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Paul Leverman

Some loads listed here are over the recommended maximum. Do not use these loads in your firearm. Always start 10% below maximum and work up, looking for conditions indicating maximum allowable pressure for your firearm.

This is actually for two days at the range. I needed to start over with three of my rifles; a re-bedded .338, a heavy fouling 45-70Govt., and a newly converted/reconditioned 30-'06. The previous loads for the .338 would consistently group under .5MOA, but I had never done a chrony test for ES. I had also used book value for the reloads, so never really knew where I stood in relation to allowable pressure. Off to the range with twelve rounds, RL-19 (a new powder for me), with the max load 4.5 grains over book. The Ruger ate these like a late night snack. Back to the loading bench. With the highest powder charge from that day, the RL-19 was compressed to the point where I could feel it when seating the bullet. I couldn't get more into the case without heavily compressing the charge. A quick volume test with IMR 4350 and IMR 4831 showed that the book max would give me a little more leeway in volume. Using the IMR4350, I started at 66.5grs (0.9grs less than the previously known accurate load), and went up to 73grs. in half grain increments. It turns out that 71.5grs. of IMR4350 is as far as the Ruger will go, showing the first signs of pressure, ie, not stiff, but a definite resistance in bolt lift.

The 45-70 Govt. would show heavy fouling after the first shot in the left barrel, and none in the right. So using Nathan's procedures, polished the chamber/throat area and reduced the fouling to about 25% of what it was before. Unfortunately, this was a long process and not really what I wanted to be doing, so I left it as it was to finish another day.

The 30-'06 was a totally unknown rifle, and loads were made up with Win 760, 165 gr. BTSP. Starting at 53.2gr and upwards to 56.7gr. A happy coincidence that the highest load was also the one that showed the first sign of pressure. A good place to stop. Again, back to the loading bench to develop the hunting loads. Unfortunately, at the range yesterday, the wind was so bad that there really was no point in trying to test and zero the hunting loads.

Two good sessions, proving what needed to be known: maximum loads for both hunters, and some much needed shooting practice. It turns out that not shooting for extended periods is detrimental to trigger control and general familiarity with your rifle. It felt good to be back at the range and to be able to shoot once again.