New to Reloading

[ScoutDW]

I am new to reloading and looking for some info. I am going to be reloading rounds for my 30-06. I will be using Hornady 150gr. SST and BL-C(2). I am just looking for the Min load information and any more helpful hints you can provide. Hodgdon website has plenty of info but nothing for the Hornady bullets. I tried getting this info from the Hornady website but that was unsucessful. Thanks in advance.

[Jim243]

First off Welcome ScoutDW,

Hornady 150 grain SST #30302 - COL = 3.210

30-06 Springfield Loads
IMR 4350 Min=49.7 Max=59.1
H 4350 Min=49.4 Max=60.5
Varget Min=41.0 Max=51.6
RL-15 Min=44.5 Max=51.7
RL-17 Min=50.1 Max=56.4

From the "Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading 8th Ediditon"

Sorry no load for BL-C(2)

Jim

[farmerboy]

might try checking on Handloads.com

[jimbob86]

Lee's Modern Reloading 2nd ed. lists the following BL-C(2) load for a "150 gr jacketed bullet" (Manufacturer not specified)

Start grains 49.0 (3.16cc) for 2957 f/sec

Do not exceed grains 54.0 for 2962 f/sec @ 58,320 PSI

Min OAL 3.250"

Max OAL 3.340"

Start at the start grains, and work up, a grain at a time. Do 10 rounds of 49.0, 10 fo 50.0, 10 fo 51.0, etc. Watch the group size, and the muzzle velocity and standard deviation of each batch, if you have a chronograph..... look at the primers: do they still have a radiused edge, or are they flat? ......... Doe the firing pin dent have raised edges (cratered?).... watch for extraction problems...... at amy of these signs, you might be pushing too much: just cause the book sez it is not max load, does not mean you shoud beat your gun with it..... Good luck!

[Habaz72]

I'm surprise no one has given this helpful hint yet... Buy some reloading manuals and read thru them before you start on this wonderful endeavor.

[Brian Pfleuger]

TEN rounds at each load level?! That's... excessive... to say the least. 3 is sufficient, 5 is MORE than plenty. 10 is... about 1500gr of wasted powder.

Jumping full grains between loads is not conducive to finding accuracy either. In the range of 50gr charges, load increments should be .5 at most, .3 is better.

3 rounds each at load increments of .3gr would be a much better use of that 1,500gr of powder.

[wncchester]

Not all manuals have loads for BC2.

Lyman #43 says a start charge of 46 gr. for a projected speed of 2696. Actually, there is no 'standard' for anything less than max pressure loads because it's not really critical. Greatly reduced loads are rarely very consistant because powders are made to work in a given pressure range; really low pressure charges tend to produce variable pressure/speed.

Ball powders tend to have a lot of deterent coating so they often benefit from the use of magnum primers.


"3 rounds each at load increments of .3gr would be a much better use of that 1,500gr of powder."

Agree. Or even two. It doesn't take a lot of rounds to find what doesn't shoot well. Once we find an appearantly good charge is soon enough to try larger numbers at or around that point.

[ScoutDW]

Thanks for all the replies. To clarify I do have reloading manuals but they are older Nosler and Speer manuals. I plan to get some newer ones but the initial investment into reloading has put that on hold for a bit. I appreciate the help getting started guys.

[Brian Pfleuger]

Just so you know, it's almost always OK to substitute bullets of the same weight and construction type. this is because a .308 caliber bullet that us a certain construction pretty well has to be very similar to other bullets of that weight and construction.

For example, if load data lists "150gr JHP", you will be safe starting with the listed minimum load using any given 150gr JHP.

Where you have to be careful is if you find data for a bullet of the same weight but different construction, such as the all copper Barnes TSX line versus "normal" lead core, copper jacket bullets.

[M.O.A.]

the bullet make does not matter its the weight and construction of the bullet that does the 150gn bullet in a 30-06 starts at 49.gns powder

[mikld]

I always suggest that one researches a particular load in their reloading manual, before buying components. If you have an idea what you want the ammo for, decide what bullet will work best. Then get the bullet manufacturer's manual (Hornady, Speer, Nosler, Barns, etc.) then you can purchase the powder and primers and stuff them together...