Gtscotty
Member
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2007
- Messages
- 3,635
Today I tried my first round of reloads using 180gr Sierra spbt bullets and Hodgdon load data, which has always coincided well with the actual velocities I see out of my rifles. My rifle seemed to favor 56gr and 57.5gr loads, the 57.5gr being book max in the Hodgdon data. None of the loads I tried showed any pressure signs, primers still have some edge curve and extraction is effortless.
On the way home I stopped by Sportsman's warehouse, and took a look at the Sierra load manual they had there... to my surprise, the listed max for the 180 gr spbt was 53.6 gr! I use several load data sources, and obviously a grain or so variance in top loads is common, but 4 grains? To make things worse, my standard load for deer in this rifle with 165gr spbt is Hodgdon book max at 59gr H4350. The Sierra manual lists a max load for this bullet of around 54gr.... 5gr is a big difference.
So what gives, what kind of experience have yall had with H4350 and heavier 30-06 loads? My velocities mesh well with the Hodgdon data, but the bullet maker's max loads are sooo far off from the powder maker's max loads, it worries me.
p.s.~ Nosler lists max with the 180gr Partition as 56.5gr, and I've always heard that the Partition usually generates higher pressure with a given load.
On the way home I stopped by Sportsman's warehouse, and took a look at the Sierra load manual they had there... to my surprise, the listed max for the 180 gr spbt was 53.6 gr! I use several load data sources, and obviously a grain or so variance in top loads is common, but 4 grains? To make things worse, my standard load for deer in this rifle with 165gr spbt is Hodgdon book max at 59gr H4350. The Sierra manual lists a max load for this bullet of around 54gr.... 5gr is a big difference.
So what gives, what kind of experience have yall had with H4350 and heavier 30-06 loads? My velocities mesh well with the Hodgdon data, but the bullet maker's max loads are sooo far off from the powder maker's max loads, it worries me.
p.s.~ Nosler lists max with the 180gr Partition as 56.5gr, and I've always heard that the Partition usually generates higher pressure with a given load.
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