Anyone getting 2900 ft/sec from their .30-06?

[pharmseller]

So what load will give a guy 2900 ft/sec from a 24" .30-06 with 180 grain bullets? I'm not trying to duplicate it, I got into a discussion with a guy who claims it's not possible. I think it is, and safe.
Help a fella out!


P

[Don McDowell]

I'm not sure you could get a 180 to that speed out of an 06 without putting some serious strain on things. Getting 2950 out of my #1 with 165's is only accomplished with load data not printed any more.

[Old Savage]

That is a little too hot for a 30-06. If you want that much you should use one of the 300/308 mags.

[Modoc ED]

So what load will give a guy 2900 ft/sec from a 24" .30-06 with 180 grain bullets? I'm not trying to duplicate it, I got into a discussion with a guy who claims it's not possible. I think it is, and safe.
Help a fella out!


P

I'd be curious as to how/why the conversation came up. Like the other guys said, 2900 fps is a bit warm. 2700 fps is realistic but that is usually reached using max loads.

[CEMENTHEAD]

I'm getting 2894 fps average from an unpublished load of RL-22 with 180 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips. Is that close enough? It's safe in my 24" Douglas barreled, Ultra Light Arms 30-06 and one other Remington 700 with a 24" barrel. The same charge with Partitions is 2821 fps average. In the Remington that load averages 2819 fps with both bullets, kinda wierd considering the Partition has alot more bearing surface. Anyway, hope this helps. Thanks, Tom


P.S. 2950 fps is easy with an 24" barreled '06 and 165 grain bullets. 58.5 grains of IMR-4350.(published load)

[Old Savage]

Cementhead I would like to see a picture of the primers for that load. Or, you could PM me the charge which I promise not to use.

[arjunky]

RL22 does some funny things in certain calibers. I had a 300 ultra that the chrony said 3900 with 140's. I also get 3650 with 140's out of my 300 Weatherby with a 24" barrel.
Rafter-7's 270 AI get's 3390 with 130's.

Byron

[Old Savage]

My chrony would give readings about 400-500 off when the battery got low. The general rule with cartridges is 25% more powder gives 9% more velocity.

[Charles]

Anyone getting 2,900 fps with a 180 grain bullet out of a 24" bbl 30-06 is loading way past the red line. I am not saying it can't be done. I am saying it shouldnt be done.

[Rusty]

Veral Smith writes about pushing a 180 grain paper patched bullet faster than that out of an Enfield.

[Lefty Dude]

My Wildcat 30/338 will push a 180 very close to 2900FPS. It's better than a 300 WM.

A 30-06, I don't think so.

[71fan]

Hordady's Light Magnum load gets it (according to their website) : https://www.hornady.com/shop/?page=ball ... t_sku=8518

Also, if Barnes offers the coated XLC bullet in a 180 (I don't have my manual with me) it would come very close with IMR-4350. Maybe someone else can check their Barnes manual or I'll check this evening.

[Old Savage]

I loaded the XLC in a 7-08 and it did not deliver as promised.

[w30wcf]

As 71fan mentioned, Hornady is doing it.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=297870

No doubt they use a powder not available to reloaders.

w30wcf

[Modoc ED]

w30wcf - Yep, Hornady claims that; however, I find it a little odd that they hit EXACTLY 2900 fps. That is the magic number that a lot of shooters are looking for and I wonder if maybe Hornady didn't round up a little to get 2900 fps. Yes, I do use their "Light Magnum" rounds (especially for .444 Marlin) and they do run hotter that their standard loads. I was just thinking that maybe that Hornady round you linked at Midway didn't come out to say 2895 fps and that Hornady rounded it up to 2900 fps. Either way, that's a smokin round.

[Lefty Dude]

The real test is to shoot it in your Rifle & crono the results.

I have never had a factory load that preforms as published.

They all tend to shoot less than advertised.

Many factors can change the velocity of a round. And no two Rifles will deliver the same results.

4350 is my powder of choice for the large 30 cal. bullets.( 180's & 190's)

[Modoc ED]

Edit: Never mind. Messed up.

[w30wcf]

Modoc Ed,
Hornady's .30-06 165gr Light Magnum is shown at 3,015 f.p.s., so if that is correct, it is very possible that the 180 Light Magnum hits 2,900 f.p.s. or thereabouts (as you indicated).

w30wcf

[Modoc ED]

Modoc Ed,
Hornady's .30-06 165gr Light Magnum is shown at 3,015 f.p.s., so if that is correct, it is very possible that the 180 Light Magnum hits 2,900 f.p.s. or thereabouts (as you indicated).

w30wcf

Sure. As I said above, it's possible. Wasn't meaning to doubt your word -- just pointing out that Hornady as do others I'm sure, round up fps numbers.

[ole pizen slinger]

I am getting 2830 fps out of my 30-06 (chronographed) with 27 inch barrel. Use 60 gns Hogdon 4831SC, 175 gn Sierra MK, Lapua case, and Federal 210M primer. This is listed as a max load in Hodgdon manual.
OPS

[86er]

I can think of 5 bullets that are 30 cal 180 grain that are designed to work optimally between 2550 fps and 1800 fps. If you start too fast with these bullets they will either expand too rapidly and not penetrate or fail to expand altogether depending on how they are made to work. If you are going to squeeze out that much velocity, make sure there is an advantage to it and you use a bullet that can pull it off.

[Slick13]

Federal makes a load with the 180 gr Nosler Trophy Bonded that's rated at 2880 fps.

Recipes currently on Alliant and Hodgdon's websites don't come anywhere near 2900 fps with a 180 gr bullet, and I know I wouldn't try to push either of my .30-06s that hard.

~Michael

[Mike Rintoul]

If you achieve this with components readily available to the consumer you will experience erratic pressure, accuracy and velocity due to temperature changes. You also risk poor extraction/ejection. The majority of .308/180gr bullets are designed for 30-06 standard factory velocities. At ranges under 100 yds with a 2900 fps load your are doing yourself a disservice. For better (flatter) trajectory use a 165 gr bullet or a Berger Bullet. For more penetration use a heavier premium bullet. For more expansion, use a bullet like a Scirroco or Hawk. To generically load a 180 gr to 2900 is a compromise and frankly I foresee more disadvantages than advantages. If you must have a 180 at 2900 you should consider having a custom ammunition manufacturer load them with components not commercially available to consumers.

[tman]

cool, all i have to do is buy a box of light magnums and i got a 300 mag! need more ammo like this. a step up in caliber without buying a new rifle

[71fan]

The Barnes reloading manual #3 lists seven loads exceeding 2,900 fps with the XLC coated bullet. The highest velocity for the 180 gr. is 2,965 fps using MRP. FYI, the highest velocity from a non-coated X bullet comes from H / IMR 4831 at about 2,790 fps.

Take it for what it's worth - I'm just relaying what's in the manual. Also, good luck finding XLCs anymore.