I have spent many a hours refining the load for my 30-06. Only to find out that I have just received my new Nosler #6 manual and it is saying that for the 180gr Nosler Part bullet 55.0gr of IMR 4350 powder is max load. I have looked at many manuals and found that 56.0-56.5gr is max. I have loaded up some 30 rounds of 55.5gr and am getting 3 shot groupings in 1 inch at 100 yds. The question I have is am I playing a risk using over what Nosler says is max powder load for the 180gr Part bullet and IMR 4350 powder. Should I drop the powder charge down more to be within the range Nosler is stating. It also shows I believe the velocity is at 2758fps for the 55.0gr load. I am open to any suggestion anyone might have.
30-06 Max Load Confused
- Thread starter Nosler06
- Start date
are they showing any signs of over pressure? what is their velocity? if the answer to a is not and the answer to be is around what the books gives for a maximum velocity and you are getting a good grouping, i wouldn't worry about it. it is not unusual for loads for a rifle to vary by up to 5 grains depending on who's book you used. the fellow who taught me always said find the biggest number and work up towards it till you got a load that felt good and was acurate then stop there.
- Location
- Vancouver Island, BC
Most of my accurate loads are over book max.
If the case extracts easy and the primers look ok, then you are probably fine.
However if you have trouble opening the bolt, or your primer falls out, then it is a safe bet you are pushing your luck.
If the case extracts easy and the primers look ok, then you are probably fine.
However if you have trouble opening the bolt, or your primer falls out, then it is a safe bet you are pushing your luck.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Use the load data in the manuals as a guideline rather than a bible. If you have worked up that load in your rifle and there is no sign of over pressure, don't be concerned. Having said that, attempting to magnumize the .30/06 doesn't produce any advantage that can be realized in the field, its hard on the rifle, results in cycling issues from a sticky bolt, which is a serious dangerous pressure sign, and reduces case life. If you are getting anywhere between 2700 and 2800 fps with a 180, thats about as far is reasonable with a 180 gr bullet in the '06. If you want or need more velocity, the additional case capacity of a .300 magnum is the correct answer.
Just have to get my two cents worth in here.
Firstly, if you believe the velocity figures given in modern, American loading books, then you obviously believe in the tooth fairy and santa clause.
Every loading book usually gives their maximum load for a 30-06, with 180 grain bullets, as having a mv of 2700 fps, or more.
In reality, I'll bet there isn't a single load shown in any American modern loading book, which will give a 180 grain bullet a velocity of 2700, in a 30-06.
I once did quite a bit of chronographing these loads, using two different rifles and an Oehler 33 chronograph, which in case you don't know, are accurate.
There is a difference in rifles and my two 30-06 rifles had a difference of about 75 fps, on andy given load.
My records show that when I loaded 58 grains of IMR4350 powder in the 30-06, with 180 grain bullet, one rifle made 2731, while the other rifle made a velocity of 2642, on five shot averages.
When I loaded 54 grains of IMR 4350 powder in the 30-06 with 180 grain bullet, my rifle registered an average of 2436, with a low of 2405 and a high of 2467. The rather large spread is likely because of the low pressures.
Firstly, if you believe the velocity figures given in modern, American loading books, then you obviously believe in the tooth fairy and santa clause.
Every loading book usually gives their maximum load for a 30-06, with 180 grain bullets, as having a mv of 2700 fps, or more.
In reality, I'll bet there isn't a single load shown in any American modern loading book, which will give a 180 grain bullet a velocity of 2700, in a 30-06.
I once did quite a bit of chronographing these loads, using two different rifles and an Oehler 33 chronograph, which in case you don't know, are accurate.
There is a difference in rifles and my two 30-06 rifles had a difference of about 75 fps, on andy given load.
My records show that when I loaded 58 grains of IMR4350 powder in the 30-06, with 180 grain bullet, one rifle made 2731, while the other rifle made a velocity of 2642, on five shot averages.
When I loaded 54 grains of IMR 4350 powder in the 30-06 with 180 grain bullet, my rifle registered an average of 2436, with a low of 2405 and a high of 2467. The rather large spread is likely because of the low pressures.
I think you would have a hard time finding any production rifle chambered in 30-06, in which 55.0 grains of IMR 4350 is really a max load.
Sounds like lawyer fear to me.
I have reached 2750+ in any number of 30-06 rifles with IMR 4350, but NEVER with 55.0 grains. Usually between 57 & 58 grains somewhere.
There are a couple of powders out there that will give better performance than the 4350's do with 180 grain bullets, but there is little need to stretch the '06 too far.
I agree with Boomer, 2800 fps is close to the practical limit with the 30-06 & 180 grain bullets with most suitable powders.
Regards, Eagleye.
Sounds like lawyer fear to me.
I have reached 2750+ in any number of 30-06 rifles with IMR 4350, but NEVER with 55.0 grains. Usually between 57 & 58 grains somewhere.
There are a couple of powders out there that will give better performance than the 4350's do with 180 grain bullets, but there is little need to stretch the '06 too far.
I agree with Boomer, 2800 fps is close to the practical limit with the 30-06 & 180 grain bullets with most suitable powders.
Regards, Eagleye.
Thank you all for the info. I think what I am hearing is that .5gr over what Nosler says compared to 1.5 under what an old Speer says is nothing to worry about. I have seen no signs of over pressure with this load and I have even gone up to 57.0gr with no sign. This 55.5gr of IMR 4350 matched to the 180gr Nosler Part is what my 06 Winchester Mod 70 likes. That being said I will leave it as is. The groupings that I am getting from this load have impressed me imensly.
Yes, I had (have) a load with the 30-06 and 180 grain bullets which the Oehler clocked at 2810, with a hi to low of only 11.
This was a very accurate load, just as one would assume with a load as consistent as a spread of just 11, using all run of the mill components and an old powder measure to mete out the powder.
In my rifle there was no sign, whatsoever, of excess pressure.
By the way, I wouldn't wonder if my powder wasn't the same as Eagleye used to get his better loads, Norma 204.
This was a very accurate load, just as one would assume with a load as consistent as a spread of just 11, using all run of the mill components and an old powder measure to mete out the powder.
In my rifle there was no sign, whatsoever, of excess pressure.
By the way, I wouldn't wonder if my powder wasn't the same as Eagleye used to get his better loads, Norma 204.
Northman999
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Yukon
Lots of good advice in this thread already.
If you like IMR 4350 in your 30-06, maybe try RL-17 over magnum primers. I've tried it in several cartridges that I used to use IMR 4350 in (including the 30-06 with 180s and 210's) and I get 100+ fps more with RL-17 every time.
If you like IMR 4350 in your 30-06, maybe try RL-17 over magnum primers. I've tried it in several cartridges that I used to use IMR 4350 in (including the 30-06 with 180s and 210's) and I get 100+ fps more with RL-17 every time.
Yes Bruce, I used N204 to work up a very good load with the 180 in a couple of my 30-06 rifles. If my memeory serves, one made 2790 and the other 2820 or so.
However, My highest velocities ever came with 62 grains of old Noma 205.
That would consistently group around ¾" and clocked 2855 fps.
It was definitely safe, as the brass never expanded primer pockets, nor were there any indications of excess pressure.
Trouble with N205 was lot-to-lot differences existed, so one had to watch.
Regards, Eagleye.
