30-06 powders

You are good to go.

H4831, and Varget are a couple more I've had good luck with.

Ive' shot 165 gr in my TC Encore pistol with H-4895 and had good results. I selected H-4895 to try the pistol out with reduced loads before attempting full loads. My experience with 165 gr rifle loads has been IMR-4895 is a little more accurate than IMR-4350 but the opposite was true for 180 gr bullets.

H4350 and the more recent sibling RL17 are THE best powders for velocity with the .30/06.

However, in my experience, the original IMR4350 still beats them both for accuracy.

My "accuracy" load dating to the mid '70's with my MkX .30/06 was the Sierra 165gr BTHpt (now called "GameKing") over 56.5gr of IMR4350 yeilded 2,775fps for 3-shot 1-hole groups.

Lately, I'm using the 165gr Nosler Ballistic Tip over 57.0gr of IMR4350 for 2,830fps from a Colt Lt.Rifle for ~.70" 5-shot groups. Drop to 55.0gr for a 180gr Nosler B.T. or Sierra GameKing BtSpt. for 2,770fps. (24"bbl).

I'm now using 57.0gr of RL17 w/165gr N.B.T. and Sierra G.K. for 3,000fps but "only" about 1moa....... hah! I'll take the "loss" of accuracy for 200fps !!!! My older brother uses the Hornady 165gr SST from his 22" bbl circa 1971 Rem Mod700 and 58.0gr of H4350 for ~1.2moa and 2,900fps (22"bbl). These are "long range elk loads"...... Not target loads....

But, he won't let those load within 30' of his National Match M-1 Garand. He personally knows a shooter/competitor who bent an op-rod by "accidentally" shooting a 168gr BtSpt loaded with that load of H4350......

For the gas-auto's, stick with IMR-4895 or IMR-4064 (a favorite for 150gr bullets...).

JTJones said:

I was looking for powders for my 30-06 TC Encore in my Nolser 6 guide and came across H4350. My lgs recommended H4350 and also had it in stock.

My Question is this a good powder to use 165 grain Nolser ballistic tip bullets or should I try something different.

Click to expand...

I use nothing but H4350 for my 30-06 bolt action rifles. I shoot a 165gr Sierra GameKing or a Sierra 168gr Sierra MatchKing bullet and both work very well with H4350.

H4350 is one of Hodgdon's Extreme powders and is a good choice because it's not ambient temperature sensitive. IMR4350 is a good powder, but is affected by temperature extremes, and if you load a near max load in the cooler weather, it can be over pressure in the heat of the summer.

IMR4350 is a good powder but I mostly use Hodgdon Extreme powders, with some Alliant Reloader powders thrown in, and try not to use temperature sensitive powder, as I have a choice, and I have enough to worry about.


NCsmitty