Started a thread some time ago in regard to reloading and using old powder. First of all I would like to thank all those who helped me get started in reloading. So here is where I am now. Found a guy at work who is experienced at reloading and he got me started in the right direction.
I am concentrating on my 30-06 and it has gone much better than I ever thought possible. I started with Hornady 190 boat tail pointed soft points which were 30 years old I do not believe they are currently being manufactured. Used both imr4350 and imr4831 powder the imr4350 grouped better in my tikka t3 but not anywhere close to acceptable groups. 2" plus the imr4831 was worse. Tried various powder loads and I just could achieve the accuracy I expected. Winchester off the shelf ammo was shooting circles around my reloads. So found a box of sierra 180 grain Spitzers in my gift box and wow. I ended up with 55.5 grains of imr4831 with federal large rifle primers case trimmed to 2.484 with an overall length 3.340 which just fit in the mag. My son has shot 3 shot groups at 200 yds that you can cover with a dime.
We own 2 of these rifles and the other is not quite as good but I am working on that one. I guess rifles are like people there are no two are the same. For the good one I am thinking if it is not broken don't fix it. She is getting a steady diet of that load. With the other I am going to try some barns bullets with the plastic tips and see what we come up with. I am not sure what powder I am going to use. I have imr4350 and imr4831 I want to try some other powders. I am going to the well of knowledge again and asking you guys what you would try next and are barns bullets worth the extra money you pay for them.
I am concentrating on my 30-06 and it has gone much better than I ever thought possible. I started with Hornady 190 boat tail pointed soft points which were 30 years old I do not believe they are currently being manufactured. Used both imr4350 and imr4831 powder the imr4350 grouped better in my tikka t3 but not anywhere close to acceptable groups. 2" plus the imr4831 was worse. Tried various powder loads and I just could achieve the accuracy I expected. Winchester off the shelf ammo was shooting circles around my reloads. So found a box of sierra 180 grain Spitzers in my gift box and wow. I ended up with 55.5 grains of imr4831 with federal large rifle primers case trimmed to 2.484 with an overall length 3.340 which just fit in the mag. My son has shot 3 shot groups at 200 yds that you can cover with a dime.
We own 2 of these rifles and the other is not quite as good but I am working on that one. I guess rifles are like people there are no two are the same. For the good one I am thinking if it is not broken don't fix it. She is getting a steady diet of that load. With the other I am going to try some barns bullets with the plastic tips and see what we come up with. I am not sure what powder I am going to use. I have imr4350 and imr4831 I want to try some other powders. I am going to the well of knowledge again and asking you guys what you would try next and are barns bullets worth the extra money you pay for them.
