Rl-19 .30-06

[CarJunkieLS1]

Yesterday was a very cold 37° and a stiff 20mph wind. I had some test loads for my .30-06

Remington brass
RL-19 58-60 grains in .5 increments
Hornady 150 Interlock SP
COAL is .010 over SAAMI spec.
Rem 9 1/2 primer.

I shot 3 shot groups with each load. 58.0 and 58.5 both Shot the best accuracy wise all 6 shots hit a 1" bullseye.

59.5 and 60.0 are promising I think the cold was messing me up so shooter error made the groups larger. The recoil for the lighter loads were very light. My 130lb wife shot one bullet at 58.5 gr and she didn't mind it at all.

If I was to shoot the 58.5 gr load at deer what will the game performance be say out to 200yds. I have no idea on velocity but it can't be fast...any help I'd appreciate its a 22" barrel too

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

Guess nobody has any guesses on velocity...looking at data I have its a little faster than the published H4895 "youth loads" and is faster than a factory .30-30 round so I'm thinking 100-150yds max with this particular load. Any thoughts?

 

[Arkansas Paul]

is faster than a factory .30-30 round so I'm thinking 100-150yds max with this particular load. Any thoughts?

I have no clue as to the velocity but if it is indeed faster than factory .30-30, I wouldn't have a problem stretching it out a little farther than that. I've seen a deer killed at 225 with factory 150 grain flat point from a .30-30. It only ran about 15 yds.
The Hornady soft points open up very well, so I think you're good at 250 and in if you know where the rifle is shooting at that distance.

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

Its a mild load for sure and I plan on going "hotter" but this seems like a good light load that is accurate and my wife or any of my other family members can shoot and not hurt their shoulder...plus it will kill whatever they aim at. I guess if I need a round to "reach over yonder" I'll shoot my .270 Win clocked at 3019fps

 

[rondog]

Interesting. I've never used RL19 before, but ran across some at WalMart not long ago so I grabbed a couple pounds. I load for a lot of rifle calibers and knew I could use it, just haven't yet.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I've not used any, but I think its a bit slower than IMR4350 so it would be good for heavier bullets in .30-06 and perfect for the WSMs and magnums.

 

[gamestalker]

I've ran a good deal of RL19 in both 06 and .270 win. and with some impressive results. As for your load, as long as you know where it's shooting, I wouldn't be at all hesitant to shoot deer out past 200 yds.. But it's far more about knowing where they are shooting, than about whether or not they are getting enough velocity.

The deer won't know the difference if shot placement is good.

GS

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

Paul you are exactly right. It does seem slow for the 30-06 and 150gr bullets. It would probably be better suited for a 24" barrel and 165gr and up bullets.

Its accurate and fast enough to get the job done so I may just load them light for someone who is recoil sensitive. And get me the 7mm08 I've been dreaming about

 

[scottishkat]

I would say 2500 to 2600 from a 24" bbl your losses would be approx 25fps for each inch of barrel length less than 24. Niether my hornaday 8 or 9 guides have data for RL19 and 150's. I would not worry at all about hunting whitetailed deer with it.

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

Its accurate which is the most important. And the only manual I have that had RL-19 and 150gr data was Speer #14. I believe their max is 62gr compressed and it it 2780 out of a 22" barrel. I couldn't even fit 62gr in the case much less the bullet too. If this mild load is 2600fps it will drop any Alabama deer I'll see within 100yds. If I'm gonna shoot further than that I'll grab my HOT LOAD .270