.5 grains. I had loaded up to 57.0 grains.

Looks like Quickload was spot on for a max charge.

v/r
Joel

 

[DrMike]

Thanks for the feedback. If you plug in the precise case volume of a fired case, QL can be an excellent predictor of what to expect. You do have to control the variables.

 

[boomer68]

DrMike, what is your method for entering the case capacity? Do you take a sized primed case and fill with water to case neck and weigh? What other changes do you make from defaults?

 

[DrMike]

I keep deoxygenated water to measure case capacity. To deoxygenate, fill a container with water and let it set exposed to the air overnight. Using a once-fired case, I seal the flash hole with wax and tare the case. While situated on the scale, I zero the scale. Next, I fill the case with water (using a pipette, available from Midway) until I form a concave meniscus. The weight of water added represents case capacity. Water at STP (assumed for most houses) weighs 1 gram/cc. Since I'm using a tared scale, it measures in grains and the resulting weight represents the case capacity.

 

[joelkdouglas]

Dr Mike,

Ordered Quickload last night. My boss here at work has a copy also, and after I told him I asked you to run me a Quickload he did me up some charts. That program is darned impressive.

Now I just have to figure out how to make it work with my wife's mac. I'm sure there's a way.

I think it will come in really handy. With the new barrel I still have to work up loads for: 168 grain Match Kings / Custom Competitions (have some of both), 150 grain Accubonds, 110 grain Accubonds and 120 grain Partitions for the 25-06, etc. etc. Hopefully Quickload will save me a lot of time and wasted components, and I can start "field shooting" sooner, and also spend some more time with the 22.

Can you tell me any tricks you have when using Quickload? Anything you've found to be really helpful?

Thanks Dr. Mike!

 

[DrMike]

You'll appreciate the programme; it is very powerful for the handloader or ballistician. More than anything, I'd say use it. You'll find the fellow that has the concession at Neconos to be very helpful. I have on a couple of occasions consulted with Harmut Broemel, the gentleman who designed the programme. He was very helpful in the past. You're welcome to ask if you encounter a specific difficulty, and I'll do what I can. However, the documentation that comes with the programme is very good at answering questions.

 

[SJB358]

Joel, Mike has graciously passed me alot of QL data for the past few years and when using case capacities like he mentioned with water, I have been almost spot on with loads and speeds. It seems like a great tool and I am very appreciative of Mike spending the time to pass it along. I love to read load books, but QL does give excellent info. I need to get a copy myself.