i got a lee classic hand reloader given to me and decided to have 300 brass that i saved from my 30.06 tumbled and try reloading some. I bought nosler 150 grain ballistic tips which is what i was shooting factory. I bought winchester rifle primers and Hodgdon H4350 powder. I started out on the low side of powder and loaded a few at 56grains and 57grains. Both of these did not fill the case but only maybe half and they both fired with no recoil and sounded like a 22 rifle? What the heck.... i must say that i am very particular and am thinking of trying 59/60 grains next but am really doubtful of any better results. Any ideas greatly appreciated... Thanks
new 30.06 reloader questions
- Thread starter rickyc
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dagger dog
Member
rick,
Welcome to the highroad!
If you would invest a few more bucks on a reloading manual, and a powder scale, you will have a LOT MORE choices. You will need both the scale and the manuals to keep your new hobby safe.
Make sure you always use a published load, especially starting out, never use a MAX load unless you have worked that particular load from the start, and that the same components are used that mimic the published data.
Moving up in powder charge can give some outstanding accuracy improvement.
The Lee loader is capable of turning out some very accurate ammunition, especially in the '06 caliber.
Read all you can on the subject, starting your reloading library as soon as possible.
Hang out here read all the stickies, and ask more questions !
Welcome to the highroad!
If you would invest a few more bucks on a reloading manual, and a powder scale, you will have a LOT MORE choices. You will need both the scale and the manuals to keep your new hobby safe.
Make sure you always use a published load, especially starting out, never use a MAX load unless you have worked that particular load from the start, and that the same components are used that mimic the published data.
Moving up in powder charge can give some outstanding accuracy improvement.
The Lee loader is capable of turning out some very accurate ammunition, especially in the '06 caliber.
Read all you can on the subject, starting your reloading library as soon as possible.
Hang out here read all the stickies, and ask more questions !
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You are on the right track when you start low and work up, that's good. However, I do think something is definitely wrong here. 56-57gr of H4350 behind a 150gr bullet should not go pop and sound like a 22 rim fire. How did you measure the powder? Sounds like you had way to little powder in the case.
NCsmitty
Member
Welcome to THR, rickyc.
That's the question that I have.
56gr of H4350 should fill the case up near the start of the shoulder, not half way, and should be more robust than a pop.
Something doesn't sound right with the description of the load and the resulting shots.
NCsmitty
That's the question that I have.
56gr of H4350 should fill the case up near the start of the shoulder, not half way, and should be more robust than a pop.
Something doesn't sound right with the description of the load and the resulting shots.
NCsmitty
i forgot that i have a digital scale and a caliper
forgot to mention that i have an electronic digital scale and caliper to measure case length as well. I cannot understand it either bought the powder at basspro and am wondering if it could have been labeled wrong? I am not getting the powder measure close to full that came with the lee loader and have zeroed a paper bathroom cup and still does not seem like the right amount of powder? I have used calibrations weights and also check everything against youtube video that shows lengths and weights of loaded/unloaded 30.06 bullets?? I am at a loss
forgot to mention that i have an electronic digital scale and caliper to measure case length as well. I cannot understand it either bought the powder at basspro and am wondering if it could have been labeled wrong? I am not getting the powder measure close to full that came with the lee loader and have zeroed a paper bathroom cup and still does not seem like the right amount of powder? I have used calibrations weights and also check everything against youtube video that shows lengths and weights of loaded/unloaded 30.06 bullets?? I am at a loss
Don't increase your powder charges until you find out what's wrong with your measuring of the powder. 56-57 grains should fill the case close to the shoulder, not half way and you should have gotten a normal sounding load at 56 grains.
Something is very wrong here. Please tell us the make/model of the scale, the volume of the Lee dipper (marked on the handle), and take a picture of the whole setup (including the paper cup).
Don't do anything else until you've done that.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Boy, you got that right!!!
According to the Hodgdon manual, 56.0 grains H-4350 is a start load giving 2,792 FPS with a 150 grain Nosler bullet. And 62.0 grains is a compressed charge MAX load.
For starters, I suggest you try weighing some of your 150 grain bullets on your scale and see what they say about that. They for sure should weight very close to 150 grains.
rc
NCsmitty
Member
If all else fails, read the directions for setting the scale.
You got away with one, as you could have stuck a bullet in the bore with the low charge, and the next round would have been potentially dangerous or damaging.
NCsmitty
You got away with one, as you could have stuck a bullet in the bore with the low charge, and the next round would have been potentially dangerous or damaging.
NCsmitty
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