The Accurate Reloading Forums
Which powder for 30-06 180gr NPs?
05 January 2006, 07:09
LBGuyWhich powder for 30-06 180gr NPs?
I am about to order a set of RCBS dies and a box of 180gr NPs. My primary concern is accuracy! I hunt whitetails and elk every year. Would you readers please suggest some powders (and grains) that you have found to be accurate in your rifles. I realize there are many great bullets out there, but I'd like to try to find an accurate/suitable load with the NPs first. I'd appreciate any responses.
Thanks
05 January 2006, 07:20
South40My most accurate 180 grain load uses 60 gr of H4831SC - S40
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05 January 2006, 07:21
Jay JohnsonI loaded for several 30-06's it seems with a 180 I always wind up with IMR 4350 as the best load.
05 January 2006, 07:30
vapodogH-414 is my current favorite but Re 22 is also a fine powder for that bullet
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05 January 2006, 07:32
kududeOne of the 4350's. I have used all of them, and they are all good. I shoot very stout loads of 4350 with the bullet and get excellent velocity and performance. Kudude
05 January 2006, 11:15
grizz007used nothing but IMR 4350 and am content thus far.
05 January 2006, 11:32
ricciardelliIMR-4350 From 44.8 grains to 57.0 grains
Winchester WLR Primer
My best load was:
Cartridge: .30-06 Springfield
Bullet: Nosler 180 Grain Partition
Powder: 55.0 grains of IMR-4350
Primer: Winchester 8-1/2
Case: Winchester
Firearm: Ruger 77R
Optics: Leupold 4x12AO
Velocity: 2705 FPS @ 15' from muzzle
Accuracy: <1" for 5 shots at 200 yards.
My second choice was:
IMR-4064 From 37.5 grains to 50.0 grains
Winchester WLR Primer
05 January 2006, 18:09
BradI prefer Hogdon H4350 over IMR.
57.5 gr's gets it done with 180's.
05 January 2006, 18:37
winoi've had good luck with xmr 3100, 4831sc, and ramshot big game.
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05 January 2006, 19:39
ReloaderH4831 gives me good accuracy w/ the 180 pills.
Good Luck
Reloader
05 January 2006, 19:43
BFaucettI favor IMR-4350 or H-4350 in the .30-06 with bullet weights from 165 to 220.
-Bob F.
05 January 2006, 19:52
metalman29I have the same question. I am just beginning to reload and still waiting on components to arrive in the brown truck. My first try will be a 180g NP load for my trusty 30-06.
I don't have the Nosler manual in front of me right now, but its max load with 180 NP is 55 grain (maybe 56, running on memory) of H4350. Other manuals list 57.5 grain max of H4350 with "jacketed 180 grain" bullets.
Some of recommendations I see here and elsewhere are over the Nosler manual limit.
How do you guys approach this? I would hope to get 2700 fps or a little over with this bullet to match factory ammo.
Do you inch over the Nosler manual limit with only primer visual appearance and bolt lift indications??
Is the NP a little "harder" like monometals?
05 January 2006, 20:48
Jay Johnsonquote:
Originally posted by metalman29:
I have the same question. I am just beginning to reload and still waiting on components to arrive in the brown truck. My first try will be a 180g NP load for my trusty 30-06.
I don't have the Nosler manual in front of me right now, but its max load with 180 NP is 55 grain (maybe 56, running on memory) of H4350. Other manuals list 57.5 grain max of H4350 with "jacketed 180 grain" bullets.
Some of recommendations I see here and elsewhere are over the Nosler manual limit.
How do you guys approach this? I would hope to get 2700 fps or a little over with this bullet to match factory ammo.
Do you inch over the Nosler manual limit with only primer visual appearance and bolt lift indications??
Is the NP a little "harder" like monometals?
My load came out of Hornady Volume II that I've used for years with no promblem. 180 Gr. bullet 56.0 Gr of IMR 4350 MV + or - 2800 fps out of a 24" barrel.
05 January 2006, 20:51
BradThe Nosler manual is good toilet-side-reading but little else. I never use loading data from a manual that doesn't give pressure data. Hodgdon's does and they list 57.5 H4350 with 180's at reasonable pressure. My rifle agrees with their max data precisely. I've found the NP to be like every other "cup bullet" pressure-wise and not at all like a "hard bullet" to use your phrase. With 57.5 gr's H4350 I get 2,745 with the 180 NP from my 21" barrel.
05 January 2006, 21:10
Hipsterquote:
Originally posted by vapodog:
H-414 is my current favorite but Re 22 is also a fine powder for that bullet
Ditto on the H414 on this end with Hornady plain jane 180's have only fooled around with it a bit but it looks to be a very promising combination with some tweeking.
05 January 2006, 21:40
M 98dont under estimate the 200gn nosler at 2659-2700 fps ..it is a underrated load...it is a top proj in any o6 for any game
try reloader 22 start low and work your way up till you get to 2850 fps you will be about the 63, 000 psi mark ...24 inch barrel
h 4350 work your way up till you hit 2810 and you are at a psi of around the 63,000 psi also
daniel
05 January 2006, 23:18
Pathfinderquote:
Originally posted by Brad:
I prefer Hogdon H4350 over IMR.
57.5 gr's gets it done with 180's.
I use this exact load as well and I've been very pleased with the velocity and accuracy.
05 January 2006, 23:42
El DeguelloIMR 4350 or RE 19.......
"Bitte, trinks du nicht das Wasser. Dahin haben die Kuhen gesheissen."
06 January 2006, 00:01
Ackley Improved UserI like Re25 with 180 bullets in my 30-06 AI (a mildly improved 30-06). I use Lapua brass with 70 grs. Re25 with 180 NBTs or Accubonds or NPTs - getting 3075 fps with a 26" barrel (Oehler 35 chronograph). Primer pockets remain firm and QL predicts ~65,000 PSI.
One should be able to get (tap/pack) ~66 grs of Re25 in a standard 30-06 Lapua case and achieve ~2950 fps in a 24" barreled gun and still be ~65,000 PSI.
06 January 2006, 00:44
LBGuyYou men are a wealth of information! Thanks so much for the responses. If you have additional suggestions, I'll gladly take em'.
Thanks again
06 January 2006, 00:56
StonecreekAll of the powders thus far recommended are reasonable choices (however, 4064 will work but is too fast for optimum velocities). To add one to the mix, I loaded 58 grains of Vhita N-160 under a 180 partition (2750 fps) that my son killed a Colorado bull with last October.
06 January 2006, 02:03
MasteriflemanI read this one just to see what the overall opinion was on the old workhorse. In 1965, I loaded 57 grs. IMR-4350 with a 190 gr. Sierra Matchking and placed in the Winbleton Cup at Camp Perry that year. It would always shoot sub-minute of angle with that load. Good to see that most of you find the "4350's" the powder of choice.
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06 January 2006, 06:34
DocI've had excellent results with a 180 bullet with ALL of the following:
IMR 4064 (in my rifles, hard to beat for accuracy)
IMR4350---old reliable and always a top choice
H4350 ---a favorite.
Re22---another favorite
Re19 never had a problem finding sub MOA with this one either.
and finally the very first powder I ever used in the .06, H414, with excellent velocity.
Seems like AA3100 was good too years ago with the Speer bullet.
Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns
06 January 2006, 19:34
iwzbeemanI've often said, if you have a 30-06 and it will not shoot small groups using 4350, sell the rifle and avoid a lot of hassle.
