30-06 200 gr boolit h4350 powder

[DrCaveman]

I am 90% sure this has been covered but i am striking out like mike schmidt on my google searches and also in house searches.

Im gonna use the lee 200 gr, gas check with a beeswax based lube. Gun is a tikka t3, and lets pretend that the boolit fit is perfect. Ill work on that and ill take responsibility if it is not.

So, what are some accurate loads using this powder with this boolit in this cartridge?

The closest load data i can find uses the lyman 311299 which suggests imr4350 from 36 gr to 49 gr max. Really not sure how this translates to h4350. Prob close, so i am figuring to start at 40 gr, work upward for accuracy window.

Does this seem reasonable? Anyone tried this? Filler?

Thanks in advance.

[outdoorfan]

Not the Lee boolit, but...

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?60947-Progress-with-the-06&highlight=lbt

[DrCaveman]

Thanks outdoorfan, that is a good reference. His load seems hot for my setup, my alloy is a little harder than ACWW but not too much. Certainly not 25 bhn. And i was hoping for 21-2200 fps, accuracy there would make me plenty happy.

I do have some water drops waiting to age. I may push them near 49 if things go well

[DrCaveman]

Oh, i meant YOUR loads sorry i didnt realize you were OP. Your load is a little hotter than i was thinking, as i said, but it seems you got it to work up there.

Did you try any tests down lower? Like 40-42 gr? Sounds like it would be safe, anyways, compared to your 49 gr load.

I feel OK about crimping and boxing my 41.0 gr load. Ill see how it does and adjust from there.

[outdoorfan]

I went as low as 45 grains with a .7-1 grain filler of polyester dacron batting. My records show 1-1.5 MOA for 3-shot groups at 100 yards at those charges (45-47 grains) (2200-2325 fps). Going down to 40-41 grains is pretty low. You'll want to make sure you have quite a bit of filler in there. H4895 would be better down that low.

BTW, I annealed the tips of those boolits for good expansion on game.

[DrCaveman]

Outdoorfan, thanks for the continued input. I had already put the stamp on the 41 gr loads before seeing your response. I am now a thinking about SEE stories. I am doubtful of their validity but must exercise due respect.

The lyman produced data regarding their 311299 seems worth consideration, and if they endorse using a mere 36 gr without mention of a filler, then 41 gr with some dacron should be safe. Of course i am subbing h4350 for imr.

Dang these 40k+psi loads are a lot more worrisome for me than my standard max of 35kpsi or so for cast. Maybe just being overly cautious, and these loads may not exceed that pressure anyway

[geargnasher]

I've gone as low as 39 with H-4350 and a 183-grain (actual) boolit and no filler. 39.5 was my go-to load for years, getting me just a fuzz over 2K fps and reliable 1.5" hundred-yard, ten-shot groups in any weather, from any position I felt comfortable shooting. If you want to get to 2200 fps with a 200-grain boolit and have at least decent accuracy, there's a lot more to getting it than simply how much of what kind of powder to use. Accuracy is all in the fit and shape of your entire loaded cartridge. How you launch the boolit is actually a minor consideration to be sorted out in short order once the basics are covered. Think full-on benchrest loading techniques, perfect fit, perfect balance of all components, and attention to the right sort of details.

Gear

[outdoorfan]

I stand corrected on those "low" charges of 4350. Glad someone set me straight. I was guessing, no personal experience at those lower load levels. I'm kind of amazed that 40ish grains of 4350 works well with no filler.

[DrCaveman]

Thanks gear

I am finally wrapping my head around the throat/chamber size issues. First I had to figure out how to match my bore/groove size. Due to limited tools and limited know-how it took longer than I expected. Now I may need a chamber cast soon.

I haven't run into any sizing/fir problems that haven't been covered in a sticky or other thread.

I really was just looking for a starting point using h4350 & cast. I haven't messed around much with down-loading slow powders.

Thanks again

[Gunnut 45/454]

Not shooting a 200 gr boolit but my Lee 155 gr gc with 50 gr IMR 4350 is going 2304 fps with zero pressure signs. My alloy is WCWW. So you should be able to get to 2100 pretty easy with H4350 as it a little faster then IMR 4350. I'd start at 45 gr and work up. No need to start lower.

200 GR. NOS AB Hodgdon H4350 .308" 3.300" 50.0 2412 40,400 CUP 53.7 2580 48,400 CUP


http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp
As you see the data above show a 50 gr starting point so the 45 gr I gave you should be more then safe. And I'd say you be right at your goal of 2100-2200 fps!

[DrCaveman]

Test load with 41 gr went well. I seem to have gotten lucky with fit so far... The lee boolit bore riding section gets engraved just a touch upon chambering, and the engraving goes about 3/8" down from the nose with boolit seated at crimp groove.

Prob can improve on that aspect but it is a better start than I hoped for

Round seemed like a medium strength load but I did not chronograph it. Case necks were a little sooty so I will bump up the charge and maybe add more filler

No leading whatsoever, and I got 4 rounds in a row within an inch at 50 yds. Most other shots were within a 2.5" group for a 20 shot group.

I am still getting the hang of bore conditioning and proper attention to barrel temp. I certainly did some waiting within my 20 shot "group" but I need to get a little more methodical for consistency's sake.

Think ill try a ladder test between 42 and 46. Then look to buy a new mould with a flat point and better profile for my gun. Probably the wrong order of doing things, but I wanna make sure my mould purchase is the right one.

Hey, anyone shooting a tikka t3 30-06 could suggest one if they wanted, 200 gr.

Thanks

[Hyphenated]

Okay Caveman you're got my curiosity up. Why would you use H/IMR4350 as opposed to 30-32grs of H/IMR4895 or even less H/IMR4198. Do you have a lot of 4350 to use up or am I missing something?

I'll admit I have limited experience with 4350 in an '06, but H4895 seemed to work better with less powder. Could it have been I was shooting an 742 auto loader?

[Bullet Caster]

For my .30-06 M1 Garand I use the Lee 200 grainer over 35 grains of IMR 4895 and have gotten good results. I don't have a chrony so I don't know what the fps is. It cycles the action and does not throw the brass too far to find. BC

[Hyphenated]

For my .30-06 M1 Garand I use the Lee 200 grainer over 35 grains of IMR 4895 and have gotten good results. It cycles the action and does not throw the brass too far to find. BC

Pretty close to what I have used in my 742 Rem. However, since it is a brass chucker I'm not to fond of shooting it.

[DrCaveman]

Okay Caveman you're got my curiosity up. Why would you use H/IMR4350 as opposed to 30-32grs of H/IMR4895 or even less H/IMR4198. Do you have a lot of 4350 to use up or am I missing something?

I'll admit I have limited experience with 4350 in an '06, but H4895 seemed to work better with less powder. Could it have been I was shooting an 742 auto loader?

Well you are onto something. I bought the h4350 to load max-level heavy jacketed bullets in my '06. Since my cast boolit shooting of the '06 has not been max-level, i never thought of using it. Varget and 2400 and unique were doing pretty well.

Come to find out january all powder is out of stock at my stores. Nothing has changed yet for me. So i have decided to place a personal hiatus on using varget til i get more (also a few other powders i failed to stock up on that arent for the '06). Sure i could continue with the unique and 2400 loads but i want another hi-vel option within the powders i have.

End result is that, while not as economical in usage of powder, 4350 is looking pretty good in my '06 with cast. 303guys discussion about powder burn & pressure relationship helped inspire me to try this. I have a 22" barrel fwiw.

Cant say anything about the autoloaders, except that I was shopping for a Garand last fall. I think that ship may have sailed. Oh well, bolt action can get a pretty quick reload and target acquisition considering the recoil of full powered '06 loads.

[Gunnut 45/454]

I use IMR 4350 cause I got an 8 lb jug! Trying to conserve my other powders since there is none in the stores or on line right now! It works well in my 7400 also use it in my 8x57.

[geargnasher]

I use H-4350 in certain quantities because in the said combo it reduces launch pressure while maintaining reasonable velocity. This enables me to shoot softer, hunting-grade boolits with good accuracy and decent velocity. Basically I was playing with launch dynamics to stretch what is practical with 4895.

Gear

[Hyphenated]

Come to find out january all powder is out of stock at my stores. Nothing has changed yet for me. So i have decided to place a personal hiatus on using varget til i get more (also a few other powders i failed to stock up on that arent for the '06). Sure i could continue with the unique and 2400 loads but i want another hi-vel option within the powders i have.

Cant say anything about the autoloaders, except that I was shopping for a Garand last fall. I think that ship may have sailed. Oh well, bolt action can get a pretty quick reload and target acquisition considering the recoil of full powered '06 loads.

Ah yes...it all makes sense now. A reloader has to do what it takes to keep shooting in these trying times.

The tricky part with shooting cast in an auto loader is matching the velocity with pressure. You have to use a powder that achieves your desired velocity and generates enough pressure to cycle the rifle.

[runfiverun]

I use H-4350 in certain quantities because in the said combo it reduces launch pressure while maintaining reasonable velocity. This enables me to shoot softer, hunting-grade boolits with good accuracy and decent velocity. Basically I was playing with launch dynamics to stretch what is practical with 4895.

Gear

read this again....

[DrCaveman]

Hyphenated is right about me, about half the reason.

The other was as gear said, or at least what i thought i was doing...providing a gentler push while still reaching respectable velocities for hunting purposes. Seems the more cast rifle shooting i do, i appreciate more the performance of the mid-slow powders so why not try a super slow with a heavy boolit?

On top of that, i found a decent 150 gr load using h4350 in my 30-30. I liked the imr4227 load better, so i think i will save the 4350 for more '06 testing but the marlin seems to like the 4350 alright. First load i have found with 4227 that shoots worth a damn, im gonna keep working with it

[GabbyM]

I bought some IMR 7828 to try under 200 grain boolits in my 30-06.
Remington Magnum primers I had on that order were canceled as out of stock. So now no mag primers to light it off. Will just have to use CCI 200.

[DrCaveman]

I bought some IMR 7828 to try under 200 grain boolits in my 30-06.
Remington Magnum primers I had on that order were canceled as out of stock. So now no mag primers to light it off. Will just have to use CCI 200.

Hmmm, never used a powder that slow. If i recall correctly, At 41 gr h4350 the charge was about 1/4" shy of the shoulder, maybe more. Easily could have added 15% with no compression. So depending on the density of 7828, there is prob room to get a solid load. 55 grains is the load i am seeing, and that sounds to me like a full case.

Better to hear it from someone who has done it, though.

[GabbyM]

Hmmm, never used a powder that slow. If i recall correctly, At 41 gr h4350 the charge was about 1/4" shy of the shoulder, maybe more. Easily could have added 15% with no compression. So depending on the density of 7828, there is prob room to get a solid load. 55 grains is the load i am seeing, and that sounds to me like a full case.

Better to hear it from someone who has done it, though.

Yes it’s a bit of an experiment for myself. If it doesn’t work under the cast boolits I can burn it under J bullets in our 270 Win’s and my S.I. L. ‘s 7mm Rem Mag. Perhaps my 243 AI’s.

My thought on it is to use a load which fills the case un compressed. Velocity will be at the top end of what we can get from a cast boolit. But that’s the goal. Was planning to buy WW780 but it was sold out.

What I know will be a down side compared to faster burning powder is. Increased barrel heat up due to larger charges. I also bought an 8lb jug of AA-4064. Which is slower than IMR4064. Also a fairly short grain. More like H-Varget than IMR4064. That’s for using under my new MiHec 30-180-HP mold in the 30-06. It’s all an experiment. I have my old loads using H-4895 and RL7 for a base line comparison.