30-06 load developement: testing

OFFGRID said:
theres a little shop that has 8lbs of accurate 4064 in town. i may pick it up. i have data for it in 3006 and 243 win
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I think that will be a better path than ball powders in the good old '06. I've used the IMR version extensively for many years in cartridges of similar geometry and never failed to find the best accuracy in a given cartridge/bullet combination with 4064. My experience with the AA version is extremely limited, but preliminary results are quite promising. It doesn't meter well...the AA version is slightly better. You'll be throwing short with your measure and trickling up to your target charge.
 
2ndtimer said:
As an aside, BL-C2 powder is not among the first dozen I would suggest for the 30-06.
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Random 8 said:
I think that will be a better path than ball powders in the good old '06. I've used the IMR version extensively for many years in cartridges of similar geometry and never failed to find the best accuracy in a given cartridge/bullet combination with 4064.
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Not a big fan of ball in the .30's, either. As an exercise, I worked up a load for the Garand with H335... that much H335 in that big .30-06 case turned it into a flamethrower! At the same time, I tested H335 in my 16" M1a... same fireball. Seems like IMR is a lot more docile. BL-C(2) has been described to me as 'quite blasty,' so I have to admit that 1) I've never used it, and 2) I'm not likely to ever use it. But... your results are what they are! :) If you have a sizeable quantity of it... waste not, whatnot... but if you are going through it, it wouldn't hurt to explore a different powder. AA4064 sounds like a good choice.
 
Charlie98 said:
Not a big fan of ball in the .30's, either. As an exercise, I worked up a load for the Garand with H335... that much H335 in that big .30-06 case turned it into a flamethrower! At the same time, I tested H335 in my 16" M1a... same fireball. Seems like IMR is a lot more docile. BL-C(2) has been described to me as 'quite blasty,' so I have to admit that 1) I've never used it, and 2) I'm not likely to ever use it. But... your results are what they are! :) If you have a sizeable quantity of it... waste not, whatnot... but if you are going through it, it wouldn't hurt to explore a different powder. AA4064 sounds like a good choice.
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yep. even tho i only have experience with two powders, the blc2 is my least favorite. mainly beause of the form. those tiny balls stick to everything. its a pain in the neck compared to extruded.

is accurate 4064 extruded?
 
OFFGRID said:
yep. even tho i only have experience with two powders, the blc2 is my least favorite. mainly beause of the form. those tiny balls stick to everything. its a pain in the neck compared to extruded.

is accurate 4064 extruded?
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"Accurate 4064 is an intermediate burning, single-base, short cut extruded rifle powder designed around the 30-06 Springfield. "



OFFGRID said:
idk man. i retired the one that did it to me. dont wanna take any chances, especially being this new to the game
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Fractured case heads are the main reason I refuse to use surplus brass from an unknown origin. I had a complete lot of brass (sold as 'once-fired military surplus' ) in 7.62mm go completely sideways on me.

Be aware... and it looks like you are... that if you ever see something like that again, set the brakes and have a closer look.

 
what is the max/min charge for what you are loading? that 49 and 49.5 groups might be better than you think, if you pulled a couple shots early in your testing. just an observation.
 
billybob44 said:
You will do no wrong with ANY brand of 4064 in those calibers along with .308Win.

It's kinda like 4350==Most any brand of that # works in the larger capacities type of calibers...Bill.
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Seedy Character said:
4064 and 4350 are my .30-06 powders
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Along with these two, I've had good luck with H4895 and AA2520 in 30-06 ammo.
 
I'm going to buck the modern wisdom here and say something that I've learned through experience after having had it taught to me and needing to prove it to myself. Are y'all ready?
The .30-06 Springfield is a very forgiving cartridge which will deliver accuracy and a killing shot with almost any rifle powder slower than IMR 4227 and faster than IMR 4831 with any almost bullet that fits the bore correctly and is heavier than 110gr. and lighter than 220gr. Will any combination of powder, bullet and barrel deliver a 0.25" group at orbital distances? Nope. Some combinations will and some combinations you'll have to work to get zeroed on a pie plate at 200 yards. But let's be real: a pie plate size hit through the boiler room on a medium to large game animal at 200 yards is meat in the freezer. It's the loose nut behind the trigger that's the most limiting factor in .30-06 accuracy. Yes, I have my favorite combinations and some I tried that weren't worth the powder and time to test them. But, the truth is, it's a good cartridge with LOTS of utility. There's no need to be disparaging of any load that works.

Okay, flame away. But only if you can prove me wrong. :)
 
I understand “using what ya got” and from the looks of it you’ll have no problem harvesting. I wouldn’t even try to shrink a 1 1/2” group to 1 3/8” at this point, especially since three shots doesn’t tell a really good story with precision.
I’d also resist the urge to buy 8#s of a powder you don’t know how well will perform in your calibers. The 1 #ers are a bit more, yes, but you may find a more optimum powder. I like looking at Nosler load data, they give case fill which other reloading manuals don’t. They also give “most accurate”, but again, that’s in their testing, not your gun. Good luck with the hunting!

https://www.nosler.com/30-06-springfield
 
lordpaxman said:
I understand “using what ya got” and from the looks of it you’ll have no problem harvesting. I wouldn’t even try to shrink a 1 1/2” group to 1 3/8” at this point, especially since three shots doesn’t tell a really good story with precision.
I’d also resist the urge to buy 8#s of a powder you don’t know how well will perform in your calibers. The 1 #ers are a bit more, yes, but you may find a more optimum powder. I like looking at Nosler load data, they give case fill which other reloading manuals don’t. They also give “most accurate”, but again, that’s in their testing, not your gun. Good luck with the hunting!

https://www.nosler.com/30-06-springfield
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well im holding off on the 8# jug of accurate 4064 until i get the ammo in that my nephew has loaded for me. 150 grain interlock with that powder. im sure it will do better than the blc2 tho. that being said the h4831 is doing pretty well in the 243, but everything seems to shoot well in that rifle.

im gonna finish the bottle of blc2 with these sst and be done with it. but the stuff i really like is plain jain 150 intelock. i need to work up a load for it and get a few hundred in the safe.
 
It was interesting to follow your load development. While BL-C2 is one of my favorites in smaller cartridges there are better choices in 30-06. But I understand using what you got! Especially with today's shortages. But after the season do yourself a favor and try 4064 or 4350. I'm going to guess that either will blow your BL-C2 loads away! Either way, Good Job and Good Luck!
 
" i need to work up a load for it and get a few hundred in the safe"
^^^
Ha...Things rough enough in your neck of the woods that you have to lock up your Hunting Loads???
I do some of my Factory EDC ammo, but not my hunting/target loads???...Bill.
 
Another "sleeper" powder to try if you happen to find a pound is IMR 4320. This one isn't very popular or common, but you might run across it at your local gun shop. It's a short cut extruded and works very well in most any 30 caliber, albeit with usually slightly lower top end velocities possible. Then there are the usual suspects listed above from 4895 through 4350. If you still wish to try a ball powder, H414/W760 might be worth a go. Good to have options in this day!
 
Random 8 said:
Another "sleeper" powder to try if you happen to find a pound is IMR 4320. This one isn't very popular or common, but you might run across it at your local gun shop. It's a short cut extruded and works very well in most any 30 caliber, albeit with usually slightly lower top end velocities possible. Then there are the usual suspects listed above from 4895 through 4350. If you still wish to try a ball powder, H414/W760 might be worth a go. Good to have options in this day!
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4320 is now discontinued
 
lightman said:
It was interesting to follow your load development. While BL-C2 is one of my favorites in smaller cartridges there are better choices in 30-06. But I understand using what you got! Especially with today's shortages. But after the season do yourself a favor and try 4064 or 4350. I'm going to guess that either will blow your BL-C2 loads away! Either way, Good Job and Good Luck!
Click to expand...


thanks man!
 
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