Experience with Hodgdon Superformance? 30-06?

[MikeDeltaFoxtrot]

I have a 30-06 that shoots lights out with Barnes factory Vor-TX ammo loaded with 180 grain TTSX. It chronos an average of right at 2750, just like it says on the box. I have a similar load I developed using IMR 4064, but it is 100 fps slower. I'd like to clone the Barnes load. I notice they have updated load data on their website for the 180 TTSX for 30-06. Oddly, they have changed the BC, but more importantly, they list a new powder called Superperformance, and indicates it is the most accurate load. They also show a velocity of 2774 with the max load, which would clearly meet my needs.

I Google searched it, and it is a powder from Hodgdon. It is for sale on the Hodgdon website, but neither Midway nor Powder Valley have it on their websites. Here is the description from the Hodgdon website:

Hodgdon® Powder Company and Hornady® have teamed together to answer the reloading question; "Can I buy the powder used in Hornady Superformance factory ammunition?"

Superformance delivers striking velocities in cartridges like the 22-250 Remington, 243 Winchester and 300 Winchester Short Magnum. Targeted velocities are well in excess of 100 fps over the best published handloads and even larger gains over factory ammunition!

Because this propellant is tailored for specific applications, the number of cartridges and bullets is limited, but where it works, it really works!

Link to Hodgdon Website

I ordered three pounds, and I am going to try using the published Barnes data.

Does anyone have experience with this powder?

Thanks.

 

[Pickettpuncher]

Best I remember it’s a ball powder. Should give you good velocity. I’ve seen it recommended for 30-06 but not used it myself. Good luck and report back once you start using it.

 

[coiloil37]

I get 2850fps from a book load of IMR 4350 and a 180 tsx and a 24” barrel. Never used the superformance with a ‘06 so can’t comment.

 

[MikeDeltaFoxtrot]

I get 2850fps from a book load of IMR 4350 and a 180 tsx and a 24” barrel. Never used the superformance with a ‘06 so can’t comment.

I'm curious to know which book. That is quick for a 180 with 4350. But you do have a longer barrel than I do. My Wearthery MkV Ultra Lightweight is 22".

The last printed Barnes manual I have (no. 4) shows a max charge of 55 grains of 4350 with a 180 grain TSX and a tested velocity of 2727. That is with a 24" bbl.

 

[madcalfe]

I've used superformance in my 300wsm. it definitely gave me some more speed over H4350.
i was 3015fps with 180's in a 20" barrel compared to 2920fps with H4350. but I found it got my barrel dirty quick so switched back to H4350

 

[coiloil37]

I'm curious to know which book. That is quick for a 180 with 4350. But you do have a longer barrel than I do. My Wearthery MkV Ultra Lightweight is 22".

The last printed Barnes manual I have (no. 4) shows a max charge of 55 grains of 4350 with a 180 grain TSX and a tested velocity of 2727. That is with a 24" bbl.

Thats the load. I use 55.0 grains and achieved ~2850 fps in two different rifles with 24” barrels. One a Remington 700 and the other a kimber Montana.
Over the years I‘ve had plenty of loads that didn’t live up to book velocity and a few that exceeded it. From experience it’s best to test things yourself before you take the manual as gospel.

I’ll give you the hot tip. 4064 is THE powder for a 165/168 and with a 24” tube it’ll easily break 3k fps and gives me 2850 fps from an 18” tube. I spent about 15 years shooting 165 accubonds or 168 TTSX with that load.

All that said, the 130 barnes with win 760 is the most impressive bullet I’ve used in an ‘06. I don’t have nearly as much experience with it as I do the 180/168 but from what I’ve seen it do and the trajectory it gives me… it’s a winner.

 

[MikeDeltaFoxtrot]

Over the years I‘ve had plenty of loads that didn’t live up to book velocity and a few that exceeded it. From experience it’s best to test things yourself before you take the manual as gospel.

Amen to that. Start low, work up, look for signs of pressure. I'll be shooting a ladder of three shot groups with the new powder to work up to my charge.

Thanks for the tip on 4064. I believe I have some around. If I can get 3k out of a 180 bullet in .30-06, that makes my 300 Win Mag superfluous.

 

[coiloil37]

Thanks for the tip on 4064. I believe I have some around. If I can get 3k out of a 180 bullet in .30-06, that makes my 300 Win Mag superfluous.

If you get 3k out of a 180 I hope it’s from a .300 mag.

Your ‘06 will give you 3k from a 168 though.

 

[Shadowden]

I'm preparing to load 165 gn Barnes ttsx for my model 700 with h4350. Planned to follow Barnes data as closely as I can.

Have any of you experimented with the length of jump to the lands?

Also, very surprised by velocities over 3000 fps with 180 gn projectiles. I was happy with my high 2900s with 165 game kings.

Also, I heard Barnes is now measuring their BC with doppler and learned that their previous BCs were high. Good they are updating so proper data can be fed into dope charts.

 

[Shadowden]

I'm actually working with the 168 gn.

I also noticed the velocity discussed in the 3k fps range was a 300 WSM.

Silly forum user question. Sometimes I can edit posts and sometimes I only have delete as an option. Couldn't edit the above. Is there a time requirement?

 

[A382DWDZQ]

I'm actually working with the 168 gn.

I also noticed the velocity discussed in the 3k fps range was a 300 WSM.

Silly forum user question. Sometimes I can edit posts and sometimes I only have delete as an option. Couldn't edit the above. Is there a time requirement?

Not sure what the length of time is, but the delete option is only available temporarily.

 

[A382DWDZQ]

I run 168ttsx in my 3006 with 4064 and I’m a bit over 2800fps with a medium-high charge. The 165ttsx is made for the 300wm. It has a shorter profile and it also has a higher minimum impact velocity of 1800fps vs the 168ttsx at 1500fps.

 

[CMP70306]

I got good speed with it but it is highly temperature sensitive, like 150 fps swings from 40 to 80 F.

I’m currently using H4350 to get 2800 fps with the 178 ELD X and a 20” barrel in two different 30-06.

 

[Unckebob]

I got good speed with it but it is highly temperature sensitive, like 150 fps swings from 40 to 80 F.

I’m currently using H4350 to get 2800 fps with the 178 ELD X and a 20” barrel in two different 30-06.

I bought a pound of Superformance trying to get more fps out of my 6.5 CM. I got the speed, but subsequently learned about its temperature sensitivity problems.

I often shoot in very hot weather. Consequently, I am no longer using it.

 

[Andouille]

I run 168ttsx in my 3006 with 4064 and I’m a bit over 2800fps with a medium-high charge. The 165ttsx is made for the 300wm. It has a shorter profile and it also has a higher minimum impact velocity of 1800fps vs the 168ttsx at 1500fps.

Howdy, I've heard varying numbers for the 165 vs 168 TTSX, though always 200 fps lower for the latter, but never as low as 1500 fps. So I'm curious of the source of your velocity info. Thanks!

 

[A382DWDZQ]

Howdy, I've heard varying numbers for the 165 vs 168 TTSX, though always 200 fps lower for the latter, but never as low as 1500 fps. So I'm curious of the source of your velocity info. Thanks!

I emailed Barnes and asked them. They also clarify that is the minimum acceptable opening and that those velocities will result in about 1.7x original diameter. To get 2x, add 100-200fps. What I’ve read in other threads that I don’t have an original source for is that the 168 and the 180 are the predecessors of the LRX were designed as long range bullets. Also that the 168 was designed for military 308 applications.

In my opinion, that makes the 168 a great reduced load bullet. I worked up some 308 loads with IMR4895 with a mv of around 2100-2200 from an 18” barrel and they were submoa with book COAL for the first 5.