Serious question, inquiring minds want to know

[trapoholic]

My pet load for my 30-06 is 55.5 grains of reloder 16, lapua brass anywhere from new to up to 14x fired, 180 grain round nose Hornady interlock and Federal 210 gold medal match primer. Also a pretty hefty crimp cause it's a pump rifle.

For certain reasons I'm getting away from the interlocks. What I'm wondering is if I throw a 165 grain A-frame over the same load to start is acceptable or not? Cause honestly I don't wanna start from the bottom, thems A-frames are the diet coke of cheap or easy to find!

I appreciate any responses in advance, thanks guys!

 

[fiddler]

I don't have data for the reloader 16 but I would suggest looking at the differences between 165 and 180gr. If you're in the middle your fine. The max is usually less for the light bullet. As long as you stay inside the limits of the load data you're fine.

You didn't say where your honey load sits on the min/max load for the 180gr. To really answer your question you need both charts

 

[Potashminer]

Since you have apparently never experienced a bolt frozen shut by a high pressure load, maybe that would explain why I do what I do - when I change a component, I start over at the START Load - every time - but maybe use 1.0 grain increments on a load that I had previously been using - takes like 5 or 6 shots to work back up and to know that the bolt is not going to get frozen shut by that change. Or, "take a chance" and substitute directly - and likely get away with it. I am too old - apparently I have used up all my "chances" - so why I do now, what I do.

About the only time I do not do that is swapping from standard to Bench Rest primers (or vice versa) - so like from a proven-by-me load with CCI-200 to CCI BR-2, or from Fed 210 to Fed 210M. Changing from a standard to a Magnum primer does get a new work-up - so like from Fed 210 to Fed 215.

 

[fade2black]

Since you have apparently never experienced a bolt frozen shut by a high pressure load, maybe that would explain why I do what I do - when I change a component, I start over at the START Load - every time - but maybe use 1.0 grain increments on a load that I had previously been using - takes like 5 or 6 shots to work back up and to know that the bolt is not going to get frozen shut by that change. Or, "take a chance" and substitute directly - and likely get away with it. I am too old - apparently I have used up all my "chances" - so why I do now, what I do.

About the only time I do not do that is swapping from standard to Bench Rest primers (or vice versa) - so like from a proven-by-me load with CCI-200 to CCI BR-2, or from Fed 210 to Fed 210M. Changing from a standard to a Magnum primer does get a new work-up - so like from Fed 210 to Fed 215.

Since OP is going from a heavier bullet to lighter, I wouldn't be too concerned about a locked bolt from a pressure spike. It's .5 a grain under the max for the 180g bullet, a 165 grainer should be fine.

Doesn't guarantee it'll be an accurate load but from a safety perspective not overly concerning.

 

[legi0n]

the max load for RL16 165gr bullet is 57.2gr
starting load is 57.2-10% = 51.5gr
your 55.5 is closer to the max but not quite

I would do it but then again, I usually start load testing for both my 30-06 2-3 grains below max.
again, usually near the max is where I get the best precision

 

[Potashminer]

Since OP is going from a heavier bullet to lighter, I wouldn't be too concerned about a locked bolt from a pressure spike. It's .5 a grain under the max for the 180g bullet, a 165 grainer should be fine.

Doesn't guarantee it'll be an accurate load but from a safety perspective not overly concerning.

It appears that you focus on the bullet weight - OP is suggesting to use entirely different bullet construction - no reason that I know that they should react similarly. Not as if he is proposing to swap out a cup and core Hornady with a cup and core Sierra.

 

[fade2black]

It appears that you focus on the bullet weight - OP is suggesting to use entirely different bullet construction - no reason that I know that they should react similarly. Not as if he is proposing to swap out a cup and core Hornady with a cup and core Sierra.

I don't disagree that a different type of bullet construction will have an effect on chamber pressure. However based on my personal experience with similar bullets and similar charges, I haven't had an issue. I would not recommend this with a copper alloy / mono bullet. Of course YMMV and starting at 10% from max is always the safe bet.

 

[trapoholic]

Ya I'm only .2 grains under max with the 180's and they average around 2810fps through the magnentospeed. My shoulder definitely tells me a touched one off. I just went and loaded up sets of 3 from 53 grains to 56 grains. I don't want a hotrod just whichever one is most accurate. Only reason I drove the 180's so fast is cause 4 of em would make one hole.

Also the only component change is the bullet for these new loads, everything else is the same.

 

[Ariu]

Using QL, simulated pressure for a 180gn interlock, COAL 3.21" loaded with 55.5gn of RL16 is 55210psi.

Simulated pressure for a 165gn partition, COAL 3.32" (as suggested by nossler) loaded with 55.5gn of RL16 is 47695psi, which is below minimum recommended pressure of 50000psi.
To reach a minimum pressure of 50000psi, starting load should be at 57gn (compressed load)

 

[trapoholic]

Using QL, simulated maximal pressure for a 180gn interlock, COAL 3.21" loaded with 55.5gn of RL16 is 55210psi.

Simulated maximal pressure for a 165gn partition, COAL 3.32" (as suggested by nossler) loaded with 55.5gn of RL16 is 47695psi, which is below minimum recommended pressure of 50000psi.
To reach minimum pressure of 50000psi, starting load should be at 57gn (compressed load)

I'll find out next week when I get a chance to shoot. I load everything to fit the magazine out as far as I can get em. That seems to be where my rifle likes pointy bullets to be. If they're loaded in any shorter than minimal mag clearance I can't find accuracy with any of the pointed bullets. Fingers crossed she's picky with anything less than 180 grain anyway.