Reloader Posted September 15, 2005 Report Share Posted September 15, 2005 I have a Ruger M77 UL .30-06 with a 16 1/2 inch barrel. I am looking for a powder that will give me optimum muzzle velocity from that barrel length for a 150 gr. bonded core spitzer. If you have a suggestion on powder, pls post the powder and manual or web site the load is listed on and I will try to find the load data there. (If I can't find it I will PM you for the PUBLISHED load data. I am not looking for loads worked up on unpublished powders.) I am currently using Alliant 2400 on the dual reasoning that: 1. It is a fast pistol powder and therefore matched to a shorter barrel. 2. I only need half the charge as compared to Alliant Reloader 15 but only lose 5-600 fps or so according to the full length barrel results listed in my manual. (that makes it cheaper at least for plinking ) Alliant publishes the Muzzle velocity for the max load of Alliant 2400 as 2300fps in a standard test barrel...anyone have an idea what velocity I should be getting from my 16 1/2 inch barrel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted September 15, 2005 Report Share Posted September 15, 2005 Re: optimum powder for a short barrel 30-06? Hey James, I had great success with IMR 4895 in a 18.5" barrel in the 30-06. If I remember correctly, the Hodgdon annual magazine has load data for the Encore handgun in 30-06. It has a 15" barrel so the data would be comparable to your 16.5" Woogah. I would stay away from the very fast powders. I like a powder charge that fills at least 80% of the case. You can run into detonation and burn problems if you have too much empty space. You should be getting 2600-2700 fps with a 30-06 using 150 gr bullets and normal powder in your carbine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_218 Posted September 15, 2005 Report Share Posted September 15, 2005 Re: optimum powder for a short barrel 30-06? I've obtained excellent results, in my .30-06 Ruger M-77 using IMR-4064 and 150 grain bullets. In my regular sized Ruger my load was 50.0 grs if IMR-4064 in Winchester Cases. You might want to start with 48.0 grains of 4064 and work up to an accurate load. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reloader Posted September 15, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2005 Re: optimum powder for a short barrel 30-06? I looked into both of those. I found the load data for both of them on the IMR web page here . Looking like I will go with the IMR-4895 since it looks slightly faster in burn rate. Can't find the velocity data from the Encore AJ mentioned though. Will keep looking thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted September 15, 2005 Report Share Posted September 15, 2005 Re: optimum powder for a short barrel 30-06? I could not find the 15" Encore data on line. I think its in the annual magazine though. I may be mistaken, it has happened before (just once). You should be within 150 fps of standard rifle (22" barrel) loads when you use the medium burning powders like 4895, 4320, N140, AA-2495, Varget, etc. I would stay away from ball powders though. They are the hardest to ignite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted September 15, 2005 Report Share Posted September 15, 2005 Re: optimum powder for a short barrel 30-06? [ QUOTE ] IMR 4350 ain't bad either ... [/ QUOTE ] In a standard rifle, I would agree, but in a 16" carbine, there are bette choices. It's just a little too slow for that barrel length. It will produce a rather impressive muzzle flash when it gets dark though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bronco_mudder Posted September 16, 2005 Report Share Posted September 16, 2005 Re: optimum powder for a short barrel 30-06? and singe the hair on the deer your shooting. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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