Problem with 30-06 loads?

MR-7-45 · October 26, 2005, 05:09 AM

Recently I loaded up a batch of 30-06 rounds with 52gr of IMR 4064 pushing a 150 gr Sierra SPBT. I carefully weighed each charge and I had calibrated the scale before measuring. I noticed after firing each riound that there was burned powder residue on the outside of the neck of the casing on each of the spent casings. The burned powder would go down as far as the shoulder but never on to the shoulder.

I had loaded some with 55 gr of IMR 4320 pushing a 125gr Nosler BT and there was no burned residue on those casings after firing. I did use a taper crimp die on these rounds.

Should I use a taper crimp die on the 150 gr rounds or is there some other problem?

Waffen · October 26, 2005, 06:32 AM

Slight ammounts of suit or powder on the neck is fine, if it ever whipes off on you're hand though I would try upping the charge by .5. Usually that resedue is caused by having a weak charge.

BTW I don't know if it really means that much to ya, but I just checked my Sierra #13 manual and I don't see a load listed for 150gr and 4064, although the max charge on a 130gr is 55gr @ 2979. Sounds like you are in the right area, but who knows.

MR-7-45 · October 26, 2005, 08:10 PM

Thanks Waffen. I got that load out of the 48th Edition Lyman Reloading Handbook. The bullets are Sierra "Game Kings" I think. 53 gr is the max load for that recipe. So it shouldn't be too weak. I may want to calibrate my scale again. It is in old RCBS scale. Good reason to get an electronic scale.

Dave Haven · October 26, 2005, 09:55 PM

The "smoked" neck is normal.
In my experience, 52 grains of IMR-4064 behind a Sierra 150 gr Spitzer in the '06 is quite accurate. I've shot a 1.56 MOA 5-shot group with that load in my '03A3 with the military sights.

rwilson452 · October 26, 2005, 11:11 PM

It's normal. It's cause is the fact that the chamber is a bit oversized. this is normal in a factory barrel. it allows the charge to flow back onto the neck as pressure declines. Primers and difficulty in extraction are better indications of overpressure.

MR-7-45 · October 27, 2005, 08:02 AM

Thanks all. Everything else was ok. I was just concerned because I didn't get the smoked neck on the 125 gr loads or my 185 gr loads.

stinger · October 27, 2005, 08:01 PM

The first load you mentioned is ridiculously accurate in my Remington 700.

Normally I would think that a situation like this is too light of a charge. But I know that it is not, at least in this case.

Regards,

Stinger

Paul B. · October 28, 2005, 04:43 PM

In case anyone hasn't noticed, my latest batch of Winchester 180 gr. Silvertips had smoked necks and velocity was significanly below advertised specs.

mehtinks they've downloaded the ammo again.

Paul B.

Foxman · October 29, 2005, 01:59 PM

The RCBS manual scales are actually very accurate, more so than the electronic ones ( they are just nice to have and yes I have both!) The other thing that can cause the neck not to obturate properly is if it is getting hard. I do the cases in a tray of water thing after 5 reloads to keep the necks annealed and keep consistency too. It doesnt take long to do and resizing is easier as well.

October 26, 2005, 11:11 PM	#5
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	dirty neck It's normal. It's cause is the fact that the chamber is a bit oversized. this is normal in a factory barrel. it allows the charge to flow back onto the neck as pressure declines. Primers and difficulty in extraction are better indications of overpressure.

October 28, 2005, 04:43 PM	#8
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,801	In case anyone hasn't noticed, my latest batch of Winchester 180 gr. Silvertips had smoked necks and velocity was significanly below advertised specs. mehtinks they've downloaded the ammo again. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

October 26, 2005, 05:09 AM	#1
MR-7-45 Member Join Date: October 4, 2005 Location: Central Texas Posts: 70	Problem with 30-06 loads? Recently I loaded up a batch of 30-06 rounds with 52gr of IMR 4064 pushing a 150 gr Sierra SPBT. I carefully weighed each charge and I had calibrated the scale before measuring. I noticed after firing each riound that there was burned powder residue on the outside of the neck of the casing on each of the spent casings. The burned powder would go down as far as the shoulder but never on to the shoulder. I had loaded some with 55 gr of IMR 4320 pushing a 125gr Nosler BT and there was no burned residue on those casings after firing. I did use a taper crimp die on these rounds. Should I use a taper crimp die on the 150 gr rounds or is there some other problem?

October 26, 2005, 06:32 AM	#2
Waffen Member Join Date: February 3, 2002 Location: Austin Posts: 85	Slight ammounts of suit or powder on the neck is fine, if it ever whipes off on you're hand though I would try upping the charge by .5. Usually that resedue is caused by having a weak charge. BTW I don't know if it really means that much to ya, but I just checked my Sierra #13 manual and I don't see a load listed for 150gr and 4064, although the max charge on a 130gr is 55gr @ 2979. Sounds like you are in the right area, but who knows.

October 26, 2005, 08:10 PM	#3
MR-7-45 Member Join Date: October 4, 2005 Location: Central Texas Posts: 70	Thanks Waffen. I got that load out of the 48th Edition Lyman Reloading Handbook. The bullets are Sierra "Game Kings" I think. 53 gr is the max load for that recipe. So it shouldn't be too weak. I may want to calibrate my scale again. It is in old RCBS scale. Good reason to get an electronic scale.

October 26, 2005, 09:55 PM	#4
Dave Haven Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2000 Location: near Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 790	The "smoked" neck is normal. In my experience, 52 grains of IMR-4064 behind a Sierra 150 gr Spitzer in the '06 is quite accurate. I've shot a 1.56 MOA 5-shot group with that load in my '03A3 with the military sights.

October 27, 2005, 08:02 AM	#6
MR-7-45 Member Join Date: October 4, 2005 Location: Central Texas Posts: 70	Thanks all. Everything else was ok. I was just concerned because I didn't get the smoked neck on the 125 gr loads or my 185 gr loads.

October 27, 2005, 08:01 PM	#7
stinger Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2001 Location: west texas Posts: 772	The first load you mentioned is ridiculously accurate in my Remington 700. Normally I would think that a situation like this is too light of a charge. But I know that it is not, at least in this case. Regards, Stinger

October 29, 2005, 01:59 PM	#9
Foxman Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2005 Posts: 466	The RCBS manual scales are actually very accurate, more so than the electronic ones ( they are just nice to have and yes I have both!) The other thing that can cause the neck not to obturate properly is if it is getting hard. I do the cases in a tray of water thing after 5 reloads to keep the necks annealed and keep consistency too. It doesnt take long to do and resizing is easier as well.