Whats the best load for 180 e-tip and 30-06

clearwater

Handloader
Feb 5, 2005
464
225
Have some 180 g e-tips. Want to develop a load for elk.

What have people found to be the best load for this combination?
 
I've not tried that exact combination, but try the slowest powders appropriate, like maybe one of the 4831's, RL19/22, or N160/165. Also, try seating anywhere from .030-.100" deeper than you usually seat 180's in your rifle. I like the .030-.050" deeper range, and have had good success with it in a couple of different chamberings. The one caveat I'll add is that you'll have fairly compressed loads doing it this way, so be careful at the bench and check the loads after 24-48hrs to be sure the COL is staying consistent.
 
I developed a load for my Vanguard '06 and 180ETs using 53.5gn of H4350, GM210M primer, Win brass, and a COL of 3.39". The average velocity was 2750. Here's my target (click to enlarge):
 
Rich,

You have a winner of a load. You are ready for North America.

JD338
 
I used to load with Winchester cases and 180 gr Partition, 60+ grs of 4831. Accurate enough to kill elk and what ever else that got in front of it.
 
Nice load and good shooting Rich!,,,Clearwater, the crux is, what works well in one rifle may not in another. Each rifle/barrel is it's own boss.

Dave
 
I have not loaded for the 180 Etip but from 168 to 200 grains RL17 has given the highest velocities by around 100 FPS and shoots sub moa with 168 BT, 180 Accubonds and 200 grain AccuBond bullets. Velocities and accuracy have been as follows:

168 BT 3012 FPS 5/8" to 1" groups 59 grains max.
180 AB 2820 FPS 3/8" on calm days 56 grains max.
200 AB 2720 FPS 3/4" groups 54 grains max

These are from a 22" barreled Savage 116 and my oal is 3.41". With the 180 etip I would start down around 50 grains since they are know to increase pressure.
 
Just an FYI to other 30-06 loaders, if you plan on using the 180ET and RL-22, good luck. I tried RL-22 and the 180ET and had a very difficult time getting the bullets to seat, even at 3.39". This is literally a "fill the case full and seat the bullet" situation. Then to top things off, all of bullets had worked themselves back out, some enough so that I couldn't chamber them.
 
Richracer1":30w32e7n said:
Just an FYI to other 30-06 loaders, if you plan on using the 180ET and RL-22, good luck. I tried RL-22 and the 180ET and had a very difficult time getting the bullets to seat, even at 3.39". This is literally a "fill the case full and seat the bullet" situation. Then to top things off, all of bullets had worked themselves back out, some enough so that I couldn't chamber them.

That is a good point. I had to heavily compress the 180 grain Speer BTSP when using RL22 and had some of those rounds that also"grew". I found that RL17 has a higher loading density per grain powder than RL22 does while also having higher velocities with approx 7 grains less powder. It has a more progressive burn rate so pressures are maintained higher, further down the barrel as the bullet is being pushed. This yields higher velocities without higher peak pressures. My velocities vary alot until I get near max and then my velocity spreads get tighter along with better accuracy.
 
Started my workup with some success. Reloder 17 and 180 e tips.

100 yards, 1928 springfield 03. Three shot groups. Rem Brass, Winchester LR primers.
OAL 3.309.

49 grains, ave. velocity 2377 fps, std dev, 10.1, group size .46"

50 grains, ave. velocity 2408 fps, std dev, 3.5, group size .99"

51 grains, ave. velocity 2487 fps, std dev, 4.4, group size .65"

I can see the primers start to flatten with increase in charge but still
have round edges. No extraction problems.

Hoping to approach 2700 fps. with increases in charge.

Anybody out there tried this combination yet?
 
Seems like the 4350's would be ones too. Sounds like you are getting there. Not sure if you are going to see 2700 if you are already seeing flattened primers, but it could be just the nature of the rifle and have little to do with pressure. If everything else is checking out, keep inching up. Looks pretty good so far. Your accuracy looks EXCELLENT! Scotty
 
Please keep posting your results. I plan on working up some of these in the very near future.

Corey
 
Haven't had a chance to work up any more. Moved twice and haven't found a good range yet. But there are elk where I live and hope to try for one next year.

Anybody else found a good load for 30-06 and e-tip? Or has anyone tried Rx17 in 30-06 with 180 e-tip?
 
Damn Rich! 3.5 gr under conventional bullet max huh?
 
Cartridge : .30-06 Spring. (SAAMI)
Bullet : .308, 180, Nosler E-Tip 59180
Useable Case Capaci: 56.718 grain H2O = 3.683 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 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 78 43.04 2244 2013 32495 8346 94.8 1.378
-18.0 80 44.12 2296 2108 34431 8582 95.7 1.347
-16.0 82 45.19 2349 2205 36505 8805 96.6 1.317
-14.0 84 46.27 2402 2305 38717 9016 97.4 1.288
-12.0 86 47.34 2454 2407 41089 9213 98.1 1.273
-10.0 88 48.42 2507 2512 43616 9395 98.7 1.243
-08.0 90 49.50 2559 2618 46317 9561 99.2 1.213
-06.0 92 50.57 2612 2726 49208 9709 99.5 1.184
-04.0 94 51.65 2664 2836 52305 9838 99.8 1.156 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 96 52.72 2716 2947 55625 9949 100.0 1.128 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 98 53.80 2767 3060 59191 10040 100.0 1.100 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 100 54.88 2818 3175 63016 10121 100.0 1.073 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 102 55.95 2869 3290 67141 10198 100.0 1.046 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 104 57.03 2920 3407 71580 10272 100.0 1.018 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 106 58.10 2970 3526 76372 10342 100.0 0.989 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 108 59.18 3020 3646 81553 10408 100.0 0.962 !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 98 53.80 2875 3304 71462 9614 100.0 1.029 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 98 53.80 2605 2713 48578 10186 97.0 1.184
 
Sure glad I looked at this as 61 grains of reloader 22 is my go to load with 180 grain Pt. Oh well been wanting an excuse to buy some Rl 17.
 
salmonchaser":muq3qic7 said:
Sure glad I looked at this as 61 grains of reloader 22 is my go to load with 180 grain Pt. Oh well been wanting an excuse to buy some Rl 17.

In cartridges it is suitable in, it works very well. I use a bunch of it in the 338 Win Mag, 35 Newton and 7x57. Works really well in those three..
 
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