Reloading 180gr 30.06

[Andrzej]

"30-06 Springfield using IMR 4350
155 grain bullet, 58.6 grains (extrapolated from following two loads, untested as of this writing)
165 grain bullet, 57.5 grains
180 grain bullet, 56.0 grains"

Taken from Optimal Charge Weight -OCW Load Development
Those charges are very close to previously posted pet loads used by many posters.

I am shooting 150 gr TTSX in 30-06 with IMR 4350 59 gr and had very accurate load with 165 Nosler BT and 57 gr of IMR 4350 in different rifle so very close to OCW loads.


Andrew

 

[Northman999]

please define "crazy fast"- should be about 2700 or better?

2881 fps (3381 ft/lbs) from a 22" bbl with 180's.

2670 fps (3324 ft/lbs) from 22' bbl with 210's.

Nothing else I've tried can get me anywhere near there.

Out of this same rifle 58.0 gr of IMR 4831 with same brass/bullet was getting me a measly 2625 fps with 180's!

 

[H4831]

Out of this same rifle 58.0 gr of IMR 4831 with same brass/bullet was getting me a measly 2625 fps with 180's!

That was about my experience, also. Strange to read all these loads people are using in their 30-06 with 54 and 55 grains of IMR 4350, with 180 grain bullet. Velocities are about like, or maybe under, a 300 Savage.
I once chronographed, with an Oehler, 54 of 4350 with 180 grain bullet and got an average of 2436.
Most, if not all, US reloading books have greatly over stated velocities.
I do have a 30-06 load with 180 grain bullets, that average in my rifle 2810 fps. There is no stick, whatsoever, to the bolt and I can use the same brass many times without the primer pockets enlarging. No way can that be called an overload in my rifle, regardless what the reloading books say.

 

[Neo]

+1 vote for RL-22 -- 60 grains of that behind a 180 grain bullet has usually given me around 2750 - 2775 fps in a 24" barrel, combined with good accuracy in most rifles.

 

[fiddler]

That was about my experience, also. Strange to read all these loads people are using in their 30-06 with 54 and 55 grains of IMR 4350, with 180 grain bullet. Velocities are about like, or maybe under, a 300 Savage.
I once chronographed, with an Oehler, 54 of 4350 with 180 grain bullet and got an average of 2436.
Most, if not all, US reloading books have greatly over stated velocities.
I do have a 30-06 load with 180 grain bullets, that average in my rifle 2810 fps. There is no stick, whatsoever, to the bolt and I can use the same brass many times without the primer pockets enlarging. No way can that be called an overload in my rifle, regardless what the reloading books say.

I confused, mostly because its been a long day.

So your suggesting that the velocities from the books are embellished? If so it doesn't surprise me, but I'm ok with this part.

When you get speeds of 2810 with a 180 gr in your rifle, are you still using 4350?

I think I'm mis-interpreting what you are saying. I'm reading this as: the charts are low for 4350 velocities, yet you are shooting above those speeds? with the same load of 55gr or some other max load?

 

[H4831]

I confused, mostly because its been a long day.

So your suggesting that the velocities from the books are embellished? If so it doesn't surprise me, but I'm ok with this part.

When you get speeds of 2810 with a 180 gr in your rifle, are you still using 4350?

I think I'm mis-interpreting what you are saying. I'm reading this as: the charts are low for 4350 velocities, yet you are shooting above those speeds? with the same load of 55gr or some other max load?

-------------------------------
Yes, the figures in US reloading books are usually embellished, especially for the 30-06. Just notice how nearly every load shown will give 2700 fps to a 180 grain bullet.
If you are reloading and accurately chronographing your loads, you will be some time before you get a 180 grain bullet going 2700. If you just go by the loads shown in US loading books, you may never get a 180 grain bullet going 2700 fps.
On the other hand the old loading books by Norma are as accurate as you can get, considering there is a difference in rifles that could amount to 100 fps, between different rifles. I was checking two different 30-06 rifles, each with a 24 inch barrel and with any load, one was always about 75 fps slower than the other. It just took another grain or so of powder, to bring the slow one up to speed.
Looking at the Norma loading charts they had a load with Norma 205 that gave a 200 grain bullet 2650 from a 30-06. I loaded the slow rifle with another half grain of N205 than shown in their charts, and got 2710 fps, with no sign whatsoeve, of an overload. A 200 grain Nosler partition going 2700+ from the muzzle of a 30-06 is a very potent load.
The 2810 I quoted for a 180 was also from the slow 30-06, just given a bigger meal.
WARNING
Do not interpret this to mean that you can safely load cartridges heavier than wnat is shown in a reputable reloading book.
My advice would be for you to go completely by your reloading book.
What I have done with my rifle and components should have no bearing on what you do with your rifle and your components.

 

[fiddler]

H4831

Thanks for clarification. I was trying to follow what you were saying, but I was sure I was missing something. I've loaded over max a few times with no problems looking for OCW, it doesn't seem reasonable when the groups are starting to come together that you need to stop at "max" when another manual says its still safe. I wouldn't do this in all rifles but some are more solid, less warning signs of overloads. Thanks for the input.