Loading "Black Tip" 165gr. 30-06

[streetbob]

Hey guys,
I recently was given 27 rounds of 165gr Armor Piercing black tip 30-06 bullets that had been pulled from the original cases due to the corrosive powder and primers damaging the brass. I would like to reload these rounds but have yet to find a recipe for them. I want to use the powder I currently use if all possible. I have IMR 8208XBR, Hodgdon HS-6, IMR 3031, IMR SR7625, & IMR 4227. Does anyone have or know where I can get a recipe to safely reload these rounds. I don't plan on loading them anywhere near max load and I will be using Remington brass. Also when I weighted all of them they were between 163.5gr and 165.5gr. Thanks!

[JLA]

All those powders listed are generally too fast for the .30-06. You might find data for 150 gr and lighter with the 8208XBR. you need to grab you a can of 4895 at the fastest and 4350 is ideal. Unless you load for Garand. then stick with 4895.

[aa1911]

HS-6 is shotgun/pistol powder, pretty fast stuff; 4227 is for small rifle rounds and .410's and similar, also way too fast.

3031 is on the fast side for the '06 but I've used it for lead bullets with good results.

4895 either Hodgon or IMR is probably one of the better powders for .308/.30-06 especially if it's going in a gas gun

[streetbob]

Thanks guys, I will be picking up some 4895 next check. Also do any of y'all know of a good recipe for this round with the 4895 powder, and what I should set the C.O.A.L. to?

[USMCSpeedy]

Nosler has data for their 165g bullets. Might be a good pace to look for starting loads.

[JLA]

Use starting load for any 165 gr bullet and seat the bullets so they fit the magazine.

[streetbob]

Thanks USMC & JLA, I didn't want to assume to use that data and take a chance of over pressuring the case.

[jim brady]

Here is EXACTLY what you need: Google 'TM 43-0001-27, Small Arms Data Sheet'. This gives the epecifics on all small arms ammunition loads. In your case, the powder is IMR-4895, and the load/charge is given. Let us know if you pull this up and how it works for you - Jim

[streetbob]

Thanks Jim,

It worked great for the C.O.A.L., but I didn't find the load data for the IMR-4895 powder. It only showed the military powder. From what I gathered I will be loading 45.2Gr. of H-4895 with a C.O.A.L. of 3.34".

[soundguy]

would imr 4064 be acceptable for them as well?

[jim brady]

Take another look at the data. I think it gave 50.0 grains IMR-4895 for that load, but don't take my word for it. If you look at the M2 Ball load (150 grain FMJ) it also says 50.0 grains. I checked some old LC43 U.S. GI Ball ammo some years back, and the charge appeared to be 4895 at exactly 50 grains.

When I duplicate M2 loads, I use 48.4 grains IMR 4895 and a Remington large rifle primer in LC cases. These give me the best accuracy in my Garand, M1917 and M1903 Springfield. Velocity is about the same as the old GI loads, and I suspect that the current 4895 is slightly different than the old formula - or maybe it's how the Remington primers ignite it.

Depending what you are going to shoot them out of - as others correctly stated - if it's a Garand I'd stay away from ANYTHING but IMR-4895. That was what it was made to fire, and the gas system is made just for that burn rate and pressure curve. There are newer powders on the market, but an M1 is NOT a new rifle or a new design.

[JLA]

I run VARGET in my Garand at 48 gr under 155 gr bullets. It is an excellent modern rendition of M2 Ball. The 45.2 gr charge of H4895 seems about right for a starting charge under a 165 gr bullet.