Short-barreled .30-06 LRH load

[.300 Dakota]

So I got one of these on the way with delivery set for Tuesday. Don't know why CZ discontinued the 557 or all of its previous CRF actions (the 557 was a push-feed). I found this available in .308 and .30-06. Both had 20.4" barrels with 10 twist. I have several of the newer Speer Impact 190gr with .598BC (Speer's version of the SST). I chose the .30-06 for a little more distance. There were 2000 of these made for 2021. I'm assuming 1000 each cartridge chambering. Only .308 and .30-06 were produced. It may be worthless being that it was made during the pandemic. Assuming it functions and shoots reasonably well, how fast do you think I can run the 190 Impact from the 20" barrel? I'm thinking N560, N555, 4955, and maybe StaBall look like good contenders. What say you? I have a number in my head, but want to know what you guys think. This will be for hunting deer primarily.

 

[Shane Lindsey]

Look at the Berger 180gr Elite Hunter. Great BC and small bearing surface.

I used it with my 22" 30-06.
H4350
Rl17
Best accuracy was with H4831sc. So the powders you have will probably work. I have had good luck with 6.5 Staball in a few of my rifles and it is in that burn range.

I don't have the rifle anymore, so do not have velocities in my phone. I can PM load data used for this if needed.

 

[FEENIX]

So I got one of these on the way with delivery set for Tuesday. Don't know why CZ discontinued the 557 or all of its previous CRF actions (the 557 was a push-feed). I found this available in .308 and .30-06. Both had 20.4" barrels with 10 twist. I have several of the newer Speer Impact 190gr with .598BC (Speer's version of the SST). I chose the .30-06 for a little more distance. There were 2000 of these made for 2021. I'm assuming 1000 each cartridge chambering. Only .308 and .30-06 were produced. It may be worthless being that it was made during the pandemic. Assuming it functions and shoots reasonably well, how fast do you think I can run the 190 Impact from the 20" barrel? I'm thinking N560, N555, 4955, and maybe StaBall look like good contenders. What say you? I have a number in my head, but want to know what you guys think. This will be for hunting deer primarily.View attachment 513973View attachment 513974View attachment 513975

Congrats, CZ makes beautiful rifles. For the ones you posted, I believe it is a limited run for their 85th Anniversary. They still make 557 varmint rifles. Good luck and have fun with it.

 

[sable tireur]

Here is a link to some of Speer's data:

https://www.speer.com/on/demandware...75/productPdfFiles/TB308H1 Reloading Data.pdf

Here is the data from Nosler for comparison:

I have an M54 in .30-06 with a 20" barrel. I usually fired the Speer 190 gr. BTHP M and the Berger 185 VLD Hunter with fine results. The shorter barrel will curtail the selection of powders but I have Re-17 and Hodgdon Hybrid 100V which I used for better velocity and complete burn. Far too many suggested powders are too slow for a 20" barrel. But do your own testing to decide.

Except for the gold PVD coating this is a very nice rifle.

 

[idcwby]

Here is a link to some of Speer's data:

https://www.speer.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-VistaSpeerSharedLibrary/default/dwc70aa875/productPdfFiles/TB308H1 Reloading Data.pdf

Here is the data from Nosler for comparison:

View attachment 514014

I have an M54 in .30-06 with a 20" barrel. I usually fired the Speer 190 gr. BTHP M and the Berger 185 VLD Hunter with fine results. The shorter barrel will curtail the selection of powders but I have Re-17 and Hodgdon Hybrid 100V which I used for better velocity and complete burn. Far too many suggested powders are too slow for a 20" barrel. But do your own testing to decide.

Except for the gold PVD coating this is a very nice rifle.

If looking at this Speer data, it is for the 172gr bullet, not the 190gr.

 

[Hugnot]

Select a powder that has "flash suppressant", SW4350 gets about 2700 with 190's & 54 gr SW4350. Data does not state barrel length & velocities are about 2700 @ 60K psi with 54 gr SW4350 in a 20-inch barrel. Double based powders may yield more speed.

Powder is burned within 2-3 inches of barrel but expanding gas has less bullet push duration in shorter barrels. Just guessing - 25 fps loss per inch from 24 to 20-inch barrel. I have had problems with W760/H414 at temperatures over 85 F. Flash caused by powder gas being exposed to air that continues combustion.

Powder availability - if it is not available why consider it? I like SW4350, my LGS has it & it has a wide spectrum of use from .22-.250 to .300 WM. SW4350 is less dense than most ball powders but fits well in .30-06 and other similar capacity cartridges with moderate heavy to diameter bullets. Good fit inside these cartridges.

 

[sable tireur]

If looking at this Speer data, it is for the 172gr bullet, not the 190gr.

It's still usable for interpolation. It just takes a little more work.

There is very little to no information for that particular Speer bullet so we work with what we can find.

 

[FEENIX]

If looking at this Speer data, it is for the 172gr bullet, not the 190gr.

Here you go ...

 

[.300 Dakota]

It's still usable for interpolation. It just takes a little more work.

There is very little to no information for that particular Speer bullet so we work with what we can find.

I have created and loaded for about 10 wildcats... I'm an expert at interpolation! I generally even use components not documented being used together. There are other 190gr bullets from which to glean data. From there, one must consider bullet construction, bearing surface area, seating depth, and other things that will affect the pressure. I'm optimistic (delusional?), but I'm thinking I can get close to 2800 from this combination. I honestly believe StaBall and N555 are going to yield best performance (speed and accuracy], but I am quite often surprised. We shall see how it shakes out.

 

[.300 Dakota]

Here is a link to some of Speer's data:

https://www.speer.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-VistaSpeerSharedLibrary/default/dwc70aa875/productPdfFiles/TB308H1 Reloading Data.pdf

Here is the data from Nosler for comparison:

View attachment 514014

I have an M54 in .30-06 with a 20" barrel. I usually fired the Speer 190 gr. BTHP M and the Berger 185 VLD Hunter with fine results. The shorter barrel will curtail the selection of powders but I have Re-17 and Hodgdon Hybrid 100V which I used for better velocity and complete burn. Far too many suggested powders are too slow for a 20" barrel. But do your own testing to decide.

Except for the gold PVD coating this is a very nice rifle.

You don't LOVE that gold highlight?? Man, a Leupold scope with gold ring and a little Cerakote to match the rings to the highlights and I'll have my first rifle with a gold grille!

 

[Shumba1]

Ramshot Hunter should get you to +2,700 fps with careful load work up.

I have gotten great accuracy out of a Sako 85 Finnlight 30-06 using it. Has a thin profile 20" barrel. Getting over 2,700 fps with 180 grain bullets.

 

[Lenny Foffa]

Love your new Rifle. I wish you good shooting. In my 20 inch 30-06 Interarms 98 action rifle, this season I will use 55.5 grns of IMR 4350 with a Horn 165 grn SST bullet. Remington cases and Win LR primers. 100 yard Zero, and enough energy for a 200 yard shot, if ever needed. Highly unlikely !!! I load for two friends that have 24-inch BBL rifles in that caliber, so I use 56.0 Grns of 4350 for them. I know they are mild loads, but accurate in our rifles, and suitable for whitetails at moderate ranges. Again I wish you Great shooting with that fine new rifle!!

 

[C-130 Dude]

So I got one of these on the way with delivery set for Tuesday. Don't know why CZ discontinued the 557 or all of its previous CRF actions (the 557 was a push-feed). I found this available in .308 and .30-06. Both had 20.4" barrels with 10 twist. I have several of the newer Speer Impact 190gr with .598BC (Speer's version of the SST). I chose the .30-06 for a little more distance. There were 2000 of these made for 2021. I'm assuming 1000 each cartridge chambering. Only .308 and .30-06 were produced. It may be worthless being that it was made during the pandemic. Assuming it functions and shoots reasonably well, how fast do you think I can run the 190 Impact from the 20" barrel? I'm thinking N560, N555, 4955, and maybe StaBall look like good contenders. What say you? I have a number in my head, but want to know what you guys think. This will be for hunting deer primarily.View attachment 513973View attachment 513974View attachment 513975

Beautiful rifle. Have fun with it.

 

[.300 Dakota]

Love your new Rifle. I wish you good shooting. In my 20 inch 30-06 Interarms 98 action rifle, this season I will use 55.5 grns of IMR 4350 with a Horn 165 grn SST bullet. Remington cases and Win LR primers. 100 yard Zero, and enough energy for a 200 yard shot, if ever needed. Highly unlikely !!! I load for two friends that have 24-inch BBL rifles in that caliber, so I use 56.0 Grns of 4350 for them. I know they are mild loads, but accurate in our rifles, and suitable for whitetails at moderate ranges. Again I wish you Great shooting with that fine new rifle!!

That's a beautiful rifle, sir, and fine shooting! I hope mine turns out half as good!