How is my velocity?

[blackops]

Long story short, I'm just wondering opinions about the velocity I'm getting out of my 30-06. This could probably go under reloading, but the Rifle forum gets twice the number of feedback. My load is 165gr Hornady GMX with 47.8 gr of IMR 4064. I'm right at 2720 fps. Not sure if it's just me or not, but I would think I should be getting more velocity our of this or maybe it's just me always wanting something better. The first two shots with this load were in the same hole so that was my deciding factor to go with it.

I look at similar 308 loads and some only seem to be 1-200fps difference. I figure if I'm going with the 30-06 I should be utilizing the extra case capacity to my advantage.

Anyways, is 2720 a respectable velocity for this load. Keep in mind the projectile is full copper (which I have to hunt with).

Thanks.

 

[JimKirk]

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

This shows higher velocity with a Sierra lead core bullet...52.5 grains of IMR 4064 = 2901fps.

You should be able to get a few more fps with your bullet... slowly work up and watch for pressure signs.

Jimmy K

 

[Mike1234567]

Just type a little faster when posting. You'll be fine.

 

[blackops]

Yeah Jim, I've reviewed the data center. Considering I'm utilizing a full copper projectile though obviously creates a longer bullet. Thus pressure changes occur with less case capacity. I'm not sure if I could safely push 52 grains. I've already shot 50 gr's, but it wasn't as accurate as my 47.8 load. The 50gr load wasn't "too hot," but it was definitely the hottest load out of all I've tried. I'm sure if I pushed in incriments of .3 I could get to 51.5 or so.

Is it really worth the extra 150fps to give up a 1/2" of accuracy? At 4-500 yds what is the difference in inches with 100 more fps?

 

[DanTheFarmer]

Try www.hornady.com and use their ballistic calculator. You can "what if" to your heart's content.
When I ran the calculations I found a 30 caliber, 165 grain bullet at 2720 fps had all the energy needed to ensure a quick kill on anything I might hunt and was flat enough that any accuracy problems I might have at long range would be operator related instead of equipment related.

Good Luck, have fun, stay safe, shoot straight.

Dan

 

[FlyinBryan]

Anyways, is 2720 a respectable velocity for this load. Keep in mind the projectile is full copper (which I have to hunt with).

its not too bad. 2700fps is nothing to sneeze at. could you get a little more? sure, provided you are not seeing signs of over pressure, but i wouldnt stress over another 100-150fps.

The first two shots with this load were in the same hole so that was my deciding factor to go with it.

if you put a 165gr pill exactly where you want it ,,, @2700fps ,,, its going to get the job done.

 

[dodge]

Out of my Savage when I was using 48 grs IMR 4064 behind the Sierra 165 gr BTSP I was also getting 2750 fps. As said before you put that bullet where it belongs and you'll be eating venison. No deer I know will be able to tell you that they was hit by a bullet going 2900 instead of 2700. The load I now use is 59 grs H 4831 SC behind the Sierra bullet and get 2700 and any deer I've hit with it was found usually within 40 yards of being hit.

 

[ridgerunner1965]

dont be looking at 308 specs when your shooting a 06.308 is a higher pressure round and will beat 06 in velocity per grain of powder.if the load yu have is giveing the accuracy yu say. stik with it for sure.ive never seen 100-200 fps kill a animal that would otherwise not be dead.2700 fps is good for a 06 with that bullet.

 

[USSR]

blackops,

You've got the case capacity, so why don't you use it? Go with a slower powder (H4350, IMR4350, etc.) where you can use more powder and raise your velocity.

Don

 

[jmr40]

The best 30-06 load I've found is 57 gr of IMR-4350 and 165's. This has proven to be the most accurate load in several rifles I've tried it in and I get around 2850 fps from 22" barrels. 58 gr and 150's are just as accurate and run around 2900 fps.

Some sources state 60 gr as max charge with that powder/bullet, some a lot less than 57, so work up to that and see how your rifle handles it. I have used as much as 58 gr with 165's. It was fine with most of my rifles, but I started getting hard bolt lift and slightly cratered primers in one of my rifles. I backed off to 57 gr. It works fine in all of MY rifles.

 

[mshootnit]

could also try H4350 its an extreme powder so your velocity will be constant. I would use data specific to H 4350 though and not rely on IMR data.

 

[blackops]

Thanks for the input everyone.

Don, you hit the nail on the head and I was thinking the same thing. Why use the 06 and utilize the case capacity. I'm going to get some IMR4350 and see how far I can push it.

 

[gamestalker]

I would try a slower burning powder, RL19 works well for me but there are some other good slow burner's that will keep pressures maintained, and likely up your velocity significantly.
The all copper projectile will get you closer to the lands easier while still maintaining enough seating depth into the neck to help keep the powder burn efficient. With the slow burning powder's this will usually increase velocity without an excessive pressure increase. I'm not trying to contradict the fact that seating deeper increases pressures, it will, just not as sudden and unpredictably as with faster burning powder's. I load into the upper working pressure range with most of my cartridges, but I do it with slower burning powders so I can gain some velocity and keep accuracy in tact.
But everyone has their own style of reloading and for their own reasons too. One of those is economics, which you can say good bye to with slow burning powders. A pound of powder yeilds about 80 rounds from a pound of powder for my 7mm RM loads. If I loaded with faster burner's I could probably get 150 loads from a pound, but I would sacrifice a substantial amount of velocity I'm not willing to let go of.

 

[blackops]

gamestalker, I'm with you as far as the purposes for my reloading. My priority is performance before economics. Especially since once I find a "hot load" that will shoot 1/2 this will be my hunting rifle and only shot a few times a year. I'm really looking to get 2900fps with 1/2 groups. I like seating my bullet out as far as possible, and when utilizing copper I get the best of both worlds. Since my bullet length is longer than a normal lead projectile I can still have a max COL to get out on the lands and have plenty in the neck to maintain proper pressure levels.

I actually have some RL19 on my bench. I don't have any reloading data for the GMX though. If you have any data I would appreciate it.

 

[Oohrah]

Game animals will not be able to tell the diference of a couple hundred feet per second. The big question is if it is accurate??? If so, I wouldn't worry if you squeezed out that last fps! I would venture that bullet will not only expand, but likely to enter and exit the far side of anything but the very heaviest of game.