Reloading for Browning Bar 30.06

wcbeagle · November 8, 2020, 10:07 PM

I am reloading for a Browning Bar Light weight Stalker. Have been shooting Rem. 150gr. Core-Lokt for about 8years. For some reason round are like a 3” group at 50 yards. I have some 150 grain and 165 grain Hornady SST. Wondering if anyone is reloading for the same rifle. If so what bullet and powder combination are you using? Thanks in advance.

stagpanther · November 9, 2020, 03:47 AM

Quote:

I am reloading for a Browning Bar Light weight Stalker. Have been shooting Rem. 150gr. Core-Lokt for about 8years. For some reason round are like a 3” group at 50 yards. I have some 150 grain and 165 grain Hornady SST. Wondering if anyone is reloading for the same rifle. If so what bullet and powder combination are you using? Thanks in advance.

I worked on one recently and the bore approaching the muzzle "refused" to stay clean and would foul very quickly affecting the accuracy. I would spend hours getting it clean, get off maybe a few shots for a nice group but it would open up quickly. That was just one bar that I've seen so that may or may not be a factor--just a suggestion to take a look at.

DnPRK · November 9, 2020, 04:27 AM

A gas operated rifle generally needs a moderate charge of medium burning rate powder. I would try the 150 SST with 47 grains of Varget.

T. O'Heir · November 9, 2020, 02:44 PM

No two rifles will shoot the same ammo the same way.
However, just changing bullet weights likely won't make the thing shoot better. The light weight and thin barrel may be the issue.
3" at 100 is good enough for deer with a commercial hunting rifle. It should shoot better than 3" at 50 though. What's it do at 100? Assuming you're testing loads off a solid bench rest.
What powder and load are you using? Has the trigger been done?
47 grains of Varget is the Start load for a 150. Partial to IMR4064 with a 165 or 168 myself.

603Country · November 10, 2020, 07:44 PM

I always used IMR 4064 in my BAR 270. About a medium load. Worked great and shot into about an inch at 100 yards.

For the OP’s rifle I’d probably try IMR 4064, R15, or Varget.

ocharry · November 10, 2020, 10:22 PM

Has it always done that....3" at 50???

If not look for what has changed.... Maybe humidity has swelled the forearm a touch..maybe the crown got bumped or dented..or like stag said...might just need a good cleaning with a copper solvent......I would give it a good look over and then a good cleaning

My .02

Ocharry

GeauxTide · November 10, 2020, 10:33 PM

I've had great results with 50gr of 4064 under 150 Corelokts or Hornady.

wcbeagle · November 11, 2020, 07:53 PM

Thanks for the replies. I finally settled on IMR 4064 50 grs., Hornady 150gr. SST.. Half an inch 5 shot group at 50 yards. 9/10 of an inch at a hundred. Much better than the core-loks.
Thanks again.

**44 AMP** · November 12, 2020, 03:55 AM

Medium burn rate powder, middle of the road loads usually works best in semi's like the BAR.

Standard advice for generations is to use Small base sizing dies, but if you're not using them, and your reloads work fine as it, don't bother changing.

wcbeagle · November 12, 2020, 07:50 AM

I am using RCBS small base dies.

Pomeroy · November 12, 2020, 04:00 PM

50 grains of IMR 4064 behind a 150 grain Hornady is what I have been using for years in my old BAR with great success.

Bart B. · November 13, 2020, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T. O'Heir

No two rifles will shoot the same ammo the same way.

Why not?

**44 AMP** · November 13, 2020, 04:45 PM

Quote:

No two rifles will shoot the same ammo the same way.

Quote:

Why not?

Stacking tolerances.

All of the small differences lining up just the same way is not deliberately achievable. You can get close, you can be very close and very similar, nearly identical results can happen. But, divergent results are equally possible.

Bart B. · November 13, 2020, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 44 AMP

Stacking tolerances.

All of the small differences lining up just the same way is not deliberately achievable. You can get close, you can be very close and very similar, nearly identical results can happen. But, divergent results are equally possible.

Name three stacking tolerances.

50 shooter · November 16, 2020, 05:54 PM

What makes you think its the ammo?

What have you done to the rifle, other than cleaning it?

Is the stock touching the barrel? Have you torqued down the receiver screws to the proper specs? What about the scope, have you checked it? Did you torque all the screws down properly?

RC20 · November 16, 2020, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Thanks for th replies. Ended up with 50grs. IMR 4064, Hornady 150 SST,WLR primer. Half inch 5 shot group at 50 yards. 9/10 of an inch at 100 yards. Much better. Thanks .

That is very good for that type gun. You can go forth and hunt Weedhopper! 5 shot groups for a hunting rifle is a gold standard. I go with 3 though I usually test out to 5 to see (I don't hunt anymore but I load for a family 06 and a 270.)

**Unclenick** · November 17, 2020, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bart B.

Name three stacking tolerances.

Any three chamber or bore dimension tolerances will do, AFAIK, as all affect precise pressure. You could also include tolerances in firing pin energy.

November 8, 2020, 10:07 PM	#1
wcbeagle Junior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Powhatan va Posts: 8	Reloading for Browning Bar 30.06 I am reloading for a Browning Bar Light weight Stalker. Have been shooting Rem. 150gr. Core-Lokt for about 8years. For some reason round are like a 3” group at 50 yards. I have some 150 grain and 165 grain Hornady SST. Wondering if anyone is reloading for the same rifle. If so what bullet and powder combination are you using? Thanks in advance.

November 9, 2020, 04:27 AM	#3
DnPRK Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2001 Location: LC, Ca Posts: 1,917	A gas operated rifle generally needs a moderate charge of medium burning rate powder. I would try the 150 SST with 47 grains of Varget. Last edited by DnPRK; November 9, 2020 at 04:32 AM.

November 9, 2020, 02:44 PM	#4
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	No two rifles will shoot the same ammo the same way. However, just changing bullet weights likely won't make the thing shoot better. The light weight and thin barrel may be the issue. 3" at 100 is good enough for deer with a commercial hunting rifle. It should shoot better than 3" at 50 though. What's it do at 100? Assuming you're testing loads off a solid bench rest. What powder and load are you using? Has the trigger been done? 47 grains of Varget is the Start load for a 150. Partial to IMR4064 with a 165 or 168 myself. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

November 10, 2020, 10:22 PM	#6
ocharry Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2006 Posts: 687	Has it always done that....3" at 50??? If not look for what has changed.... Maybe humidity has swelled the forearm a touch..maybe the crown got bumped or dented..or like stag said...might just need a good cleaning with a copper solvent......I would give it a good look over and then a good cleaning My .02 Ocharry __________________ The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge nor jury. Therefore what he must be taught to fear is his victim." - Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper, USMC

November 10, 2020, 10:33 PM	#7
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	I've had great results with 50gr of 4064 under 150 Corelokts or Hornady. __________________ Reloading For: 223R, 243W, 6.5 GR, 6.5 CM, 260R, 6.5-06, 280R, 7mmRM, 300HAM'R, 308W, 30-06, 338-06, 9mm, 357M, 41M, 44SPL, 44M, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 450BM.

November 10, 2020, 07:44 PM	#5
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	I always used IMR 4064 in my BAR 270. About a medium load. Worked great and shot into about an inch at 100 yards. For the OP’s rifle I’d probably try IMR 4064, R15, or Varget.

November 11, 2020, 07:53 PM	#8
wcbeagle Junior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Powhatan va Posts: 8	Thanks for the replies. I finally settled on IMR 4064 50 grs., Hornady 150gr. SST.. Half an inch 5 shot group at 50 yards. 9/10 of an inch at a hundred. Much better than the core-loks. Thanks again.

November 12, 2020, 03:55 AM	#9
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,839	Medium burn rate powder, middle of the road loads usually works best in semi's like the BAR. Standard advice for generations is to use Small base sizing dies, but if you're not using them, and your reloads work fine as it, don't bother changing. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

November 12, 2020, 07:50 AM	#10
wcbeagle Junior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Powhatan va Posts: 8	Reloading for Browning Bar I am using RCBS small base dies.

November 12, 2020, 04:00 PM	#11
Pomeroy Member Join Date: April 3, 2011 Posts: 20	50 grains of IMR 4064 behind a 150 grain Hornady is what I have been using for years in my old BAR with great success.

November 16, 2020, 05:54 PM	#15
50 shooter Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2002 Location: SoCal PRK Posts: 986	What makes you think its the ammo? What have you done to the rifle, other than cleaning it? Is the stock touching the barrel? Have you torqued down the receiver screws to the proper specs? What about the scope, have you checked it? Did you torque all the screws down properly? __________________ I see the world thru bloodshot eyes Streets filled with blood from distant lies The dogs of war never compromise, No time for rearranging.