Favorite '06 powder/bullet combo

[robtattoo]

So, I tried 165 NABs over 4064 in my Tikka T3x & the results were.....horrible.
Low velocity (sub 2700) & not great groups.

I'm going to run & by powder & re-up on primers tonight & want y'alls opinion on powder as it's a 3 hour round trip.
My plan is to try IMR3450 but I'm open to suggestion.

 

[luke moffat]

RL-17 with 180 accubonds or sciroccos....2850-2900+ with fed 210s

 

[robtattoo]

Should've said; I really want to stick with 165s. I'm planning to try some partitions I have left over.

 

[N2TRKYS]

IMR4350 or H4350(IMR was more accurate in my Dad's rifle, but not by much) and 165 grain Accubonds.

However, RL17 suppose to give higher velocities than IMR 4350.

 

[Minnesotamulisha]

I loaded up some 165 SSTs with H414 and it did pretty well in my Dad's BAR. I dont know what the velocities were, but the load was 55.3 grains of powder.

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[Yellowknife]

IMR4350 or H4350(IMR was more accurate in my Dad's rifle, but not by much) and 165 grain Accubonds.

However, RL17 suppose to give higher velocities than IMR 4350.

My '06 touches 2900 with either of the 4350's or RL-17 when using 165/168's. The -17 doesn't really do much for me until I get to the 180's and 200's. For lighter stuff the old standbys were just as good for me.

H4350 is the most stable of the lot and meters easier than IMR. Near impossible to find though for me up here.

Ramshot Hunter was also decent. Usually 2850+ and very accurate. All test fired in a Tikka.

As usual... YMMV

 

[rileybassman]

57 grains of IMR 4350 with a TTSX 168 and I get low to mid 2900s... I have a fast barrel I am finding as I test other loads, but it's a great load.

 

[Gorp2007]

I went out and tested some reloads this weekend and my Tikka's favorites were 168-gr TTSX over 56.0gr RL-17 seated to 0.06" off the lands. I used a Hornady bullet comparator, so I'm not sure what the COAL is, but it was pretty snug in the magazine (but not touching). I was able to get 4/5 shots touching and one about 0.5 inch off of the rest of the group. I can measure the COAL tonight if you're interested. I get fairly similar results out of 168-gr Hornady Match over the same powder charge.

 

[hunting1]

H4350, IMR4350, and Hunter is where I would start. My go to for my Gen 1 Rem Ti was Varget and 165 gr NP. I killed antelope to elk with this load around 2850 fps.

 

[N2TRKYS]

My '06 touches 2900 with either of the 4350's or RL-17 when using 165/168's. The -17 doesn't really do much for me until I get to the 180's and 200's. For lighter stuff the old standbys were just as good for me.

H4350 is the most stable of the lot and meters easier than IMR. Near impossible to find though for me up here.

Ramshot Hunter was also decent. Usually 2850+ and very accurate. All test fired in a Tikka.

As usual... YMMV

Thanks for the tip on the heavys and RL17. It's still amazing what a difference that makes when pairing the right powder with the right bullet.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

For 165 grainer's I shoot 62 grains of R19 and 57 grains of IMR4350. They both clock in the mid 2700's and show a deviation of 7 fps on the R19 and 8 on the IMR 4350 out of a 22 inch barrel. Both are extremely accurate. In a wood stocked 700 BDL, well under an inch with the IMR and about 3/4 average on the R19 loads. My synthetic stocked 700 ADL averages an inch with the IMR and 3/4 with the R19. Like I said, both are extremely accurate one I started crimping them. It tightened them up dramatically.




If you step up into the 180 grain bullets, do NOT hesitate to go to the max load on R22 if your gun allows it. I loaded up .5 grain test loads and, found all the literature surrounding this load to be true. The closer to max, the better it shoots. I hear R26 replaces 22 without the temperature sensitivity. I don't know that for sure but, I have zero problems with R22. It shoots the same hole literally, out of my wood gun. I haven't had a chance to chrony it but, from the trajectory, I'm saying in the mid 2700's. It is the easiest load I've ever loaded as it hits like a train and shoots light out. I'm thinking I could get 63 to 64 grain loads to work as there is no pressure signs at all. I've never tried it though.



Good luck and God Bless

 

[robtattoo]

Thanks for the advice folks.
Between this thread & much googling I decided to grab a pound of H4350
I've loaded a ladder from 55 to 57 at .4gn increments & I'll be running to the range first thing to chrono & accuracy test.

I'm taking the remaining Accubond loads to verify that it wasn't just me having an off day (it happens, we all know it!) & to double check my chrono under better light conditions.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I've seen it written before that if your rifle won't shoot 57 grains of IMR 4350 and 165 grain bullets accurately, you should sell the rifle. It was on the internet, so we know it's true. Lol

 

[GKPrice]

RL-17 with 180 accubonds or sciroccos....2850-2900+ with fed 210s

what he says ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^

 

[NDGuy]

Subscribed.

Just bought a reloader and have a Tikka 06 so this will be useful!

 

[robtattoo]

So far, first 2 rounds of 3 groups, are much slower than Nosler's published data. I'm over 100fps slower than their data.....

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[black dawg]

When I first started loading for my 3006, the Imr4350 data I found went all the way to 60 grains with a 165. When I worked up, accuracy got better all the way to max, with no pressure signs. velocity matched my 130 grn 270 loads at slightly over 3k.....seemed fast so I backed off some.

 

[robtattoo]

Yeah, I went purely from Nosler's latest published data, rather than older or personal info. I only had 20 partitions left without having to order more so I stopped at 57.

No pressure signs whatsoever & acceptable accuracy didn't show up until 57. I'm going to order a bunch more bullets when I get home & work up to pressure sign. I'm still not hitting 2800, but the jump from 56.6-57 was enough to think that as long as I'm careful I should be able to reach it within ¾gn. I'm really hoping that accuracy stays consistent. It is definitely trending towards better speed = tighter groups in this rifle.
Each group from 55 through 57 got progressively smaller.

One thing I did notice (shooting a group of 5 Accubonds in rapid succession) is that my velocity jumps significantly as the barrel heats. 120fps incremental increase from shots 1 thru 5!

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[rileybassman]

in my experience - which isn't that much granted - but the 06 and IMR powders like a compressed load and to be pushed pretty hard... I think your accuracy will at least stay consistent if not get better as you go faster...

Also, from what I have read - IMR 4350 is a hair faster the H4350 if that is your thing.

I have also consistantly noticed that barnes bullets are faster in a given weight then a cup and core bullet (accubonds, berger, and eld-x bullets are what I have compared to) just FYI.

Looks good! Keep up the good work!

 

[Toyoland66]

I was also using 4350 (I think IMR) and 180 partitions in my 06. I have sold the gun so I don't remember the details of the load.

I have a T3 in 300 WM and one thing I have noticed is that the partitions get beat up in the magazine from the recoil, blunting the tip. I would recommend a polymer tipped or OTM bullet for that reason.