I'm stuck in a quandry at the moment. Currently I use 210 Fed match primers in federal or lapua brass with 51 gr varget and 150 hornady spbt. My problem I think is that I need a faster burn powder for the shorter barrel as I'm getting quite a lot of muzzle flash even with reduced loads.

Anyone use a 22.5" bbl if so what powder would you recommend for somewhere near a correct burning powder with 150 btsp?

It is quite a while ago since I have loaded 150 grs bullets in a .30-06, but when I did, I used RL15 with good results.

22.5" is not a particularly short barrel for a .30-06, in fact for many years 22" was considered standard for anything smaller than magnum calibers. I have only got very limited experience with Varget, but judging from burn rate charts, I doubt you need anything much faster than that.

- mike

I never noticed muzzle flash in a 22" 30-06 with any powder from 4895 to 4350, also try H-414

For some reason have found the same problem with Varget and 150 gr loads. No problem with 4895 or Rel 15, so it is easy to fix, just change powders.

Thanks Terry,

interesting that you suffer it as well, I get a massive muzzle flash, guesstimation, as long as the barrel itself.

is that H 4895 or IMR 4895?

I use IMR 4895.

You will have muzzle flash with that lenght barrel,but so what! If you down load,then your losing the effectiveness of your cartridge! Then why have that cartridge,its like stepping down in size. all barrels have muzzle flash,just as not noticable in the daylight as some. vangunsmith

Just about everyone w/ a factory 06 is using a 22" bbl. I think it's just the Varget. I agree, give RL15 or 4895 a try fo rthe light wts.

I agree that muzzle flash doesn't matter and that 22" is, or at least was, standard length for most 30-06 barrels.

I've had my best results with 150 gr. bullets in the 30-06 using IMR 4064 powder.

I've never found any use for Varget where something else wasn't better.

H4895 has been a good powder for me with the 150s in 22" barrels.

My current favorite is 49 grns pushing a 150 Accubond for an average of 2950 fps. Work up to that load as it may be over max in your particular rifle.

Good Luck

Reloader

I was just emailed some data for the Barnes TSX from Barnes customer service..The most accurate load for a 150gr TSX is with H4895.A max load of 51gr gives 2975fps (load density is 91%).

Using a faster burning powder in shorter barrels to get more performance is a myth. The best loads for 26" barrels are the best loads for 22" barrels. Go to the Nosler reloading manual for the best available loads (e.g., ~60 gs. of IMR4350 with 150 gr bullet should be a very good load, although close to MAX). Re19, W760, and Vv550 should work well with 150 gr. bullets. For 165 gr or better, I'd use Re22, MRP, or WXR.