30-06 load info needed - confusing manual info: What say you?

[deemus]

I need some help on a load I am working up. I am loading some 165g BTSP for my 30-06. I came upon a good deal on some match cases, so I thought I would load a few. The problem is confusing manual info.

Hornady Manual: IMR 4064: 46.6g to 49.9g

Lee Manual: IMR 4064: 49.0g to 52.5g

Nosler Manual: no loads listed for IMR 4064


WTH? This is a huge swing. I don't get why there is such a disparity from one loading manual to another.

Can some of you provide some info from your manuals for me here? I am curious what some of the other manuals have to say about this round, loaded with this powder.

Thanks in advance!

 

[skinman]

Lyman 49th
165 gr Jacketed Ballistic Tip
IMR-4064 47 gr start / 52 gr max
3.285 OAL

Hodgdon
165 gr Sierra SPBT
IMR-4064 49 gr start / 52.5 gr max
3.300 OAL

 

[codygjohnson]

Does the Hornady manual list anything but Hornady bullets? 165g BTSP brand A =/= 165g BTSP brand B. I would workup loads based on the lowest max and if you aren't getting high pressure signs, work up to the high max. I've rarely found high pressure signs at the max load on any manual and have pushed above it several times, but that's just me, your results may varry.

 

[mikeofcontex]

Harder vs. softer bullets... .307 vs .309 diameter of the bullet... chamber dimensions of the test rifle... Each publisher does his own research and publishes what seems "safest" to them. As always, the reloader must determine what is safe in his own rifle and with his own components. It is generally thought that milsurp cases will have a lower capacity and will cause greater pressure with equal charges. The "hotness" of the primer matters.

Start low and go slow... maybe that summarizes the process.

 

[deemus]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the input. I am using Hornady Interbond bullets BTSP. When I load I often use the loading info from the manufacturer. I was just very surprised that the Lee book had such a difference. As Skinman noted, both the Lyman and Hodgdon are both at the top end with 52. Maybe its because my Hornady manual is from the 90's? It could have changed? I was concerned when I saw the Hornady max = Lee starting load.

Cody, I am not sure, but I have used the Hornady loads on non-Hornady bullets over the years. As opposed to the Nosler manual which seems to list specific Nosler bullets.

I am shooting a 70's era Remington BDL that has had some mods done to it. This is the sweetest rifle I have ever shot, so I will definitely err on the side of caution. Thanks again!

 

[Texasjack]

Hodgdon's web site says:

Cartridge: 30-06 Load Type: Rifle

Starting Loads

Maximum Loads

Bullet Weight (Gr.)

Manufacturer

Powder

Bullet Diam.

C.O.L.

Grs.

Vel. (ft/s)

Pressure

Grs.

Vel. (ft/s)

Pressure

165 GR. HDY GMX

IMR

IMR 4064

.308"

3.225"

44.4

2510

44,900 PSI

48.2

2729

58,600 PSI

165 GR. SIE SPBT

IMR

IMR 4064

.308"

3.300"

49.0

2752

50,400 PSI

52.5

2901

58,900 PSI