Powder test with short barrel 30 Nosler

I recently built a new 30 Nosler, opting for a 22-inch barrel instead of the longer 26-28 inch barrels used in my previous builds. This rifle is equipped with a TBAC Magnus suppressor. While researching potential loads and powders, I initially assumed that a faster-burning powder would be more suitable given the shorter barrel length, as it would facilitate a complete powder burn and yield better velocity and standard deviation (SD) values. My bullet of choice was the Berger 215-grain, and I began my testing with H1000 powder. This initial load demonstrated decent accuracy and SD, with a velocity of 2,890 fps at 82 grains.

Next, I tested Retumbo, which provided significantly higher velocity, reaching 3,104 fps at the first signs of pressure, along with slightly improved SD values compared to H1000. I then tried 4831sc, which produced a velocity similar to H1000 but resulted in worse SD values. Finally, I opted for N570, the same powder I use in my other 30 Nosler rifles, and found an optimal load at 86.2 grains, achieving a velocity of 3,007 fps with an SD of 1.2 (2.8 fps extreme spread).

Contrary to my initial expectations, the shorter barrel performed better with slower-burning powders. Based on this experience, I conclude that for heavy bullets in any given caliber, slower powders yield better performance regardless of barrel length. Anyone else have similar or differing experiences?

Generally, the powder that produces the fastest velocity in a longer barrel will also do so in a shorter one. The advantage of a faster powder "MAY" be a more complete burn and as a result of this, less muzzle flash.

thaught said:

Contrary to my initial expectations, the shorter barrel performed better with slower-burning powders. Based on this experience, I conclude that for heavy bullets in any given caliber, slower powders yield better performance regardless of barrel length. Anyone else have similar or differing experiences?

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I wouldn't really consider 22" a short barrel, but generally you do get fastest velocity with the same powders as a standard 26" barrel according to my testing.

I will add that the bigger magnums with barrels under 20" are a bitch to tune.
I got so tired of chasing wild SDs with a 19" 300 NMI that I went back to 25", now it's an effortless ES in the single digits.

I have a 16" 300 SAUM for hog hunting from a blind, suppressed. I went to the faster burning powders to get a more complete burn which should reduce pressure at the muzzle.

My thought was it would reduce the burden on the suppressor. Only a theory, and some estimates from Quickload.

When you say 2.8 ES and 1.2 SD, how many rounds we talking in those numbers?

Jakeweb09 said:

When you say 2.8 ES and 1.2 SD, how many rounds we talking in those numbers?

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20 rounds

My take on this is that the 30 Nosler is a true magnum cartridge and anything short of a 24" barrel is just a waste.

Something like a 300SAUM would easily work well in a 22" barrel and, in fact, I have one. It's the "standard barrel length" for many of the Remington Model Sevens in 300SAUM.

You'll get so much muzzle flash and such a seriously loud muzzle blast that your hearing protection will not be enough to prevent hearing loss.

Having said all that the suppressor will likely negate a lot of that flash and noise but still I think it's a waste to use less than at least a 24" barrel and a 26" barrel would be more ideal.

thaught said:

20 rounds

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How do you get an ES of 2.8 fps unless you are measuring to the tenth on fps?

I have actually been thinking about this exact same build. I current shoot a 30N with a 26" barrel and a tbac ultra 7

I recently acquired a magnus and it really had me thinking about building a shorter rifle and running it. I was thinking 20" but I was worried that was to much waste if you are getting 3k plus with 22" that seems like the way to go!

Was "3104fps w. Retumbo" a typo? Because that is crazy good velocity from a 30 Nosler with a 22" pushing a 215 Hyb.

thaught said:

20 rounds

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Is this a typo?

Forget the numbers what does the target say? Typically the really slow powders will give great numbers and great case fill, but the node will be narrow from my experience.

LDHunter said:

My take on this is that the 30 Nosler is a true magnum cartridge and anything short of a 24" barrel is just a waste.

Something like a 300SAUM would easily work well in a 22" barrel and, in fact, I have one. It's the "standard barrel length" for many of the Remington Model Sevens in 300SAUM.

You'll get so much muzzle flash and such a seriously loud muzzle blast that your hearing protection will not be enough to prevent hearing loss.

Having said all that the suppressor will likely negate a lot of that flash and noise but still I think it's a waste to use less than at least a 24" barrel and a 26" barrel would be more ideal.

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Do you think you can get 3000+fps with a 215 in a 26" 300SAUM with a 9" can?

I built a 26" 300PRC and run a TBAC Ultra 9 on it. Pushes a 215 Hyb @ 3023 or a 230 Hyb @ 2995fps. I wish I would have gone 22" sometimes, makes a lot of sense to me. Especially since his velocities are pretty comparable to mine.

26" + 9" can makes it a LOOONG rifle to carry. It will be a rifle that gets pulled out when close to a truck or shooting from an elevated glassing spot you sit at for hours and take the shot from there. Not for stalking through the woods.

lancetkenyon said:

Was "3104fps w. Retumbo" a typo? Because that is crazy good velocity from a 30 Nosler with a 22" pushing a 215 Hyb.

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Not a typo.

Beluebow said:

Is this a typo?

Forget the numbers what does the target say? Typically the really slow powders will give great numbers and great case fill, but the node will be narrow from my experience.

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Not a typo. The targets seem to really like it out to 1380 yards. What I learned from this is that not only did the slower powders produce higher velocities, but the nodes were all around max charges, give or take .5 grains. I did forget to mention there is .200" of freebore which gives a little more room.