Reloader 15 for .30-06.....your experiences and thoughts

[MarinePride]

I recently abandoned Varget and picked up a pound of Reloader 15. It has yielded very good velocities and better than average accuracy for my use in the .223 and .30-30 so far. I want to try it in .30-06 and I'm wondering if any of you had any experiences to share using 150 grain bullets?

I just loaded up a test batch of 5 rounds that I'm going to try in the next few days. I'm using Remington 150 gr. Core Lokts and 1 grain shy of a max. charge, according to the Sierra manual. Using Varget the accuracy wasn't anything to brag about in my Savage 110. It could just be the bullets themselves, more so than likely, but I like to tweak my loadings and experiment to see.

You thoughts on Reloader 15 are appreciated when used in the .30-06.

 

[Eagle103]

I haven't gotten around to trying RL15 with 150s in my 110 yet but I can tell you 60g of RL19 will print sub moa with 165g Sierra boattails.

 

[Stinger]

I have no experience with R15, but the great thing about the '06 is that a lot of powders will perform adequately. Some seem to do better than other, however, and IMR 4064 has been the best performer for me.

 

[BsChoy]

I second IMR4064...great powder, I have used R15 in 223 and 308 with average results. Looks like it would perform in the '06 just fine

 

[USSR]

MP,

RL-15 is fine in the '06 with light bullets. However, if you are looking for accuracy loads that will not be used for hunting, I would suggest you get some better bullets such as the Sierra 175gr MatchKing or Hornady 178gr Amax and a 4350 burn rate powder (RL-19, N160, H4350, etc.).

Don

 

[MarinePride]

I did get around to trying out the 5 that I loaded and I was not impressed with either the velocity or the accuracy. The 5 shot velocity average was 2787 fps out of my Savage 110 (22"). I want somewhere near 2875 fps. I used 49.0 grains of RE 15 so I do have just a small bit to move up until I'm maxed out.

The group size was just under 3" at 100. Clearly, my rifle doesn't like Rem. Core Lokts that are 150 gr. The group was about the same as with my Varget test loads. I guess I need some better bullets before I go any further in my load development.

Interesting thing is that the rifle is sighted in with some old Federal factory loadings, 150 gr., that somebody gave me. It will shoot these to point of aim, but the Core Lokts always hit about 3-4" lower all the time. One thing for sure is that reloading is just full of interesting variables.

 

[GooseGestapo]

I've had excellent luck with RL-15 in the .30/06 as likewise the .223 and .30/30.

Your 49.0gr load is under what I consider to be the prefered starting load of 50.0gr. In the '06, RL-15 is closer to IMR4320 in burning speed or.... a bit slower than Imr4064 or Varget.

I much prefer Imr4064 to Varget in the '06. You may not get as good of accuracy from Rl-15 as you do Imr4064, but the difference in my experience is small.....

I've found max with Rl-15 to be about 53.0-53.6 depending on component selection and rifles chamber; and usually just load 52.0-52.5 and call it good...

Re: Corlokt bullets. I've seen a LOT of lot-to-lot# variation in accuracy. For top accuracy, try either Nosler Ballistic Tips, or Sierra Flat-base bullets. These ususally shoot better than the boat-tails in most rifles at 100-300yds.

I've found that if an '06 won't shoot with either 52.0gr of Imr4064 or 59.0gr of Imr4350 and a Sierra 150gr Pro-Hunter flat base, it ain't gonna shoot with much of anything in 150gr range. If it won't shoot a 165gr flat-base and 56.5gr of Imr4350, It ain't gonna shoot......................

I prefer the Rl-15 for it's slightly higher velocities and near equal accuracy at slightly lower pressures to the Imr4064, and substantially greater cost effectiveness over Imr4350.

 

[res45]

I use Reloader #15 in my 7.62 x 54r M44 with a variety of bullets mostly in the 150 Gr. range I average about 2" groups at 100 yds with iron sights in that old army rifle. One thing about the Reloader powders is there now temperature insensitive and cleaner burning than they used to be. Both the #7 & #15 are great in semi-auto rifles because they leave hardly any residue. I like the Nosler 150 Gr. AccuBond or Ballistic SilverTip in my 300 Savage. I get a little over 2600 fps using RL #15 with them and accuracy averages about 1" to 3/4" at 100 Yds.

 

[USSR]

MarinePride,

If you want to get 2875fps with 150gr bullets out of your short barreled Savage without straining things, you should use a 4350 burn rate powder (H4350, RL19, etc.).

Don

 

[Stinger]

I've found that if an '06 won't shoot with either 52.0gr of Imr4064 or 59.0gr of Imr4350 and a Sierra 150gr Pro-Hunter flat base, it ain't gonna shoot with much of anything in 150gr range

I'd pretty much consider that the gospel truth.

 

[smitty_bs]

Quote from GooseGestapo "I've found that if an '06 won't shoot with either 52.0gr of Imr4064 or 59.0gr of Imr4350 and a Sierra 150gr Pro-Hunter flat base, it ain't gonna shoot with much of anything in 150gr range. If it won't shoot a 165gr flat-base and 56.5gr of Imr4350, It ain't gonna shoot......................"


That about sums it up. Throw in 55gr of IMR4350 for 180gr loads and you have the accuracy standards for the 30/06.

 

[huntershooter]

My experience is: R15 is a bit fast for optimum velocity with a 150. As stated, R 22 or R19 would be my preference.