I see that I have tried to gather some input previously, but never went forward at that time with the 75% suggestions re: velocity reduction...


So, I wish to out if I can develope a load(s) that will maintain a fair degree of regulation in my Browning Continental .30-06 which is currently regulated for 200 grain bullets. I plan to use "Trail Boss" powder. Does anyone have any experience in this direction?

My experience with a SxS in 7x65R is that it seems to regulate largely to bullet speed. I mean it's really dwell time in the barrel, and it's also adjusted by how much the recoil is moving the barrels during the firing process, so weight of projectile must have some affect. But for a medium cartridge running largely powders with similar burn profiles, it seems like my experiments with 140g, 160g, and 175g bullets in 7mm all want to run at about the same velocity to regulate in my gun. I haven't tried a powder with a much different burn profile (i.e. TrailBoss).
Anxious to hear your results.

I've had luck with the 75% rule or with Trailboss.I have had good results with 5744 and IMR4198.

Not quite sure what you are wanting to achieve, is it just reduced velocity with 200gr bullets or working up loads that regulate with other bullet weights?

H4895 originally made for the 30-06 is known as a powder suitable for reduced loads. I loaded for the 30-06 but only with the 150gr bullet in bolt actions so don't have any experience with a double rifle in that calibre.

As an aside, what are the trigger pulls like on the Browning Continental. I have a Miroku Sporter O/U shotgun looking very much like your Continential, Miroku make many of the Browning guns with many of the Browning and Miroku models being virtually identical to each other. The trigger pulls on my Miroku are better than most rifles I have ever shot, single trigger with identical crisp pull weights and not a hint of creep.
Often thought I would like an O/U double rifle set up the same as my Miroku. Your Browning looks as though it would do justice to that wish.

Eagle27, I'm not really sure what I have set out to do as well! Basically, I think what I want to achieve is a lighter recoiling load that regulates. I began with the 200-grain bullet weight which is what this rifle is regulated... a happy quirk of fate after the claw mounts were installed. To that end the Trail Boss powder while precise enough in either barrel didn't wish to share the same points of impact. Velocities were quite low @ 950 ft/secs range. I think that perhaps trying different bullet weights at reduced velocities is worth a try. It just might create yet another happy situation. Trigger pull is good and consistent between barrels selected. I have never weighed it but never found it lacking in the field.

skl1, So if I understand you correctly, I might be able to get a lighter bullet fired at the 200 grain bullets velocity to regulate. Yet another possibility to investigate for which I thank you.

quote:

skl1, So if I understand you correctly, I might be able to get a lighter bullet fired at the 200 grain bullets velocity to regulate. Yet another possibility to investigate for which I thank you.

308 Sako, yes, that's what I was suggesting might work. You might try 168gr Barnes TSX's at the same speed as the 200gr regulation load and adjust from there. I found 7mm 160g and 175g regulated at about the same speed (roughly 2200 fps). The 168 TSX will kick a lot less but still be a useful load. It might be close enough to the 200gr recoil impulse to regulate the barrels together. Mine is a SxS, so I was more concerned with left and right. The 175's did print higher than the 160's, so you might take that into account too. IIRC, with regulating an O/U, the bottom barrel prints at a give location. If the top barrel is shooting high, the load is too slow. If it's shooting low, the load is too fast.

I've found the top barrel to be a little faster and am going to try a slightly different load for each barrel... I'm sure it has been tried before, but the 200's shoot so well @ 2300 ft/secs.

quote:

Originally posted by 308Sako:
I've found the top barrel to be a little faster and am going to try a slightly different load for each barrel... I'm sure it has been tried before, but the 200's shoot so well @ 2300 ft/secs.

Yes has been tried, Elmer Keith in an article "Loads for the British Big Double Rifles" mentions the need sometimes to have slightly different powder charges for each barrel to get good regulation.