Latest Nosler load data re: 30-06, 180 grain bullets and H4831
- Thread starter SS427
- Start date
Lapua40X
California Hunter Education Instructor
Seeing as how Hodgdon lists tops for the 180 GR. SIE SPBT with H4831 at 60.0C with 44,300 CUP I'll stay well below that load limit.
Gotta remember that all that load data is based on cartridges prepared to strict laboratory controlled specifications and fired in a chamber that likely has little resemblance to the one in your gun.
Start low, move slow, understand that when pressure signs begin to show you passed the safe limits a long time ago.
Gotta remember that all that load data is based on cartridges prepared to strict laboratory controlled specifications and fired in a chamber that likely has little resemblance to the one in your gun.
Start low, move slow, understand that when pressure signs begin to show you passed the safe limits a long time ago.
lots of manuals, if you study them, the different powders, cartridges, will either state pressure in Cup or psi, -- not exact comparison as various cartridges have differing max pressure as designed. in most modern ones the max is usually somewhere in the 50,000cup or 60,000psi
the different chambers, bbls, headspace, brass, bullet, powder/lot will all effect the pressure your rifle generats when fired thus these max pressures in manuals and/or design spec. are only a paper number and your rifle will tell you when your load is getting too hot or has room to go.
always start low and work up!!
Bob
the different chambers, bbls, headspace, brass, bullet, powder/lot will all effect the pressure your rifle generats when fired thus these max pressures in manuals and/or design spec. are only a paper number and your rifle will tell you when your load is getting too hot or has room to go.
always start low and work up!!
Bob
That is the reason that loading data has start and max loads. Always begin at the start loads and work up is the advice that you will find in every loading manual some place. Between 59.3 and 60 grs H4831 is the max load listed with 180 gr cup and core bullets between my Sierra, Hodgdon, and Lyman manuals. 60 grs is listed as a compressed load in Hodgdon and Lyman.
Went to the range today with this load. I shot one round with 58 grains of H4831 with no issues. Since I want this as an elk load, I want as much velocity/energy as possible so I didn't care how it grouped with 58 grains; just wanted to check the load.
I then tried 60 grains of H4831, again with no issues. I fire 2 more rounds, again with no issues, but it grouped around 2 inches.
I then tried one round with 62 grains of H4831, and again no issues. Primers looked good and no hard bolt lift. Recoil was a beast. I fired two more rounds, again with no issues, and ended up with a group slightly over one inch. I'm headed back to the range on Sunday to try three more rounds at 62 grains. Looks like the Nosler data is within pressure limits at least in my rifle.
Part of the reason I posted this in the first place is Nosler recently updated their load data website and I noticed several calibers I shoot are now listed with hotter loads.
Out of curiosity tonight I looked in my Speer manual and they too list a 180 grain .30-06 load with 62 grains of H4831 powder. If I get any primer or bolt lift issues on Sunday I will post that.
I then tried 60 grains of H4831, again with no issues. I fire 2 more rounds, again with no issues, but it grouped around 2 inches.
I then tried one round with 62 grains of H4831, and again no issues. Primers looked good and no hard bolt lift. Recoil was a beast. I fired two more rounds, again with no issues, and ended up with a group slightly over one inch. I'm headed back to the range on Sunday to try three more rounds at 62 grains. Looks like the Nosler data is within pressure limits at least in my rifle.
Part of the reason I posted this in the first place is Nosler recently updated their load data website and I noticed several calibers I shoot are now listed with hotter loads.
Out of curiosity tonight I looked in my Speer manual and they too list a 180 grain .30-06 load with 62 grains of H4831 powder. If I get any primer or bolt lift issues on Sunday I will post that.
I like how they publish the H2O capacity of the cases that they use too - very nice! I only question the length of the barrels: 24" for a 260 Remington but 26" for a 9.3x62 
My go to load for the 200 gr Nosler is 60 gr H4831 in Win. brass. Been shooting that same load for about 50 years in my old Model 70.
DO NOT use IMR 4831 powder as a Sub. The IMR powder is a little faster burn rate.
The older loading date is kept down because of older rifles that the caliber was chambered in. I would not be shooting these loads in somebodies old Springfield. In modern rifles the Nosler data is safe.
DO NOT use IMR 4831 powder as a Sub. The IMR powder is a little faster burn rate.
The older loading date is kept down because of older rifles that the caliber was chambered in. I would not be shooting these loads in somebodies old Springfield. In modern rifles the Nosler data is safe.
I did get out but this time the 62 grain load with 180 grain Accubond bullets didn't shoot well at all. Same load with 165 grain Ballistic Tips gave me a three shot group of .878 at 100 yards. Taking that load as a backup to my .270 Win deer hunting in a week.
Rifle is a Remington model 700 - SPS model I think. Cheap plastic stock and bead blasted stainless.
Rifle is a Remington model 700 - SPS model I think. Cheap plastic stock and bead blasted stainless.
wildcatter
Silver $$ Contributor
I found this old thread and thought, who in the world works up loads this way, and why was it not condemned!!
A lot of these older calibers are listed at less than max, staying well bellow todays safe pressure's. It is for good reason, that old Springfield or Mauser that so many were built on over the years are not safe with todays modern pressure levels!
It is your best responsible job to start with starting loads in any rifle! I also would never tell anyone to start low and work up in 2 grain increments!!!
The wise thing to do with any caliber is work up slow! in a 35 cal. or even 7mm, 1/2 grain can show a difference in a safe load and a hot load!
Try this 1/2 grain jump in a 17 caliber or even a 22 caliber can be dangerous! As the smaller the bore the quicker even the slightest change can show dangerous spikes in pressure!
I never try more than 1/2 grain in any caliber when working with any new load or component in any cartridge. But when I work with 6mm and below 3 tenths is as large a jump as I will make, in a 17 or 20 caliber 2 tenths would be good advice!
But make no mistake, this same statement goes for when you reach the book maximum! Just because the book says so, don't make it a fact in every rifle. Over the years decades ago, I found many old cartridges like 257 Roberts, 7mm Mauser, 30/06, and others, are many times anemic in modern loads! All three in modern firearms I have found to greatly increase in performance, and cartridges like the old Roberts to give performance close to the magnums in that caliber and do it with much less powder, longer barrel life, and better accuracy!
But responsible load work is required not only to find a safe maximum, but to find your best useable accuracy! loading 2 grains even 1 grain increments will not only be dangerous,, it will not give you any worthwhile information developing any load on any cartridge! Slow down and smell the powder,, it will be much safer, and much more educational!!
A lot of these older calibers are listed at less than max, staying well bellow todays safe pressure's. It is for good reason, that old Springfield or Mauser that so many were built on over the years are not safe with todays modern pressure levels!
It is your best responsible job to start with starting loads in any rifle! I also would never tell anyone to start low and work up in 2 grain increments!!!
The wise thing to do with any caliber is work up slow! in a 35 cal. or even 7mm, 1/2 grain can show a difference in a safe load and a hot load!
Try this 1/2 grain jump in a 17 caliber or even a 22 caliber can be dangerous! As the smaller the bore the quicker even the slightest change can show dangerous spikes in pressure!
I never try more than 1/2 grain in any caliber when working with any new load or component in any cartridge. But when I work with 6mm and below 3 tenths is as large a jump as I will make, in a 17 or 20 caliber 2 tenths would be good advice!
But make no mistake, this same statement goes for when you reach the book maximum! Just because the book says so, don't make it a fact in every rifle. Over the years decades ago, I found many old cartridges like 257 Roberts, 7mm Mauser, 30/06, and others, are many times anemic in modern loads! All three in modern firearms I have found to greatly increase in performance, and cartridges like the old Roberts to give performance close to the magnums in that caliber and do it with much less powder, longer barrel life, and better accuracy!
But responsible load work is required not only to find a safe maximum, but to find your best useable accuracy! loading 2 grains even 1 grain increments will not only be dangerous,, it will not give you any worthwhile information developing any load on any cartridge! Slow down and smell the powder,, it will be much safer, and much more educational!!
Last edited:
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
SS427, it's most likely too late to change your load this year, but after many years of elking here in Orygun, many of us that shoot the old 06 for elk went to the Nosler 200gr Partition vs the 180gr. It has much more thump at the receiving end that you'd expect from just 20grs more bullet weight. The extra bullet weight seems to make a difference in the end result.
Disclaimer: I don't shoot my 06 much any more, as I use my 270 or 7-08 Ackley for mulies, and since 1990, have used my M70 in .338-06 Ackley with the 210gr Partition at 2,800 fps for elk. Now that is a real elk caliber!
Disclaimer: I don't shoot my 06 much any more, as I use my 270 or 7-08 Ackley for mulies, and since 1990, have used my M70 in .338-06 Ackley with the 210gr Partition at 2,800 fps for elk. Now that is a real elk caliber!
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.