30-06 duplicate factory load

[Babcock01]

I am trying to match the factory load of the 180 grain federal premium 30-06. My buddys gun shoots these things lights out. I know they are 180 grain Nosler partitions. Anyone have any knowledge of what powder and charge they were? Thanks

 

[Herbie]

Tagging in

 

[Greyfox]

It has been a few years since shooting my 30-06, but I could closely match the factory Federal Nosler Partition 180gr (2700-2750FPS) ) using either H4831(60gr) or IMR4350(55.5gr} with Federal 210 primers, Federal brass, COAL 3.3".
Work up a couple of grains lower then shown above!

 

[Stammster]

Shoot over a chrono and then try to match velocity. Keep COAL the same.

I bet you can match - using a few different slow burn powders in the H4831 range.

FYI ... RL26 in 30-06 with 180 NPTs can push up to 2960 fps in 24" bbl - which would allow for some tuning. I suspect the factory loads would be around 2750 fps.

Most ammo manufacturers don't use the same powders available to handloaders.

You might actually find out handloads will shoot even better than factory.

 

[Babcock01]

It has been a few years since shooting my 30-06, but I could closely match the factory Federal Nosler Partition 180gr (2700-2750FPS) ) using either H4831(60gr) or IMR4350(55.5gr} with Federal 210 primers, Federal brass, COAL 3.3".
Work up a couple of grains lower then shown above!

Perfect! I have the Nosler book and I figured just that using the IMR4350. Thank you guys! Your all rockstars

 

[cornshank]

It has been a few years since shooting my 30-06, but I could closely match the factory Federal Nosler Partition 180gr (2700-2750FPS) ) using either H4831(60gr) or IMR4350(55.5gr} with Federal 210 primers, Federal brass, COAL 3.3".
Work up a couple of grains lower then shown above!

That second load is pretty close to Jack O'Connor's load ,
I have used 56 gr. of IMR 4350 with a 180 gr spritzer boat tail for years and it has always shot well out of my rifle. I think the book said 2800 FPS .
Also like Greyfox said , work your way up .

 

[73driver]

My experience with the 06 is that H4350 is a better powder. My recommendation is H4350 at Nosler reloading recommendations and using the Federal ammo base to ogive measurement. Find the powder charge that does best then seat the bullet a bit more than federal and a bit less than federal and see what works. My MOD 70 classic likes the Speer manual max load for the H4350 and 180 grain bullet.

 

[cornshank]

My experience with the 06 is that H4350 is a better powder. My recommendation is H4350 at Nosler reloading recommendations and using the Federal ammo base to ogive measurement. Find the powder charge that does best then seat the bullet a bit more than federal and a bit less than federal and see what works. My MOD 70 classic likes the Speer manual max load for the H4350 and 180 grain bullet.

Mine is also a pre 64 mod 70

 

[imyourhuckleberry]

Wish I could help. The 30-06 has and is my go to cartridge for years. Unfortunately / or fortunately I stopped hand loading heavy pills. My go to round was Remington Core-Lokt 165 grainers for decades or Hornady BTHP with Varget.

 

[338 dude]

Not 180 these are 150's but super accurate in my rifle , I have posted these results before it's been very accurate in another members rifle as well

 

[Greyfox]

My experience with the 06 is that H4350 is a better powder. My recommendation is H4350 at Nosler reloading recommendations and using the Federal ammo base to ogive measurement. Find the powder charge that does best then seat the bullet a bit more than federal and a bit less than federal and see what works. My MOD 70 classic likes the Speer manual max load for the H4350 and 180 grain bullet.

In recent years, where H4350 is somewhat milder and more consistent, I think you are right about H4350 being a better powder today….At least in terms of temperature sensitivity and ES. When I began loading for the 30-06, IMR4350 was near identical to the Federal factory 180's in terms of accuracy, velocity, with good consistency in a couple of my 30-06's(Model 70's). I had figured either one of these powders to be close to the Federal factory load. The factory charge weight for dissembled Federal cartridges was in the 53 gr range, indicating a faster burner, and similar in appearance, charge weight/density, and velocity to the 4350 powders.

 

[Babcock01]

I was more or less just trying to find if anyone knew exactly what powder was compared ans what charge weight it was. His shooting is no more than 300-400 yards so velocity isn't such a big deal, but he's insistent on the same accuracy he currently has. Thanks everyone for the input

 

[Greyfox]

While a diversion from the main discussion, I was looking at some old 30-06 records. Another load that I was interested in duplicating for the 30-06 was the old 150gr FMJ military loads….For use in vintage events. This particular handload, tested at 200 yards, very closely matched, original loads. Rifle used was a stock open(peep) on my all original 03/A3 Remington manufactured(1943) Springfield. It's easy to get hung up in all the contemporary advancements…..But these old rifles did shoot well!

 

[xsn10s]

IMR4350 is a fine powder. But for hunting loads I went with H4350 with excellent results. It should get you to "normal" factory specs for 165-180 class bullets.