.30-06 with RL19 Powder?

[JefferS]

This is my first post, so I hope it's an ok intro question to the group.

Due to the shortages, I only have some RL19 powder and Nosler 150 gr Ballistic Tips for loading a .30-06 Springfield. I'm a beginner trying to get enough stuff to start my reloading life, and it doesn't seem like I have a lot of options right now.

I've searched the forums but I didn't find this combo anyone used anywhere. The Nosler 7 Guide shows that this is probably going to be a compressed load and most other references I can find don't seem to have the RL19 with this combo. The Alliant site does list a Speer 150 gr SP with 62 gr of powder, which seems to be in the compressed range in the Nosler book. In the NRA basic class that I took a couple of months ago, it seemed like the instructor urged us to stay away from compressed loads (as beginners, anyway).

The only other info I have is that I have some once-fired LC-69 cases and some new Hornady cases to use.

Has anyone used a combo like this?
Do I need to wait until I can get something like IMR-4064?
Should I try and get my hands on something like a 180 gr that does not seem like it would be compressed using RL19?

Thanks.

 

[mac86951]

Don't start at Maximum for sure, more so with a compressed load. Take the listed maximum and reduce 10% to start.

62gr is listed as maximum, so start at 55.8gr and work up from there looking for pressure signs along the way.
Until you are comfortable with your rifle, go in 1% increments (so .6gr or less). There is a great article on this website for Ladder testing for load work-up. Don't just go for the most powder you can get away with, there will be a sweet spot for your rifle, but you've got to find it. And don't worry, the starting loads will still shoot!

-Mac

 

[JefferS]

Good simple advice. And I probably should have thought of the 10% since that's pretty standard stuff. I tend to get my nose stuck on a data point in a book and forget to step back a bit.

Hopefully, I'll have something I can report on in a couple of weeks and tie off this thread.

 

[mac86951]

No Problem JefferS.
I tend to agree with not liking compressed loads, however, I do have a few very accurate loads that are compressed. Aside from working up carefully, and watching pressures with the warmer weather, I've found that a load that is compressed might actually grow in cartridge OAL which then means you need to control tighter neck tension, and etc... It can become a pain. It's worth trying if you are working up and staying within the listed maximums, but I wouldn't plan on a compressed load being the best.

-Mac

 

[wapiti25]

As mentioned work slow and inspect when using compressed loads Also mentioned is pressure will go up when the days get hot or your ammo sits in a car or sun. You may have a cold weather load and a warm weather load, these can be 2 or 3 grains apart. I ruined some 308 cases with loads that were real hot (too hot) during the winter but went through the roof when it got to be 90 degrees. I do think R19 will work just fine for you.

 

[wapiti25]

I just had a load that shot better initally that was heavy compressed but testing was with a small number of rounds. I backed that load down a grain and actually shot a better score durring a match with the reduced load. I have a lot of a powder that is too slow for my bullet weight so that is why I'm loading compressed.

 

[p-man]

With 150 grain Partitions, Ballistic Tips, and Accubonds Nosler lists Reloader 19 as the most accurate powder tested in Manual#3, using a cartridge length of 3.340 and a 24" barrel and 10-twist: 57.5 to start at 2776fps, 59.5 midpoint at 2881 and maximum 61.5 2982fps.

 

[JefferS]

Based on lots of data from lots of places and people, I started with the Nosler 150 gr BT with 55.4 gr of RL19. I think my trim length was 2.484" and my OAL was 3.268". Went up by 0.3 gr for a few loads, but the 55.4 turned out to be the best, and I didn't see any signs of over pressure.

Seemed to be reasonable for 100 yards. I attached a picture.

Thanks for everyone's help.