Rifle Reloading Recipes

Firearm
Manufacturer & Model: FN Winchester Model 70 Extreme weather
Caliber: 30-06
Barrel length: 22
Rate of twist: 1-10

Ammo Info
Powder Manufacturer & Name: H4350
Powder Weight: 58.3 grains (over max load)
Case Manufacturer: Federal
Primer: Winchester
Projectile Manufacturer & Model: Nosler Partition
Bullet Weight: 165 grain

or for factory ammo:

Manufacturer and model:
Bullet Weight:

Target Distance: 200
Best MOA grouping size: 1 MOA

Just took a mountain Caribou with this rifle (180 yds) and Dall Sheep, (285 yds). one bullet each.
 
It seems pointless to post loads already within the range found in common load books, and suggest that since they're (claimed to be) accurate in one person's gun, that they'll behave the same in others.

Where user posted loads are really useful IMO are where powders, bullets, etc. are used that are not found in common load books.
 
Varmit - 58.3 isnt over max in my hornady manuals or the hodgdon data either. The nosler and sierra book I have it is slightly over max. My m70 I went up to 59gr because hornady and hodgdon have that as max. I got very slight pressure at 59
 
I think a lot of us are missing the point here. Most of us realize that chances are good that my load won't necessarily work well in your rifle or may even be dangerous but references and experiences are always good for every handloader to consider. I've always said, consider everything but apply only the logical information you've derived from your own research!

For the less experienced; read every bit of credible information you can get your hands on, come to CGN and read, read, read 'til your eyes bleed. Disregard "uncommon" information (loads or techniques that aren't repeated by several other accounts - chances are that one's a wingnut) and ask questions. Avoid advice from members who 'bark and run' (guys who feel they must comment but never return to that thread and offer nothing of real value - 'Sunray' quickly comes to mind:rolleyes:). I would hope that greener handloaders will have read at least two reputable reloading manuals' technical sections in ernest and apply a bit of, if you're not sure, don't do it!

Here is my contribution:
Firearm
Manufacturer & Model: Remington 700 LA (was born a Sendero)
Caliber: .284 Win
Barrel length: 26" Gaillard #5
Rate of twist: 9

Ammo Info
Powder Manufacturer & Name: H4831SC
Powder Weight: 55.0
Case Manufacturer: Lapua
Primer: CCI BR2
Projectile Manufacturer & Model: Berger VLD
Bullet Weight: 168

Target Distance: 618 yards
Best grouping size: Best to date is is 1-3/8" but commonly prints a bit under 3" at the same range

Misc info:
Hodgdon online shows 58.0 gr. H4831 as max for this caliber but this would have been WAY too hot for mine. 56.8 and 57.0 gave me good accuracy results (but poor velocity spreads - ~90fps) at temperatures below 10*C - above that, primer pockets got loose, heavy ejector hole imprinting, etc. Finally settled on 55.0 @ 2860 with ES of 19 fps in temperatures between 10*C and 28*C.

These Bergers give best results (in my weapon) when jammed .010 - .015 but for practicality, I'm jumping them .010. Accuracy doesn't suffer enough for me to even consider jamming again - the steel at 1050 yards doesn't seem to care. 28.3 MOA come up and 5.9 MOA windage required in a 10 mph cross to get to the end of my range:cool:.

Rooster
 
Trinimon said:
Yeah, I'm finding out that my rifle likes the lighter loads best. As for H4895 and IMR4895 (which I've never used), I'm told that they perform very similar (though you shouldn't interchange the load data) with H4895 being more temperature stable than IMR4895. H4895 is slightly faster burning over IMR4895 but I'm not sure if enough to make a difference. H4895 is listed at #87 and IMR4895 at #89 on the burn rate chart.
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No no I would never mix. I'm just anticipating results based on some H4895 that I shot. My varget testing took me over 1lb to get right at 100m and I still have to shoot it at 200+ for my own piece of mine.

For my IMR4895 I'm going to do a proper ladder test now that I know what it is all about.

I'm just working on having a good cookbook with a variety of powders so that way I know what to build based on what powder I can scrounge. If I didn't have OCD before I sure do now.
 
Andy said:
It seems pointless to post loads already within the range found in common load books, and suggest that since they're (claimed to be) accurate in one person's gun, that they'll behave the same in others.

Where user posted loads are really useful IMO are where powders, bullets, etc. are used that are not found in common load books.
Click to expand...

For newb reloaders like myself I always appreciate any information posted, regardless of commonality. Plus, sometimes it feels good to share ones success with others in the community...maybe even to get some friendly rivalry going.
 
klink1983 said:
No no I would never mix. I'm just anticipating results based on some H4895 that I shot. My varget testing took me over 1lb to get right at 100m and I still have to shoot it at 200+ for my own piece of mine.

For my IMR4895 I'm going to do a proper ladder test now that I know what it is all about.

I'm just working on having a good cookbook with a variety of powders so that way I know what to build based on what powder I can scrounge. If I didn't have OCD before I sure do now.
Click to expand...

I usually use the Hodgdon data center info and compare it with the Hornady (which I find very conservative) and Sierra loading data. I'll then start off on the low end and build up my loads to just short of average recommended max in 0.5grain increments but always keeping an eye out for any overpressure signs. Fortunately I've been getting best results on the lighter powder weights and never needed to hit max. Now that I've narrowed the best performance down to 0.5grain, I'll now try +/- 0.2gr or 0.3gr on either side and leave it at that. I don't think 0.2gr will make much difference in a .308 but ya never know.
 
Here's one I use a lot; 30-06
165 grain Accubond. [also have used the 165 Partition with this load]
Winchester case, wlr primer.
59.0 grains of 47N [Higginson's]
'graphs at 2940 avg. in my 24" barrelled M700 SSDM.
Shoots sub-moa consistently.
Have also used 60 grains of W760 SL131 with similar results, but about 25 fps slower.
Always start lower by at least 3 grains [if you have these powders] and work up carefully.

Here's another. [Do not use this load in a M99 lever action Savage.!] 300 Savage.
150 grain Partition.
Dominion case. CCI 200 primer.
46.0 grains of Reloder 15.
'graphs just over 2850 in my 700 Classic. [24" barrel]
Shoots incredibly well, many 3-shot groups at or under ½ moa.
Regards, Dave.
 
Trinimon said:
I usually use the Hodgdon data center info and compare it with the Hornady (which I find very conservative) and Sierra loading data. I'll then start off on the low end and build up my loads to just short of average recommended max in 0.5grain increments but always keeping an eye out for any overpressure signs. Fortunately I've been getting best results on the lighter powder weights and never needed to hit max. Now that I've narrowed the best performance down to 0.5grain, I'll now try +/- 0.2gr or 0.3gr on either side and leave it at that. I don't think 0.2gr will make much difference in a .308 but ya never know.
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Are you 0.5 increments in relation to ladder testing?

I found Hornady info to be more conservative (lawyer suggested max loads) over HOdgon. Then again, right on the bottle (if I am correct) it says max of 44 for Varget yet in Hodgons 2011 magazine it said 46. I believe I used 4 resources, plus surfing on the net to figure out that I am safe at 44.

I'd post a picture of my Varget target but photobucket is a pain in the backside on work computers. I wish cgn was like snipers hide and allowed uploading to a thread straight from the computer, versus using a photo sharing alternative...unless I am just missing it. :-/
 
So, everyone agrees that data found here may not work well in another rifle. Everyone agrees that data found here should be approached from the "safe side" and worked up in another rifle. Everyone agrees that there are people on the net who hot rod and should be taken with a grain of salt. Some are already posting with a "safety caveats" attached.

Isn't the best way to get a large number of suggested loads for any given cartridge simply to buy a couple of manuals and use their carefully tested data? I just don't see any advantages to this approach to getting your load data. Except for those who get to "sometimes it feels good to share ones success with others in the community...maybe even to get some friendly rivalry going." I don't see reloading as a competitive activity, and I don't need anyone's approval to feel good about loads that work well in my rifles.
 
So, I think we can all agree that we know your position now that you've stated your case. Fantastic. Because you don't see any advantage to any of this, does that mean there is no advantage for anyone? Because you don't see reloading as a competitive activity, does that mean that it's wrong for everyone else? The fact that you don't need anyone's approval to feel good about your loads is great. Does it mean that noone should share something they're proud of having accomplished? Would you have kids refrain from boasting about how well they did playing hockey or what they learned in the game because you view it as seeking approval? P.S. nobody said anything about 'approval' before you did.

Broaden your perspective a little bit, man. You don't agree with it. Wonderful. It's your prerogative. You don't have to participate in it.

Rooster
 
Firearm
Rifle: Tikka T3 Varmint SS
Chambering: 6.5X55 SE
Barrel: Stock Tikka barrel - 24" plus muzzle brake
Rate of twist: 1 in 8"

Ammo Info
Powder: Hodgdon H4350
Powder Weight: 46gr
Case Manufacturer: Lapua
Primer: CCI BR-2
Projectile Manufacturer & Model: Lapua Scenar
Bullet Weight: 139gr

Target Distance: 100 yards
Best MOA grouping size: 0.404 moa (well, rounding moa to 1" at 100 yards, five shot group size was 0.404"

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Misc info (optional): (eg Crony info, COAL, OGIVE & headspace measurements, weather conditions etc etc)
Did not chronograph this load, but at half a grain less powder, it chronoed at approximately 2730fps. I will edit this post when I dig up COAL.

NOTE: This load exceeds maximum charge for this caliber on account that this is a modern rifle capable of containing the pressures deemed dangerous for older military actions. You may very well blow up your rifle if this load is used in an old action so do your own load testing using manufacturer recommended charge weights.
 
358Rooster said:
So, I think we can all agree that we know your position now that you've stated your case. Fantastic. Because you don't see any advantage to any of this, does that mean there is no advantage for anyone? Because you don't see reloading as a competitive activity, does that mean that it's wrong for everyone else? The fact that you don't need anyone's approval to feel good about your loads is great. Does it mean that noone should share something they're proud of having accomplished? Would you have kids refrain from boasting about how well they did playing hockey or what they learned in the game because you view it as seeking approval? P.S. nobody said anything about 'approval' before you did.

Broaden your perspective a little bit, man. You don't agree with it. Wonderful. It's your prerogative. You don't have to participate in it.

Rooster
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I'm talking to anyone who is new to reloading, and may not understand the futility of this thread. Do not get your loads from forum members on the internet. They very likely won't work in your gun, and they may be dangerous in your gun. Get your load data from reliable, tested sources. Use loading manuals for all your initial load development decisions.

THAT needs to be understood by beginners. Anyone with a truly broad perspective on reloading will agree with that.
 
Firearm:
Manufacturer & Model: Remington 700 SPS AAC-SD
Caliber: .308 Winchester
Barrel length: 20"
Rate of twist: 1:10"

Ammo Info:
Powder Manufacturer & Name: Hodgdon Varget
Powder Weight: 39.5gr-41.5gr in 0.5gr increments
Case Manufacturer: Winchester
Primer: CCI 200 Large Rifle
Projectile Manufacturer & Model: Hornady Match HPBT
Bullet Weight: 178gr seated to 2.81"

Target Distance: 100yards 5shots/group
Best MOA grouping size: 0.488" with 40.5gr Varget. (41gr might be a potentially better load and needs to be redone to verify)

Misc info: Two pulled shots but I might need to retest that powder load/bullet combo for the bottom left group. Bottom left was cause by spotter bumping the bench while trying to look through my spotting scope. Bottom right was rushed as I was the last shooter on the line for the next target change. Grrr!

9901989994_aec8355cc5_b.jpg
 
Eagleye said:
Just a word of caution re: Burn Rate Charts.
They are not very consistent, from source to source, so trusting them to tell
one where a powder actually sits is "iffy" at best, dangerous at the worst level.

I have some very good loads in MY rifles, but chances that they will work well in another
firearm are not really great.

Some are with powders for which there is little or NO data available. [i.e. WC 760 SL10, WC 760 SL131, 47N, CF7900, CF8506, WC755, etc]

If the chronograph shows velocities I expect to see, and no excess pressure indications are present, I'm good to go.

Regards, Dave.
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The powders you mention are all from Tom Higginson, who was selling these back in the 1990s. A couple of my favourites were Olin X2924, a ball powder with a burn rate around W748 and BLC2. I must have bought a wheelbarrow full of it for myself and gopher shooting buddies. It is great in the .223 and 5.56 with bullets from 50-69gr. There was no data on this one, so I had a chat with Tom`s ballistician and interpolated W748 and BLC2 watching for pressure signs. It was also good in the .308. There was some data on WC755, another Olin commercial grade powder. Tom said to use IMR 4064 data for it. It was and is absolutely tops in a .308 Win bolt gun, but I felt that it was slower than IMR 4064, maybe closer to IMR 4320, so I disciplined myself not to use it in my Garands and M14. You can`t tell anything much by looking at a powder, but it had a much heavier deterrent coating and kind of resembled H414. I don`t know what Ammomart is selling these days, but some of their stuff used to be a great buy at $12-14 per pound. They were also selling VV N160, which Hogdon was selling under their H4350 label at the time. Ditto for Varget. I got a large quantity of it in bulk from the same lot that was being sold at retail in 1lb cans. I`d like to learn more about WC755 as I still have a several pounds of it and would like to try it in the 6.5x55 Swede with 140-142gr bullets. Meantime, I`ll just keep it for my .308 bolt guns as it is outstanding with 150-165gr bullets.
 
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