My new rifle should be here in a week or so and I've got some 140 gr. SSTs I'm dying to use for long range deer hunting. I have some great info on 120, 125 and 129 bullets, but I'm really interested in campers that have actual experience shooting 140s from either the 6.5/06 or the AI version. Loading manual info is so obviously underloaded that it's almost useless. I don't have the manuals with me at the moment, but IIRC, either Hornady or Nosler listed the max load of H4831 as 49.5 grains. Just for giggles, I looked at the .270 loading info for 140 gr. bullets and found the max load with H4831 was listed as something like 59 grains. From the same case, both from a Model 70 with 24" barrel. Now, I understand about differences in chambers, expansion ratio and bearing surface, but a 20% difference from the same case is a bit much. Any real life experience would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Jim

Loadtech shows 56.5 grs of H4831 for 2915 from a 24" @ 60,000psi. I have found that this combo likes slower powder. I've had good luck with RL22 and the data shows RL25 would be even better. However, I haven't tried it yet.

Old Dog,

The H4831 data was for the 6.5-06. I show the following capacities. 6.5-06 67.3, 6.5-06IMP 72.2 and the 6.5Gibbs is 73.3.

The loads for my Encore in 6.5-06 AI show little lower velocities for the 140gr Hornadies than other posts, but here goes:

Max..IMR-7828 54.0 grs 2904 fps
Near Max..55.0 RL-22 2940 fps

Both loads group well, so with the RL22 loads, I saw no need to soup it up..

Not much, but I hope it helps.

old4x4, those Encore's are invariably good shooters. Is that a 24" or a 26" barrel?

Jim

My barrel is 26" long. I would've liked a little more velocity, but the deer won't know the difference. Good luck

Old4x4:

I can't disagree with you. Just out of curiosity, did you stop with the RL-22 at 55gr. because it was very accurate, or did you go past it and then reduce the load when either pressure signs or deteriorating accuracy occured? Thanks!

Jim

6.5-06:
H-4831 From 39.9 grains to 53.1 grains
Winchester WLR Primer

.270 Winchester
H-4831 From 50.0 grains to 59.9 grains
Winchester WLR Primer

.280 Remington
H-4831 From 47.9 grains to 59.5 grains
Remington 9-1/2 Primer

.30-06
H-4831 From 50.0 grains to 54.0 grains
Winchester WLR Primer

All with 140 grain bullets.