Thread: 30-06 Akley improved load development

Thought I'd start a new thread on developing a load for my recently re aquired 30-06 AI.
I have a few considerations to keep at the fore front.
The throat is short (not an issue just something to be aware of) if it does become an issue I can get the throat tickled out.
It's an ultralight rifle 3.12kgs even with a brake it requires discipline to shoot consistently .
It's a super thin barrel so it heats up fast (may or may not be an issue).

So far I've got
165gn Noeler Ballistic Tips
162gn Sako Blade
168gn Berger VLDH
178gn ELDS (already have a load that shoots well)

Started off by annealing, sizing, chamfer and prime all my brass.

Only published load data I could find was from Nosler so I'm starting low with a bit of caution but have loaded 2 rounds at each charge weight with 1gn increments to see where my intended velocity can be found (and if it can be achieved without hitting pressure)
Noting that with my short throat I may see pressure earlier, it's all a bit of an unknown.
The Bergers I was able to comfortably seat them 10 thou short of my jam measurement without encroaching on case capacity.
I seated the NBTS at 10 thou as well without having to seat them to deep.
The Sako blades I had to seat a little deeper than I would have liked but I was wary of the fact that with copper pills you want to ideally be 30-40 thou off the lands.
I'll keep COAL measurements out of this for now as it's probably irrelevant till I can get some velocity data to give me an idea of where I'm at in relation to pressure.
Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to get to a range and shoot them all off (unless I hit pressure early)
Will update from there.

this is why you got out of 7mmRM?

Originally Posted by gonetropo

this is why you got out of 7mmRM?

No 300prc, I sold the rem mag to buy the 300 then I sold the 300 to buy this back

I used 58.5 of 2209 and 63 of 2213sc behind 165 SST and 165 Speer they both shot cloverleaf groups so never did any further development.

Originally Posted by nor-west

I used 58.5 of 2209 and 63 of 2213sc behind 165 SST and 165 Speer they both shot cloverleaf groups so never did any further development.

I've actually got some 165gn speer btsp here as well, but I use them in the 308win. You're 2209 charge weight is right in the middle of my charge ladder so that's reassuring, but my shorter throat may throw a curve ball, I guess we'll see.

@nor-west is your rifle standard 30-06 or Ackley ?

By the time you work through all the options you will have shot the barrel out and can replace it with a heavier one that won't heat up the same and it would reduce recoil.

But then you would have to start load development again and wear that one out .....

Originally Posted by akaroa1

By the time you work through all the options you will have shot the barrel out and can replace it with a heavier one that won't heat up the same and it would reduce recoil.

But then you would have to start load development again and wear that one out .....

Hardly I'm not gonna piss about too much, it'll either shoot them or it won't, and if it doesn't I'll just stick with the ELDM load.
I won't be mucking around with seating depth just find the velocity I want, then if I can get it, I'll load up 10 and see if it shoots, if not I'll move on. Will pick whatever shoots best.

Originally Posted by dannyb

@nor-west is your rifle standard 30-06 or Ackley ?

AI.

Originally Posted by nor-west

AI.

Can I ask what COAL you are using ? Just curious, I know I'm limited by the short throat on my rifle

Originally Posted by dannyb

Can I ask what COAL you are using ? Just curious, I know I'm limited by the short throat on my rifle

PM sent.

Greetings,
I dabbled with the .30-06 AI in the early 1990's. Mine was a Parker Hale target rifle with a 24 inch barrel. I loaded up to 60 grains of the older and slower AR2209 with the 165 grain which chronographed 2,837 fps so the gain was minimal at best. Most of the gains from the AI cartridges result from higher pressure loads rather than the small gain in capacity. That said it is still a powerful cartridge just not the equal of any of the magnums.
Regards Grandpamac.

Rest assured I will post results, I have no doubt a standard dirty oh six would do all I need/want (500y capable on reds).
I just wanted something a little different when I had this put together.
I have started my charge ladder conservatively, but I will push the velocity up once I have a data point to work from.
My current charge ladder tops out at 60gn, I may be able to go beyond that, but maybe not.

It will be interesting for me to see the velocity you get from 60 grains of later AR2209. My rough guess would be around 2,900 fps but my barrel was far from factory fresh so you could get rather more.
Regards Grandpamac.

I think its a great concept. The 30/30 does need that lil bit extra i feel so im gonna earmark this one and keep tabs!
Not sure how it would cycle in a lever but you never know. Might be fine.