Which Load Would You Use?

[fivefeezy]

I tested my 30-06 hunting loads yesterday. I used Barnes 130 grain TTSX solid copper bullets and IMR 3031 powder. I shot 3 round groups, letting the barrel cool, from 50.5 grains of powder up to 54 grains. These are the starting and max loads listed on Barnes website.

All the loads were pretty accurate, with the best grouping being .5 inches with 52 grains. The max charge of 54 grains grouped at .65 inches.

Per Barnes load chart, the starting load of 50.5 grains has a velocity of 3052 ft/second, Max load of 54 grains has a velocity of 3258 ft/second. So I’m guessing that my most accurate load of 52 grains has a velocity around 3100 ft/second.

My question is which load should I use? My max hunting range would be about 300 yards so either load should still expand. But I’ve heard that Barnes bullets like speed to reliably expand. Also the faster bullet would shoot slightly flatter. POI on the faste load was about .5 inches lower at 100 yards.

[ar15barrels]

I would go with the 52gr load if they are the most accurate.
The difference in accuracy between the 52 and the 54 won't matter unless you are hunting grasshoppers.
Also, at only 300yds, the velocity difference between the 52gr and 54gr loads won't matter on bullet performance.
So therefore, I would choose to be nicer to my brass, my powder supply and my gun by running the more accurate mid-pressure load.

[G-forceJunkie]

How far off the lands are you loading them? I found the Barns bullets to be really picky in .308 and 30-06. .050" is a good place to start.

[fivefeezy]

How far off the lands are you loading them? I found the Barns bullets to be really picky in .308 and 30-06. .050" is a good place to start.

I don’t know how far off the lands they are. I just set them to whatever the Lyman’s reloading book said for the overall length.

[bigbossman]

The faster the better with those bullets. I'm a half grain under max with them in my 30-06 and they kill everything where it stands.

[fivefeezy]

The faster the better with those bullets. I'm a half grain under max with them in my 30-06 and they kill everything where it stands.

That's kind of what I'm thinking. That the higher speed might be more important than a slightly better group.

[bigbossman]

That's kind of what I'm thinking. That the higher speed might be more important than a slightly better group.

It is.

[Fjold]

The difference in accuracy between the two loads is meaningless with a hunting gun out to 300 yards. At that distance the max spread between bullets is 0.45" which means a max deviation of 0.225" from your point of aim. You wouldn't even be able to see that on a game animal.

If you are high volume match shooter go with the slower more accurate load. For a hunting rifle and occasional range shooting, go with the higher velocity load as there's no such thing as "Too dead" when hunting.

JMHO, I do hunt occasionally.

[FLIGHT762]

I would go with the lower load, especially if you've tested that load in cooler weather and you may hunt in hotter temperatures. 3031 is a temp sensitive powder. I had a top end 308 load @ cooler temps it was fine. When I shot that load @ 98°, I stretched primer pockets.

[fivefeezy]

I would go with the lower load, especially if you've tested that load in cooler weather and you may hunt in hotter temperatures. 3031 is a temp sensitive powder. I had a top end 308 load @ cooler temps it was fine. When I shot that load @ 98°, I stretched primer pockets.

Point taken. It was no warmer than 55 degrees when I tested the load. It could well be 100 degrees during deer season.