Powder choice for 30-06

[Troystat]

I am thinking of reloading for my 30-06 for the first time and had a couple of questions
1. a good powder choice as far as accuracy for 150-180 grain bullets, Sierra Match Kings in particular.
2. Should I full length re-size or just neck re-size.

The rifle is a S&W 1500

Thanks

 

[BruceM]

Full length size for hunting ammo and neck size for paper punching. I like maximum charges of IMR4350 for hunting ammo. Some folks think IMR4895 gives better accuracy but with less velocity. For hunting animals the size of northern Whitetail, I REALLY like the Sierra 165 grain SPBT. Your rifle will tell you what it likes best.



Bruce

 

[MDaly]

If you are shooting a bolt gun try H4350 or IMR4350. If you are shooting a gas gun, a Garand in particular, you cannot use a powder that slow burning. The Garand was designed to use the original mil spec 4895. The powder most closely matching the original burn speed is H4895. You will never bend an operating rod or crack a receiver with either H4895 or IMR 4895.

If you want to talk about it or get data, call me a t Hodgdon Powder tomorrow. 800-622-4366 ext 110. My name is Mike. I can shoot you an email with any or all of our 30-06 data.

Mike

 

[Snapping Twig]

All of mine like IMR 4350 and 165g NBT's.

 

[hamourkiller]

Mdaly hit it on the head, slow powders 4350 and 4831 are great choices and offer max speed out of a bolt gun.

Semi autos require 4895 or 4064 for the proper pressure curve to safely operate the gas system.

Classic m1 garand load is 49grs IMR-4895 @ 150 gr spitzer bullet.

Classic m1 garand load is 48grs 4064 @ 165-168 gr spitzer bullet.

Have fun

 

[VIM]

I like Winchester 748 & 760 depending on bullet weight. Very clean burning and accurate in my rifles. It is the same powders used by Winchester in their factory loads.

 

[Smith357]

I don't have my data book in front of me, I do know my rifles prefer IMR4350 and IMR4895. I neck sized only for accuracy, but then I don't have a semi 06. For punching holes in paper I use 168 grain Hornady A-max and for hunting I had good results with Speer's low cost Hot Core in the appropriate weight for the game.

 

[Dan Cash]

Reloader 19 for your bullet weight.

 

[TSQUARED]

I have always had excellent results with both IMR-3031 and IMR-4895.

 

[Troystat]

Thanks everybody, since my 06 is a bolt gun I will give IMR4350 a try assuming I can find any in my area.

Thanks

Troy

 

[thetrio_94043]

I have used IMR4350 with good results. H4831 has also worked well in my bolt gun.

 

[David Sinko]

My dad has a Remington 760 pump .30-06 that is amazingly accurate with IMR 4350 and the original style Barnes 150 gr. X Bullet. It's the single most accurate load I had ever developed for any rifle.

On a more depressing note, I had high hopes for Hodgdon BL-C2, since it works so well for me in .223, .308 and .300 Savage. I was shocked to find that regular Winchester and CCI primers will not ignite this powder in the .30-06. Magnum primers are too much trouble for just this one load so for me BL-C2 is a no go.

Dave Sinko

 

[wyo-man]

Another vote for IMR4350 with a 165 gr. bullet.

wyo-man

 

[4inch357]

I have had good luck for accuracy with 3031 & 165's.

 

[medic15al]

I have had awesome accuracy and higher than expected velocities from ReLoder 17. The standard book charge of 58 grains gave me ave. of 3052 out of a 22in Bbl with 150 grn bullets. Very similar burn rate to IMR 4350.

Alliant Powder - Reloder 17

Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide

 

[LAH]

I like WW760, IMR 4350, & IMR 4895. These are proven powders. I neck size all my ammo..........Creeker

 

[lafayne]

My standard 30-06 load is the 165 grain and IMR 4350. I have only bolt actions.

 

[bgrafsr]

When I was shooting High Power with my Match Garand, I used Match cases, Sierra 168 grn HPBT, and IMR 4895. I think it was 46.5 or 47 grains of the 4895. That was my best and most accurate loading.

I also used IMR 4895 in my Match .308 Win loads shooting a Match M1A. I believe that one was 41.5 grns behind the Sierra 168 Grn HPBT and Match cases.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use nothing else than 4350 for 165gr or heavier bullets in a 30-06 bolt action rifle. (mostly H4350 over IMR or Accurate)

 

[JCinPA]

I'm surprised no votes for IMR-4064. I found out that Federal uses it in their .308 Gold Medal Match round, and I've had terrific success with it in that round. I am going to work up a load for my Springfield 1903s with it next, .30-06.