Who's trying 30-06 with flatline bullets?

niteshooter

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Minuteman
Mar 28, 2014
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Victoria, TX
I may have missed it but I haven't seen load or velocity data for this combo. Frank Lowlight shared his 308 data so should I just add 100-150 fps and put that into my ballistic apps.

Im stuck on cartridge choice for my next rifle build. 300 ultra mag has the performance I want to play at 1/2 to 1 mile distance targets but I'm not sure I'd want to shoot a class at Rifles Only with it. Two or three hundred rounds in a weekend would give me fits over running through the barrel life to fast. I'll lump the 300 Norma and 300 win mag into this category also.

Enter the 30-06. Good barrel life. Lapua brass available I think. No issue taking several shooting classes and not killing the barrel. Ballistically a little better than 308.
2850 fps with 185 Berger hybrids seems possible and would suite me fine for sub 1000 yard practice and hunting.
If I let somebody else shoot a box or two of ammo with it I won't be cussing in the back of my mind about them wasting my barrel life and more expensive ammo like I would with a 300 magnum.


I just haven't found any solid data for flatline bullet loads for 30-06 to run the numbers and see if the performance suites my shooting objectives.
Any suggestions or experiences are welcome to help my decision.
Thanks.




 
I don't know that you will find solid data for Flatlines out of .30-06. Flatlines are too new. You will have to experiment a bit. My experience with the .338 Flatline load development seems to suggest that you use a proven powder or two that run a conventional projectile in the same weight class well in your caliber. Then do a pressure test to see if you get close to full case load powder density from a given powder. Then start your load development tests.

Btw, I'm interested in this somewhat also. I have a .30-06 I picked up that I will likely do the same tests on, but it's not in the works until late this year, due to other projects.
 
What I do when starting with a new bullet is to interpolate other bullets of the same weight from powders of the same or close speed. I always use the starting loads and work up a ladder. Once running the ladder, don't hesitate to stop if you see any pressure signs.

In the situation where you have no data to work from you determine what you see capacity is. Find the starting load ( key here). I usually use the fastest powder for comparison, so as not to worry about secondary ignition.

The most important thing is to find a starting point from which to work up from. If you get confused as to how to find it contact the powder manufacturer. I've done this and it's saved my bacon.