Powder choice

4064 is always a good bet. Assuming bolt action, 4350 might get you a touch more velocity, haven't checked the books. R15 and Varget would be good also.

I shoot a lot of 4064 in '06 from 150 to 168 grains, but mine are reduced to M1Garand levels so may not be applicable to your purpose. I get fine accuracy though, I'd imagine working up to max would only improve on that.

For pronghorns, mule deer and elk, 57.0 grs of IMR 4350 behind a Hornady 165 gr BTSP was my load. But I think a charge of RL-15 behind 165 gr Hornady SSTs would work equally well. Besides, my old IMR 4350 load isn't even listed in my newer Hornady manual.
BTW, following in his grandfathers footsteps, using Hornady 165 gr BTSPs and IMR-4350, our 19 year-old grandson has been trying to find an all-around big game load for his own 30-06 - his other grandfather's old pre-64 model 70. So far, he hasn't been all that successful in finding a load that will group well. But he hasn't really had much time - he's busy at school, and because he lives in town, it's not like he can just drive 2 miles to the gravel pit to test a load. I'm sure he'll find a good one soon though.

I have had good results with RL15 and H4350 with other various bullets in 165 grains. I would look at VEL and case fill then work up something to get good case fill. IMHO 30-06 is not hard to get a good load to shoot for you.

You answered your own question: IMR4064

IMR 4064 is an excellent choice.



the low shot was a cracked case neck, one of the problems inherent with old gunpowder. It outgasses nitrogen dioxide and that will crack your brass.



a different pre war M70, a first year M70.





all the way out to 600 yards.



I am going to recommend 48 grains of IMR 4064 with any 165 or 168 grain lead core bullet. I have not fired the all copper types. But with lead core, this load will not cause pressure problems and is very accurate. I have not found it sensitive to case or primer. Just load it up, get your zero, and hit something.

Here is some data with a 168 SMK in a Garand

M1 Garand DouglasBarrel 1:10twist

168 SierraMatch 47.0grsAA2495 wtd WLR FC CasesOAL3.30"
5 May 00 T=82°F

AveVel=2632
StdDev=16
ES=50
Low=2616
High=2666
Number rounds=10

168gr Sierra Match 47.0 AA2520 WWII cases WLR OAL3.30"

5 May 00 T=82°F (185to190 gr cases)

AveVel=2658
StdDev=35
ES=85
Low=2612
High=2697
N=5

168gr SierraMatch 48.0grs IMR4064 wtd LC66 NM WLR OAL3.30"
5 May 00T=82°F

AveVel=2594
StdDev=18
ES=38
Low=2575
High=2613
N=5

168gr Sierra Match 49.0 grs wtd IMR4064 LC66 NM WLR OAL3.30"
5 May 00 T=82°F

AveVel=2669
StdDev=27
ES=65
Low=2651
High=2716
N=5

Stew0576 said:

Also have h4350

Click to expand...

I use nothing other than H4350 in my 30-06 including 165gr bullets. For my rifle I achieve sub MOA accuracy out to 200 yards. This is for a bolt action rifle and the charge is 57.0 with IMR4350 and a 165/168gr bullet.

H/IMR 4895 or IMR 4064 are always good choices in the 30-06 too.

I have not reloaded with all of these powders but I have had really good luck with Varget and 165gr SSTs in .308.

4064 is an accurate powder that gives good speeds. But it is very sensitive to temperature changes. A load developed at 70 degrees will be 50-150 fps slower at 20 degrees. And 30-100 fps faster at 100 degrees.

For bullet weights from 150-180 gr it is hard to beat H4350. All powders are susceptible to temperature changes, but H4350 is one of the more stable. Between 70 and 20 degrees you'd only lose about 20-25 fps and between 70 and 100 would only gain about 10-15 fps. There are better choices if you want to shoot 200 gr or heavier bullets.

Because of the temp sensitivity issue I would go with H4350, plus it will give you more velocity over IMR 4064 and Varget. Can't comment on RL15 as I've not used it in 30-06. I have quite a few powders that are suitable for 165 grain bullets in a 30-06, but now have worked up good loads with H4350 and IMR 7977 and will only make hunting rounds with those 2 as both are temp stable.

I've not loaded the SST, but for Nosler's BT or AB, I have loads for IMR4895, Varget and IMR4350. My gun prefers the 4350, although I'd consider any of them good enough for a hunting load.

For my bolt actions I prefer 4895, I load 4350 for my garands and lighter recoil loads. 30-06 is a fun round to load for and there is a lot of choices for powder and bullets, part of the fun is trying to find a little better round.

Change the #s I have them backwards 4895 for Garands and 4350 for Howa bolt actions with 150gr bullets.

rdnktrkr said:

For my bolt actions I prefer 4895, I load 4350 for my garands and lighter recoil loads. 30-06 is a fun round to load for and there is a lot of choices for powder and bullets, part of the fun is trying to find a little better round.

Click to expand...

Did you transpose those applications by mistake?

I might have, I'll have to go out to the garage and look, I just loaded 100 125gr for the garands and another 35 150gr for my ladder work up.

Random 8 said:

Did you transpose those applications by mistake?

Click to expand...

Thanks for pointing that out, I made note of that on the original post.

Yea... IMR4895 for the Garand, it goes together like macaroni and cheese.

When I originally bought my Savage 24" .308, I started with 168grn SMK's and IMR4895, but soon switched to IMR4064 for better velocities and accuracy with the heavier bullet (vs 150grn.) I suspect the .30-06 would be the same... I think you can get there with IMR4895, but IMR4064 (and, likely IMR4320 and Varget) get you there maybe a little easier, and with room to spare.

My favorite powder for the .30-06, BY FAR is WW-760/H414. H450 worked like gangbusters but I can't find it anywhere.