Went out today with and shot a couple strings with big game and was impressed. Better velocity than h4350 and acc 4350 in both guns. Will need to do more testing to find accuracy but so far that powder loves 165-180 sp bullets. Anyone else test big game in 30-06?

I've used Ramshot Hunter in the 30-06 behind 165/168 grain TTSX and found it to give excellent velocity and accuracy. I was able to get 2950 FPS in my Kimber Classic Select and 2964 with the same load in my Interarms MarkX

There are many of us here that have used Big Game and Hunter with great success. Great powder and still very affordable.

This load shoots well out of a couple of 30-06's I have.Win. case,WLRM primer,55.5gr Big Game,168gr Nosler Ballistic Tip.A little over 2900fps.

It’s my go to for 165/8. and also works great on 6.5 with 130s
Back on track, I’m also getting 2950 with 168 ttsx out a tikka.
If you plan on 180s look at hunter. I’m nipping at factory 180 gr. 300 win mag velocity

I've happily used Ramshot Hunter with 178/180 grain bullets from my 30-06. Excellent velocity and accuracy. Haven't yet tried Big Game.

Guy

A couple of years ago I made up a list of all the handloads used in my rifles, as a way to get a handle on what components were used most--and might need to be supplemented. Turned out Big Game was the leading powder, used in eight cartridges from the 7mm-08 to 9.3x62. It not only often results in higher velocities combined with finer accuracy than other powders, but have yet to test it in cold weather (zero Fahrenheit) and have the loads change significantly in velocity--which can be important here in Montana.

Which is why I keep quite a bit on hand.

I hear good things about Big Game.



P

You’re the reason I have Big game for my 7mm08. Just had to try it in my 06.

Big Game works real well with the 150gr bullets too in the 30-06.Easy to get above 3000fps with it.I wouldn't consider it being the best for 180gr bullets,but I have been able to get a little over 2800fps with 180gr bullets with it.It's just a tad faster burn rate than Win 760 which is a tad faster than the 4350 powders.

Yesterday we chrono’d horn 180 sp flat base at 2730ish in 2 guns with rem primers and 2764 with fed 215 primers at 54 grains. The 165 sp flat bases we got 2821 with fed 215 and 2934 with rem primers at 55.5 grains. My battery was dying on those last two strings with 165 so we will have to redo those tests. We were testing those bullets with H4350, acc4350 and the big game. Doing powder ladder tests from and it was interesting that in both guns groups with big game were tighter even though it was a powder ladder. Velocities were also better and closer to what the book suggested. Definitely will be experimenting with it more. Guess I need to buy some hunter powder also. Thanks

I read good things about BG, some written and documented by you!

In fact, you got me started using it in my 7-08.

In the ‘06, I’ve had great results with 125 and 130 gr bullets on local WT’s and hogs. If those bullets typically exit, don’t need heavier unless hunting bigger, tougher critters.

And my fav load is mag primers, 59 gr BG. Runs around 3,100 fps and hits stuff like they were struck by lightning.

Well, some go a few yards but I have not killed anything that didn’t die within sight.

My good bud is also a believer, similar results. Hit’em right with that load, they not going far. Don’t need a tracking dog, just a 4 wheeler and small trailer for a quick trip to the skinning shed.

DF

Oh yeah Big Game is my go-to powder when reloading 30-06...150gr TTSX over 56.5 grains of Big game results in 3000fps one ragged hole groups in one of my Tikka T3x stainless rifles 👍.....Hb

You using mag primers?

DF

OP if you want to get extra 100-150 fps out of the 180. Hunter is the way to go.
I shoot 180s Sierra game kings with 59.5 gr of hunter at 2860-2898 fps, Base to ogive 2.700
I was on my last few rounds of the game kings, and have 200 of 180 Speer’s spritzer BT. I loaded them up same charge and same Base to give.
Forgot my tripod for the chronograph so I just flung some ammo down at 100 yards to see the difference.
I’m more than happy. Tikka 6 rounds (2 mags) of game kings and 5 rounds of the new Speer’s. You be the judge
No scope adjustment
https://imgur.com/a/M8hfzyP

No magnum primers just plain old CCI 200's....Hb

Some say those powders may perform better with mag primers. And I have more mags than std.

I would probably use Hunter with heavier bullets, like BG with the lighter ones.

DF

I told you wrong on the 3000 fps, i looked at my reloading data and that load produces just a little over 2900 fps in my two Tikka's....Hb

I am tempted to try Big Game BUT I get 2850 fps with 58.0 grs of H4350 and a 168 TTSX. This is with a 22" barrel. Can't justify changing that load. If anything, I may try another .5 grs.

Nice velocity...hows the accuracy?...Hb

This was at 400 yards. .4 MOA

10 shots

Rifle is a Rem 700 BDL that I bought new around 1974. All original except that I bedded the walnut and put a TriggerTech in

I would not change a thing. H4350 is the go to powder in my 30-06's. The only reason to switch it up is if you start getting low on your H4350 powder. We remember when it was damn hard to find that powder, and some of us resorted to trying something new. That is where Big Game and Hunter really came into play. If you don't shoot your 30-06 a lot and you are not burning up your H4350 powder, keep using it. I burn up a lot of H4350 in a lot of different rifles/cartridges. In your pics, you show a .4 moa group at 400 yards. Excellent stuff man. That is what I shoot for. Not getting that with my new lightweight mauser I just bought and started loading for, but I'm also running Big Game and Hunter powder, to keep from using up all my good H4350:




The real beauty in both of those powders is the price tag and availability. Thank god for Ramshot powders. They managed to keep stocked up and kept prices low. I respect the hell out of them for doing that. I still love and use H4350 though.



I believe H4350 wins in the accuracy department in the 30-06, over BG and Hunter.


But in a hunting rifle, both of those powders work very well. I'll take a sub moa at 400 yard load any day of the week and twice on sunday. That is plenty good enough for deer and elk at that range and further out. Also wanted to say thanks for posting your 400 yard target. Glad to see someone else out there punching paper. Group looks great, poi looks good. Your rem 700 is a good shooter with that load. I would not expect either BG or Hunter to exceed that.

Thanks!! I use H4350 in my 6.5 Creedmoor too. IMR 4350 in my 6mm Rem, but will switch to H when I run out.

Was fortunate to jump on H4350 when I could and won't run out anytime soon.

That is good man. I tallied up how much I used last year and it came out to 6 pounds of H4350:


I figured I better slow down and made the switch to BG and Hunter in some of the rifles I don't shoot much. I've done the same thing with AR Comp, as an example. Harder to find that stuff than H4350 right now. Even though I bought 10 pounds of it a year ago, I have almost stopped shooting my AR's over the last 6 months!!!

I have a big jug of H-4350, like it a lot. Also have big jug of BG and Hunter. Don’t wanna get caught short. Nice to have options.

DF

H4350 is my go to for the 06. I can’t find any at the moment and have the Big game for my 7-08 so I wanted to have options. With 56.7 grains of h4350 and 180 sp bullets I get 2725 fps average and good groups. My BLR seems to like bullets seated .50 off of the lands. Thanks for the useful info. Cheers.

No problem man. I think a lot of us are in the same boat right now. No matter how much we thought we were stocked up. As many of us had quite a bit on hand, we also like to shoot too, so we see our powder supply dwindling down. I've been buying more and more Ramshot powders over the last 3 years. Ramshot offers some great powders to choose from. Good luck with it.

Spot on^^^

Very nice! I would not change a thing....Hb

Think I’m onto something using Big Game and 165 sp boulats.
Shot 3 shots with 53.5 and 3 with 54 and all 6 were in 1.5”. Avg velocity at 54 was 2710 es8 sd4. Definitely will try and work these loads up to the 2900fps area but I’m really pleased with the groups so far. Definitely better than with the 180g sp Boulats. I’m trying to learn how to post pics 🤦‍♂️. Might take me a bit. I also will try mag primers next. This was new nosler brass that I was fire forming so took it easy. Thanks to all that gave me info/advice.

Good thread. Hopefully you can get that picture posting thing figured out. I just use IMGUR. I ran across this target pic the other day. Shot from my old pre 64 model 70 30-06 fwt:


I really like Big Game and Hunter powder in the old 06.

My '06 with big game and amax. top hole was with magnetospeed to check vel. Not hottest but my deer load out to 300.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/galleries/18333181#lg=18333181&slide=0

I haven’t used Big Game, but use H4350 and RL17 with 165/168s in 30-06. IMR-4064 with 150s, and RL26 with 180s.


At current Powder Valley prices, Big Game is $28.99 per pound and H4350 is $48.99 per pound. Pretty temping to give it a try.

Is BG a stick or ball powder? How does is measure?

bg is fine spherical. not sure why one would use h4350.

bg is fine spherical. not sure why one would use h4350.[/quote]

Big game is great but not as good with 180’s in the testing I’ve done. 165’s it will group great with good velocities.

Good thread. Hopefully you can get that picture posting thing figured out. I just use IMGUR. I ran across this target pic the other day. Shot from my old pre 64 model 70 30-06 fwt:


I really like Big Game and Hunter powder in the old 06.
[/quote]

BSA hope this works
https://imgur.com/a/4lVUPhq

First pic is big game shooting 165 sp with 3 shots at 53.7 grains of powder and 3 shots with 54. Second pic is H4350 with 56grains

Not too bad. Have you tried more powder? Those groups look good though. I run a tad more Big Game with 165's and around 57gr H4350 with 180's ( partitions and Winchester power points and Hornady btsp interlocks).

I was using nosler brass which gives me pressure signs usually 1grain early so I was working my loads back up from data collected with federal brass. My groups are better with nosler brass so far and I will be doing more testing for sure. 56grains of H4350 with 180’s my velocity avg is 2712fps. With 54 grains of big game and 165’s I’m only at 2710 fps and think I can go into the 2900 range yet. No pressure signs last test. I’ve already made my next test bullets with big game just need a range day.

Sounds good BertaBoy. Your 180gr load sounds a lot like mine. I believe I'm running them at 2,730 fps, which may seem slow to some, but it's pretty dang accurate:


Going back to H4350 powder. This was fired from my pre 64 featherweight, but all of my rifles love it.

Big game is great but not as good with 180’s in the testing I’ve done. 165’s it will group great with good velocities.[/quote]

Thats what Hunter is for! BG is 150-160's

i luv my hammer forged german and finnish barrels! The german one will shoot point of aim cold or smoking hot. I wish i could figure out how to post pics and not links!!


[img]https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...es/18333181/amax#lg=18333181&slide=0[/img]

Amazing grouping. I noticed your velocity is in the 2700’s like mine. Did you ever try to get them in the 2900fps range and was it accurate ?

Not sure why someone would use H4350? Ha ha, ok keep thinking that.

Show us a good target, without making any excuses. Try to keep this schidt real guys. If your rifle produces wild first shot fliers, something is wrong with it.

well i could probably find another node to speed things up but with that comes noticeably more recoil. This is my deer load out to 300 and can only kill 'em so dead. I prefer a lighter than max load to help not lose my sight picture after the first shot. The drop at 300 between 2700 and 2900 is insignificant but the recoil diff is significant with an 8lb scoped rifle!

Can’t argue with any of that logic. Thanks for the reply Tesoro

eat it/ like i said 5 shots then one to check the velocity with magnetospeed, which makes poi high an inch or so high. This was just me finalizing my load with bullet jump adjustment. my rifle will shoot uner .5 moa at 100 hot or cold. thats if i can do my part.

Went back out today to test big game with hornady 165’s sp flat base. Started with 3 shots at 54.3, 54.6, 54.9, 55.2 and 55.5. The first two strings shot sub moa and at 54.9 my group was 4” moa. The next 2 string tightened up to 2.5 and then 1.5. Only hit 2780 fps at 55.5 grains. I hadn’t seen that your load is at 59 grains or I would have probably started closer to that range BSA. Guess I need to build a few more tests in hopes of getting 2900fps without pressure signs.

Each string velocity increased 10-20fps. Was a beauty day out for shooting!