30/06 loads

[shenck]

Using 55 grains of IMR 4350 and 150 grain hornady sp flat base bullets
I get one hole 3 shot groups. I went to 150 grain hornady boat tail sp
over 55 grains of IMR 4350 and now I can't get better than 1 inch groups.
What my question is should I change the load in .5 grain, 1 grain, or 2 grain
steps?

 

[Jim Watson]

I'd just go back to the flatbase.
A boattail is going to do very little for the trajectory of a 150 grain .30 cal at usual ranges.
But if you feel you must, I tweak by the half grain.

 

[Stinger]

I get one hole 3 shot groups

Load development done...buy previous bullets and enjoy life.

Regards,

Stinger

 

[shenck]

That is my first thought also, going back to flat bases, and I probably will
But I will still tweak untill I use the box of boat tails up. I am also thinking about trying hornady sst's

 

[Art Eatman]

For a horseback guesstimate, back off a half-grain and see what happens.

Art

 

[Grumulkin]

I think the problem is the bullet and not the powder charge.

 

[USSR]

shenck,

Different rifles like different loads. You seem to have found it with the Hornady flat base bullet and IMR4350. The optimal load for the Hornady boattail bullet may be with a powder other than IMR4350. So, the question is, is it worth doing a lot more load development with various powders to find an accurate load with the Hornady boattail bullets?

Don

 

[shenck]

Every one that has posted is probably correct in some fashion. Most of my hunting rifles are capable of reasonable accuracy, but this is a new rifle
(used but new to me) that I have found to be capable of shooting better than I can shoot it. I have always been a reloader because of cost, better consistency, better accuracy, But this rifle has renewed the enjoyment of the reloading process. now I just looking to see what can be done with this rifle. By the way it is a Howa 1500, 30/06, 18" barrel, that I found for $275
and thought I would give a try, Boy am I happy with it

 

[steve4102]

Finding that perfect load is what we are all after. Once I find it I am a happy man. But, that doesn't keep me from trying new loads. I mean, what is the fun of shooting the same load every time. I guess I am addicted to reloading and trying new bullets and powder is a curse. If you feel the need to try the BT, go for it. Any day at the range is a day well spent.
If I were you I would start out with the same powder charge and increase or decrease the COL or maybe a different primer. If both of these failed I would then look at the powder charge.

 

[loadedround]

You may try varying your seating depth to see if that has an effect on your accuracy. Sometimes seating out an additional .001" can make a big difference. Normally a BT bullet will have a better BC, and usually show better accruracy.

 

[captdavid]

Just a thought, but why not just hunt with the bts. Unless your hunting sparrows the difference between 1/2 and 0ne inch groups, in the field, is non existant. capt david

 

[shenck]

Yes I'm very happy with the boat tails as a hunting round, And will most likely use them this year, But I'm just trying to see what this rife can do with a variety of loads.

 

[shenck]

If I can get the boat tails to give me one hole groups at 100 yards, I'm going to see what it will do at 300. The flat base Hornadys give me 3/4 to 1 inch groups at 200. I just got the bug to see what I can get out of this rifle. It's been along time since a rifle has gotten me this excited.