30-06 powders?

Kaldor

Kaldor

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I'm going to teach my kid how to reload for his Bergara 30-06. Start to finish, he needs to learn the process, so he can work up stuff for his own rifles.

Bullets will be 168 SSTs, Starline brass, CCI 250s, but powder I'm on the fence about. I have N555, H4350 and Varget on hand. I figured those are good for temp stability as well will be seeing temps from below zero potentially up to 60 degrees while hunting. Not looking for a super fast load, maybe 2800 fps. I'm leaning towards N555 as I have the most of that, but in the end that doesn't matter so much, what works is always the best.

What say you gents?
 
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Kaldor said:
I'm going to teach my kid how to reload for his Bergara 30-06. Start to finish, he needs to learn the process, so he can work up stuff for his own rifles.

Bullets will be 168 SSTs, Starline brass, CCI 250s, but powder I'm on the fence about. I have N555, H4350 and Varget on hand. I figured those are good for temp stability as well will be seeing temps from below zero potentially up to 60 degrees while hunting. Not looking for a super fast load, maybe 2800 fps. I'm leaning towards N555 as I have the most of that, but in the end that doesn't matter so much, what works is always the best.

What say you gents?
Click to expand...
I would suggest trying a short ladder of all three and letting the results pick the powder.
 
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I’m about to start the same process. I have a bergara wilderness sierra . Just mounted a Trijicon Huron . I have barnes hornady speer and some nosler to load in various weights to try. I’m thinking of starting with h4350 . I will report back with progress. May take a while working lots lately. Let us know how you make out.Bob
 
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Every bolt action '06 I've loaded for has done very well with H4350 and 165gr SSTs. All so far have settled in quite happily around 57-57.5gr c.w. although I'd still do a ladder test in 0.5gr increments on a new rifle or barrel to confirm (as I'm sure you will teach him) :)
 
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Roverguy said:
H4350 is a fantastic powder in 30-06 with 165 - 180 grs bullets.

Varget will work with 150s.

I have no experience with N555.
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H4350 was my first thought as well but I have a friend that shoots F-class with a 30-06. N555 has been his go to for a couple of years now. I hadnt even considered it until I started seeing some of his test data with 185 and 200 Bergers
 
Ifishsum said:
Every bolt action '06 I've loaded for has done very well with H4350 and 165gr SSTs. All so far have settled in quite happily around 57-57.5gr c.w. although I'd still do a ladder test in 0.5gr increments on a new rifle or barrel to confirm (as I'm sure you will teach him) :)
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Your not the first guy that has told me that. My local shop keeps lots of the 168 SSTs on hand just for 30-06 and 308 hunters. Great bullet with decent ballistics that is really forgiving in other rifles Ive tried it in. For me it was 308, LC brass, 168 SST, and Varget, so pretty run of the mill stuff.
 
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I believe the 555 is a double base powder, hence not quite as temp stable. Of the choices mentioned, I would be reaching for H4350 I think. I believe(memory is fickle ya know) that N555 is right about or a bit faster than Varget… (again don’t quote me on that) I suppose I could go look instead of trying to remember 🤣
 
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AJC1 said:
From the perspective of being able to continue what you started I'd look at n160 or n165. If it's a good fit, he can grab an 8 at a reasonable price or two. If the higher price of the 500 series is worth it go there.... the current rate for h or imr 4350 is just nuts.
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Yeah, that has been part of the impetus to use what I have on hand. I told him Id buy the brass and put up the primers and powder based on what I have on hand, but he was responsible for anything I didnt have.
With H4350 being harder to get by us, and when you can find it, its high, the VV powders have been finding more and more space on my shelf.
 
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H4350 works great for 165's, as does Varget - almost the same speed, but we're getting better fill ratio with more H4350 in the case... kind of a trade off, Varget's a bit more stable, H4350 is a bit more charge weight... eh, flip a coin... 4064 is in the same ballpark as Varget for 165's, but less temp stable. For a Garand, the Varget or 4064 load makes more sense, for a non-Garand rifle, H4350 is "based." 165's are right in the mid-ground where Varget and H4350 overlap, Varget being the better choice for 150's, H4350 the obvious better choice for 180's, but in the 165's, it might not be a coin flip, but neither is a wrong choice.
 
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Kaldor said:
I'm going to teach my kid how to reload for his Bergara 30-06. Start to finish, he needs to learn the process, so he can work up stuff for his own rifles.

Bullets will be 168 SSTs, Starline brass, CCI 250s, but powder I'm on the fence about. I have N555, H4350 and Varget on hand. I figured those are good for temp stability as well will be seeing temps from below zero potentially up to 60 degrees while hunting. Not looking for a super fast load, maybe 2800 fps. I'm leaning towards N555 as I have the most of that, but in the end that doesn't matter so much, what works is always the best.

What say you gents?
Click to expand...
I have found that Ramshot Big Game is an excellent powder for 165's and 180's in my several '06's. It delivers good accuracy and meters well. It's also my go-to in 9.3X62.
 
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30-06 Springfield Load Data

Explore the world of Nosler, renowned for crafting the finest bullets, ammunition, rifles, and brass. Discover our extensive lineup, including Partition, AccuBond, E-Tip, Ballistic Tip, Custom Competition, and more. Experience superior quality and performance with Nosler products.
www.nosler.com www.nosler.com
 
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Kaldor said:
I'm going to teach my kid how to reload for his Bergara 30-06. Start to finish, he needs to learn the process, so he can work up stuff for his own rifles.

Bullets will be 168 SSTs, Starline brass, CCI 250s, but powder I'm on the fence about. I have N555, H4350 and Varget on hand. I figured those are good for temp stability as well will be seeing temps from below zero potentially up to 60 degrees while hunting. Not looking for a super fast load, maybe 2800 fps. I'm leaning towards N555 as I have the most of that, but in the end that doesn't matter so much, what works is always the best.

What say you gents?
Click to expand...
Good conversation starter but you've got it figured right. Start with what you have the most of.
30 06 isn't easy to mess up. Plenty of compressed or near compressed loads if you believe in that. Garand loads that defy the rules with plenty of air space.
Depends how much recoil you want.
So many good suggestions has stalled this out.
What else could be added without repeating.
 
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You can't go wrong with either powder. In my lifetime of hunting with a 30=06 my rifles never like high velocities. Groups would open up beyond 2700 fps with 165 grainers. If you have that issue just slow them down. Either powder you mentioned will do. Let the rifle decide for you.
 
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Following to see what you end up with.
I’ve loaded IMr 4895 and 4350 but with Nosler bullets and found decent loads. Nosler has some RL-X loads they deem most accurate.
 
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4350 for 168-180gr. Varget for 150-168gr. Varget works great for my M1 with 168s. And 4350 is my go to for 180gr. Never used N555. 4064 has also been a great performer for me in 168s.
 
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About 56-57 or so grains of 4350, pick one, with 150-165gr bullets has been a stable load for me for nearly 40yrs. It just seems to work, and work well. It might not be the fastest, but it has been accurate and put plenty of meat in the freezer.
 
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