22" Ruger 77 30-06. New to it, but worked up a combo of 3 bullets and 3 powders at mid book range of powder. Reloder 19 and IMR 4350 shined with RL19 a tad better. I then played with seating depth with the chosen bullet/powder. Then I did a ladder. I'm in California, so Barnes TTSX, Nosler E-tip, and Hornady GMX. Barnes was best and E-tip not too far behind. Seated at 0.090". Charges 58.5 (2589fps), 59.0 (2618), 59.5 (2617), 60.0 max (2676). Barnes published 2644 fps to 2859 fps (24" barrel). Started to flatten primers and about 200 fps from published at max. So, tried a Nosler E-tip with IMR 4350. 55.8 (2676), 56.4 (2676), 57.0 max (2741). Nosler published (24" barrel) 2602 to 2832. Better, but still 100 fps slow. And pressure signs with the E-tip at 57.0 (had to de-cap, but primers slid out too easily). Also, both powders had noticeable muzzle blast. I even had neighbors at the range ask what the hell I was shooting. I was thinking the bullet was leaving the barrel before all the powder burned. They are both better than 1.5" groups (had an RL19 Barnes 168 TTSX group at 0.4" but only 2600 fps).
So, IMR 4064 is a bit faster and it is Barnes' accuracy pick. Seated to Barnes book spec (0.160" for my rifle). 46.5 (2614), 47.0 (2649), 47.5 (2673), 48.0 (2695), 48.5 (2718), 49.0 (2778), 49.5 (2793), 50.0 (2828), 50.5 (2817), and 51.0 (2846). The Standard Deviation at 49.0 was 8.1. And still at 10.1 at 49.5 and 11.6 with 50.0. 49, 49.5, and 50 grouped at 1" or better. No pressure signs on case, but the drop in velocity at 50.5 and the SD jumped (pressure signs?). Published max is 2801.
Pretty happy with IMR 4064, but I plan to try Varget and (if I get a hold of) RL15.5. I have Big Game too.
Seems a faster powder did the trick.
Am I right in thinking the 4350 range of powders is too slow for MY rifle?
So, IMR 4064 is a bit faster and it is Barnes' accuracy pick. Seated to Barnes book spec (0.160" for my rifle). 46.5 (2614), 47.0 (2649), 47.5 (2673), 48.0 (2695), 48.5 (2718), 49.0 (2778), 49.5 (2793), 50.0 (2828), 50.5 (2817), and 51.0 (2846). The Standard Deviation at 49.0 was 8.1. And still at 10.1 at 49.5 and 11.6 with 50.0. 49, 49.5, and 50 grouped at 1" or better. No pressure signs on case, but the drop in velocity at 50.5 and the SD jumped (pressure signs?). Published max is 2801.
Pretty happy with IMR 4064, but I plan to try Varget and (if I get a hold of) RL15.5. I have Big Game too.
Seems a faster powder did the trick.
Am I right in thinking the 4350 range of powders is too slow for MY rifle?