I havent loaded for 30-06 in a few years, my go to powder was IMR4350.
If I were to load today, I would be looking at RL19 and RL22 powders.
You need to chronograph the load in your rifle to get an exact velocity, you will get different speeds in different barrels.
My guess would be 2650-2750 fps in a 22" tube.
Keep in mind that speed is nice but accuracy kills. :wink:
Thanks JD! I have a load for the Partition with IMR 4831, but am not that happy with it. It's not as accurate as my 200 PT or 165 PT. I want to try the AB and get the accuracy and velocity.
I think it's likely my rifle does have two sweet spots. I guy n another forum ran some computer program that factored wieght of the fired brass with and without water and other factors. He told me of a sweet spot on the lower end of the scale and one at the high end. I was sceptical, but with the Hornady 165 SST's his program was proven right! I had a good group on the low end and a GREAT group at near max (57.3 gr on a scale that tops out at 57.4 gr.). My point is I have a good group with Partition 180's and 165's on the low end - I think I can tweak it and get both on the high end.
I'm hoping for 2700 fps +/- (compared to 2448 fps with my current load). I'd use IMR 4350 on the 180's, but I already have RL-19. I'll keep you posted after the first trip to the range. Thanks again!
YUP---2700-2750 should be do-able with the loads of RE19 you mentioned. A couple of my lots of RE19 seemed pretty slow....it was almost as slow as RE22. That seems to be a common complaint these days about RE powders..they tend to vary a bit. IMR4831 might also be a great powder to try. 57.5 and 58 of I 4831 both gave under 2" gorups at 200 yds in my tikka with both Accubonds and speer boat tails (both 180's). Speed was right at 2700 fps.
Cartridge : .30-06 Spring.
Bullet : .308, 180, NOS AccuBond 54825
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch or 84.84 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch or 609.6 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-19
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