30-06 with modern powders
- Thread starter Beater
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I'm using N550 with 168gr bullets , Once I get time i will be using it with 180's I'm thinking that 2950 fps or maybe more should be obtainable. It's really not hard to beat the advertised velocities printed on the box of most 30-06 ammo. Make sure you have a rifle that is able to withstand the higher pressures you will obtain pushing heavy bullets with higher pressures. And a chronograph would be good to have.
My go-to loads for R-P 180 gr. PSPCL & Hornady 180 gr. SP-IL are either 60.0 grs. of RL22, or 59.0 grs. of RL19 for an average of 2,824 fps in its 24" tube in Norma brass, fired by the old white-box Winchester "For Standard or Magnum Loads" primers], while for the 220 gr. Hornady RNSP-IL or R-P SPCLRN gr. are powered by either WC760[SL10] [52.5 grs.] or 56.3 grs. of RL22, in METALLWERKEN brass with the same primers, both of which yield an average of 2,435 fps for WC760SL & 2,415 fps for RL22, but those are no longer available. I still have enough so that I do not yet have to work up another load.
Redneck Hippy
Regular
I remember the 4350 burn rate class giving great results in the ‘06 with heavy bullets. What’s fast? Should be able to touch 2800fps with lots of different powders in ‘06 with 180’s pretty easy.
A ball powder might help cram more in the case, Ramshot Hunter etc
A ball powder might help cram more in the case, Ramshot Hunter etc
RL22 is available at 165 bucks a pound.
https://budgetshootersupply.ca/product/alliant-reloder-22-1lb-smokeless-powder/
https://budgetshootersupply.ca/product/alliant-reloder-22-1lb-smokeless-powder/
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The slowest burning powder is what you would use when you read your loading manuals that is how it is listed light bullets fast burners med weight bullets med fast burns to med slow burners heavy extra heavy bullets the slower the burning rate the better
ive done lotsa loading, but never messed with the 06 with heavyer bullets H414 used to be a fav with 150 grainers going to try and shoot an elk, 2-400 yards most likely where they are. so lookin for a better bullet and powder combo to do the job. just startin my reasearch. i have lotsa IMR 4350 on hand that might be ok. looks like 4831SC might be a good one to... just need to pic a good bullet now and maybe look for some quality brass
Yeah I bought some when it was on sale for my 22-250 and though it was accurate with 70gr speer I was kinda shocked how far off the listed speeds in the manual it was when I bought my chronograph. Cfe223 pushed them faster with less powder. Imr4350 or H4350 have been my 30-06 powder like so many others
Reloder 26 will by far get you the most velocity with the really heavy bullets in the old aught-six.
But basically any newer powder in that H4350 - Reloder 22 range will work great. Even faster powders if your shooting lighter loads. Not all in that range are the best, and some outside that range work very well, depending on how progressively burning the powder is or not. Hense why reloder 26 works. It's bull density is high, and it's very progressive burning, so the more you pack in the case and higher the pressures get, the faster it "acts."
But basically any newer powder in that H4350 - Reloder 22 range will work great. Even faster powders if your shooting lighter loads. Not all in that range are the best, and some outside that range work very well, depending on how progressively burning the powder is or not. Hense why reloder 26 works. It's bull density is high, and it's very progressive burning, so the more you pack in the case and higher the pressures get, the faster it "acts."
Topic was modern powders in the 30-06, RL26 is pretty new. Some of us laid into a good supply of it when it was available for six years in a row
It does have the moniker of fairy dust for a reason!! When 99% of the reloading world don’t have any it’s a moot point how great the load is with it. It is good that you have secured a good cache.
