.30-06 spring. and RL-22

[Visionz45]

Ive been looking at ammo lately, I see double tap ammo offers the 180gr accubond in an '06 pushing around 2800 fps(22 inch bbl). Ive reloaded some and was told that RL-22 will produce speed like that at max load. I also notive that alliants website notes that a max load(62gr) of rl-22 behind a 180gr bullet only moves at about 2721fps(22 inch bbl). Anyone have any experience with rl-22 and the '06.

 

[USSR]

I have about 7 years experience with RL22 in the .30-06, in fact, it is the only powder I use with heavy bullets. Seating a 190SMK in a LC Match or Lapua case with 60.7gr of RL22, gives me 2900fps with my 26" Krieger barrel. It is a great powder for 180+ grain bullets in the '06.

Don

 

[GooseGestapo]

I've used 60.0gr of RL22 in several '06's and with a good 180 (Sierra, Nosler, Hornady, Speer) will give at or over 2,800fps from a 24" bbl.along with outstanding accuracy.
It's the first powder/bullet combo that I'll try for checking accuracy as this is usually the most accurate load for an '06.
H4831 @ same wt. is very, very close however....
The brass I've used usually won't take over ~60.6gr of RL22 if sized and trimmed to min.

With a 22" bbl, you may or may not see 2,800fps. Most likely2,750-2,780fps depending on bbl, powder lot#, ect., ect.....

For a Remington 742 or other Semi-Autos, I'd limit powder to 58.5gr. A 742 I tried this in showed distressed brass above 58.0gr (distorted rim, ejector burnish mark on case head, and cratered primer....)

 

[loadedround]

There are many factors governing velocity in rifle barrels and I'm not about to list them all here, except to point out that my Nosler #6 Manual shows the your bullet weight/powder combo at 2872 fps and is a maximum load. Just my two cents.

 

[GooseGestapo]

LoadedRound;
It's a listed max because that's all that they could get into the case and seat the bullet without damaging it.

Pressures are actually below the SAAMI max for the .30/06. Earlier data from Alliant gives the max at 60.0gr @ 51,500psi. Max PSI for the '06 is 60,000psi or 50,000cup.

Kinda like my 7mm08 with IMR4350.... 46.5gr is Max because that's all that can be fit in the case and a 140gr bullet seated. It's 46.0 with a plastic tip bullet such as the 140gr Interbond, Accubond, SST,or ballistic tips.



Same situation exists with IMR4350 and 150gr bullet with the .30/06.

 

[USSR]

Kinda tough to get in trouble with RL22 in an '06 case.

Don

 

[woods]

RL22 is a great powder for the 06

 

[Runningman]

Reloader 22 with 180 grain bullets is great (BEST) powder in the 30-06 with 180s. I developed a hand load back in 1993 with that averages 2897 FPS with R22 & 180 grain bullets out of my Rem 700 22" barrel 30-06 and mid 2900 FPS in in my 24" Sako and shoots under 1 MOA in both rifles. I won't say what my powder charge is because it exceeds maximum published loads for the 30-06 with RL22. Hint compare SAAMI pressures on the 30-06 to the 270 Winchester to better understand the direction I went. Start at 58.0 grains with 180 grain bullets and work up slowly .5 grain at a time.

Here is a couple hints use them at your own risk. What I did is safe in my bolt action rifle but may not be in yours especially if it is a pump or semi auto.

It is only possible to get enough RL22 powder in it for really good velocity using a home made copper drop tube 20" long. Tried many combinations to get this much powder in. (Charges are heavily compressed). Also learned Winchester cases will hold more volume. Once fired cases hold more powder than new cases. Primers can be changed to alter velocity by up to 35 FPS. Hint Federal 215s work well.

 

[Visionz45]

I really thank you guys for this info. Looks like ill starts at 58.0 and work my way to 62.0. Im shooting these out of a winchester classic stainless 22" w/boss so im hoping this change will give me a little over the 4350 I switched from. I'm all out of fed 215m primers and getting any is a trick up here in maine so I'll have to settle with cci LR mags. Again thanks!

 

[Fred in Boise]

I have the same M70 set up. Have been using 56grn IMR 4350 and 180 bullets, WWbrass and WWlrg rifle primers. Results are fine, but when chronographed am getting 2700fps.

Was thinking of switching to RL22 for 180 and 200 grainers.

What luck did you have in your RL22 load development?

 

[Rokman]

I made some good loads with RL22 and 168 gr. Nosler btips. I would not hesitate to try 180 grain bullets, I just don't load that grain yet.

 

[mjyeagle]

imr 4064 gave me better results than rl22 i think it is too slow for 0-6 and for your 22 in barrel

 

[USSR]

RL22 is too slow for 168gr bullets. It starts to shine with 180gr bullets, and with 190SMK's it is downright spectacular.

Don

 

[Visionz45]

I worked up th 62.0 grains under a 180 accubond. Accuracy and velocites were excellent. I was hoping it would work with 180 a-frames but H4350 took the cake for that bullet. I use federal 210's and Win cases, 58.0+ grain charges of RL-22 were compressed.

 

[HankB]

I have a Model 70 with a 22" barrel and my standard hunting load is a Nosler 180 over 61.0 of RL22. Velocity is around 2725-2750, which betters most factory 180s by almost 200 ft/sec. (My rifle has a "slow" barrel.) Winchester brass and primer.

Pressures appear mild even in the hottest weather, and accuracy with RL22 is as good or better than what I get with other powders.

 

[USSR]

60.8gr of RL22 behind a 190SMK nets me 2900fps out of my 26" Krieger.

Don

 

[Visionz45]

I can push a 180 Accubond close to 2900 in my 25 1/4" M1999. My 22" Winchester with the boss was in the 2800 fps range. These slow powders seem to open the barrel length vs. velocity loss of gain/loss, maybe thats common sense.
P.S. a 190 at 2900 fps is cranking. It that a 1000 yd match loads?

 

[USSR]

P.S. a 190 at 2900 fps is cranking. It that a 1000 yd match loads?

Yep!

Don