BigBob .30-06, halcon, Briman, .358

I was doing a search on "Game Kings" and came across this thread. I just recently got a BAR 30-06 and had the very same question about "slow burning" powders and Semi-Auto's as I had read so much about it on various fourms, including this one, with the general consensus being.......use "medium" burn rate powders only!

I was planning to load some Sierra 180Grn Game Kings and someone had recommended trying IMR-4831, which definitely is NOT in the "Medium" burn rate category. In fact, it's a little slower than IMR-4350 & H-4350. I've shot a lot of IMR-4350 in my gun, BUT, just to be on the safe side, I called Sierra's Ballistic Services department (1-800-223-8799). I told them I was going to be loading the 180grn Game King and wanted to know if using the slower IMR-4831 could potentially damage my BAR. In short, I was told that the Browning BAR could handle any powders listed in the various load manuals as long as you stay within the recommended Min / Max loads. The Browning BAR is designed to take it!

So....I loaded em up! Sierra 180grn Game Kings on top of IMR-4831 with Remington brass & Fed 210 primers.

Went to the range with them today and am happy to say that......

My 30-06 BAR Really Likes 180Grn Sierra Game Kings & IMR-4831!!!

I just got to say....WOW!

Started with 52Grns of IMR-4831 and worked up to 57.5Grns in .5Grn increments. (12 Groups @ 3 shots each @ 100 Yds) Out of the 12 groups, 7 groups were sub MOA with the smallest being 0.511" CTC. There were 3 flyers in 3 different groups which were definitely me, and not the gun. The other two MOA+ groups were the 52.0 & 52.5 grn groups.

Overall average group size (including the flyers) was 1.092"CTC. Excluding the groups with the 3 flyers (which I know you can't really do) the overall average was 0.821"CTC.

GRN----CTC
52.0---1.235
52.5---1.157
53.0---0.511
53.5---1.596*
54.0---2.823*
54.5---0.829
55.0---0.646
55.5---0.846
56.0---0.761
56.5---0.620
57.0---1.300*
57.5---0.781
-------------
AVG:---1.092

(* Includes 1 flyer)

Gota say I sure am happy to see this gun shooting sub MOA. I had read a lot of folks saying that their BAR's shoot sub MOA, but I just wasn't getting there with the Nosler Ballistic Tips. Tried both the 180 & 165 grn BT's and just couldn't break that 1" mark. Of course, those were the only 2 bullets I'd tried prior to the Game Kings and with both of those I was using IMR-4350.

The BAR cycled with no problems what-so-ever using the IMR-4831 and now that I've found at least one excellent hunting load, I can take my time and try out some other bullets / powders. I've never owned, shot, or reloaded for a Remington Semi-Auto so I would NOT even begin to say anything one way or the other as to the use of slower burning powders in that gun. But as far as MY 30-06 BAR is concerned, the Sierra Game Kings and the IMR-4831 are keepers.

firstshot