30-06 powder selection

[USSR]

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.

Yeah, I load for my 3 Garands with IMR4895, but my bolt guns use heavier bullets and therefor slower powders. My .30-06 tactical rifle load consists of a 190SMK at 2900fps. When I developed this load, I tried both H4831SC and RL22. The RL22 load delivered the velocity I was looking for while staying within SAAMI pressure specs, while H4831SC couldn't deliver much more than 2775fps. Going with a substantially lighter bullet with slow burning H4831SC is not going to be pretty. Just MHO.

Don

 

[4895]

I wouldn't hesitate to use imr 3031 for some trials. Even if they don't shoot 1/4" groups, it will get you some trigger time and load experience. Dont forget, the VLD bullets need a special chamfer tool. The standard tool cuts at a 45 degree angle. The VLD requires a vld chamfer tool that cuts at 22.5 degrees. Good luck and welcome to THR.

 

[jaysouth]

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.

Eastbank,

That pic must be photoshopped. I keep reading on the internet that pump rifles are not reliable or accurate enough to hunt deer with.

 

[TonyT]

I have used both IMR-3031 and H-4831 in 30-06. I prefer IMR-3031 but H-4831 also works well with the heavier bullets.

 

[Flatbush Harry]

I have good supplies of H4831/4831SC and IMR 4064. I've had the best results with IMR 4064 (and with IMR 4895) but I also get good results with Reloder 19 and both IMR and H 4350. I lean to IMR 4064 and 4895 as I also load for my Garands. My preferred load for targets with all .30-06s is 47.0 gr of IMR 4895, 168gr Sierra MatchKing bullet, CCI BR2 primer and W-W brass (once fired). I typically get 8-10 uses from brass...as they age I use them for practice only.

I've obtained my best results for .308 Win with Reloder 15 and VihtVuori N550, for 7mmRM with H4831/4831 SC and for .223 with Varget. I have been very pleased with Sierra bullets followed by Hornady A-MAXs and Nosler Custom Comps for target work and Nosler AccuBond for hunting.

FH

 

[taybri]

I found a few pounds of IMR4350. I think I'll start there. Thanks to all for the lively and helpful replies.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I found a few pounds of IMR4350. I think I'll start there. Thanks to all for the lively and helpful replies.

I think you are going to like the results you get with 4350. Both velocity and accuracy are good in all the 30-06 rifles I've shot 4350 loads in.

With a 168gr Sierra Match king bullet using a CCI LRP and H4350 I was able to shoot a .314" 3 shot group @100 yards. I shot 3X more groups the same day and all were under .340" so the results was repeatable... (from a Howa 1500) That's a fun day at the range!

 

[Rem700CDLSF3006]

has had some good results with H414