Doesn't seem like it's been almost three years, but apparently it has been. 

Back in late 2009 we discussed potential volume differences to be expected in neck-sized versus full-length sized brass.  Here:  https://wethearmed.com/reloading-and-handloading/neck-size-vs-fl-size

He predicted a sweet spot around 57.0gr of 4350 (either variety), and he was right on the money.

For those of you who want to skip the boring details, you can move on now.



If you're still reading, you've been warned that it may be boring.


Earlier this year I was able to get a dozen 165gr bullets launched downrange, with two each of six different powder charges, looking for a sweet spot.

As predicted in the above thread, 57.0gr of IMR4350 looked promising.  I ordered 100 165gr Remington Core-Lokt spire point bullets, and a couple of months ago loaded up 4 each of 56.7gr, 57.0gr and 57.3gr, seated to the cannelure.  I then loaded 4 more of each powder charge, but seated to 20/1000" less than max, at 3.320".  All brass was Remington, all previously fired, all within 1/10gr in empty case weight.  I allowed five minutes between strings to allow the barrel to cool down. 

Finally got a chance to get to the range today.  In reading these results, please realize that I am not a sharpshooter.  Before this rifle, 2" groups were fantastic for me.  Also, without my glasses/contacts I can't see 5", plus I've shot left-handed all my life, not knowing I'm right-eye dominant.  This rifle I have intentionally only shot right-handed, even though my right eye is the weaker of the two.

Okay - on to the results:

The 57.3gr loads both performed poorly.  All within a 4" 9 ring, but no consistency otherwise.

The 56.7gr long loads were less than a quarter dollar wide, but strung out vertically over 4".  No good.

The 56.7gr loaded to the cannelure load was much better.  3 of the 4 almost covered by a quarter, with the 4th a flyer by 3/4" or so.

The 57.0gr loaded to the cannelure load was better for 3, but I really tossed the 4th a bit further.  All on me for that one.  2 of the 4 were one slightly elongated hole.  Add in the 3rd shot and it still won't quite fit under a quarter, but there's less showing than on the one above by .020".  Like I mentioned, I threw the 4th shot by almost 2".

Finally, the winner:  57.0gr loaded long.  3 rounds under a nickel, almost all fit under a penny.  All four rounds - .449" x .735" center to center. 

With the two 57.0gr loads being clearly the most accurate, I now have my load.  I'll probably shorten that max length down another 5 to 10 thousandths though, as I could feel a couple of rounds bump the lands on the closing of the bolt.


Again, thanks to The Norseman, for helping me to not waste as much of my time, effort and scarce resources finding a near-perfect load for this gun.

Glad it worked out for you. 

You are correct on bumping them back just a touch on the OAL if you felt some bump the lands and others not.  That load is high enough up the charts you really don't want to jam the slug into the rifling.  It needs a slight amount of running room to avoid some potentially nasty pressure spikes.

^^^^^^^ Had a had time convincing my father of that...... Until we went to the range and got serious off sandbags.  My advice when starting out looking for a good load for the 30-06 is to always start with a 165 grain slug, and a powder that's from the middle to the slow end of applicable powder burning rates.  Then just change slug constuction rather than weight when your quarry changes.........  Worked just fine so far for me.  And keeps things simple.