165gr Sierra SPBT in the -06 and powder charges.

[Lennyjoe]

I finally got some 165gr SPBT Sierra bullets to reload for my -06 and noticed a couple of different loads for the IMR 4350 powder.

In the past I have been loading the 165 HPBT Sierra bullets with 57.5gr of IMR 4350 with great results. Its throwing them 2900fps with excellent groups so I thought I would try the SPBT Gameking as well.

Now I see that there are several different books that have different max loads. For instance;

Loadbooks USA list the load at 47.5 - 56.0 on page 29.
IMR powder guide lists at 60.0C load at 2934 fps and 57,600 psi cup.

Like I said before, I have had good results with the 57.5gr of powder under the HP Gameking so I started at 56.0 and went up to 59.0 on the SPBT. I will put it thru the chrono and check each fired round for pressure signs.

I just think its odd that different books list different max loads. Guess thats why we start low and work our way up huh.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Hummm...That's strange. Lyman #48 has no listing for a Sierra 165 gr JBT. Just a nosler 165 JBT listing "IMR"4350 from 52.5 to 57(a compressed load) and a 168 HPBT Game King with the same powder charge. Now I have to figure out where I came up with my load data for my 165 HPBT. Hogdon says you can go up to 59 gr of "H"4350.

I've been using 59gr of "H"4831SC under my 165gr HPBT Game King for a velocity of 2730fps. Also with excellent groups at 200 yards...

You will note that I placed the "IMR" and "H" in quotes. I sure you know why...

Most of my load data is for 180gr SPBT Game King using "IMR"4350 and "H"4831 and "H"4831SC. I have just started to work up a load for the 165 HPBT Game King and have been using "H"4831SC. So far I've ran tests from 57 grs to 60grs. I have been impressed with the performance, both through the chronagraph and down range. I now need a game animal to test them on...

 

[Lennyjoe]

I noticed that too so I went to IMR's website. Maybe someone will chime in that has a Sierra manual.

Here's what they posted on the IMR website;

165 GR. SIE SPBT IMR 4350 .308" 3.300" 56.0 2746 48,100 PSI 60.0C 2934 57,600 PSI

I have been loading the HPBT to velocities in the 2900's like we talked about before. Gonna try the SPBT for a bit to see which one I like best.

 

[Sharps Shooter]

My Sierra manual (4th Edition) shows a max load of IMR-4350 as 56.5 grains for either the 165 grain HPBT or the 165 grain SPBT. For H-4350, the max load listed for either bullet is 54.4 grains.
My favorite load for deer is 56.2 grains of IMR-4350 behind a Hornady SPBT. I don't know what the muzzle velocity is - it's probably around 2800. But I do know it's put a lot of venison on the table over the years.

 

[Lennyjoe]

max load of IMR-4350 as 56.5 grains

Quite a difference between the Sierra manual and the IMR manual.

 

[Sharps Shooter]

Yeah, that is quite a difference. I don't have an IMR manual so I tried to look it up in the IMR section of my Hodgdon manual. Unfortunately my Hodgdon manual doesn't list any 165 grain bullet loads using IMR powder. But it's kind of interesting because it does show a Sierra 200 grain HPBT with a max load of 55.0 grains (compressed) of IMR 4350, while my Sierra manual shows only 53.0 grains of IMR 4350 as max. Maybe the Sierra people are more cautious. I don't know. I've had very little experiance with Sierra rifle bullets and I seldom use their manual.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Varying max loads

Lennyjoe--

I just think its odd that different books list different max loads. Guess thats why we start low and work our way up huh.

Yep, you got it right. And watch for overpressure signs, and back off when you first see 'em.

Every manufacturer has their own white-coated lab PhD's doing pressure tests, using their own testing equipment. None of which is YOUR Old Betsy. So you proceed with caution.

Remember, we are dealing with hellish hot gases here, and fiendish pressures. They will really mess up your weekend if you find out the hard way that you overdid it. Not to mention wrecking Old Betsy in the process. I'm not saying, "be fearful." Just, "be careful."

 

[Lennyjoe]

They will really mess up your weekend if you find out the hard way that you overdid it

Yes sir, I know that one first hand. Blew the ejector and extractor out of my Savage 22-250. Had a load too close to the lands and it blew a primer out.

Easy fix though but I learned my lesson.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Yup Lennyjoe, but I don't need a barn burner at 2900 fps out of my Browning .30-06. At 62, 150lbs and 5'7", the recoil at 2700 fps is more then ample enough for the ranges that I have here in the Sierras. I found out that the deer and elk haven't a clue how fast that 165 or 180 grainer is going when they "fall down and can't get up"...

 

[Lennyjoe]

but I don't need a barn burner at 2900 fps

Nor do I. I just work up the load until it groups the best. That being said, the HPBT loads are doing 2900fps and can be covered by a quarter at 100yds.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Yup. And they can be covered (ten holes) by half of a $1 bill at 200 yards starting at 2700 fps. Like I said Lennyjoe those Sierra HPBT's do real fine at about any speed...