Nosler Ballistic Tip and other Odd Questions for 30.06

[pete50]

Hello all,
I usually read and have posted on the T/C forums on here, but had a few reloading questions. I read the O.A.L for 30.06 to be 3.340. When I use my nosler reloading book, it does not list a O.A.L. for their bullets when loaded. 1st Question: Why not, my loadbook lists O.A.L.'s for Speer, Sierra,etc. 2nd I have a T/C Fox Ridge 30.06 with brake 24". Any suggestions. I have IMR 4350 and IMR 4895 on hand. Speer 165 BT, Nosler 150 BT, and Sierra 150 BT-Gameking. I use the rifle for hunting only and am not a long range hound. Never over 200 yards. I also use WLR primers and RP brass. Also, ONe other question: My calipers almost never measure every completed round the same. They vary by .001-.003. I think it's due to the deformation of the bullets during shipping/loading, etc? Am I nuts? Thanks. Pete

[Dave in WV]

Pete, my son loads IMR 4350 for his 760 pump with 165gr Nosler BTs. I believe he loads 54.5gr of powder with Win primers. He has a Savage 110 .243 and a Ruger 77 MK II .280 and his 30-06 is the most accurate. He seats the bullets out a bit since the 06 is long throated but I don't know the OAL. He got a buck last year in Lewis Co. and that load really hammered the deer.

[Duffy]

The length listed in the load books is the SAAMI maximum that the cartrige is to be loaded to so that it will fit in all standard firearms magazines. It is only a suggestion. If you are measuring off of the tip of the bullet you will get variances because they aren't all even. Differences in neck tension and how clean they are also makes a difference.

[longwinters]

I am still learning about reloading, although I have had good success in all but one of my rifles (an Encore).  The OAL for the 30-06 is 3.340.  I am a Nosler fan and load my son's Sako (as well as a buddy's Sako) with the Nosler recipie of RE-19 57.5 gns.  With the Nosler 150 gn Ballistic tip.  Both of these rifles shoot under MOA with this load.  I have also tried the max load with IMR4350 and the groups were right at MOA.

 I too notice the difference in measurements of my completed cartridges.  Especially the Partition type bullets with the soft tip.  If you look close you will see that some of them are flatter at the nose than others. . . and it doesnt take much to make a .003 difference.  I also think that calipers are not perfectly accurate.  All it takes is a little more pressure on the adjuster or not having the cartridge perfectly flat on one of the arms etc...

[Hcliff]

To get consistant measurement you can purchase a Stony Point bullet compesator.  It is a device that is hooked on to your caliper that allows the tip of the bullet to be put into a hole so you measure the oligve of the bullet.  This can give you better measurements.  Look a a ballistic tip and a round nose.  You can see the BT can be seated out longer because the tip will not touch anything like a round nose will.  For beginners you can also buy a factory box loaded with BT and use that round as a guideline or use the oal spec.  This is the learning curve of reloadiing.  In general closer to the lands the more accurate loads are.  It you use some bullet (X bullet come to mind) you must stay further back from the lands vs regular bullets.  Remember that if changing you oal you will want to back off the powder charge and work your way back up.  Pressures can rise if the bullets are in the lands.  They don't get the freebore.   I think Sinclair and other companies make bullet compenstors too.  It is easier to see what a bullet compensator will do that to expalin.  Take a look and see.

Good luck

Hcliff

[Iowegan]

Check this web site for tools that measure chamber depth and precise bullet seating depth.  http://www.cactustactical.com/reloading/reloading.html