IMR 4064 - 150gr Barnes XBT - .30-06

[behoof]

Hi all,

Trying to find a happy load for 7400 Remington .30-06.

On my range out back have this rifle zeroed at 100 yards using factory Core-Lokt 150gr Remington rounds.

Tried IMR 4064 using 50gr behind Barnes 150gr XBT with OAL at 3.240". With this load at 100 yds it hit 4" low.

Using the same load only with Hornady 150gr SST at 100yds hit 4" low.

The Barnes XBT's groups were smaller by about 15% give or take a little, than both of the other loads, now to my question.

I'm thinking of trying the same XBT or SST using 51.5gr of IMR 4064. The Hornady manual gives me a possible maximum safe load as 53.6gr @ 3000fps while Barnes book says max at 51.5gr @ 2952fps.

The configuration of these bullets IS a bit different but I was thinking as long as I stay at or inside the 51.5gr limit I should be OK?

Any thoughts on the trajectory difference possible with this change in load? Other than just loading and shooting?

Want to be safe and sensible so any thoughts will be most appreciated.

I don't know how to calculate trajectory and couldn't find data like I'd be interested in seeing?

 

[scottishkat]

Watch for pressure signs

You should be okay as long as you're not seeing any pressure signs. I would not go form 50 to 51.5 though start at 50.5 and then to 51 maybe after that you could you could do .2 at a time 51.2 51.4 etc. If you are stillnot seeing any pressure signs you could go higher. I see data in my Lee manual for 140 XBT and 53 grains of IMR 4064.

Good Luck

Bob

 

[NCsmitty]

Sometimes it's just not possible to duplicate factory results, especially when dealing with different bullet styles.
I would be cautious pushing the envelope with your 7400, as www.hodgdon.com lists 51.0gr of IMR 4064 with 150gr bullets as the maximum in your 30'06. If you find that you have acceptable groups from a load, adjust your sights to compensate the POI.


NCsmitty

 

[behoof]

Agreed, the 51.5gr number was meant as a possible end result. Wasn't going to just jump right to the max load.

Will post results.... Thanks for reply