30 BR Questions

[chaz]

I'm thinking of building a new rifle in 30 BR mostly to shoot 100,200, and 300 not in BR competition, but maybe an occasional ground hog match. I was wondering what the capabilities are past 300 yds? I don't see much info on that. I realize that the cartridge was built for BR, but I would like to try it.Also if there are any suggestions on Barrel and twist i would appreciate it.

thanks charlie

 

[rayjay]

There is a 30br cartridge guide over on the main site. Also, somewhere there is some info from shelley about using his 30 at long ranges.

http://www.6mmbr.com/30br.html

I have a 30BR Viper that is an amazing rifle. The first time I shot the rifle I got 2nd place at 100 and 3rd overall. It was only my second score match ever and my 4th BR match ever so you know it wasn't the shooter !!!

I also have a complete 30BR set up for a Savage in the FS section . Bbl, brass, bullets, reloading dies, etc.

 

[chaz]

Rayjay,
I checked out the 30 BR info page, that is what got my curiosity up on shooting again. I had a about a two year lay off from shooting. But i have not saw much info on over 300 with the cartridge. I did look at some scores at shippensburg groundhog matches and saw that one person was using it. The score dropped off considerably at 500. I had a 6BR built on a Savage action that shot very well. If I can locate a new Savage competition action at a reasonable price I would be interested in your stuff. What is the twist and amount of grooves on your PAC-Nor barrel?
Charlie

 

[rayjay]

It's an 18 twist, 5 groove. It is a small shank so it won't fit the new Savage target actions. You would need one of the old style. I actually prefer the long action single shots and I have 2 fitted up with 6BR bbls right now.

 

[savet06]

Hey there Chaz,
I just put together this rig based on a Savage LRPV action: 30br shilen 17twist 6 groove 26" tube.
Just starting to work up loads and getting some great results with all the info provided here on the cartridge guide.

One of the posters here, Aussiebob, uses the 30br out to 5 and 600 yards with good success. I don't know that it's the ideal round for that range, and if you are considering shooting longer than 300 on a regular basis I think there are better cartridges out there,at least, better bullets which are specifically designed for that purpose), but you can certainly use it! So far,160rounds) it is a great cartridge that I really enjoy shooting.

 

[Aussie_bob]

Hey there Chaz,
Savet06 is correct i have shot my 30BR 17twist 5 groove PAC-NOR 24" barreled rifle with some success at 500m and 600 yards 1.75" group at 500m,550yards)near dead on the bull I don`t get to shoot much at that range but when i get the chance in Townsville 250 miles north i like to upset the locals with my POP GUN i have shot it at 1,000 yards and yes they went through clean i use 32.7grs of AR2207 which Hogdson market as H4198 my barrel was chambered with a Randy Robinette design reamer with no free bore and the base of the 115gr projectiles sit just above the neck shoulder with it .015" into the lands.Will attach a couple of the 500m targets what we call FLY targets.

 

[Ogre6br]

Im having my 30 BR built on a faster twist barrel so I can shoot at longer ranges. this 30 br will be my comp gun so it will do all duties from 100-600 yards
If I had know that info about what Aussie bob had done out to 600+ yards I would have gotten a standard twist barrel for the .30 BR's but I already had my barrel,1:13.5) by the time ABob posted about his sucess. For you you might want to consider maybe just a slightly faster twist than the 1:18 just to garantee you stabalize the slightly heavier projectiles for longer range but dont loose out on anything with the short range match ones. 1:17 or 1:16.5 just for that little bit of safety.
My 1:13.5 is a F-class range rifle barrel and it should work with everything upto the 155-168's but you wont need to go that quick-- I want to try the 155,or 168's) at 1000 just to see if it will work.
ABob emailled me about shooting 125 NBT at 700 yards with his- and his groups were better than I can do at 300.

LAter
p

 

[chaz]

thanks for the replies, savet06 that's a good looking rig, hope you have good sucess with it. I haven't decided which way to go yet, with the exception of the barrel. That will be a shilen 17 twist 24". I do like the new Savage actions and have had good luck with them. Plus they are more in my budget!Aussie bob that's good enough shootin for what I want to do at 500, like I posted earlier just an ground hog shoot once in a while mostly 100 and 200 fun shooting at local range.

Charlie

 

[Aussie_bob]

Well Chaz,
Mine started out as a 100, 200 Yard bench rest Hunter class rifle as we don`t have case capacity rules over here and it shot really well we only have 400 yards at our range and i had experimented at that range just to get the fall rate and check with the ballistic program i use and all was in order.
At a few ranges around Australia they shoot 500m FLY.
So when Townsville 250 miles north said they were shooting it i said i wouldn't mind having a go with the 30BR needless to say they told me not to bother it wouldn't make it. Well the ballistics program told me different and the 400 yard shooting also showed promise with groups i was putting down to flukes.
The mate and i traveled to Townsville for a club match and had a go and with a little difficulty reading conditions it showed promise.
When we came back the mate pulled out his old 7X57 and put it into a bench rest stock which bought it up to about 16lbs and he would shoot that in the upcoming state titles and Prize shoot combined Peter Short Memorial shoot i said no i would stick with the 30BR and am i glad i did.
I took out the smallest group, the highest score on a single target as well as light gun and was only beaten by two heavy guns in overall score all at 500m that was last year this year i was beaten for group but still got highest score on a target also took the chance to have a shot at 1,000 yards in windy conditions.
Some of the 300 Winny mags where having shots blown off target i managed 4 out of 5 on target and they went through clean not keyholeing at all so next year i will have another go.
Yes i could go for a 6mm or a big kicker but i have spinal and shoulder damage and can no longer handle bad recoil so i will persist and take it as a challenge to get my 5 shot on target at 1,000 yards and keep on keeping them honest at 500m and 600 yards.
Will attach a 600 yard target shot in comp would have been a winner if i hadn`t got one shot high but shows just what you can do at 600 yards.

 

[chaz]

Aussie Bob, it seems like your having good success at beating the naysayer's of using this cartridge at the longer distances. I'm going to enjoy having some fun trying to duplicate some of the success your having.

Chaz

 

[Doubletree]

Gentlemen- I am confused. I shoot a 308 Win 1x13" twist with 154 Lapua Scenars, in F,TR), out to 900m. I have tried 167 & 185 Scenars and they tumble past 700m. So how can a 30BR stabilize the same 154's with a 1x16" twist???
I really want to build a 30BR but what twist do I need to shoot the medium weight 30 cal bullets, 110 to 154 grain. I should also add that I live in Alberta Canada where it is now -15C at an elevation of 4500 ft.
Our local barrel maker, RKS, can make a 30 cal cut rifle barrel in also most any twist I want up to 1 x 20".
Also do you neck turn your brass? Has anyone tried the 30BR with a not turn neck?

Thank, Jay

 

[Aussie_bob]

Doubletree,
I have shot the 125gr projectiles in my 30BR but no heavier as i cannot fit them and the required amount of powder in the case but did experiment with a 30x47L And was getting 308 velocities with the 155gr projectiles with just a bit less powder but saw no advantage really and with the 130gr projectiles didn't see any significant advantage over a 30BR so have abandoned that idea and we will now build a 6.5x47.
I will still be shooting my 30BR with 115gr projectiles at 500, 600 & 1000 yards just to prove that it can be done i don`t expect to be very competitive at 1,000 but wish to prove that i can achieve a clean group at this range with my Popgun as it has been called. I feel i will stay competitive at the 500m & 600 yards shoot but am also building a 6BR to try at this range.

 

[Doubletree]

You guys are probably right, I am expecting too much out of the 30BR. As Aussie Bob points out, maybe the 6.5x47 Lapua is the way to go. It can handle 107's to 142's without too many problems. Also with the 6.5x47 I don't have to neck trun brass.

Thanks, Jay

 

[rmorr01]

If you form the 30BR brass by using an expander you have no alternative to neck turning. Part of the new neck comes from what was the shoulder and is considerably thicker and forms an external donut that has to be cut off. Al Nyhus discussed fireforming vs expanding with a mandrel in another thread here which might get around this.

Do you need to neck turn every time or just in the initial sizing procedure? I have to ask; How much are BIB 112gr bullets? and have you tried any others such as Berger or the other major commercial brands,Hornady/Speer/Sierra) ? Thanks, Robert

 

[dreever]

The Shippensburg Pa. 200/300/500 meter range record,146X150)was initially shot by a 7MM mag then subsequently tied by shooters shooting two 6BR's and then with a 30BR by Charlie Stambaugh. Yep, the 30BR can hold it's own when the wind isn't blowing to bad.

Danny

 

[rmorr01]

Do you need to neck turn every time or just in the initial sizing procedure? I have to ask; How much are BIB 112gr bullets? and have you tried any others such as Berger or the other major commercial brands,Hornady/Speer/Sierra) ?

I only turn them once and they last pretty much forever - at least 30 or more loadings.

I just sent Randy a check for 2,000 118 grain seven ogives and it was just under 32 cents each delivered. His bullets are a real bargain considering the quality. He's a busy guy so you need to plan ahead.

I haven't tried the 125 Bergers but they're about 29 cents each. Nosler makes a 125 grain ballistic tip hunting bullet that is in the same price range. If I ever get around to building a 30BR deer rifle that's where I'd start.

Thanks gunamonth!, Merry Christmas and happy holidays

 

[eww1350]

Robert, if you have an 1-18 twist barrel try the 110 grain Berger bullets...you will be surprised how well they shoot...IMO the best production made match bullet..!

 

[Ogre6br]

so how do the 125 TNT's go in a 30 BR??

thanks
later
P

 

[rmorr01]

Robert, if you have an 1-18 twist barrel try the 110 grain Berger bullets...you will be surprised how well they shoot...IMO the best production made match bullet..!

I was thinking about using the Hornady 110gr v-max or the Sierra 110gr HPBT and as Ogre6br mentioned the Speer 125 TNT with a 1-17 twist.

 

[eww1350]

Robert, I tried the V-max and it was not good out of my 18 twist barrel...I have not tried the Sierra, but I would be surprised if they were very accurate...