IMR 4895 for .30-06 and .30-30

[utbrowningman]

I'd like to keep one powder in the house and these two are the only rifle calibers I will reload. The .30-06 will be used for deer/elk with 150-165 grain and the .30-30 for 150-170 grain for deer. I feel like I know the answer but want to get your thoughts.

 

[Birdhunter1]

You should be able to make a good load for each gun with that powder. I use the IMR 4895 in my dads 30-06, 53.0 grains of it with a 150 gr. Nosler ballistic tip in a Weatherby Mark V, shoots very well. I have a load with Sierra 125's using IMR 4895 for my 30-30 but have not yet shot them. But yes both powders should be very workable in both calibers.

 

[Ky Larry]

If you can find load data for these combos, give it a try. One powder may work well for both. However, be prepared to try other powders if both rifles don't like the same powder.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

4895 will produce good ammo in both the 30-06 and 30-30. IMO 4895 is one of the few powders that will work well in different applications like those 2.

 

[sage5907]

You should expect excellent accuracy with the 30-06 and IMR 4895 with a 150 grain bullet. It's interesting to me that a lot of shooters stick to the old receipt of loading somewhere between 47 grains and 48.5 grains. I have been shooting 49 grains and getting good accuracy with light pressure signs. The Speer manual says 49.5 grains is the maximum recommended load with their 150 grain bullets. However, the IMR loading chart shows a range of 49 grains up to a max of 53 grains. Be careful when you work up your load and watch for pressure signs. Shooter

 

[Slamfire]

I shoot 47.5 grains IMR 4895 with a 150 gr match bullet, for hunting I would use a proper hunting bullet. I get 2722 fps out of a 26” barrel, which is plenty fast, and the low is mild. You could bump things up a bit, my Lyman manual shows a max of 51.5 grains, I would stay away from max loads as the trouble they cause are seldom worth the velocity gain.

M98 26" 1-10 Wilson Barrel

150 gr Sierra Match HPBT 47.5 IMR 4895 CCI#34 190 ≤ WWII ≤ 195
OAL 3.290"
24 Mar 04 T= 70 ° F

Ave Vel = 2722
Std Dev = 26
ES = 76
Low = 2673
High = 2749
N = 10

 

[45lcshooter]

Love IMR 4895 in my 30-30 and 308. Its all I've used for those two calibers for years.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Good plan, but you'll find that Reloader15 is even better for the application you intend.
It's my favorite powder in the .30/30 and with 150gr bullets in the .30/06.

In the .30/06, I've come to prefer 165 and 180gr bullets, hence I've gone over to RL17 for the 165's and RL22 for the 180-200gr bullets.

But, RL15 would suffice If wanting only one multipurpose propellant. I keep a 5lb keg of RL15 on hand...I use it in most cartridges .223 and up.... Especially in the .22-250, .30/30, and 7-30Waters.

 

[Walkalong]

I worked up loads with four different powders in .30-30 trying to match the factory 150 Gr Core-Lokt ammo velocity in my Winchester 94. RL 15 was one that could match the velocity, and it was accurate as well. Tac will make velocity, but was not as consistent as RL15. IMR 4895 is good, but it won't be as fast.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Just a note, H4895 will produce ~100 fps more than IMR4895 with a 150gr bullet and just under 100 fps with a 170gr bullet at similar pressures. I have been using H4895 over the IMR variant for a lot of years now in my M1 Garand ammo and a few others. You lose no accuracy from what I've seen either.