Rvo "surplus 30-06" Powder

[SCOTT ARTHUR]

First off, let me say I LOVE THIS FORUM!!. I have gotten more useful info. in two months of watching & reading in here than in the last YEAR of reading in several others!!!

Now that I have that off my chest, I have a couple of jugs of River Valley Ordnance " SURPLUS 30-06" powder that I really want to start using. Probelm is I need to know what this stuff equates to. I called & Emailed RVO several times, but could not get anybody. Could you guys give me a little help?

Scott

[Ed Barrett]

I went to their site and couldn't find any powder for sale. As far as I know the main powder used in Govt. 30-06 was IMR 4895 and some was also loaded with IMR 3031. Do all the sticks look like they are the same width and length?

[Buckshot]

...............I 'd load a light load under a light bullet (book data for IMR3031) and shoot it over a chronograph. As Ed mentioned 4895 and 3031 they also used WC852 Ball. If it was WC852 (slow) it will be 'like' 4831 if it was WC852 (fast) it will be like H335.

................Buckshot

[Ricochet]

Well, the nominal WC852 was loaded at the same weight and gave the same ballistics as IMR 4895 in .30-06. The slow stuff was an anomalous bad batch.

[frank505]

I have shot four jugs of the stuff which burned like WW785. A guess would be Olin made a batch of WC852 which was too slow and WW sold it off as 785 along with other surplus powder sellers. I did like it, I now have WC852 slow lot and it seems to be the same as RVO 30/06.

[ruth2]

I got a jug of RVO several years ago,it seems to be a fairly slow burner at least in a 300 Win Mag that I had. I don't recall the exact load but it wasn't over 75 grains,its in my record book.but I was getting 2980 fps with the 180 gr. Sierra,this from a 24 inch barrel.Lately I have been using it in a 22/30 30 Imp. for a slow powder.

[Maven]

A couple of points: First, I purchased RVO "Surp. -.06" years ago thinking it would be a good cast bullet propellant. Was I ever wrong! The only cartridge it performed well in (with CB's) was the 7.65 x 53mm with Ly. #314299. Second, whatever Surp. -06 was varied in burning rate. There were perhaps 3 lots of it if I recall. To wit, I used the loading data RVO provided in my .243Win. with jacketed bullets and promptly got pressure signs. A telephone call to RVO confirmed my suspicion and got a new data sheet. Using that data, all was OK in both the .243Win. and .30-06 (jacketed bullets only). Lastly, using a Lee Loader (and loading at the range), but with a different dipper ("tuned" to Surp. '06), I was able to put 10 shots into <1" @ 100 yds. (witnessed) with the .243.

In sum, like many non-cannister powders, Surp.-'06 varies in burning rate, so be careful and when possible, use a chronograph. Although it isn't the powder of choice for CB's, it is definitely a contender with jacketed bullets.

[bradh]

Scott this is from a suggested load sheet that can with this powder 7-6-92.
30-06 150gr FMJ 59.0 for 2641fps
180gr SP 55.5gr for 2540fps
190gr BTHP 55.5gr for 2510fps
200gr SP 55.5gr for 2490fps
220gr SP 54.0gr for 2370fps
Tell me waht caliber you are interested in as there are more on the sheet. I used
about 24 pounds of this powder 15 years ago shooting prairie dogs with a 6mm
Remington; 80gr HP 50.0gr for 3310fps.

[SCOTT ARTHUR]

I planned to use this powder in 30/06 & .243 w/ Sierra bullets. The powder I have is a ball type powder.
Scott

[mdatlanta]

Scott,

Does the label on your jug have a lot #?

I have the RVO loading data from RVO Surp .30-06 lot #BAJ47288. If that's the same as yours, send me your snail mail and I'll mail a copy to you.

Mike

[SCOTT ARTHUR]

Hi,
My powder does not have any lot #'s, which I find rather odd. The labels aren't in the best shape but still legeable. Nothing stamped or written on the jugs or caps either.
Scott

[bradh]

Scott here's the 243 loads from 1992 RVO data sheet for Surplus -06
75gr HP 49.1gr for 3400fps
80gr HP 49.8gr for 3365fps
85gr HP 47.5gr for 3250fps
100gr SP 43.0gr for 2930fps
Data sheet says for lot number BAJ47288

[Maven]

All, See my post of 9/9/06 re burning rates and pressure signs, then seriously consider whether you want to use the data RVO provided. Drop all loads by at least 10% and use a chronograph to be on the safe side.

[pete/katie]

just got involved have some rvo. left to me by an old friend who just passed over, have some date i will share later. shoot old rolling blocks springfields, krags, and dated foreign pre 1800 cal. looking forward to kick some loads around.

[MUSTANG]

Welcome Pete/Katie.

You picked up on a thread that was last posted on almost nine years ago. Great thing about this site is that old information is kept available so you can find answers that have been identified in the past but have relevance for some members today. The search engine will be your friend on this site as well as many members who engage in the same interests. Once again, welcome aboard.

[Elkins45]

This was the info sheet that came with the jug I bought in the early 90's. Best I can tell, this lot was essentially H4831. I still have a couple of pounds and wish I could get more.

[jonp]

Welcome Pete/Katie.

You picked up on a thread that was last posted on almost nine years ago. Great thing about this site is that old information is kept available so you can find answers that have been identified in the past but have relevance for some members today. The search engine will be your friend on this site as well as many members who engage in the same interests. Once again, welcome aboard.

That is a great thing about this site. I run into old threads like this once in a while that has a new post so comes up and I always learn something I can use if I run across stuff like this powder. I might not remember the specifics but the powder name or company selling it will ring a bell.