Looking for a new powder for my 30-06

[Desertrat357]

I'll be honest, I don't have a lot of experience with the 30-06 with regards to hand loading. I mostly handload for my handguns. The '06 is my main hunting rifle. Anyways my standard load has been a 165 gr Barnes TSX over 57 grains of IMR 4350. I've taken several animals with it. The reason for the post is I am due to load up another batch of ammo. I want to switch to 150 gr bullet. Slightly faster velocity and flatter trajectory. But my research shows that the 4350 powders are better with the heavier bullets. What powders are you guys using with a 150 gr? I forgot to mention it will either be a triple shock or a tipped triple shock.

 

[25-5]

Check out Varget. I use it a lot. Although I use mostly 168gr, it performed very well with 155gr.

 

[rg1]

I've always used IMR 4350 for 150 and 165 grain bullets in 30-06 bolt action rifles, and for heavier bullets 180 and up always IMR 4831. In my Remington 742 and M1 Garand I use IMR 4895 for 150 grain bullets. I'd stay with IMR 4350 powder and try it with your 150 grain loads. Haven't tested any of the new and latest IMR powders but the new IMR 4451 is supposed to be temperature insensitive and has copper cleaning ability and appears to be the ideal burn rate for 30-06 150 grain loads.

 

[rcmodel]

Your 165 grain load will shoot flatter and buck wind better then any 150.

It ain't broke, so don't try to fix it.

rc

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Another vote to stick with the 165 grain bullets.

However, if you insist on a 150 grainer, try RL15. I love it.

 

[stringnut]

4350, 4064, and accurate 2520 always did well behind 150 gr. bullets. Usually speer hot cores. Sometimes Hornady spire points.

 

[Shootshellz]

Winchester 748. Flows through my RCBS Uniflow powder measure like nobody's business.

 

[MEHavey]

I want to switch to 150 gr bullet.

Any medium-burn powder will be fine (4350 is relatively slow burn)

IMR4895 is the classic
IMR4064
IMR8208XBR
H4895
H4064
H380
AA2460
AA2495
AA2520
W748
RL15
VARGET
N135
N140

 

[Desertrat357]

Thanks for the info guys. I'll keep researching too. I will still keep a supply of my 165 gr loads. But as a tinkerer, I want to try different options. With the current crop of solid copper expanding hunting bullets I definitely won't feel under gunned.

 

[Alderman]

4064 or Varget would be used for my first attempts. Not saying there aren't others that would work but I've liked the results of these two in my 06 rifles

 

[Arkansas Paul]

With the current crop of solid copper expanding hunting bullets I definitely won't feel under gunned.

Oh, the 150 grain bullets will kill anything in the lower 48 just fine. With today's bullets, the weight doesn't mean that much as far as terminal performance. We're just saying that if you're looking for flatter shooting, the 165 is superior.

There is certainly not a deer walking that a 150 won't kill.

 

[hdbiker]

For the rifles I have, .243,.270,30-30,.308 and 30-06,after years of trying this then that,I've gone with just one powder. IMR 4064.It's shoots within 100 FPS against all the other top loads,and is accurate in all my rifles.I just got a 8 pound jug for 198.00 at a local sport shop. hdbiker

 

[Desertrat357]

I honestly apologize for my ignorance. I just thought that the faster a bullet gets to its mark, say 300 yards, the less it drops compared to a slower velocity? Again, I am only looking to learn things. So if you could explain why the 165 gr offers flatter trajectory than a 150?

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I honestly apologize for my ignorance. I just thought that the faster a bullet gets to its mark, say 300 yards, the less it drops compared to a slower velocity? Again, I am only looking to learn things. So if you could explain why the 165 gr offers flatter trajectory than a 150?

No worries friend. I'm not claiming I'm always correct either.

It is my understanding that light bullets drop a little faster because they lose velocity quicker. They may start out at the same velocity as a heavier bullet but 400 yds downrange they won't be moving as fast.

If you start a 165 grain bullet and a 150 grain bullet of the same shape at the same muzzle velocity, the heavier bullet will retain more velocity at a long distance and therefore not drop as much.

However, keep in mind that if you're shooting at deer inside of 300 yds there won't be much real world difference here. It's when you start shooting at things at long ranges (not saying 300 isn't long range) where this comes into play.

However there is a sure fire way to see if this is correct. Load some 150s and some 165s at roughly the same velocity, set up a big target and see for yourself.
I haven't done this so I can't say with 100% certainty that it is correct. I should do it. It would be fun.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Hodgdon H4831SC

 

[morcey2]

I use IMR4064 almost exclusively in 30-06 with 150 grain bullets. 52 grains in HXP brass with a CCI 200 priumer shoots well in all of my 30-06 rifles. (Except the garand for obvious reason. )

For deer, I use 165 gr bullets and H4350.

Matt

 

[Desertrat357]

If you start a 165 grain bullet and a 150 grain bullet of the same shape at the same muzzle velocity, the heavier bullet will retain more velocity at a long distance and therefore not drop as much.

No that makes good sense. And I do agree with it. That's where my mental blockage was kicking in. I was looking at it where the lighter bullet could travel faster, therefore get there sooner. I appreciate the explanation.

Well I kicked the bullet and ordered a pound of IMR4064. The snow is looking like its going to stick around now here in Nevada, so its the perfect time to hit the reloading bench. Thanks guys for all the suggestions!

 

[dh1633pm]

If I was reloading 30-06 and switching bullets. Already had a good 165 grain load with 4350. My first attempt before adding another powder (and you have excellent choices based on the responses your received if it doesn't work out) would be to try the powder I already have. So my recommendation is 4350. I also see you have IMR4064. That would also be a very good choice.

I have plenty of IMR4895 and AA2700 so they would be my first attempts. If that didn't work then I would try some of the other excellent choices. Except for RL15. RL15 bottles don't fit on my shelf, too tall.

 

[LeonCarr]

If you will be using The TSX or TTSX I would recommend using a powder that gives you the best combination of accuracy and velocity. IME the TSX/TTSX like velocity for best expansion and penetration, at least a muzzle velocity of 3000 fps. That is one of the reasons Barnes recommends stepping down one weight class with the all copper bullets. For example if you use a 150 Grain "Cup and Core" type bullet, use a 125/130 Grain TSX/TTSX. The lighter bullet also makes it easy to get to 3000 fps in the .30-06 without excessive pressure.

Please work up your loads carefully and follow all safe reloading practices.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[Morrey]

I've always used IMR 4350 for 150 and 165 grain bullets in 30-06 bolt action rifles, and for heavier bullets 180 and up always IMR 4831. In my Remington 742 and M1 Garand I use IMR 4895 for 150 grain bullets. I'd stay with IMR 4350 powder and try it with your 150 grain loads. Haven't tested any of the new and latest IMR powders but the new IMR 4451 is supposed to be temperature insensitive and has copper cleaning ability and appears to be the ideal burn rate for 30-06 150 grain loads.

Is this new 4451 IMR powder on the shelves yet? This must be fairly new??

 

[Desertrat357]

Except for RL15. RL15 bottles don't fit on my shelf, too tall.

That gave me a good chuckle! I would find a place to build an Alliant specific shelf, some of their powders are too good to pass up. However, it is unfortunate they decided that the standard powder jug wouldn't work for them!

 

[jmr40]

Are you shooting 150 gr Barnes bullets?. If so it is a much better choice in your 30-06. In a conventional lead bullet I might prefer 165's. Copper bullets are longer and maintain weight much better. They also NEED speed at impact to expand. At 30-06 speeds 165's are borderline too heavy to expand because they can't be shot fast enough. They behave much like 200+gr lead bullets in game. They make a good close range bullet for game larger than deer. In fact most guys find the Barnes 130's at about 3400 fps work best in a 30-06. The 130's penetrate and behave basically the same as 180 gr lead bullets fired from a 300 WM.

You got bad advice about 165's shooting flatter. The lighter bullet will always shoot flatter at hunting ranges. Now the heavier bullet will maintain energy better at long range. And at some point down range it will be faster. Some of the 200-215 gr 30 caliber bullets will do some amazing things out at 1000 yards, but at normal ranges is not a factor.

Either H4350 or IMR4350 will be just fine even with 150 gr bullets. I use both powders and get 3000-3050 fps with 150's with either powder from my 22" guns. With longer barrels 3100 fps is possible with either powder . I wouldn't use anything else until I started shooting 200 gr or heavier bullets.

 

[Grumulkin]

I'll be honest, I don't have a lot of experience with the 30-06 with regards to hand loading. I mostly handload for my handguns. The '06 is my main hunting rifle. Anyways my standard load has been a 165 gr Barnes TSX over 57 grains of IMR 4350. I've taken several animals with it. The reason for the post is I am due to load up another batch of ammo. I want to switch to 150 gr bullet. Slightly faster velocity and flatter trajectory. But my research shows that the 4350 powders are better with the heavier bullets. What powders are you guys using with a 150 gr? I forgot to mention it will either be a triple shock or a tipped triple shock.

1. My 30/06 load is with Varget and Barnes 168 gr. TSX. Before you convince yourself of the benefits to be acrued with a lighter bullet, look at some ballistics tables. What you'll find is that even at 400 yards the difference in drop between a 150 grain and a 168 grain bullet will be a few inches; not enough difference to make big game hunting easier.

2. The 150 grain and 168 grain bullets both fall at the same rate. What determines which shoots flatter is time in flight. A 150 grain bullet starts out faster but it, due to its lower ballistic coefficient, also slows down faster, hence the negligible difference in POI down range.

 

[Desertrat357]

jmr40

Are you shooting 150 gr Barnes bullets?. If so it is a much better choice in your 30-06.

Yes, I am going to be loading barnes 150 gr bullets, but I haven't decided on the standard triple shock or the tipped TSX

Grumulkin,

I know that the drop at 400 yards on both the 150 and 165 gr bullets isn't that different. But it is at least minimally better. Like I stated earlier. I am not giving up on the 165 grain barnes. I just want to try some 150s. I'm a tinkerer and like a couple different choices.

 

[rg1]

Yes IMR's new powders are on the market and available most anywhere. Seems since the powders are new that they have made sure it's in stock. They have them all at my local gun store.
http://www.imrpowder.com/new_prod.html