Reloading .308 and 30-06

Just another data point for you. I tried StaBALL 6.5 in my .30-06 since I had some sitting around. 59.5 grains under 150-grain Hornady Interlocks made 1-inch groups at 100 yards. I stopped there since it's just my loaner gun for folks who want to hunt with me. I still have half a pound or so of it left, so i can spare a bit if you want to try it. I'm another Empire Stater, in the Albany area but travel to Auburn regularly. In fact I'm headed there tonight for St. Venison Day tomorrow.

 

thanks man. im upstate but I appreciate it. Here's a question for you. Im about to order some gun powder. What's the shelf life like? looking at varget at the moment on Gunbroker

 

any of you guys load any 220 grain 30-06 thumpers? my main hunting spot shots are all within 100 yards... thought it might be fun to load up some 220... worth it? or am I getting ahead of myself? ...

 

ok question was answered in another thread... Ill stick to the 150's. thinking logically that a .223 is enough at my ranges 150 grain bullets ARE thumpers lol...

 

Upstate NY, correct? If so, any black bear or moose? Those 220's would be good medicine for either. Other than those guys, 150's should be fine.

 

yep upstate but not ADK.. Rochester'ish... We do have Black Bear around but I haven't ever seen one around here.

 

Store it in a dry place where the temperature remains relatively stable in the original container and it will last for years if not decades.

 

#0-06 and .308 Win are very forgiving when it comes to powder. the sweet spot seems to be IMR4895! So anything in that heat range neighborhood will allow you to duplicate factory ballistics. Your barrel will let you know what it likes as you "ladder up"! What is "ladder up"? Start with any of the recommended powders listed here and find published load data by powder or bullet manufacturer. This is a guide to help you get started. begin 10% below the velocity you are seeking and load 3-5 rounds in .2 grains increments and watch group size and look for over pressure signs! This is "art" of the "science" of reloading!
Smiles,

 

What would be signs of over pressure to look out for besides a blown receiver?

 

https://www.nosler.com/30-06-springfield

There’s a reason “Improved Military Rifle 4895” works well in 30-06 and a lot of other calibers in that range. There are others that work as well. If you put in an order for powder you may want to pick more than one depending on the bullet/caliber combination. The hazmat will cover more than just a few pounds in a box. Heavier bullets tend to favor slower powders and the opposite applies.
I’ve not loaded 220s, just because 150/180 will do whatever they need to for most anything around here. It’s helpful but not necessary to have a chrono to see what your load is doing and if you’re working a ladder find the V nodes. Hard bolt lift, hard extraction, blown primers, excessive flattened primer flow are some of the signs. BTW, I’m south of you. Do you shoot at roch brooks?

 

Hard bolt lift, flattened primers, pierced primers, excessive recoil to name a few.

 

No I don't belong to any clubs. Im Fortunate to have access to areas to shoot.

 

Winchester USA Match Grade Primers ? Yay or Nay?

 

I haven't used/tried Winchester Match primers but Federal Gold Metal have been worth the extra expense if your going for accuracy. CCI's I tested were no better than their std primers. They only way to know is try them to be sure. Every gun/powder/bullet/primer are unique to itself. So what works in one may or may not in another.

 

Kinda my thought, and especially in the 150-175grn range in both. It wouldn't be a bad place to start.

To extract the most out of one over the other, you will likely need 2 powders, and particularly if you go to the heavies in the .30-06.

 

Kind of a use what you can find situation these days. I'm assuming they are ballistically the same as Winchester LR, which is a good thing in the current times. Win primers tend to do a better job of igniting spherical powders which are the most common on the shelf presently.

 

150gr Hornady FMJ on 45 grains of TAC is my 308 plinking round that is both cheap to make and accurate in my 16 and 20 inch barrels

 

I've actually had very good luck with TAC and the .308 168grn BTHP's in my 24" Savage 10... better than IMR4064, based on my very brief test ladder. Development continues.

I'm also working up a 150grn .308 blasting load for my 16" M1a. I went from IMR4895, to IMR3031... and now, hopefully, to TAC. We will see...