I'm looking for info on a good powder to use to load my 30-06. Right now I only have W748 and I believe I'm limited to what grain bullet I can use. Can anyone help me?

W760.................

Why not try IMR 4831? Improved Military Rifle powder!

IMR 4350 is also a good powder for the 30-06

Someone recommended the 4831 and am considering that but I am having a hard time finding load data for under 175gr. bullets. my preferred bullet weight is between 150-180. I am also new to reloading.

IMR-4350 is fantastic for 150-170 grain 30-06 loads. Best accuracy is normally found near the top end of the load table. Start medium low and work up until you hit the sweet spot.

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Virtue,Liberty & Independence

IMR 4350 will do the job, for 150-180 gr. bullets.

4831 is a bit slow.

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NRA Instructor

imr 4895 is what i use. works well in 30-06 and other rifle loads.

Thanks I will try to find some.


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The IMR line is just used as an example below. Other brands of powders with similar burning rate characteristics also work well.

Fastest to slowest of IMR powders generally used in .30-06: 3031, 4895, 4064, 4320, 4350, 4831.

125 grain bullets: IMR 3031 to IMR 4320

150/165 grain bullets: IMR 3031 to IMR 4350

180/220 grain bullets IMR 4350 to IMR 4831

Good performing loads can be had with any of these powders in the versatile .30-06.

My favorites are IMR4064 for 150gr; IMR4350 for 180gr. and up. Both are accurate in my Remington 700. IMR4064 also works well for the 180grainers but with milder velocities with the heavier bullet.

Did you look in a reloading manual? They are full of loads for different powders. 30-06 is a popular round. Do you even have a reloading manual. If not, you need one or two.

Lately I've been using Varget for most of my loads and I'm very impressed with the accuracy.

Dave Sinko

You didn't state your bullet limitations or what rifle you are using, but 4064 under a 165 grain Sierra BTSP has been my most accurate load and deadly on big game in my Rem 700.

Yep , 4350 for bullets 150gr and up in bolt guns.
W-760/H-414 is the ball powder equivalent. Data of course is NOT interchangeable.

W-748 , BL-C2 , Varget , and 4895 is good for 168 and down and has the proper burn rate for use in Garands.


Most bullet and powder manufacturers have loads(!) of data on their websites and it's all FREE!

For a 150gr bullet IMR or H 4895 , IMR 4064 , RL 15
For a 165 / 168gr bullet IMR or H 4350 , W760 / H414 , RL19
For 180 / 200gr bullet IMR or H 4350 , IMR or H 4831
W748 is IMHO a bit fast for the 30-06 .

I guess IMR 4350 powder is one of the best options you have. I used this powder for Speer Grand Slam and Speer MagTip bullets of 175 Grains. Don't know if both are still available. If not there will probably be a substitute. These bullets worked pretty well hunting European Game.
Data for this powder are plenty.
Rainer

+1 for post #10

for a bolt action................

If you shoot a GI issue M1 the powders around 748,4895,4064 are better for this gas operation rifle operating system. Slower powders may damage the system unless you get a special plug to change the gas pressure given off by the slower powders.

In my 1903 rifle H380, 4895,Varget and 4320 gave the best accuracy with several types of 150gr bullet styles.

The heavier 165gr did ok with these powder but 4350 and a starting load of 4831 for 2530 fps joined the party with Speer, Hornady and Sierra bullets.

Most shoot the 180gr at factory speed and 4350, H414 and 4831 worked with a little messing with primers, the same with the 200gr boat tail by Sierra.
Most loads were with the cci 500 and 550 primer but in the heavier bullets I found that my rifle got BETTER groups with the Winchester standard primer, something you might want to try.
I did get a light 180gr load with imr4350 at 2430 fps that grouped 4 @ .99 at 100 yards with the win. primer and this load only had a recoil of 16.3 ft/lbs vs the factory load kick of 19.1 ft/lbs at 2660 fps with my Fac. Dup. loading that placed five shots at .84" at 100 yards

For most bolt actions you can't go wrong with powders that burn around imr4350 with a touch of H or imr 4895 as a back up powder.

Good luck and stay safe.

Thanks. I picked up a lb each of 4831 & 4350. That should get me started and I can work on it from there.


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4895 is a very versatile powder and is very good at making reduced rifle loads as well as med/hot rounds.

For a long time I used 760 in both 150 and 180 gr. loads but anymore I used IMR4350 in 150, 180, 200 gr. loads. Works so well I haven't bothered playing with anything else.

Thanks I really appreciate all the info I'm getting , as I said I am new to reloading and gives me somewhere to start. Keep it coming.


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I use mostly 4350 for all my 30-06 ammo other than the ammo meant for an M1 Garand.

Just a note, I personally feel 4831 is too slow a powder for the 30-06.

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SWCA #3437

+1 for 4831 being too slow but it is a safe beginners powder.

One has to realize that 58c grs of 4831 vs 46.5 grs of 4895
can make a BIG difference on how far one pound of powder will go when loading a 180gr bullet.