30-06 reload mystery

[rcmodel]

I was gonna say, Remington throats their barrels about halfway out to the muzzle!

Pressure-test barrels are always SAAMI spec throats.

The long Remington throat, and the missing 2" of barrel with the slower powders are very likely to account for the velocity difference.

rcmodel

 

[elktrout]

Update

I shot some more loads through this rifle with IMR4064, including one that a half grain over max. Again, I got the same results as before: 200 fps below expectations. It is very consistent with low velocity spreads, but still pushing a 180 grainer at only 2500 with the top loads.

I also tried shooting a max load of IMR4064 and IMR4350 each with a 165 grain bullet and again was 200 fps below expected velocities posted in the manuals.

Here are some stats, in answer to the free bore replies:

A. Bolt face to rifling with 180 grain Hornady Spire Point is 3.422 inches.
B. Bolt face to rifling with 180 grain Nosler Partition is 3.471 inches.
C. Bolt face to rifling with 165 grain Nosler Partition is 3.471 inches.
D. All the 180 grain loads were shot with Hornadys and were 3.335 inches long.
E. All the 165 grain load were shot with Partitions and were 3.335 inches long.
F. The jump for the Hornadys would therefore be 0.097 inches to rifling.
G. The jump for the Noslers would therefore be 0.136 inches to rifling.
H. I would like to achieve approximately 2700fps for the 180 and 2800 for the 165, but all loads tested were 200fps below those numbers.

One additional point. I took my 7mm Wby mag along yesterday to shoot over the chronograph, just to be sure it was not the problem. My 175 grain loads at 3070fps were dead on. So, I don't think it is the chrony.

At this point, I am beginning to believe the gun needs a new barrel. This is the first rifle I ever owned, so it has sentimental value. It still feels like home when I pick it up and shoot it.

Any additional suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again for your replies. You have been very helpful. Anyone have suggestions for a good but reasonably priced barrel to consider?

 

[Ridgerunner665]

This is a 30-06 with a 22 inch barrel...you need powders slower than 4064 or RL 19.

Use Reloder 22 and seat the bullets longer (as long as the mag will allow)...that will be a compressed load with 165 grain bullets, but it will have some good speed.

Remington 700's have really long throats...so don't worry about jamming the bullets into the rifling...If they fit in the mag they won't be anywhere near the rifling.

 

[Galil5.56]

Here are some avg velocity numbers from a 22" Rem 700 in 30/06 using a Chrony F1 chronograph:

150 grain Sierra Game King:

58 gr H414 2820 fps

49.5 gr IMR 3031 2868 fps

59 gr H4350 2809 fps

180 grain Nosler SPBT

59 gr IMR 4831 2726 fps

This one pleasantly surprised me.

 

[snuffy]

This is a 30-06 with a 22 inch barrel...you need powders slower than 4064 or RL 19.

Actually it's just the opposite. Faster powders use less barrel length to burn completely. Slower powders need MORE BBL. length to burn completely. Using a slower burning powder in a short barrel, wastes powder. It either burns in the air in front of the barrel, or simple falls to the ground unburned.

The problem with using faster powders is excess chamber pressure. You can gain a little velocity in a shorter barrel, but you will run into pressure problems before you get where you want to go.

 

[jpwilly]

Barrels have a lot to do with this a good quality bbl with most likely solve your velocity issues.

 

[NCsmitty]

elktrout, probably the only way that you can verify your suspicions is to replace the barrel. Any of the good quality barrels such as Douglas, Shilen, etc. will work well. Most will match your contour to give you the same feel that you're used to with this rifle. I would think that you can find a local 'smith to do the work, seeing you live in Colorado.
You obviously have made an effort to solve the mystery, but it seems that you have a "slow" barrel. That happens sometimes for whatever reason.
I'm sure the deer or whatever doesn't care about the 200fps difference, but I know that it bothers you.
It's your choice to act on this or put it to bed.
Good luck!

NCsmitty

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Actually it's just the opposite. Faster powders use less barrel length to burn completely. Slower powders need MORE BBL. length to burn completely. Using a slower burning powder in a short barrel, wastes powder. It either burns in the air in front of the barrel, or simple falls to the ground unburned.

Thats true when the barrel is 14 inches...but it does not apply to barrels 20 inches or longer.

As long as the barrel is at least 20 inches...the same powders that give the best speed from a 24 inch barrel will give the best speed from a 20 inch barrel.

All that said...I agree with the rest of you...I think his barrel is wore out.