I good friend and myself have been playing with our 30BR's with some benchmark powder. The BM powder gives excellent results as far as accuracy goes but the velocity is down. I loaded 37gr of BM and my average velo was 2820. The case was darn near full of powder, but i think i can get another .5 gr in there ok. I dont see the velo getting past 2900 however even if i go 27.5. I am not real sure what to think about this. the accuracy was better than my first attempt with 4198. The 4198 shot in the .3's with a velo around 3070 3100, 34 & 34.5gr i think it was. anyway should i stay with whats shooting the best groups even with the lower velo or keep working with the 4198 until i find what works the best., With the Bm recoil was noticeably less with the lower velo and accuracy was looking real good, so i am not real sure what direction to head. Anyone else shooting BM in there 30BR's?
30BR and benchmark
- Thread starter skeetlee
- Start date
I've not messed with BM in the 30BR, but I've tried a whole slew of other powders, and find that many will work. BM is probably on the slow side for the 30BR. If you can't make 4198 work, try N130, H322, and RE7. One of these will surely do the trick. I've had about a half dozen 30BR barrels over the last 2 seasons and find that half prefer 4198, and the other half prefer N130. They all seem to like RE7, but it tends to be a bit dirtier burning than the others. In a modern actioned BR rifle, you can't put enough of any of the powders I listed in the 30BR case to cause a serious over pressure situation. Try boosting your 4198 load beyond 35 grains...I'm assuming you are using the typical 112-118 grain bullets of course.
Ya 110gr sierra's is what i am playing with at the moment blowing brass out and barrel brake in. It still maybe to early for me to come to any real conclusions but it would seem the more 4198 i put in the gun the accuracy declines a bit. I am going to try 33.5gr this morning. that should put my velocity right around 3050. I have read that there could be an accuracy node around 3020-3050?? I also looked at my burn rate chart and i to thought that RE7 might be a good choice. I am not giving up on the 4198 for a while yet. It meters really well for me and i do think i will be able to find the load i need with it. What about seating depths? Is there any golden rule with the 30BR? Thanks Lee
You might consider trying some custom bullets. There are too many shooters, winning too many matches with H4198 and N130, to discount the use of these powders. Nobody, that I know, is winning with factory bullets, of any brand.
Doc
I have some custom bullets but i dont want to waste them blowing out brass and brake in. My shooting pard is shooting custom bullets and having the same results as i did, actually he has shot his rifle a lot more than myself and most of what i stated above id from his work. Our rifles were both built by the same smith with the same reamer at the same time. We both have better accuracy with Benchmark, over the 4198. It would seem that these two rifles will shoot any bullet decently, just some better than others, but none bad! I am waiting on some custom 112gr bullets so hopefully the 4198 will work really well with them. I was just kinda curious if anyone else was shooting benchmark powder in there 30BR. The 30BR info page shows a velocity of 29-- with benchmark and 118gr bullets. I just dont see how that is possible. Anyway, feel free to share, as i like to read and learn. Thanks Lee
I have some custom bullets but i dont want to waste them blowing out brass and brake in. My shooting pard is shooting custom bullets and having the same results as i did, actually he has shot his rifle a lot more than myself and most of what i stated above id from his work. Our rifles were both built by the same smith with the same reamer at the same time. We both have better accuracy with Benchmark, over the 4198. It would seem that these two rifles will shoot any bullet decently, just some better than others, but none bad! I am waiting on some custom 112gr bullets so hopefully the 4198 will work really well with them. I was just kinda curious if anyone else was shooting benchmark powder in there 30BR. The 30BR info page shows a velocity of 29-- with benchmark and 118gr bullets. I just dont see how that is possible. Anyway, feel free to share, as i like to read and learn. Thanks Lee
AlNyhus
Silver $$ Contributor
I wouldn't jump to any conclusions until you start using some real BR bullets. With H4198, you'll find multiple accuracy nodes between 32.5 and until you can't physically get any more powder in the case.
This assumes you have at least .0015 neck clearance, if not .002. If you have any less than this over those Sierra 110's, you're going to run into some real issues when you start using a BR bullet with a fatter pressure ring. Lots of 30BR's are at their best with more than .002 neck clearance. So, assuming you have adequate neck clearance and trusting that you will and can verify this:
I suggest starting your tuneup with a neck bushing .004 under what a loaded round measures and the bullets seated to 'jam' .025-.030. With this done, you simply tune with the powder charge until you see what you like on the target.
This assumes you have at least .0015 neck clearance, if not .002. If you have any less than this over those Sierra 110's, you're going to run into some real issues when you start using a BR bullet with a fatter pressure ring. Lots of 30BR's are at their best with more than .002 neck clearance. So, assuming you have adequate neck clearance and trusting that you will and can verify this:
I suggest starting your tuneup with a neck bushing .004 under what a loaded round measures and the bullets seated to 'jam' .025-.030. With this done, you simply tune with the powder charge until you see what you like on the target.
I assume a custom barrel thats been lapped....they don't require much break-in beyond several shots.
Some of my best accuracy has come when 'fireforming' in both 30 BR and 6 PPC....and in 30 BR that case ain't changing dimensions all that much.
IMO your wasting time and $$ not using time tested components that are currently WINNING competition...right from the git-go.
If your forced to use a factory bullet, my vote would be the Speer 125 TNT.
Some of my best accuracy has come when 'fireforming' in both 30 BR and 6 PPC....and in 30 BR that case ain't changing dimensions all that much.
IMO your wasting time and $$ not using time tested components that are currently WINNING competition...right from the git-go.
If your forced to use a factory bullet, my vote would be the Speer 125 TNT.
What twist barrels?
As was said, you NEED to use BR quality bullets, or your just wasting powder. The 30 BR is probably the easiest cartridge to make shoot, as well as keep shooting, of the short range chamberings. I use a formula similar to Al's when it comes to neck clearance and tension, with a .3275' loaded round and a .323' or .324' bushing, depending on the hardness of the brass. This is of course for a .330' neck chamber.
Thanks fellas for all your comments. One reason why i am using the sierra is because i only have 100 match grade bullets at this time,waiting on my BIBS to be done) and i thought i would be wasting them until i got the brass blown out. The sierras were cheap and they shoot pretty good, but i will stop using them. My reamer is the Robinett reamer from Dave kiff. My smith did say something about having a thou clearance on each side of the neck so i assume I am ok there. I am learning fellas and this is why i ask and talk so much. I enjoy learning from you fellas and reading what you have to say. I appreciate it very much. I am not going to give up on the 4198 by any means. I was just pretty impressed by the accuracy that the BM was giving, well at least until we saw the velocity. I guess one of the questions i had was, does the velocity have to be up around 3000 to be competitive at 100 and 200 yards? The recoil is noticeably less at 2800fps. Wouldnt that be a good thing in the 30BR???
We had a varmint for score match today and Mason won it with his 30BR. I didnt do to bad either as my score was the best it has ever been. I did notice that those little 110gr sierras blow around a bunch even with very little wind. This is so far my most favorite rifle I have owned to this date. I am interested in learning everything i can about this chambering. By the way i did shoot 4198 today at a velocity of 3045 and i felt like it was shooting real good. Hard to tell for sure when your shooting for score and not group. thanks again fellas i do appreciate all you have to say, I really do!!! Lee
We had a varmint for score match today and Mason won it with his 30BR. I didnt do to bad either as my score was the best it has ever been. I did notice that those little 110gr sierras blow around a bunch even with very little wind. This is so far my most favorite rifle I have owned to this date. I am interested in learning everything i can about this chambering. By the way i did shoot 4198 today at a velocity of 3045 and i felt like it was shooting real good. Hard to tell for sure when your shooting for score and not group. thanks again fellas i do appreciate all you have to say, I really do!!! Lee
Do you guys think Benchmark is slow enough to use heavier projectiles with in a 30 BR with a faster 1:13.5 twist 27.5 inch long barrel??
I am currently using Rl-10X with the 155 Palma or F-class projectiles and my gut is telling me that the powder is too fast.
But at 30 grains the cases are not exhibiting pressure signs to back my gut feeling up
suggestions please
I have 4 thou total neck clearance, and am using 2.5-3 thou neck tension on necked up Norma brass
P
I am currently using Rl-10X with the 155 Palma or F-class projectiles and my gut is telling me that the powder is too fast.
But at 30 grains the cases are not exhibiting pressure signs to back my gut feeling up
suggestions please
I have 4 thou total neck clearance, and am using 2.5-3 thou neck tension on necked up Norma brass
P
As far as custom bullets go for my 30BR they are a tad bit hard to come by without a long wait. I have noticed that Berger bullets are all over the equipment lists. Would the Berger 115gr 30cal bullets be worth trying? Bruno has them in stock. Like i said above i have an order in for some BIB 110's but it is going on 2 months now and no word. He is a busy fella!!! Lee
Ogre6br said:
If your not loosing primer pockets in just a few firings,especially with Norma cases), then I suspect you are probably OK. With the heavier bullets, I would think that 10X would be about right. It's right in line with N133 or 8208 in burn rate. I believe that the newer BM is slower than the 133 type powders, but may work well with the heavier bullets.
skeetlee said:
Never tried Bergers, and I don't see them on too many equipment lists in my area,at least not on top of the list). The bullet I've had the most success with is 10X,Dick Baier & Chad Schmidt), followed by Fowler and Euber. Of course Randy's bullets are top notch as well. I used to be able to get a couple thousand bullets from Dick in a couple weeks time. I'm not sure how long the wait is now, as I pretty much keep a standing order. Give Dick a call at 920-410-3400.
AlNyhus
Silver $$ Contributor
Mason: Guy Chism passed away several years ago. His '10X' .30 cal. dies and equipment are now owned by Dick Baier and Chad Schmidt from Wisconsin and they are making .30's under the '10X Bullets' name.
Dick Baier:,920)410-3400,c),920)688-2667,h)
Chad Schmidt:,920)582-4763,h)
Dick Baier:,920)410-3400,c),920)688-2667,h)
Chad Schmidt:,920)582-4763,h)
Thanks Al,
looks like its about time for some web sites to update there
links pages... I see that the Fowlers bullets phone number
is wrong as well..
Quick question,,,
I have a guy that will make me some boat tail bullets in 118gr is there any other bullet maker producing 30cal bullets in the 112gr--118gr in a boat tail..
looks like its about time for some web sites to update there
links pages... I see that the Fowlers bullets phone number
is wrong as well..
Quick question,,,
I have a guy that will make me some boat tail bullets in 118gr is there any other bullet maker producing 30cal bullets in the 112gr--118gr in a boat tail..
AlNyhus
Silver $$ Contributor
A pal that makes .30 cal. BR bullets for himself has tinkered with some relatively lightweight,135-ish) boat tails. I'm not aware of a custom bullet maker that has them 'generally available' to the public, though.
Randy Robinett has an excellent site dedicated to his line of bullets. The site has a lot of valuable info that isn't readily available to those looking for SG numbers, recommended twist rates, etc. Like anything RG does, it's first rate.
http://www.bibullets.com/
Anyone interested in 1,000 125gr. 10X bullets,available now)can contact me for details.
Good shootin'.
-Al
Randy Robinett has an excellent site dedicated to his line of bullets. The site has a lot of valuable info that isn't readily available to those looking for SG numbers, recommended twist rates, etc. Like anything RG does, it's first rate.
http://www.bibullets.com/
Anyone interested in 1,000 125gr. 10X bullets,available now)can contact me for details.
Good shootin'.
-Al
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