I have to say that the night started out alright, loaded a bunch of 450 Nitro and 7mm-08 shells. Then I realized that the rest of my family was running low on 30-06. I looked through my components stash and found some 180gr SST bullets, as well as some H4831 that I got for x-mas last year. I decided to combine the two. I looked through my Hodgdon manual and saw that the starting load was 54gr. I put the book down and started to load some cartridges. This is where things went terribly wrong. For reasons unknown, I proceed to weigh out 51gr of H4831 for each case. I think I went on autopilot there for awhile because I didnt catch the mistake until I weighed the last round. I seated each bullet to the cannelure, right at 3.2 OAL. Will I have to pull all the bullets and add the 3 grains? The great thing about reloading for the rest of the family is that they are not that picky about accuracy. even if they shoot 2'' groups they will be happy. Im just worried about bullet performance.

No. Not enough light to hurt; now, if it was a half load, then I would say to pull them due to possibility of detonation with partial cases of slow powder.
You realize that your bullets will be slow. Personally, I would pull them and use a faster powder anyway, or a case full of H4831 if you must use that. If you are just blasting, then it won't matter. Bullet performance? Think of it this way; your bullets will expand like they were already at 300 yards., or like, you no longer have a 30-06, you have a 300 Savage. You get the picture.

According to my books, 51grs is below the suggested starting load, however, I'd be tempted to shoot a couple across a chrony to see what your actual velocity loss was.

The load well kill deer.

But well it shoot to point of aim.

How many did you reload.

If all my rifles were sighted in with the 54gr load. I most likely pull them instead of changing a bunch of rifles.

I decided to see how they shot before I pulled them. They patterned well, right around 5''.

Wait; did you say you got a group size of FIVE inches? At what range and with what bench set up?
If that is off hand at 150 yards, then, ok.

Pulling that many, I'd use an RCBS collett puller vs an inertia puller.

quote:

Originally posted by thecanadian:
I decided to see how they shot before I pulled them. They patterned well, right around 5''.

Although you would normally use the term 'pattern' for a shotgun perhaps on this occasion you have got the correct terminology if you are getting 5" groups with your underload

Although you obviously have some H4831 to hand, I'm not so sure I would be using that for the 30.06 which is better off with the medium burners such as 4895 etc.

I would have pulled the bullets first off as loads under the recommended starting charge for the slow burning powders, and in particular H4831, often will cause delayed ignition which is sometimes seen as the precursor to the detonation phenomenon.

As to the bullet performance, I'm assuming you are meaning performance on game and not just accuracy, the SST is a faster opening bullet, some say too fast at high velocity and in close, so running it a little slower would only improve performance on light skinned game.

Dpcd: I wish that was offhand. No those groups were from a bench set up at 100yds. Come to find out the bases on my fathers rifle were loose, causing the erratic accuracy. I tightened them down and now the 54gr loads are shooting inch and quarter groups.

Eagle27: I realize there are better powders for the 30-06 but I have a full pound of H4831 that I otherwise have no use for. Just trying to find a use for it beyond testing its dust collecting ability. Same thing with those SST's, I got them for X-mas and haven't found a use for them yet.

Ok, sounds like you are GTG.

quote:

Originally posted by thecanadian:
Dpcd: I wish that was offhand. No those groups were from a bench set up at 100yds. Come to find out the bases on my fathers rifle were loose, causing the erratic accuracy. I tightened them down and now the 54gr loads are shooting inch and quarter groups.

Eagle27: I realize there are better powders for the 30-06 but I have a full pound of H4831 that I otherwise have no use for. Just trying to find a use for it beyond testing its dust collecting ability. Same thing with those SST's, I got them for X-mas and haven't found a use for them yet.

Yes I thought it was the case that you happen to have the powder and bullets on hand. H4831 is about the best there is for the 270Win, that's what you need

I wish someone would give me powder and bullets and other things reloading for Xmas

As to the loose bases on your fathers rifle, you have just provided more evidence for the arguments featuring in some recent posts here about the "need" to glue bases and screws. Many including myself have posted that gluing bases is one of the most important things that should be done when scopes are mounted. Others have some resistance against this practice. As a lawyer would say "I rest my case".

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, have you reached a verdict?
Yes, Your Honor, we find that the practice of gluing scope base screws should be a mandatory practice.
Good, I use blue Loctite.

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, have you reached a verdict?
Yes, Your Honor, we find that the practice of gluing scope base screws should be a mandatory practice.
Good, I use blue Loctite.

Then you may join the bar

Well with the "new H4831" 58 grs. is normal max with very low pressure in my 30-06s..I use 60 grs. of the "old Govt. 4831" in my 30-06 with both 150 and 180 gr. bullets. Have used that load for many years...

Pulling bullets with a collet puller is no big deal, just a big pain more than anything else, but if you need it done, do it....then remember to resize the necks after pulling bullets to get proper fit of bullet in the case, this step is overlooked by many and its a mistake to not do this....