Beautiful rifle!!! I lived & hunted in Alaska for 37 years, shot maybe 60 big game animals with many different calibers. Could have done it all with the 30-06 and the right load, it became my go to caliber...
I appreciate the time you take and the accuracy in which you produce your videos if I could I would rate just about all of them 5 thumbs up. Thanks DD for your dedication to the hunting and shooting world.
Finally a good video on 4451, I have been searching youtube and google for 5 months and I found very little information on it. Thanks Dog for the great video.
PLEASE keep feeding us with your excellent videos and channel. Many of us have stopped watching fake news (with the madness going on all around us) and are driven to keep shooting sports and hunting alive and relevant. I have one legacy rifle passed to me by my grandfather, and a rifle and two shotguns from my father. I intend to keep buying quality firearms that will be passed down to my heirs. I am rapidly progressing into reloading and I place great value on your insights and methods. Thank you.
That Winchester is a real beauty, both in your hands and at the range. You definitely use all kinds of skills and techniques that I don't to get the most out of your loads. I get 1" groups with my own off the shelf Ruger .30-06 using the 165 grain Barnes TTSX charged with 57.0 grains of IMR4831 in federal brass fired by a CCI 300 primer.
Pretty darn good video! This guy knows his stuff. I love how you always mention shot placement and bullet construction! 2022 Fall Alaskan Moose Season was a great success! The Big 50" to 60" with 6 tines on each side came out in the field with a harem of 5 Cows, stopped 35 yards.😲 I dumped my mag of 180s and loaded my Nosler 220s. I noticed a 3 spike near it about 40 yards, I took my attention off the big bull and sent the 3 spike Bull a 220 Nosler Partition from my Ironsighted Rem700 in 30'06. Headshot dead right there he didn't know what hit him! The bullet did a ton of damage to the skull, Lil too much! I love my Handed down REM 30'06! If the 3 spike didn't show I would have taken the 6 tine bull.
People use that scent killing spray, but for some reason I had bad experiences. So I reverted back to building a small hatsized fire and douse myself with smoke. It's good all day in the blind! Never will I stray from what I was taught! Has no cost and works better at killing human scent!
I just started using the 21st century expander mandrels .... it has lowered my SD's and ES's significantly ! Definitely a great addition in the reloading process
I agree, proper load development can be daunting. Let it be known that we do appreciate the time and effort that you put into your videos, giving excellent information and great camera work. I got a pound of 4451 back when the local Field and Stream was clearancing out their powder inventory and nobody knew anything about it. They had 30 lbs of 4451 on the shelf marked down to $25/lb with a sticker to take an extra 75% off. Same story with IMR7828 and IMR7828SC. I guess their buyer wasnt a reloader and bought whatever was on sale at the time. I should've bought it all but knew nothing about those two powders at the time. Looks like I may have to dust off that jug and try it, got a few new Sako's to do load development for
Throughout my long reloading career nothing annoys me more than a powder or bullet manufacturing company discontinuing my favourite bullet or powder. Its back to square one again. The Barnes Manual gives specific instructions on bullet overall cartridge length these work best with a big jump to lands. I discarded expander balls years ago and do similar to what you are doing. For consistent bullet tension I lightly finger lube each bullet with Lee lube or Hornady Unique case lube on the body of the bullet that contacts the lands, very lightly. If you over compress a load I strongly believe you may crush the kernels or compact them so heavily the burn characteristics are changed and the charge will not burn as intended. Good hunting everyone. Great video. Thanks
This afternoon, I was in our largest hunting store and they had no powder of any types, no bullets, no cases, nada, nada. They usually keep ammo for everything, even obscure old calibers like 32-40, 30-40Krag, and various old Mauser pistol calibers that no one ever shoots... They're currently out of everything, I've never seen the actual backs of the shelves, until today! Desert Dog, you're right about your powder being the equivalent of gold, LOL! One of the salesmen said that he expected this ammo drought to continue into 2021 and chuckled. He then said he was being optimistic and kinda sighed. The ammo drought has reduced the hunting stores in Alabama to sad, empty buildings. I hope it's better elsewhere in the US.
The ammo situation has gotten multitudes better here, as long as you stay away from the big cities where people raid the shelves to sell stuff on Gunbroker at 5x the price. There are groups of dirtbags making a living from doing that right now. All of my local gun shops have fully stocked shelves (limit of 2 boxes per customer), but ammo prices are double what they were a year ago. Reloading supplies though, are still bad; with no end in sight. The good news is that primers I had on backorder for almost a year showed up at my house last week!!! The bad news is that they stopped taking backorders last September!
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 Paying more for items is part of the tradeoff from the last year, I get it. But not being able to find these items at all and being told by my local shops that the end of the ammo craziness is way off... Aggravating! Thank goodness I have bought spare ammo for the last decade, I'd hate to be one of the newbies. Great video, that load work-up turned into some great results! Take care!
Thanks, I have a 1957 pre 64 3006 featherweight and I appreciate your input and I will give this powder a try. I know each rifle is different and thanks again.
Great end result, can't argue with the way it panned out. Shame the 4350 is hard to obtain, but you are lucky, to have that powder handy by the look of it.
Great useful video!! I am playing around with IMR 4166 in my 3006 and my 9.3-62... but unfortunately not much range time these days between bison hunting and the weather not cooperating... thank you again for some great tips to!!
Nice Video...4451 is a viable substitute for H4350. I've done some testing with 180 grain bullets and found that it is indeed a faster powder which enables you to get to your max charge without a drop tube but you will not get the velocity that H4350 yields and it burns much dirtier. As far as the copper reduction claims go I cannot say as my Kreiger barrel does not hold copper at all which I am thankful for. I also tested some Accurate 4350 which is very much slower (200 fps) than H4350.
I need to try the mcwoody stock my pre 64 with the pressure point screw does the job but not a tack driver ! great vid my friend as always 2 thumbs up ! and by the way I just give 100 big ones for 2 pounds of h 4350 ,hard for me to get away from that powder for the 30 06
Another great video! I have not tried 4451 yet. I do have 8lbs of 4166 i have been playing with. So far it has been pretty good in my 416 remington, and 416 taylor improved. Will be trying it in my 30/06 soon.
Desert🐕 can you update us on your results on how you find 4451's anti copper fouling properties work... if you notice or if it's a marketing ploy? And, let us know how the temp sensitivity works for you! Cheers! Appreciate your realness.
Great video! Makes me realize how much I have to learn about reloading. I have a Winchester model 70 30-06 that I recently traded for and have only $125 in so far. It was made in 1965 but it shoots great. You are really making me want to get a Mcmillan mcwoody for it even if I have to sell another rifle to get it! That stock looks fantastic. Have you heard of Wildcat Composites in Canada? I'm considering that one also but I love the wood finish and checkering on the Mcmillan.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 They seem like a good option but are not available for a wide range of rifles like Mcmillan or don't have checkering. But he does make one for the Winchester model 70.
56.2 gr. 4451. 165 sbt out of a 24" 30-06 commercial mauser (poor mans pre 64 lol). All day everyday under 3/4". A few 1/4"-3/8 4 shot groups in the mix. Hunting rifle, dont hate on the four shot groups. The amazing part is a full half grain down. And 1/4 grain up shoots into same group. Most stable load (or node). I have ever seen. I immediately bought four pounds. Only to catch covid. Loose my job. And unfortunately had to sell the rifle. Along with a M70 featherweight 25-06 and a savage 7 rem mag ... Anyway. Thought you would find that interesting. (Not the selling, im just sour)
I have found that with my matchmaker die for 30-06, my BTOL can vary by as much as +0.002. Is that something that you've seen with yours? I was using Hornady 168 grain A-Max bullets, so my thought was that it had more to do with the consistency of bullet manufacture than the die. Any thoughts?
I've had no issues with my Matchmaker dies. It could be the bullet manufacturer (which is common), but measuring BTO lengths of bullets will easily reveal if that's the issue. It could also be inconsistent neck tension (which is usually the culprit). Sometimes, slightly compressing a powder charge will give you inconsistent OAL. It could even be the tolerances of your press and inconsistencies in your seating technique. When you are chasing 0.002", almost anything could be the cause. Reloading is 4% loading, 1% shooting, and 95% detective work.
Love the videos, keep 'em coming please. Do you bring the case neck size down with a bushing when resizing and then expand back out with the mandrel before seating? TIA
I stopped using my bushing dies about two years ago. They were giving me concentricity issues. And since I expand necks with a separate step, a standard FL die that best matches my chamber dimensions gives me the best results. The Hornady "Custom Grade" sizing dies are fantastic IMO. I might do a sizing die video in the future.
Have you loaded for any Weatherby rifles ? I am curious about the freebore . I used to load 90 gr bullets in my 19 15 Swede 6.5 for deer. I had to stop at accuracy load .
Your two load development videos are the best I've seen on u-toob! It seems like 90% of reloading videos are all using one of two powders: Varget and/or H4350. Glad to see some content on "good alternative" powders. Do you have any insight into other good alternative powders?
What is the theory behind not using the expander ball. How does it effect concentricity. I use the expander mandrel just before powder drop with graphite lube. Just asking. Great video BTW
The expander ball works the brass much harder by stretching and pulling up on the necks. That action seems to throw-off case neck uniformity, thus concentricity after you seat a bullet. When you seat on an arbor press with a gauge, you will also see very consistent seating pressures when using an expander mandrel.
How about IMR 4350, In my 30-06 under 1 moa with 165 Grs Grand Slams. Worked up to 58.5 Grns and stoped when tight groups, No pressure and cases last a long time
Not with this load, but with a similar load using H4350. Shouldn't be a difference as it's the same bullet at almost the same velocity. The 300WSM is a great cartridge, but won't do anything the 30-06 won't do within 300 yards.
amazing shots at 200 yards DD. I too have a 1954 ZG47 in 30 06 that I am trying develop loads for. With the shortage in everything reloading, I only have some H414 to work with, which I know you are not a big fan of - seen your criticism video about double-base, ball powders.
With the current state of affairs, we don't have the luxury of picking and choosing powders. We have to make what we have work. One of the great things about 30-06 is that we can make so many different powders work for us.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 I was looking at a 1 1/2" x 2" screen on a cell phone, but nice looking plastic. Does it look that good up close? I'm an old school tool, and fine hard wood furniture has always been an addiction. Got me!
I have a late 1990s McMillian "fiber grain" stock on a 7 Rem Magnum lightweight rifle. Video image does not do them justice. Absolutely beautiful, stong and super lightweight.
2800fps and 1/2 moa at 200 yards is definately a win win. I've got a model 70 Winchester in 270 Win. It shoots .315 sub moa at 100 yards. You can't beat that with a stick.
Dang, and I thought I was doing real good with IMR4451 and a Lee Classic Loader getting 1.3" groups at 100 yards with 54.4 gr, and 165gr Sierra SPBT bullets!
In small-caliber high velocity cartridges, like the 25-06 and 257 WBY, the TTSX's are superior in every way. When hunting plains game in Africa, I also prefer the TTSX because everything is a shoulder shot. For pigs, I also believe Barnes is a superior bullet. BUT, for filling my deer tags, I would still be using the old Partition if I could. The Partition is absolute perfection.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 Good to know. Im in cali also so I've been buying tsx/ttsx when ever I can find them in stock. Gonna use them in 6.5 grendel, 7mm-08 and 30-06. Was just curious if I hunted in other states where lead is allowed if there was much better option but it seems like the Barnes will handle anything I need it to. Really appreciate your content and info. For a new hunter like myself it has really helped out.
Usually 3, because you can also get a rough idea of ES's without wasting too many shots. Some guys only shoot 1 or 2 though. The key to finding velocity nodes is having a good chrono or radar. Cheap Chronos aren't accurate enough IMO, and some type of ladder test might be better in that circumstance.
@@craiglacount89 Go .0015 to .0025" mandrels for 30-06 with Barnes bullets. Nosler brass has very little spring-back, so I like the -.002-.0025 mandrels for those loads. Lapua Brass has more springback, so I sometimes run .0015 mandrels for that brass. It depends on the brass; and mandrels will be specific to that. In the end, I want .002-.003" of neck tension regardless of mandrel size, and it has to be consistent.
I have never noticed where the age of the barrel made a difference but you have definitely accurized a good looking rifle there. Excellent load development. The Barnes will need the velocity for good expansion. I would carry that rifle and load on my shoulder. :-)
Most people would consider a 60 year-old barrel that has been shot extensively for probably 10k+ rounds, hunted on 5 continents, and been through every abuse possible to be "shot out": or at least in "poor condition".
DD, when I got my 300 H&H, I was looking for a do it all 30 caliber. The advantages of a 30-06 did not escape me; cheaper brass more readily ammunition if I didn’t have time to reload, huge selection of rifles, etc. Putting these things aside, would you say there is an advantage the 30-06 has over the 300 H&H in the field?
In open areas, that extra 200fps of the mag really gets me a MPBR I prefer. Unlike many hunters, I'm not happy with "minute of pie-plate" accuracy. When I put my reticle on a point, that's where I want the bullet to hit without fumbling with turrets or dope charts. For this reason, I don't want my maximum ordinate to go above 2" at any point. With the 300 H&H with 175 LRX going over 3k fps, this give me a dead-hold on a 2" target to 275 yards, and puts me about 5" at 320. With the 30-06 and the 168gr TTSX at 2800fps, I have a dead-hold on a 2" target out to about 225 yards, and about 5" of drop 275 yards. Basically, the magnum gives me a 50-yard advantage on my 2" MPBR, bucks the wind a little better, and handles heavier bullets better; with not too much more recoil. 95% of my shots are 250 yards and in, so the 30-06 is what I use 95% of the time. Plus, the 30-06 is so versatile and forgiving with whatever you want to load it with. If your gun safe was like a bag of golf clubs full of specialized clubs...the 30-06 would be your 7 iron. Advantages of the 30-06 over 300 mag = Lower Recoil, lower muzzle blast, does good in shorter barrels, more efficient with bullets under 180gr, longer barrel life, easy to get ammo and reloading supplies (except for right now), eats a huge variety of powders compared to 300 mag, can use regular and magnum primers with no ill effects, and it pisses off the 270 bots.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 - You know in Florida, there is nothing I can’t do with a 270 Win. Our deer are on the small side, gators require a very precise brain shot and hogs are the toughest game. Hogs tend to be found in big open fields, so a 200 yard shot is not uncommon if you stock (I hate hunting from blinds or tree stands.), but on average the 270 is more than enough medicine. I know the 30-06 would have been more practical for my needs by a long shot, but who needs that noise when you’ve got a 270 😉 In any event, I’ve never seen any one drool over an ‘06 like they do over the 300 H&H. Thank you immensely for you’re very detailed explanation. Like the Brits say, “There are horses for courses.”
Great Comment.....My old tang safety M77 in 30-06 never came to life until I tried the Lee Collet neck die. I was amazed! Later I chucked the mandrel in a drill and polished the diameter down for a tad more neck tension. No lube required for this die! I use a Redding body die to full length resize. I use mandrels in my PRS rifle (6.5 X 47 Lapua) and they work great but require lube.
Its my fault, I have always just gone to the gun store to buy them as I needed. I stock up on everything else, just not primers. I am going to have to change that practice if we ever get back to normal.
Best reloading video I’ve seen. Most are like watching paint dry.
Beautiful rifle!!! I lived & hunted in Alaska for 37 years, shot maybe 60 big game animals with many different calibers. Could have done it all with the 30-06 and the right load, it became my go to caliber...
I appreciate the time you take and the accuracy in which you produce your videos if I could I would rate just about all of them 5 thumbs up. Thanks DD for your dedication to the hunting and shooting world.
Finally a good video on 4451, I have been searching youtube and google for 5 months and I found very little information on it. Thanks Dog for the great video.
Ditto.
PLEASE keep feeding us with your excellent videos and channel. Many of us have stopped watching fake news (with the madness going on all around us) and are driven to keep shooting sports and hunting alive and relevant. I have one legacy rifle passed to me by my grandfather, and a rifle and two shotguns from my father. I intend to keep buying quality firearms that will be passed down to my heirs. I am rapidly progressing into reloading and I place great value on your insights and methods. Thank you.
That Winchester is a real beauty, both in your hands and at the range.
You definitely use all kinds of skills and techniques that I don't to get the most out of your loads.
I get 1" groups with my own off the shelf Ruger .30-06 using the 165 grain Barnes TTSX charged with 57.0 grains of IMR4831 in federal brass fired by a CCI 300 primer.
Sir, I absolutely LOVE the way you develop loads! What a treatise! Thank you much for sharing ! 👍👏
Thanks for your time and efforts. Your videos are always very informative and presented very well.
So great that you have held onto your grandfather’s rifle. Well done!
Pretty darn good video! This guy knows his stuff. I love how you always mention shot placement and bullet construction!
2022 Fall Alaskan Moose Season was a great success! The Big 50" to 60" with 6 tines on each side came out in the field with a harem of 5 Cows, stopped 35 yards.😲
I dumped my mag of 180s and loaded my Nosler 220s.
I noticed a 3 spike near it about 40 yards, I took my attention off the big bull and sent the 3 spike Bull a 220 Nosler Partition from my Ironsighted Rem700 in 30'06.
Headshot dead right there he didn't know what hit him! The bullet did a ton of damage to the skull, Lil too much!
I love my Handed down REM 30'06!
If the 3 spike didn't show I would have taken the 6 tine bull.
People use that scent killing spray, but for some reason I had bad experiences. So I reverted back to building a small hatsized fire and douse myself with smoke. It's good all day in the blind! Never will I stray from what I was taught!
Has no cost and works better at killing human scent!
Excellent video, great to learn about you
Huge asset. Excellent info & perspective. Beautiful old Winchester.
I just started using the 21st century expander mandrels .... it has lowered my SD's and ES's significantly ! Definitely a great addition in the reloading process
Good info for my favorite rifle and favorite round...Thanks appreciated it...
I agree, proper load development can be daunting. Let it be known that we do appreciate the time and effort that you put into your videos, giving excellent information and great camera work. I got a pound of 4451 back when the local Field and Stream was clearancing out their powder inventory and nobody knew anything about it. They had 30 lbs of 4451 on the shelf marked down to $25/lb with a sticker to take an extra 75% off. Same story with IMR7828 and IMR7828SC. I guess their buyer wasnt a reloader and bought whatever was on sale at the time. I should've bought it all but knew nothing about those two powders at the time. Looks like I may have to dust off that jug and try it, got a few new Sako's to do load development for
Throughout my long reloading career nothing annoys me more than a powder or bullet manufacturing company discontinuing my favourite bullet or powder. Its back to square one again. The Barnes Manual gives specific instructions on bullet overall cartridge length these work best with a big jump to lands. I discarded expander balls years ago and do similar to what you are doing. For consistent bullet tension I lightly finger lube each bullet with Lee lube or Hornady Unique case lube on the body of the bullet that contacts the lands, very lightly. If you over compress a load I strongly believe you may crush the kernels or compact them so heavily the burn characteristics are changed and the charge will not burn as intended. Good hunting everyone. Great video. Thanks
This afternoon, I was in our largest hunting store and they had no powder of any types, no bullets, no cases, nada, nada. They usually keep ammo for everything, even obscure old calibers like 32-40, 30-40Krag, and various old Mauser pistol calibers that no one ever shoots... They're currently out of everything, I've never seen the actual backs of the shelves, until today!
Desert Dog, you're right about your powder being the equivalent of gold, LOL!
One of the salesmen said that he expected this ammo drought to continue into 2021 and chuckled. He then said he was being optimistic and kinda sighed. The ammo drought has reduced the hunting stores in Alabama to sad, empty buildings. I hope it's better elsewhere in the US.
The ammo situation has gotten multitudes better here, as long as you stay away from the big cities where people raid the shelves to sell stuff on Gunbroker at 5x the price. There are groups of dirtbags making a living from doing that right now. All of my local gun shops have fully stocked shelves (limit of 2 boxes per customer), but ammo prices are double what they were a year ago. Reloading supplies though, are still bad; with no end in sight.
The good news is that primers I had on backorder for almost a year showed up at my house last week!!! The bad news is that they stopped taking backorders last September!
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 Paying more for items is part of the tradeoff from the last year, I get it. But not being able to find these items at all and being told by my local shops that the end of the ammo craziness is way off... Aggravating!
Thank goodness I have bought spare ammo for the last decade, I'd hate to be one of the newbies.
Great video, that load work-up turned into some great results!
Take care!
Its bad most everywhere...
Thanks, I have a 1957 pre 64 3006 featherweight and I appreciate your input and I will give this powder a try. I know each rifle is different and thanks again.
Awesome video all the way around! I did enjoy it.
You jump up in powder increments of what?
Thanks DD
Never mind, I’ll watch your reloading development video. I bet that’ll tell me.
Great end result, can't argue with the way it panned out. Shame the 4350 is hard to obtain, but you are lucky, to have that powder handy by the look of it.
Such a great channel. Really appreciate the content!
Great useful video!! I am playing around with IMR 4166 in my 3006 and my 9.3-62... but unfortunately not much range time these days between bison hunting and the weather not cooperating...
thank you again for some great tips to!!
Awesome video, great teacher
The thumbnail shows a beautiful rifle!
Thank you for another awesome video! well said enjoyed the whole video and picked up some good tips
Excellent! I also have an 8 lb jug of 4451. Am anxious to try it in my Bill Wiseman .280. Thanks for posting!
Should work great for the 130 and 140-grainers, just like H4350 does. I like a slower powder similar to 4831 for the 160s.
Great show, and thanks for your tips.
Outstanding !! Question......is that fine old Pre64 barrel still screwed to the stock or free floated.
Awesome rifle!
Nice Video...4451 is a viable substitute for H4350. I've done some testing with 180 grain bullets and found that it is indeed a faster powder which enables you to get to your max charge without a drop tube but you will not get the velocity that H4350 yields and it burns much dirtier. As far as the copper reduction claims go I cannot say as my Kreiger barrel does not hold copper at all which I am thankful for. I also tested some Accurate 4350 which is very much slower (200 fps) than H4350.
Really enjoy your videos. Keep it up!
Thank you.
I need to try the mcwoody stock my pre 64 with the pressure point screw does the job but not a tack driver ! great vid my friend as always 2 thumbs up ! and by the way I just give 100 big ones for 2 pounds of h 4350 ,hard for me to get away from that powder for the 30 06
Another great video! I have not tried 4451 yet. I do have 8lbs of 4166 i have been playing with. So far it has been pretty good in my 416 remington, and 416 taylor improved. Will be trying it in my 30/06 soon.
That almost my exact load for 3006. 56.5 with 165 sierra gameking. Good load thus far.
Desert🐕 can you update us on your results on how you find 4451's anti copper fouling properties work... if you notice or if it's a marketing ploy? And, let us know how the temp sensitivity works for you! Cheers! Appreciate your realness.
I cleaned the rifle twice during this process. I didn't notice any change in copper fouling, but this powder does seem a little dirtier than H4350.
Great video!
DD, love that seating die, didn’t know such a thing existed. Got to get one for my bench.
I keep hearing about manufacturing facilities opening up in Texas to manufacture primers. It can't be too soon, this primer situation is bad.
Thanks for sharing.
Great video
Great video! Makes me realize how much I have to learn about reloading. I have a Winchester model 70 30-06 that I recently traded for and have only $125 in so far. It was made in 1965 but it shoots great. You are really making me want to get a Mcmillan mcwoody for it even if I have to sell another rifle to get it! That stock looks fantastic. Have you heard of Wildcat Composites in Canada? I'm considering that one also but I love the wood finish and checkering on the Mcmillan.
Never heard of those Wildcat stocks.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 They seem like a good option but are not available for a wide range of rifles like Mcmillan or don't have checkering. But he does make one for the Winchester model 70.
56.2 gr. 4451. 165 sbt out of a 24" 30-06 commercial mauser (poor mans pre 64 lol). All day everyday under 3/4". A few 1/4"-3/8 4 shot groups in the mix. Hunting rifle, dont hate on the four shot groups. The amazing part is a full half grain down. And 1/4 grain up shoots into same group. Most stable load (or node). I have ever seen. I immediately bought four pounds. Only to catch covid. Loose my job. And unfortunately had to sell the rifle. Along with a M70 featherweight 25-06 and a savage 7 rem mag ... Anyway. Thought you would find that interesting. (Not the selling, im just sour)
I have found that with my matchmaker die for 30-06, my BTOL can vary by as much as +0.002. Is that something that you've seen with yours? I was using Hornady 168 grain A-Max bullets, so my thought was that it had more to do with the consistency of bullet manufacture than the die. Any thoughts?
I've had no issues with my Matchmaker dies. It could be the bullet manufacturer (which is common), but measuring BTO lengths of bullets will easily reveal if that's the issue. It could also be inconsistent neck tension (which is usually the culprit). Sometimes, slightly compressing a powder charge will give you inconsistent OAL. It could even be the tolerances of your press and inconsistencies in your seating technique. When you are chasing 0.002", almost anything could be the cause. Reloading is 4% loading, 1% shooting, and 95% detective work.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113
10-4, that's given me a starting point for investigating, I appreciate it!
Love the videos, keep 'em coming please. Do you bring the case neck size down with a bushing when resizing and then expand back out with the mandrel before seating? TIA
I stopped using my bushing dies about two years ago. They were giving me concentricity issues. And since I expand necks with a separate step, a standard FL die that best matches my chamber dimensions gives me the best results. The Hornady "Custom Grade" sizing dies are fantastic IMO. I might do a sizing die video in the future.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 Thank you for the reply. I really enjoy your content and learn something new from every one of your videos.
Have you loaded for any Weatherby rifles ? I am curious about the freebore . I used to load 90 gr bullets in my 19 15 Swede 6.5 for deer. I had to stop at accuracy load .
You have to deal with lots of bullet jump when you load for Weatherby and most Tikka rifles. You can still find accuracy nodes.
Your two load development videos are the best I've seen on u-toob! It seems like 90% of reloading videos are all using one of two powders: Varget and/or H4350. Glad to see some content on "good alternative" powders. Do you have any insight into other good alternative powders?
Guess I missed the one titled "My Favorite Powders for 30-06".
I'm scratching my head. (Great video, BTW.) How did you do your graph?
Awsome video, what about IMR 4350 ive used it in my 06 with good results
It's a decent powder, but I often hunt in really hot temperatures, and that powder gets crazy when it hits 100 degrees.
What is the theory behind not using the expander ball. How does it effect concentricity. I use the expander mandrel just before powder drop with graphite lube. Just asking. Great video BTW
The expander ball works the brass much harder by stretching and pulling up on the necks. That action seems to throw-off case neck uniformity, thus concentricity after you seat a bullet. When you seat on an arbor press with a gauge, you will also see very consistent seating pressures when using an expander mandrel.
What a great vid!
Awesome video. Glad the powder worked out so well in your 30 06. If you would share ,which primer were you using with this load work up?
Federal 210
How about IMR 4350, In my 30-06 under 1 moa with 165 Grs Grand Slams. Worked up to 58.5 Grns and stoped when tight groups, No pressure and cases last a long time
Thank you so much for this video. Have you taken an elk with this load? I am on the fence about going from 30-06 to 300 wsm. Any thoughts on the wsm?
Not with this load, but with a similar load using H4350. Shouldn't be a difference as it's the same bullet at almost the same velocity. The 300WSM is a great cartridge, but won't do anything the 30-06 won't do within 300 yards.
amazing shots at 200 yards DD. I too have a 1954 ZG47 in 30 06 that I am trying develop loads for. With the shortage in everything reloading, I only have some H414 to work with, which I know you are not a big fan of - seen your criticism video about double-base, ball powders.
With the current state of affairs, we don't have the luxury of picking and choosing powders. We have to make what we have work. One of the great things about 30-06 is that we can make so many different powders work for us.
Absolutely gorgeous burled walnut furniture! A "legacy firearm." Generations gone, live on.
I'm glad it fooled you! Those McWoody's are the ONLY synthetic stocks worthy of a pre-64.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113
I was looking at a 1 1/2" x 2" screen on a cell phone, but nice looking plastic. Does it look that good up close? I'm an old school tool, and fine hard wood furniture has always been an addiction.
Got me!
I have a late 1990s McMillian "fiber grain" stock on a 7 Rem Magnum lightweight rifle. Video image does not do them justice. Absolutely beautiful, stong and super lightweight.
What size mandrel do you use for the 30-06?
How many bullets does it take you to thoroughly work up a load on average?
2800fps and 1/2 moa at 200 yards is definately a win win. I've got a model 70 Winchester in 270 Win. It shoots .315 sub moa at 100 yards. You can't beat that with a stick.
Dang, and I thought I was doing real good with IMR4451 and a Lee Classic Loader getting 1.3" groups at 100 yards with 54.4 gr, and 165gr Sierra SPBT bullets!
Thanks dog!
Thanks for the video and what'a nice rifle ,and its a shooter lol
Love your videos. The information is always great. If you where not limited to lead free bullets would you still choose the tsx/ttsx?
In small-caliber high velocity cartridges, like the 25-06 and 257 WBY, the TTSX's are superior in every way. When hunting plains game in Africa, I also prefer the TTSX because everything is a shoulder shot. For pigs, I also believe Barnes is a superior bullet. BUT, for filling my deer tags, I would still be using the old Partition if I could. The Partition is absolute perfection.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 Good to know. Im in cali also so I've been buying tsx/ttsx when ever I can find them in stock. Gonna use them in 6.5 grendel, 7mm-08 and 30-06. Was just curious if I hunted in other states where lead is allowed if there was much better option but it seems like the Barnes will handle anything I need it to. Really appreciate your content and info. For a new hunter like myself it has really helped out.
@Desert Dog Outdoors can you tell my more about the McMillan Mcwoody stock?
What’s your preferred neck tension for the 30-06?
Thank you, enjoyed
I’m curious how many shots of each charge weight do you shoot when trying to find the velocity nodes?
Usually 3, because you can also get a rough idea of ES's without wasting too many shots. Some guys only shoot 1 or 2 though. The key to finding velocity nodes is having a good chrono or radar. Cheap Chronos aren't accurate enough IMO, and some type of ladder test might be better in that circumstance.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 I’m also curious what size mandrel you use in your neck sizing die when loading Barnes bullets? I’m referring to the 30-06
@@craiglacount89 Go .0015 to .0025" mandrels for 30-06 with Barnes bullets. Nosler brass has very little spring-back, so I like the -.002-.0025 mandrels for those loads. Lapua Brass has more springback, so I sometimes run .0015 mandrels for that brass. It depends on the brass; and mandrels will be specific to that. In the end, I want .002-.003" of neck tension regardless of mandrel size, and it has to be consistent.
This may not be the best powder for 7mm rem mag, but it is all I have, so I am going to give it a try. I chose to start reloading at the wrong time.
I have never noticed where the age of the barrel made a difference but you have definitely accurized a good looking rifle there. Excellent load development. The Barnes will need the velocity for good expansion. I would carry that rifle and load on my shoulder. :-)
Most people would consider a 60 year-old barrel that has been shot extensively for probably 10k+ rounds, hunted on 5 continents, and been through every abuse possible to be "shot out": or at least in "poor condition".
DD, when I got my 300 H&H, I was looking for a do it all 30 caliber. The advantages of a 30-06 did not escape me; cheaper brass more readily ammunition if I didn’t have time to reload, huge selection of rifles, etc. Putting these things aside, would you say there is an advantage the 30-06 has over the 300 H&H in the field?
In open areas, that extra 200fps of the mag really gets me a MPBR I prefer. Unlike many hunters, I'm not happy with "minute of pie-plate" accuracy. When I put my reticle on a point, that's where I want the bullet to hit without fumbling with turrets or dope charts. For this reason, I don't want my maximum ordinate to go above 2" at any point. With the 300 H&H with 175 LRX going over 3k fps, this give me a dead-hold on a 2" target to 275 yards, and puts me about 5" at 320. With the 30-06 and the 168gr TTSX at 2800fps, I have a dead-hold on a 2" target out to about 225 yards, and about 5" of drop 275 yards. Basically, the magnum gives me a 50-yard advantage on my 2" MPBR, bucks the wind a little better, and handles heavier bullets better; with not too much more recoil.
95% of my shots are 250 yards and in, so the 30-06 is what I use 95% of the time. Plus, the 30-06 is so versatile and forgiving with whatever you want to load it with.
If your gun safe was like a bag of golf clubs full of specialized clubs...the 30-06 would be your 7 iron.
Advantages of the 30-06 over 300 mag = Lower Recoil, lower muzzle blast, does good in shorter barrels, more efficient with bullets under 180gr, longer barrel life, easy to get ammo and reloading supplies (except for right now), eats a huge variety of powders compared to 300 mag, can use regular and magnum primers with no ill effects, and it pisses off the 270 bots.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 - You know in Florida, there is nothing I can’t do with a 270 Win. Our deer are on the small side, gators require a very precise brain shot and hogs are the toughest game. Hogs tend to be found in big open fields, so a 200 yard shot is not uncommon if you stock (I hate hunting from blinds or tree stands.), but on average the 270 is more than enough medicine. I know the 30-06 would have been more practical for my needs by a long shot, but who needs that noise when you’ve got a 270 😉 In any event, I’ve never seen any one drool over an ‘06 like they do over the 300 H&H.
Thank you immensely for you’re very detailed explanation. Like the Brits say, “There are horses for courses.”
Another great way to bump the expander ball is to purchase the Lee Collet Die. I have them for all calibers
Great Comment.....My old tang safety M77 in 30-06 never came to life until I tried the Lee Collet neck die. I was amazed! Later I chucked the mandrel in a drill and polished the diameter down for a tad more neck tension. No lube required for this die! I use a Redding body die to full length resize. I use mandrels in my PRS rifle (6.5 X 47 Lapua) and they work great but require lube.
Wouldn’t that be 1/4 moa at 200 yards?
No, I already divided the group sizes by 2
What scope do you run
Leupold VX6
My personal experience is IMR 4350 is more accurate than H4350. I sure others have found just the opposite.
What brand of drop tube do you use?
Forster
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 Thank you
I have about 10# of h4350, 500 bullets 200ish cases... zero large rifle primers :(
that's horrible
Its my fault, I have always just gone to the gun store to buy them as I needed. I stock up on everything else, just not primers. I am going to have to change that practice if we ever get back to normal.
What is the barrel length?
24"
I guess I’m very very rich 😂
58.4gr gives you 2800fps
In your barrel with your bullet, brass, and primer combo. In someone else's gun, it could be dangerously over-pressure.