Ramshot "Hunter"--.30-06

[moosehunt]

Do any of you have any loading data for lighter bullets, i.e. 125 gr Sierra, using Ramshot "Hunter" powder? Their manual has nothing on lighter bullets, yet looking at other cartridges, it appears obvious that satisfactory loads should be doable. They have 110 gr loads in .270, even 125 gr loads in .300 Win, so surely 125 gr bullets will work in .30-06, but no data. Thanks.

While we're at it, how about "Hunter" loads in .300 Sav.? They list nothing in that cartridge, yet plenty in .308, which is generally considered close enough in measurements that they are nearly interchangeable--so I reckon I can come up with .300 Sav loads, but established data would be nice.

 

[NCsmitty]

I'm quite sure a call or email to Ramshot would net you the information that you need.
Ramshot big game might be a better choice with light bullets in the cartridges that you mentioned.

NCsmitty

 

[dakotasin]

hunter is just a touch slow in both of these applications. big game will net better results, and as smitty said, you'll likely have to call ramshot to get what you're after. the lack of established load guides for ramshot powders can make it a bit frustrating at times...

i did try hunter and big game in my 300 savage and couldn't achieve satisfactory results w/ either, though big game did a bit better.

another option might be to search 24 hour's reloading section - john barseness is a fan of the ramshot line and seems to have assimilated a lot of data for a some cartridges and posted it there.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

moosehunt,
There's usually (but not always) a good reason why a powder isn't listed for a bullet weight in a certain caliber. Light bullets and slow powders in a 30-06 don't usually play well together. There is data for Big Game and those light bullets you're looking to load. Lyman 49 lists Big Game with a 110gr and 125gr Sierra bullet but not Hunter. Ramshot lists a 130gr Hornady bullet with Big Game as does Lyman #49. Lyman doesn't list Hunter for the 30-06 until they get to a 180gr bullet.

 

[moosehunt]

Ramshot is realatively new in the powder business, consequently, or at least somewhat logically, they don't have a full compliment of data. Certainly, Big Game may be a better powder for the desired use, but Big Game isn't what I have--I have Hunter. One uses what one has, especially these days. Response from Ramshot was "we don't have data". They didn't suggest it was a no no. Looking at all of Ramshot's published data suggests that a 125 gr bullet in the .30-06 should be doable--perhaps not ideal, but that's not the point. Simply a decent practice load. Of course it is slower than ideal for this application. That is obvious! Of course there are better choices, also obvious. But I have Hunter. Consequently, I need data. Just wondering if anyone had it and would share it.

 

[dakotasin]

here's what i would do, being a handloader and all... extrapolate my own data.

i know hunter is close to 4350 in burn rate. i would sit down w/ paper and pen, and look at my load manuals and start writing down the 4350 charge weights. cross check those data points w/ big game data points.

if i could find a load for big game, i would start my hunter development a grain or so below big game's max charge, use my chrony, and keeping bumping the powder charge up until i started seeing pressure that was acceptable, note it, and keep going up until i either ran into pressure signs (not likely) or compression problems.

understand i may never get the desired powder to develop enough pressure to be useful or accurate.

just what i would do, and have done in several other applications. you've been forewarned that heading into uncharted territory is potentially dangerous, probably dissatisfying, but usually a worthwhile experiment.

btw... ramshot powders have been out plenty long to develop a comprehensive library of data. why they don't is beyond me, but is part of the reason i am not renewing my stockpiles of ramshot.
good luck!

 

[moosehunt]

Exactly my plan, Dakotasin, unless someone provides the already developed data. I agree, Ramshot is relatively new, but still, it has been around long enough to have a lot more data than they do. I have never before used it, but it is available, and at $114 per 8# jug, worth looking into, I think.

I commented earlier that Ramshot had simply said "no data". I had better clarify that that was tongue in cheek for they simply never replied. Same thing.

 

[FROGO207]

I have emailed several times and had excelent results from them on what I needed. Put your email address in body of letter, that often helps.

 

[moosehunt]

Indeed, I did finally get an answer from them. As was fully expected, Hunter is not ideal for 125 gr bullets in .30-06, but they did provide workable data. Fact is, you can't get in trouble, as there isn't enough room in the case for trouble.