30-06 Semi Automatic reload reccomendations

[RANGER14]

I am looking for load data for BAR 30-06 semi automatic. I also own a M1 Garand I have been loading with BLC2 with 49 grains with Hornady 150grain FMJ with good results. I have some H4895 that I have not tried yet.
However I am looking for hunting loads in my BAR. I am going to start with the BLC2 and H4895. Is 49 grains the max I can use? That is what is recommended on M1 Garand but looking for something with more velocity but not finding many load data for semi automatic

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[RANGER14]

I am also wanting to use 165 grain Hornady SST as the bullet for the BAR.

 

[osprey]

Any published loads from a reputable source should be safe in your BAR. There are no specific limitations for loading for a modern semi-auto, but every rifle is unique so start low and work up. I think you will find better powders than the ones you listed but the ones listed will work. You will want to fl resize with a semi.

 

[gmerkt]

looking for something with more velocity

There is a conflict here with semi-autos, at least with the M1 Rifle (Garand). That is, the rifle has design characteristics that limit the velocity that may be achieved. So when you see a max load for the M1 Rifle, you are well advised to stop there and not seek higher velocities.

For 168 and 175 gr. bullets, I've used BL-C(2) in .30-06 for the M1 Rifle but I prefer IMR 4064. Varget is also a good one.

With 150 gr. bullets I've also used IMR 4895 with success but it's pretty scarce these days followed not to far behind by IMR 4064. You might look into Accurate 4064, my work with it so far has been limited but satisfactory. Win. 748 is another I've used with 150 gr. bullets.

I've never owned a BAR, but I've owned some Remington semi-auto .30-06's. I simply fired the same ammo in those that I'd loaded for the M1's. Given we are talking about 2,700 to 2,800 fps, the deer (or whatever) probably isn't going to notice a difference of 100 fps.

 

[RANGER14]

There is a conflict here with semi-autos, at least with the M1 Rifle (Garand). That is, the rifle has design characteristics that limit the velocity that may be achieved. So when you see a max load for the M1 Rifle, you are well advised to stop there and not seek higher velocities.

For 168 and 175 gr. bullets, I've used BL-C(2) in .30-06 for the M1 Rifle but I prefer IMR 4064. Varget is also a good one.

With 150 gr. bullets I've also used IMR 4895 with success but it's pretty scarce these days followed not to far behind by IMR 4064. You might look into Accurate 4064, my work with it so far has been limited but satisfactory. Win. 748 is another I've used with 150 gr. bullets.

I've never owned a BAR, but I've owned some Remington semi-auto .30-06's. I simply fired the same ammo in those that I'd loaded for the M1's. Given we are talking about 2,700 to 2,800 fps, the deer (or whatever) probably isn't going to notice a difference of 100 fps.

I understand that the M1 Garand has limitations and dont plan to load higher than the recommended loads which from the NRA is 49.0 grains of BLC2 and 49.0 grains of H4895 with 150 grain bullet. I am not looking for more velocity in my Garand.
I am looking for loads in the BAR 30-06. I know the loads above will work in my BAR but I don't have any data saying what max load would be for a more modern BAR
Thanks

 

[RANGER14]

Any published loads from a reputable source should be safe in your BAR. There are no specific limitations for loading for a modern semi-auto, but every rifle is unique so start low and work up. I think you will find better powders than the ones you listed but the ones listed will work. You will want to fl resize with a semi.

What powder do you recommend. I looked for IMR4064 but cand find it.

 

[gmerkt]

What powder do you recommend.

Vihtavuori N135 is another you might want to consider and is available. Midway has it right now for $49 the pound. Same price at Powder Valley.

 

[osprey]

imr or H 4350 would be high on my list for powders with a 165 gr bullet. I would load 54 grs to start and go up to 57 gr or so looking for accuracy for the Bar. I would not limit myself to M1 loads only.

 

[RANGER14]

imr or H 4350 would be high on my list for powders with a 165 gr bullet. I would load 54 grs to start and go up to 57 gr or so looking for accuracy for the Bar. I would not limit myself to M1 loads only.

Do you think H4350 burns fast enough to cycle semi auto? Also any idea what Hornady powder is used in there 165 SST? I pulled the bullet and measured there powder it was 65.7 grains.

 

[RANGER14]

Vihtavuori N135 is another you might want to consider and is available. Midway has it right now for $49 the pound. Same price at Powder Valley.

Do you think it burns fast enough to cycle semi auto? Also any idea what Hornady powder is used in there 165 SST? I pulled the bullet and measured there powder it was 65.7 grains.

 

[osprey]

Do you think H4350 burns fast enough to cycle semi auto? Also any idea what Hornady powder is used in there 165 SST? I pulled the bullet and measured there powder it was 65.7 grains.

Was it a ball powder or extruded stick? Of the recommended powders for 165gr bullets in a 30-06, imr and h4350 fall smack dab in the middle of the pack on the burn rate chart and should cycle the BAR just fine.

 

[RANGER14]

Was it a ball powder or extruded stick? Of the recommended powders for 165gr bullets in a 30-06, imr and h4350 fall smack dab in the middle of the pack on the burn rate chart and should cycle the BAR just fine.

Ball

 

[osprey]

Ball

The only hornady loading I see for the 165 sst is in their Superformance line. Therefore I would say they are using superformance powder which is a ball powder. The only problem is they probably don't use the canister grade version that is available to us as reloaders. I am generally not a big fan of ball powders for precision hunting ammo but it does work well in a few of my gas guns.