pressure signs?

[Bigeclipse]

Ok all
I am working up a load for 3006 with sierra 180gr gamekings. I am using imr4064 and federal 210 primers and nosler brass. I had a hard time looking for book values and what I found was on hodgdon website giving a max of 48.7grains. Well I went to try all the way up and above until I saw pressure signs. The ighest I got was 50.2gr and I don't think I'm seeing any signs. I just wanted to check here with some pics. I can't see any sign of flattening primers. There is slight catering but I get this with any load in this rifle so I don't count it. I don't see any signs of extracter dents. The case head has the typical stretch mark but this is a factory remington with a larger chamber so this is pretty normal for this rifle as well. The last shot I felt "maybe" a slightly stiffer bolt BUT I have to be honest I'm not sure because I've never gone to a max pressure load yet and have yet to feel stiff bolt lift. Again...it didn't feel much stiffer than normal...maybe 5% stiffer and honestly I could be making it up in my head lol. Of course I will load one more to check but thought I'd ask what you thought based on the pics. Thanks.

 

[gohring3006]

From what I can tell is your right on the edge of ejector marks. I can't see real well but it looks like your starting to flatten the primer. Is this new brass or has it been fired in the rifle before. If fired before, do you full length size?

 

[FearNoWind]

I don't see any data for MV in your post of results.
What's your objective? Are you just trying to see how much powder you can put into the case or do you have a muzzle velocity goal? There's no reason to cram a lot of powder into a case to see how long it takes to find the pressure point. When you find the pressure point the evidence of it may surface in the form of something far more dramatic than a sticky bolt.

 

[Bigeclipse]

Oop

 

[Bigeclipse]

From what I can tell is your right on the edge of ejector marks. I can't see real well but it looks like your starting to flatten the primer. Is this new brass or has it been fired in the rifle before. If fired before, do you full length size?

This is brand new unfired brass and you are right. They are flattening a smidge. How much should I back off?

I don't see any data for MV in your post of results.
What's your objective? Are you just trying to see how much powder you can put into the case or do you have a muzzle velocity goal? There's no reason to cram a lot of powder into a case to see how long it takes to find the pressure point. When you find the pressure point the evidence of it may surface in the form of something far more dramatic than a sticky bolt.

I'm going for higher velovities. This rifle shoots low no mater what powder I throw at it. I'm getting 2640 at the highest load listed. Between 2400-2500 in the listed powder ranges from hodgdon. Trying to get into the 2500s

 

[gohring3006]

New brass can give you a false reading with primers the excessive head space created with the new brass that is sized to fit every 30-06 chambers.
But on the same note you might get excessive pressure signs once you fire the same load with fire formed brass, that's the risk you run into with above max loads. I would try a different powder like the 4350's to try and get velocity up rather than go above max listed loads. Its like Russian roulette when playing that way, one piece of brass might handle the pressure, then the next piece.....

 

[Bigeclipse]

New brass can give you a false reading with primers the excessive head space created with the new brass that is sized to fit every 30-06 chambers.
But on the same note you might get excessive pressure signs once you fire the same load with fire formed brass, that's the risk you run into with above max loads. I would try a different powder like the 4350's to try and get velocity up rather than go above max listed loads. Its like Russian roulette when playing that way, one piece of brass might handle the pressure, then the next piece.....

I've tried 4350 both I'm and H versions. I've tried rl17 and a few others. Imr4064 seems the most consistant and higher end velocities of the bunch. I'm only hunting to 300 yards with this rifle so don't need ultra velocities. How much can I back off the highest load to be safe? Half grain? Whole grain? More...lol

 

[benchracer]

When you consider that the 30-06 is spec'd @ 60,000 psi and one of its derivatives, the .270, is spec'd @ 65,000 psi, you may not see pressure signs until you are well above max for the '06.

QL tracks pretty closely with your mv and powder charge, estimating you are around 57k with your current charge of 50.2 grains of IMR 4064. QL predicts you will reach pressure limits around 51.2 grains.

What is your barrel length?

 

[Bigeclipse]

When you consider that the 30-06 is spec'd @ 60,000 psi and one of its derivatives, the .270, is spec'd @ 65,000 psi, you may not see pressure signs until you are well above max for the '06.

QL tracks pretty closely with your mv and powder charge, estimating you are around 57k with your current charge of 50.2 grains of IMR 4064. QL predicts you will reach pressure limits around 51.2 grains.

What is your barrel length?

22inches

 

[gohring3006]

I've tried 4350 both I'm and H versions. I've tried rl17 and a few others. Imr4064 seems the most consistant and higher end velocities of the bunch. I'm only hunting to 300 yards with this rifle so don't need ultra velocities. How much can I back off the highest load to be safe? Half grain? Whole grain? More...lol

For 300 yard shooting I would find the most accurate load.

 

[benchracer]

According to OBT numbers, the highest accuracy node below max pressure should appear between 2570 and 2630 @ between 51k and 55k psi, which will leave you with a comfortable amount of headroom below max.

If you back off about 1 grain, you should be just about in the middle of the predicted node.

 

[Bigeclipse]

According to OBT numbers, the highest accuracy node below max pressure should appear between 2570 and 2630 @ between 51k and 55k psi, which will leave you with a comfortable amount of headroom below max.

If you back off about 1 grain, you should be just about in the middle of the predicted node.

I was going to run a small ladder but I will definitely keep that in mind! Thanks

 

[benchracer]

A ladder is still a good idea to confirm the node and define its limits. It's all theoretical until we shoot and generate data!

 

[kcebcj]

I've tried 4350 both I'm and H versions. I've tried rl17 and a few others. Imr4064 seems the most consistant and higher end velocities of the bunch. I'm only hunting to 300 yards with this rifle so don't need ultra velocities. How much can I back off the highest load to be safe? Half grain? Whole grain? More...lol

I use a 06 and have found that Reloader 17 works really well. I've tried a lot of different powder like you but now have settled on RE17. It works well from the 190gr Berger's up to the 215's. The loads for the rifle are worked up in the early spring or just before season in the fall so don't worry about a big change in temps.

Just for reference here is the Quickload results for IMR 4064 and Reloader 17 at near max loads.