Reloading info needed for Weatherby Vanguard S2 30-06.

[sunflake]

Hello everyone! This is one of my first posts and was wondering, With all the lack of reloading components out there, is there anyone who could recommend a load using IMR 4831 with 165 grain Nosler Accubond? I checked the Nosler load data tables and for this bullet weight  IMR 4350  " was the most accurate powder tested." It's going to be hard enough finding the bullets let alone the powder. I have the IMR 4831 (which is what I use in my 25-06?) If you use a load with the IMR 4831 with 165 grain Accubonds what kind of results have you observed?

Thanks in advance!

[badsection]

Hogdon`s site shows using that powder for heavier bullets for the 30-06.  Welcome to the nation!   

[Truck Driver]

Just remember that IMR 4831 and H 4831 has different burn rates. The H 4831 is slower than IMR 4831 and the powder charges are not the same and do not inter change.

[catskinner]

My dad has used the same load in his 30-06 for 40 years now, and uses it for everything, including moose and elk. It's 59 grains of IMR 4831, 165 gr partition, WLR primer, and is very accurate, with no pressure signs, in his 700 BDL. I would start at 56 gr's and work your way up, because 59 gr's is one grain hotter than most reloading manual's max.

Rob

[dubyam]

Current Nosler data shows 58gr of IMR4831 as a max charge.  Work up carefully (as you always should) and you should find a decent group in there somewhere.  If you can find some 4350 (H or IMR, I prefer H) you'll be ideally set.  Use the published Hodgdon data from their online site and work up to the max charge.  You'll find a great group in there somewhere, I'd bet.

Either way, you should be fine using IMR4831, but it may not be the "ideal" match like one of the 4350s.  It will work well, I'm sure, and much better than wishing you could find 4350!

[zonie]

Most accurate only means most accurate in their test gun I take their accuracy recommendations  with a grain of salt.  If imr 4831 is all you have then that's what I'd use it's a very good powder as long as it's decently accurate in your rifle.   The following powders will work  imr & h 4895's,  RL17,19 &22,  imr & h 4350,  win 760 & h-414 the same powder different label, imr 4064,  imr 3031.   If your rifle shoots well with imr 4831 that's all that really counts if not I'd look at h or imr 4895,  possibly RL 17 or 22, imr 4064 and the 4895's have  given me decent accuracy in 06's, actually h-4831 has given me very good accuracy at the expense of a little less velocity in the lighter bullet weights.  I don't think you are going to have a problem finding at least one or more suitable powders. 

[sunflake]

Thanks for the replies, I'll keep my eye open for some IMR 4350 but with the way things are going in the locating components I may have to try the IMR 4831. The only experience with reloading for a rifle was my Rem 700 BDL in 25.06. That gun is freaky in a great way, I didn't care if it was factory or the reloads using different grains of powder they all grouped tight as heck and a lot went  through the same hole. My father who has reloaded forever just threw his hands in the air with a huge smile and said that it was the first time he had ever seen a rifle that "Just flat out doesn't seem to care what you feed it just shoots fantastic." I wouldn't have believed it either but I was pulling the trigger!

I read over at the reloaders nest that 30-06 can be a bear to get the combination powder /bullet weight right before it shoots well. Does anyone who owns one share the same opinion?

BTW I just got my very first Weatherby home today!!!!
It's a Vanguard S2 Whitetail Bonz. Had a new Redfield Revenge (wished it was made in the USA) 4x14 42mm. With the Accu-ranger hunter reticle. I've looked through quite a few scopes and to my eye the glass looks very good. Also liked the windage and elevation knob adjustments a lot better than my Leupold 3x9. The fact that after you get the scope dialed in you can lift the knobs and reset them back to zero.  Anyone else have a Revenge? How do you like it?

I can't wait to get this thing to the range and start dialing it in! If I can find the Accubond bullets. LOL

[dubyam]

I did not find my 30-06 difficult to load for.  In fact, during my load workup, rounds 7, 8, and 9 went into a sub-.5MOA group.  After verifying the consistency of that load, I have not needed to do further load development.

[zonie]

Duby is right the 30-06 can be extremely accurate,  finding a good load  or several isn't that difficult assuming the actual rifle is of decent quality and built correctly.   The loading process itself is about as easy as it gets and doesn't really have any bad habits.    I've heard the same thing the 30-06 can be difficult and I don't know why ?  Maybe because there are so many of them out there ?  Who knows.  I kind of look at it this way if it was a bad or difficult cartridge it would have died off years ago,   it hasn't and still as popular as ever so I wouldn't worry about it.  If you are looking for a bread and butter powder for 150 to 173  grain bullets (the old military 30-06  bullets) Imr 4895 is your best bet.  It replicates usage to a certain extent the very old  MR # 20, & IMR 1185.   I've found if a run  of the mill 30-06 won't shoot with one of the various 4895's using 150 to 180 grain bullets it's most likely a rifle issue.  I didn't say it's the best powders but rather very good ones for certain applications.   

[257 Shooter]

The best combination I've found for my Vanguard 30-06 is H4350 and the 165 Hornady BTSP. It's astoundingly accurate. 180 Hornady BTSPs with the same powder is nearly as good but not quite. The 165 load is half minute of angle three shot groups up to 400 yards. Not one time but all the time.(in calm air)

As was mentioned, every rifle has its own preferences. IMR4831 should be fine, slightly slower burning rate. Haven't tried Accubonds in the 30-06 but use them in many others. I've always been able to get them to shoot well. For whatever reason they sometimes like a little more distance from the lands than one might think. 

Good luck.

[dubyam]

Paul, I'll tell you that you, me, and about 100 other guys I either know personally, or are friends of guys I know personally, use H4350 and 165/168gr bullets in the 30-06.  It's a classic combination that seems to work in almost any -06.  I'd even bet I could guess within 3gr what load you're using...as you probably could mine as well.

You're right, though.  4831 is a little slower, but it should work fine.  Can't wait to see the OP's results.

[sunflake]

I can't wait to report them!  Now if I can find some accubonds we'll be in business. Thanks for the responses.

[sunflake]

Took the 30-06 Vanguard to the range today.  When I got it sighted in using Hornady Superformance 165 Grain bullets. My last 3 shot group was just ever so slightly larger than a dime at 100 yards. Can't complain about that at all!

[eford]

I use a Revenge AccuHunter scope on my 280 Rem. I really like how the scope holds its settings and that an adjustment moves the point of impact (if I do my things right).

The range finder part will be close enough to get a decent reading. The holdover points don't match up with the load I use, but some practice has given me enough info to know where I have to put the points for 300 and 400 yard shots. If you use MPBR you'll be in good shape with that Superformance load making dime-sized groups. You're off to a great start.

[sunflake]

I did find some IMR 4350 and after some trial and error using 57 grains of powder and 165 grain Nosler Accubond, my groups on the vise/bench at the range are 1.5 inches. The same was true with 53 grains. It hated the 55 grain load. They were 4" apart first 2 shots. This 30-06 has been a little tricky to find a reload it likes. I'm not real happy with 1.5" @ 100 yards but it will get the job done.

My 25-06 was easy, it just didn't care what you put in it. Shot them all great. No 3 shots IIRC were bigger than a quarter.

Maybe after hunting this year I may load some IMR 4831 with the 165's and see what happen with the groups. This gun is funny, what should work the best hasn't been the case, so maybe the 4831 everyone uses for the 180 grain bullet will work better! LOL.