First Time Reloader 30.06

[700ForLife]

First time reloading for my new Remington 700 SPS 30.06. Using Varget powder and nosler ballistic tip 165 gr. Having trouble on how much powder to use?

 

[cdrt]

From the Hodgdon website:

165 GR. SIE SPBT Hodgdon Varget .308" 3.300" start 47.0 grs. 2726 44,500 CUP max 50.5 grs. 2873 49,700 CUP

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

 

[PotatoJudge]

What reloading manual are you using?

 

[John4me05]

In my experiences with my 06 and Varget (i shoot 180s) mine liked the middle 45.5 charge.. In everything i use Varget for it has always ended up with middle to bottom charge weights...

Best thing is start at the bottom and build 5.. Then go up .5gr and build 5.. Continue going up .5gr and making 5 til you reach max.. Then shoot different targets with each 5 round group... You will find 1 really tight group... If it 1 holes (like i did with the 45.5 charge) stick there if not go up and down .1gr twice -.1, -.2 and +.1, +.2.... From there if you want to go farther you can play with the seating depth if you want to get really really tight... But since my belief if this is a hunting gun i would be happy with either a 1/2" group at 100 or touching or something close...

 

[700ForLife]

Thanks for the great info! How can I tell what is a good seating depth or not. Should I go by the C.O.L. in the book or is there a way to customize the cartridge length to my gun?

 

[steve4102]

What loading manuals are you using?

 

[Dave P]

For Beginners, follow the book!

 

[USSR]

Thanks for the great info! How can I tell what is a good seating depth or not. Should I go by the C.O.L. in the book or is there a way to customize the cartridge length to my gun?

700ForLife,

With a long action, you will not be constrained by the magazine length, and Remingtons are infamous for the distance of their throat. So, you can load your 165gr Nosler Ballistic Tip bullet out to an OAL such that leaves atleast .308" of the bullet shank enclosed in the case neck. Do not count the boattail in this calculation, only the full .308" diameter portion of the bullet.

Don

 

[700ForLife]

I'm using a hornady reloading manual and I have a Barnes manual too but I'm using the Hornady one.