Strange 30-06 situation, what would you do?

[Yellowknife]

I've loaded H4831 up to those levels with a 200 ELDX. It was HEAVILY compressed, but had no pressure signs and velocities were in the expected range. That powder is very slow burning for the case size, and it's difficult to over pressure. In my particular gun, it's next to impossible. I just run out of room first.

I found other powders did the same job with less compression, so in the end I left H4831 alone. The consistency was good though, and dropping back a couple grains wasn't a huge velocity loss. If that's what I had, I'd roll with it and be happy.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I've loaded H4831 up to those levels with a 200 ELDX. It was HEAVILY compressed, but had no pressure signs and velocities were in the expected range. That powder is very slow burning for the case size, and it's difficult to over pressure. In my particular gun, it's next to impossible. I just run out of room first.

I found other powders did the same job with less compression, so in the end I left H4831 alone. The consistency was good though, and dropping back a couple grains wasn't a huge velocity loss. If that's what I had, I'd roll with it and be happy.

The main reason I was using the 4831 is that I have about 4 jars of it and dont have any other cartridges i use it for, figured I'd try it since it was listed in noslers book.

 

[Yellowknife]

The main reason I was using the 4831 is that I have about 4 jars of it and dont have any other cartridges i use it for, figured I'd try it since it was listed in noslers book.

I just checked my records, and between 59 and 60 gr I only gained 20 FPS with the 200 grainers. Both loads were sub MOA. If I went back to that powder, I’d stick with the lower number if for no other reason than too avoid having to compress so aggressively.

It was almost 100 fps faster than IMR 4831 in that application. IMR would hit pressure before I could build that kind of speed.

Different bullet obviously, so YMMV.

 

[lyle_destroys]

I would keep shooting them if you are confident in the consistency of your charges. One thing I would suggest, is not to shoot them in substanially warmer weather than what you tested them at.

I don't think that powder is real temp sensitive but this is still good advice. Either way, if you aren't seeing pressure signs on your brass or hard bolt lift, just run it.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I just checked my records, and between 59 and 60 gr I only gained 20 FPS with the 200 grainers. Both loads were sub MOA. If I went back to that powder, I’d stick with the lower number if for no other reason than too avoid having to compress so aggressively.

It was almost 100 fps faster than IMR 4831 in that application. IMR would hit pressure before I could build that kind of speed.

Different bullet obviously, so YMMV.

Thanks, I'll load some up at the book max of 57 and try them out. if they are as good as they are at 60g, I'll go that route. Man those were just stacking with the 60g charge.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I don't think that powder is real temp sensitive but this is still good advice. Either way, if you aren't seeing pressure signs on your brass or hard bolt lift, just run it.

I'm going to try coming down a notch but I may just keep running it, No hard bolt lift, nothing wrong with the cases, seemed pretty mild honestly.

 

[cooperjd]

Before you change what appears to be a good thing, research other sources and see what their loads are. You may find your load listed somewhere.

The manuals are guidelines, not gospel.

I've got a rifle load that's over 5 gr over max, shoots great, kills deer. Another guy can't even get to the max without his gun screaming pressure at him. Diff guns react diff to diff bullets and seating depths, that's part of working up a load. Figuring your gun out.

Seems like you stumbled to a great load. If it seems safe - primer and brass look okay - there is no reason not to use it. Only you can make that call. I'd probably use it til something better came along.

this.
I've loaded above book max for a few rifles and felt perfectly safe with no flattened primers, case stretching, ejector marks, bolt lifts easy, no problem. I loaded under book max for my old 6.5creed and blew a primer and had to beat the bolt open. if your's is shooting great with no issues, let er roll.

 

[Newtosavage]

Depends on the manufacturer. I settled on a load for my 30-06 tikka that is 3.1gr above the hornady manual but only 0.2gr above Noslers max load for the same bullet class. I worked my way up to this node and never saw pressure signs.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

This. Chances are, if you found enough manuals from enough years, you might find that 60g is listed somewhere. The manuals change quite a bit between them, and from year to year.

I'd go with the pressure signs. If you're not seeing flattened or cratered primers or experiencing a sticky bolt lift or ejector marks, you're probably fine.

I'm running 45g of Varget under my 131 Hammer's in my 7mm-08. The hottest book load I can find is 44 grains for 130-class bullets, but I can't find any real pressure signs in this load and it's accurate as hell. I'm sticking with it.

Didn't Jack O'Connor have some pretty hot loads in his day? I seem to recall one that he loaded for his wife was now considered quite a bit over max, no?

 

[Newtosavage]

this.
I've loaded above book max for a few rifles and felt perfectly safe with no flattened primers, case stretching, ejector marks, bolt lifts easy, no problem. I loaded under book max for my old 6.5creed and blew a primer and had to beat the bolt open. if your's is shooting great with no issues, let er roll.

I had a Savage rifle that wouldn't let me get anywhere near max loads. That was one tight chamber!

 

[cooperjd]

I had the

I had a Savage rifle that wouldn't let me get anywhere near max loads. That was one tight chamber!

I took that rifle to my smith and had the throat lengthened a bit on that particular 6.5, and i could then load that same load with no pressure issues. never could get it sub moa so is sent it packing for a tikka in 6.5 that shoots great.

 

[MHWASH]

Keep in mind that pressure levels for the 30-06 are lower because of the older rifles. With a modern rifle slightly higher pressure sure not be an issue. 50,000 for the 06, compared to 52,000 for the 270 and 308.

 

[Frank Grimes]

Look in your older manuals. Loads have changed due to liability. If it shows no signs of pressure then shoot. Ultimately it comes down to you and your knowledge and comfort levels.
be educated and safe.

 

[wind gypsy]

Hodgdon says 61.0 is max with a 190 Hornady BTSP...

 

[RMajors]

Hodgdon says 61.0 is max with a 190 Hornady BTSP...

Interesting, Hodgdon usually lists their max charges on the mild side in my experience. Lots of 30-06 loads are not listed at what I call modern rifle pressures due to the prevalence of old military 30-06 rifles. I'd say if Hodgdon has a charge listed higher than what you're using than you can shoot your rounds with confidence.

 

[wind gypsy]

Interesting, Hodgdon usually lists their max charges on the mild side in my experience. Lots of 30-06 loads are not listed at what I call modern rifle pressures due to the prevalence of old military 30-06 rifles. I'd say if Hodgdon has a charge listed higher than what you're using than you can shoot your rounds with confidence.

It's all so variable between all the companies that publish data and cartridge to cartridge within each book. Which is why I dont put much faith in manuals. Honestly you can usually get better info from trustworthy folks on the internet but that's only applicable if you understand what factors change pressure and can reasonably identify who is "trustworthy".

 

[raz175]

All Tikkas have long throats. That's what makes them slower to other rifles with the same loads. I have always had to load mine 2-3 grains over load data to get the expected velocity.

 

[rayporter]

loads books will never match due to every one having a different barrel and different pressure testing equipment.

and your barrel wont ever match theirs.

for instance you can order both a .236 and a .237 barrel in 6mm. you can get straight twist or gain twist, too.

max is max even if you are two grains under book and blanking primers.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

All Tikkas have long throats. That's what makes them slower to other rifles with the same loads. I have always had to load mine 2-3 grains over load data to get the expected velocity.

The rifle Im sing is a winchester m70 extreme weather.

 

[Salmonchaser]

What is your velocity?

 

[fraz01]

Hodgdon shows 61.0 grains of H4831 as max for the 190 HDY BTSP bullet @2668 fps. Different bullet but you may be ok with your setup.