Loads for 30-06 and .308 using H380 and IMR 4350

[ol' scratch]

Hello all. I have a pound of each I got in trade this summer. I was wondering if anyone has load data for either of these powders. They are a little old and not in my books. I plan on using the .308 loads in an STG58 FAL and the 06' in a 1903 Springfield. Primers would be standard large rifle and I would be using military brass for both loads. I wanted to run 147 grain bullets in the .308 and 168 grain bullets in the 06'.

 

[NWcityguy2]

Hodgdon publishes loads for 30-06 with both powders. http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

Most people will tell you that both powders are too slow for 308. I'm not a FAL expert but those will be the people you will want to talk to over someone who only is making recommendations on a theoretical basis.

 

[bdgackle]

I've had good results accuracy-wise with IMR 4350 in the '06 using 150 gr bullets, and am experimenting with 180's on the next trip out. Haven't had a chance to chrono it yet, but manual shows 4350 to be within 100fps of top velocity for 150/168/180 for 30-06, with a full case in all cases. I think it's a decent match.

They are both a little slow for .308, I think -- I'd be concerned about gas port pressure in the semi-auto. At least for the M1A's and Garands, a lot of guys don't go slower than H4895, or maybe Varget -- the FAL might be different though, since you can adjust the gas port.

I have no experience with H380, but given those two choices, I'd lean towards the H380 for the .308 based solely off of burn rate. And I'd ask the FAL guys what their recommendations are re: safe powder burning rates for your gas system.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Both those powders should be in your manuals, they are very popular. If they aren't listed for a caliber/bullet combination it's not because they are old but because they probably don't work well. BUT, 4350 is a good powder for the 30-06 in bolt action rifles.

H380 isn't usually known as a 30-06 powder but Hodgdon does have load data on their site for all bullet weights from 150gr to 208gr so it's safe to use. I don't know how accurate it will be but then again, if it were terrible Hodgdon wouldn't normally post data for the combination.

As for 4350, I use almost nothing but that powder for my bolt action 30-06 ammo especially with 165gr bullets and heavier.

 

[gamestalker]

Every book I own had IMR-4350 in it for the 06 and some are very old books. I don't know about that particular H powder though?

If you go to Hogdon's loading pages online, you'll see plenty of IMR-4350 data for the 30-06. I've been using it for many years for both the .270 win. and 30-06 with excellent results.

GS

 

[Certaindeaf]

Manual?

 

[Kachok]

OK here we go.

H380 in 308. Most accurate powder per Nosler using 180gr, but speeds are marginal being such a slow burner. It is not even listed for anything lighter in my books.

IMR 4350 in 308. Also traditionally a 165-180gr powder in 308, you might should invest in a pound of Varger or RL15. My 308 loves mild charges of Varget with 150s. You two powders are best suited to the 30-06 unless you want to go heavier on the bullets.

IMR4350 in 30-06. Ahhh ballistic bliss, that is my brother's thumper load, 57gr of IMR4350 under a 165gr Game King, if you ever want to see how large a hole you can knock in something that is IT! That is a bolt load though, you might want to step down to quite a bit for a semi it is a stout max load. Hornady recommends N140, N150 and H 4895 for the Garand.

H380 in 30-06 I cannot find any Garand loads for this one, but max in a bolt action is 56.5gr at 2892fps making this the second fastest 165gr 06 powder and it is only behind the absolutely crazy 63gr RL22 compressed loads. Should make for a plenty suitable powder.

 

[Cranky CJ]

I've had decent to good results using IMR4350, 54g, in my 30-06. Doubt I'd ever run it up to 57g though.

 

[mtrmn]

Not an '03, but my grandpa's old M1917 30-06 loves 57 gr IMR4350 behind 150 gr Nosler ballistic tips. Will shoot less than 1" at 100 yds--3 shot group.

 

[ms6852]

My rifle likes 52.5 gr with sierra match king 168 gr. I use the cci primers. I get about 3/4 moa at 100 yds with a 30 year old savage 110.

 

[au_prospector]

Lyman's 49

There are loads for the .30-06/165gr/IMR4350 and
.308 Winchester/150gr jacketed SP/H380 to be found there.

In fact the .308 formula touts to be the optimal load for the 150 grain bullet.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Maybe he got a bolt in the eye. Hey ol' scratch, how did you make out?

 

[moonzapa]

Don't use IMR-4350 in a Service Rifle, or semi auto piece. IMR-4350 is one of the choice powders for the 30-06 Springfield cartridge in a "bolt action" rifle. Cannot speak about H-380 for either types of rifles.