I’ve done some research. Some say it’s ok to use magnum primers, others don’t. So here’s the deal, I have some IMR 4064 and large rifle magnum primers. My 30-06 loads are primarily for deer hunting. So my question is, has anyone else pushed a 150-168 grain pill out of a 30-06 while using IMR 4064 / magnum primer with out accuracy or performance issues?
Magnum Rifle primers for 30-06?
- Thread starter MWC1974
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NMachine
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I don’t use 4064, but have several loads on 06 based cartridges .270, 30-06, 35 Whelen)that I use magnum primers. Back off your normal load a couple of grains and work up.
Charlie98
Member
IMR4064 is an extruded powder, I doubt you will see much of a change regardless... but the safe avenue is to reduce and work up. If your load isn't at max, I would drop 1grn and verify.
FWIW, loading IMR4895 for my .30-06 Garand, I've used both standard and Magnum primers and saw little change, but my load was not near max.
FWIW, loading IMR4895 for my .30-06 Garand, I've used both standard and Magnum primers and saw little change, but my load was not near max.
AJC1
Member
The case volume is not small so your accuracy should not be effected very much. The ideal situation is to get the minimum ignition which gives complete burn. If your not shooting br matches your unlikely to notice. Caution changing out components is always warranted and you may find the charge will be reduced a tenth or so for the same velosity. If your sitting in a wide node you may have no change at all....
sage5907
Member
There is a saying that if a 30-06 won't shoot groups with a 150 grain bullet and 52 grains of IMR 4064 that it won't shoot small groups with anything. My accuracy load for many years was a 150 grain Speer boattail or Sierra GameKing with 51 grains of IMR 4064 using a Remington 9 1/2 magnum primer. I always liked a magnum primer when using IMR 4064 because I hunted in cold weather and the magnum primer seemed to give a more consistent ignition. I also noticed that other people on various forums came to the same conclusion independent of what I was doing. IMR 4064 is a darling for the 150 grain bullet because it gives a light recoil very accurate load and makes a good deer load.
I was never in a position to use IMR 4064 with a 165 grain bullet because for many years I used IMR 4350 which was accurate and easy to get. I wouldn't have a problem using IMR 4064 with a 165 grain bullet and I would expect an accurate load. I would probable back off a grain of powder just for using a magnum primer. When Reloader 17 came out I moved away from IMR 4064 because I liked the Reloader 17 better. Most reloaders are struggling to get powder now and if I needed to use IMR 4064 I wouldn't hesitate.
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Thanks @sage5907 I still have 2lbs of 4064 and about 100 primers. A friend of mine has a few thousand magnum primers and offered them to me, should I need them. I prefer the 165 but have considered stepping down to a 150. I like the Sierra game king, but if I can get my hands on some Hornady SSTs, I would love to give those a shot. Not a huge fan of Barnes, for what it’s worth.
lordpaxman
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I haven’t loaded 4064 in ‘06 but the other powders I do, ignite quite well with either standard or magnum primers. The velocity difference is negligible, I can’t speak to the pressure difference but haven’t seen any over pressure signs. You’ll be fine with the magnum variety. Good luck.
Armorer 101
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Any time you change any item in the reloading formula, brass, bullet, primer, powder, start the load sequence again. My usual practice is 2 grains below my normal load and work back up.
I use 4064 for several cartridges of various caliber and case capacity. It is a stable powder with a predictable pressure curve.
I use 4064 for several cartridges of various caliber and case capacity. It is a stable powder with a predictable pressure curve.
Lennyjoe
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FROGO207
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I have used both regular and magnum primers in my loads. When I was trying things i stepped down 1 grain and worked back up. Did not notice any felt difference but I was not using max loads either. Mag primers were better in cold weather for me as well.
IMR-4064 is my go to powder for 30.06 in both a Remington 700 and in my M-1 Garand. I also load it in .270 Win and .303 British. I shoot all sorts of 150 to 165 grain bullets. I too have tried LRM primers by backing off 2 grains from my loads and have found it's better not to use magnum primers. I get far better accuracy without them. I keep my extra cartridges in my pocket while hunting in northern Wisconsin and U.P. of Michigan and have never had an ignition problem yet nor can I tell a difference in their report. My brother says he likes magnum primers in 7mm mag when loads exceed 63 grains using real slow burning powders.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
Yes, all the time. IMR 4064 and IMR4895 as well. While it can be argued that magnum primers should be reserved for ball powders that is not always the case. The CCI #34 is a popular large rifle primer designed with less sensitivity using among other features a modified angle on the anvil. Both the CCI #34 and CCI #41 primers are magnum primers using a magnum primer charge and cake mix. "#34/7.62MM................... Mil. Spec. primer, thick cup, magnum primer charge, angle of anvil change". The quote from our friends at CCI.
Now personally I use the primer which gives me the best results for any primer, powder, bullet and rifle combination but to answer your question, Yes, it is fine to use a large rifle magnum primer with IMR 4064 in a 30-06 Springfield load. You work things up like you would any other load.
Ron
Lots of folks use magnum primers in non-magnum cartridges and a lot of them report better accuracy. If you already have a load developed with standard primers it is a good idea to reduce that load a bit and work back up. Chances are good that you will find the exact same powder charge works just fine and velocity doesn't change. If it does it won't be by much.
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