30-06 and H4350

[AZ110]

I am brand new to reloading for 30-06. I got some great info here from searching and from a few members.
I just bought some H4350 , 165gn SST bullets , CCI 200 primers and remington brass.
The Hornady manual shows a start of 48gr and max of 58.9. I started by loading 3 rounds of each charge , starting at 48gr and I have made it to 56.7gr. At 56.7 the powder is at the neck , if I up the charge it looks like it is going to compress before i get to a max load. The book does not say anything about a compressed load with the powder and bullet. I have triple checked each load and they are right on. I even checked on a second scale and all was good.
My question is , Is this normal or do I have a problem somewhere ?
Any help would be great , trying to get out to shoot this weekend and want to make sure I am safe .
thank you

[wbm]

Hodgdon shows 59g of H4350 as a max load with a Sierra HPBT and they do not indicate a compressed charge either. Some brass will be slightly different from others in capacity and if you are using new brass that can make some difference. If you are not showing any pressure signs at the charge you are at I would slowly keep working up.

Just went to my scale and loaded 59g H4350 in Remington brass. 59 is definitely a compressed charge. Don't know why the manuals don't say that.

[AZ110]

Thanks for the info.
I have not shot any of these loads yet , I wanted to load up a bunch to test this weekend.
Will going up 1gr. at a time be too much ? Or should I work up by 1/2gr. at a time ?

[Eric in NC]

When you are approaching max 1 grain increases are too much if you are working in unknown teritory (my opinion).

BTW - I bet you will get better accuracy (with slightly less velocity) with 4064 when using 165-168 grain bullets in the 06.

[gotcha]

az110, I don't load 30/06 but chkd. my Lyman manual..... W/ 168 Sierra & OAL of 3.300", IMR-4350 is compressed @ 57.0 grs. .............. I've found their data to be damned accurate on other cartridges. Velocity on this load is 2873 fps w/ 24" bbl. It's also the fastest powder tested out of 13 powders............... I agree w/ Eric on the 4064. Either IMR or H (& we don't agree on much) ;D...... MHO 4064 is one of the best kept secrets in med. capacity cases. Good luck w/ your testing.

[wbm]

BTW - I bet you will get better accuracy (with slightly less velocity) with 4064 when using 165-168 grain bullets in the 06.

Bet he is right!

When you are approaching maximum go up .2g at a time....especially if you use 4064...This powder has a tendency to pressure spike. H4350 is more forgiving with both temperature change and pressure increase.

[GaCop]

If you wish to stay with H4350, You can try a drop tube on your powder funnel. This will help to compress the powder grains and give a bit more room in the case. I use a plastic straw cut to about six inches.

I'm loading IMR 4350 in Lake City 63 Match brass, Nosler 150gr BTs and 56.6 grains is right at the neck/shoulder junction.

[trailrider121]

165/168's using H4350 your going to find good nodes between 57.0-59grs. I'm currently using 57.5grs with 168 TSX and getting 1/2" groups consistently and 2820 fps avg with 22" barrel. I use the OCW method and 57.0,57.5, and 58gr would do MOA easy.Works great with different temps. I would go in .5grs increments with 30-06 when working up loads.

[scottw9120]

use a longer drop tube as you go up, I use 60 gr of h4350 with 155 gr bullets, my thrower is a custom conversion of a lyman and sinclair international makes various drop tubes with cartidge adapters to go on the end of the tube, worth every penny, anybody that is going into reloading need a custom powder thrower, it will make alot of difference.

[AZ110]

thanks for all the great advice , I appreciate it

[AZ110]

Finally got out this morning to do some shooting. Started out with some factory remington 150gn soft nose to get the new scope somewhat adjusted. Then started testing my reloads. All I can say is wow ! this stuff shot great! better than any factory rounds I have shot. Best group was a little less than 1" at 100 yards , not bad for only shooting off a bipod and
plastic folding table. Best load so far is 58gn H4350 CCI 200 165gn SST. I can't wait to get some more loaded up and see if I can tighten that group up. I need to get a set of sand bags to shoot off too.
Thanks again for all the info , it really helped me out.

[quickkillaught6]

my go to load for my 110 (06) is
57.5grains-IMR4350
150 grain hornady sst's
seated at 3.25 o.a.l.

my gun ate 150 light mag hornady factory ammo great so i just tweaked a bit to get close and it'll shoot one ragged hole letting the gun cool off.
best of luck man working up a good load is the fun part..

[frack09]

my 111 06 loves some imr 4350