30-06 powder selection

Of those you listed I would personally pick H4831sc. But if you asked me what powder I would load 30-06 with, and I do, I would go with either RL22, RL19, H4831sc, IMR-4350, or H1000. Each of those are on order of personal preference.
I've had very good results wiht all of those in the 30-06, but the one that sticks out the most is RL22. Very accurate at the top end, and I was able to attain top velocities, with very easy to manage pressures.
GS

taybri said:

Hey, I'm new to 30-06 loading. I have a bunch of powder on hand from other calibers I load. Buying powder is a real pain these days. Does anyone know which of these powders would work best with 168 gr Berger VLD hunting bullets. I have a new Remington 783 in 30-06. I want to know which of these powders might work in 30-06:

-reloader15
-h4831sc
-imr3031
-ramshot x-terminator

Thanks,
Brian

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That's a tough one alright.

IMO all the powders you have are either too fast or too slow for loading the 30-06. I usually load on the slow side with H4350 and H4831 is even slower but I really don't see any data available for that combination on the Hodgdon Site. Lyman has load data but all loads using 4831 are compressed so if all I had were the powders you list I would be using either IMR3031 or RL15. BUT, I would really try to find a powder in the burn rate range between IMR3031 and 4831 with 4895, 4064 or 4350 being the best choices IMO. (sorry)

Hey Tabri, welcome to the forum.

I don;t use any of your listed powders in 30-06, nor do I shoot that bullet. But I can tell you what my Rem 700 ADL shoots best.

In bullet weights between 150gr through 180gr, IMR4064 gets more "best loads" in my reloading notes.

RL19 gets the second best number of best loads, but it is not close to 4064.

In the Hornady 165gr Interlock and the Speer 165gr Grand Slam (both SP-flat bullets), IMR4895 gives me the tightest groups.

All rifles shoot differently even in the same make and caliber, as you probably know. So.....let your 100yard target be your guide. ((D)))

Now, I have tried RL22 as another reloader likes, but my rifle didn;t like it much (at least not enough to be titled best load). However, RL22 is best through bullet weights in my 25-06 (Ruger #1V). IMR4064 holds pretty high honors in that caliber too. 4064 is a very versitle powder across a broad range of calibers (so is 4895).

Brian,

I agree with ArchAngelCD. While none of the powders listed are ideal, I would go with either RL15 (1st choice) or IMR3031. H4831SC is too slow for 168gr bullets, and I don't use RamShot powders.

Don

IMR 3031 dates back to the 30's and was a popular powder with target shooters, the 30-06 and 168's. You will not be able to push bullets as fast with IMR 3031 as a slower powder, but the speed will be respectible.

I have had excellent accuracy results with RL15 and 165 grain bullets in .30-06. I haven't been using it very long, but I'm getting MOA groups.
I haven't chronographed them, but I figure they're plenty fast enough for whitetail at 200 yds and in.
If you want maximum velocity, then yes, get a slower powder. However, I think RL15 will work fine. It's a very versatile powder.

For decades i've used IMR 3031 in my .30-06 loads with bullets to 150 grains. My 180 grain .30-06 loads use IMR 4320 or IMR 4350.

I would go with RL15 up to 150-165 grain bullets and 4831SC for 180 and up. The 4831SC will probably end up with compressed loads and maybe less than top velocity but will work good enough for most purposes.
I've loaded a lot with IMR4895(the government's choice) and IMR4064(my choice).

Of the powders on your list I'ld go with rl15, then the 4831.

If you have the rl15 on hand it'll serve you well. I don't use it much in the 06 but I do use a lot of it in the 223,308 and 405 Winchester.

its imr 4350 with the 165nosler bt bullet in the 30-06 for me,ive killed over 50 deer with that load since nosler brought out the .30 165gr ballistic tip,i shoot for a double lung shot and not much tracking needed. eastbank.

Another vote for H4350 with IMR-4350 a close second for the .30-06 for bullets between 150 and 180 grains.

From the powders you listed, go with RL15.

Powder is available, but you have to look much much harder .

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

LeonCarr said:

Another vote for H4350 with IMR-4350 a close second for the .30-06 for bullets between 150 and 180 grains.

From the powders you listed, go with RL15.

Powder is available, but you have to look much much harder .

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

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Yep, H4350 under a 165gr Sierra GameKing or a 165gr Nosler AccuBond...
(and a 168gr Hornady or Sierra match bullet for the range)

IMO the best combinations for 30-06 ammo anywhere...

Buy either H4350 or IMR4350 and don't look back. IMR tends to give slighty more speed. H tends to be more stable over a wider range of temperatures.

Ramshot Hunter is another choice with heavier 180 gr bullets.

Not on your list, but I use IMR4064. I use it for 150gr in 30-06, 308 Winchester, 7.62x54R and 30-30. One size fits all for me.

RL-15

RL-15 from your list is what I would go with. Everybody has their favorite combos of components but you gave a list of what you had and it will work for you I am sure.

4064 is my first choice for 30-06 and .308, with 3031 as a close second. But I learned from my uncle, who is an old-school loader from way back. There may be newer powders which are better, but I don't really need to change.

- delete -

For three of the powders listed.....


...it's a tossup.

Personally, I'd go with the 4831 for starters.
Full case --106% fill "barely starts" compression
"Some small" residual unburnt -- which I've found correlated with my more accurate hi-Vel loads

....and I've got experience with all three powders at those heavier bullet weights.



IMR4831 (SC or regular) is one of the best kept secrets of 30-06 shooters for 70 years.
(and it's near idiot proof)

postscript: The asked about Ranshot Xterminator, not Hunter. That being the case, its IMR4831 all the way. Not even close for the Terminator/RL-15 options

IMR4831 (SC or regular) is one of the best kept secrets of 30-06 shooters for 70 years.

Click to expand...

MEHavey,

I agree, IMR4831 is a GREAT powder for the .30-06, and would work well with the OP's 168gr Berger. However, the powder he listed was H4831, and IMR4831 and H4831 (SC or otherwise) are not even close in burn rate, unlike the IMR and Hodgdon varieties of 4895 and 4350 powders. IMR4831 is a MUCH faster powder than H4831.

Don

Rats .....


Then again....


Frpm the lot that Helmut tested, it appears that while slower, it ain't that much slower in effect for similar volumes.
The OP might still give it a shot w/ good expectations.

I see for 30-06 people seem to opt for the slower powders out of a bolt gun.

The only 30-06 I load is for the garand and that either calls for 4064 or 4895.

It's not on the list, but I use a lot of 4895. Part of it is performance and partly I like to keep the number of powder types down and 4895 works well in many venues...