pet powders for 30-06 150 grain loads?

[BsChoy]

I have used almost a full pound of IMR 4350 and just loaded 30 rounds with IMR 4064. I have always liked Hodgdon 777 for black powder as it was very consistent and was wondering if anybody uses Varget or benchmark in this caliber and bullet combo? I was thinking of trying IMR 4320 as well?

 

[The Bushmaster]

BsChoy...Have a look at Hogdon H4831SC while you're at it...

 

[BsChoy]

Thanks Bushmaster, I went looking for start and max loads but can't locate any or the velocity fthat might be achieved. Any tips?

 

[Wil Terry]

YOU ARE LOOKING IN THE WRONG PLACE, SIR.

All the numbers you need are in all the loading manuals of the companies producing the propellents you mention.

 

[Ol` Joe]

4064 and IMR4350 along with 4895 are some of the best powders for this purpose, I don`t think you`ll find much better. I don`t believe you need to go any slower then the 4350s with this bullet wgt, Varget or R15 "might" be good choices but I`d simply play with the ones you`ve got and adjust seating depth, ect if accuracy or other concerns are showing.

 

[BsChoy]

Wil Terry,

I went to the Hodgdon site that has quite a few loads on it and it doesn't mention 4831sc at all until the heavier bullets come into play. I thought 4831 was too slow to use with light bullets, Sir. I do have load books but like I said no info for this wieght.

 

[ATAShooter]

For my bolt action, I use 49.9gr of Reloader 15 with a Hornady 150gr #3033
My Garand is a different story, it gets same bullet but 46.5gr IMR4895.

 

[Wil Terry]

Wil Terry,

I went to the Hodgdon site that has quite a few loads on it and it doesn't mention 4831sc at all until the heavier bullets come into play. I thought 4831 was too slow to use with light bullets, Sir. I do have load books but like I said no info for this wieght.

When a propellent company does not list a certain powder for a certain cartridge and bullet weight you can be pretty darned sure it just doesn't work all that well in comparison to the other propellents available.
In my 30/06 IMR4350 will take 150GR bullets to 3000fps easy as pie. Been using the same load for years and the only propellent I ever saw to match it for velocity and accuracy was HTR100 many years ago.

 

[USSR]

If I was using light bullets like 150gr for a non-Garand application, I would be looking at a 4350 burn rate powder.

Don

 

[BsChoy]

I have tried a whole pound of 4350 already...loaded in federal brass, winchester large rifle primers, and 150 sierra SBT's. I have also tried 165 Btips working up from 53 grains to 56 grains seated to different depths. The gun seems to like bullets seated short as opposed to longer but the 4350 was not consistant in its abilities. I weigh all charges and do all steps identically on each peice of brass. With Federal factory 150gr Nosler solid base BT's I shot a .5 inch group with my featherwieght so I know it'll shoot. I just need more work I guess. It is fun trying to find the sweet spot though!!

 

[USSR]

BsChoy,

You've tried IMR4350, but in the 4350 burn rate range, there's also: H4350, R-19, VV N160, as well as a slew of other powders. H4350 and N160 are exceptional powders in my book.

Don

 

[Khornet]

Hard to beat

50-52 gr 4064 for a 150 gr bullet. This will get 2700-2800 fps in most rifles and is very accurate. I've tried 4831, 4320, 4895, 748, 760, and Accurate 3100. 4064 is the best so far.

 

[snuffy]

bartlet-reloaders

152 gr. Original application is Cal. 30 Ball M2 (.30-06). This is a flat base Spitzer.
Ball M2 These are collet pulled (no marks) and polished.
$8/C; $70/M; $250/4M
+ Same as above except machine pulled (light pull marks); have been sized and
polished to insure roundness and correct loading. Mixed lots, but will do
just fine for plinking.
$7/C; $55/M; $200/4M

www.gibrass.com Jeff has pull-down 4895 that should work just fine for m-1-06 loads. I just got 8 pounds myself, so if I get some loaded, I'll let you know how the powder works. I use bulk 150 spcl bullets that I get whenecer midway has a sale on them. I might get some of the above mentioned bullets to try also.

 

[BsChoy]

Thank you for all the input guys...I can't wait to see how the 4064 works I have so far loaded 30 rounds with 150 Nos BT's and 150 SST's....we shall see!

 

[The Bushmaster]

Sorry BsChoy, for being so slow getting back to you on this...

I just hate to be late on these strings, but here goes...Lyman 48th Edition: 150gr JSP Hodgdon H4831(SC) 55.0gr to 61.5 (compressed). Vel. from 2550 to 2890 fps...165 gr JBalTip and BTHP 56.0gr to 62.0gr (compressed). Vel. 2400 to 2720 fps...My favorite using the Sierra 165gr BTHP is 59.0gr of H4831SC. Winchester cases. WLR primers. 2730 fps(Note: Faster then load manual)...ES-8.3...SD-3.4...AD-2.7... And I'm not even maxed out yet...Still got three grains to go...
Wil Terry...That statement that; if the manufacturer does not list it. It isn't good... is a little bit of a farce as listed above. These specs were taken using a 22" Browning A-Bolt across a Pact Mod 1 Chronograph... By the way...At 200 yards three holes no more then 2" spread...

Warning: Some of the loads listed above are maximum loads and should be worked up to carefully.....

 

[BsChoy]

Thanks Bushmaster...one thing compressing loads...all though this may need to be another thread but how safe is it?? How easy is it?

 

[The Bushmaster]

I really don't like compressed loads myself, but there is no real problems except that when you compress powder and the bullet returns out of the case. I guess the most importent thing to remember is to work up any load slowly and very carefully. Always looking for signs of over pressure such as hard to eject and ballooned cases...

I would hope that someone who has experience with compressed loads would come to my rescue and let us know more about them...Better yet...As you said...Let's start a string on compressed loads...

 

[Khornet]

Compressed loads

simply means that the volume of powder specified is large enough that, when properly seated, the bullet compresses it. As we all know, some powders are 'bulkier' or 'fluffier' than others and occupy more volume.

A compressed load simply means that a particular powder begins to run out of case capacity before it reaches maximum safe pressure. There are lots of compressed loads in the reloading manuals. Compressing a load doesn't mean it's a higher pressure load; on the contrary it may mean a lower pressure load as I explained above.

For .223 and 4895, for example, I begin to run out of case volume above about 25 gr. using LC brass, yet I'm nowhere near max load, and to reach the max I'd have to use so much powder that I'd exceed the compression limit of the powder and the bullet would begin to work back out of the case over time.

Since the ideal load has a constant orientation of the powder, right up against the flash hole as opposed to piling up at the neck of the case, compressed loads could actually be an advantage.

 

[Hutch]

Sorry to be late to the party, but H4895 and the Hornady 150gr SP (#3031, I think) are phenomenally consistent for me. 48.0 is a nice, easy to shoot load and clocks right at 2800FPS out of my 22" barrel.

 

[crackerjack]

You may consider trying some different bullets. Speer 150sp have been consistantly accurate in 30 calibers for me, followed by Horandy 150sp. Have had excellent results with IMR 4350 .

 

[Khornet]

True about trying different bullets

which I did, using 150 and 165gr by Sierra, Hornady, and Speer, but I agree with Hutch that the Hornady #3031 150 gr spire point has been the most accurate for me. It should be noted though that my old GI barrel has considerable throat erosion so that seating to be .010 off the lands can only be done with a flat-base 150 gr bullet, because a boat tail will not have enough contact with the neck.

 

[P-32]

I have tried a whole pound of 4350 already...loaded in federal brass, winchester large rifle primers, and 150 sierra SBT's. I have also tried 165 Btips working up from 53 grains to 56 grains seated to different depths. The gun seems to like bullets seated short as opposed to longer but the 4350 was not consistant in its abilities. I weigh all charges and do all steps identically on each peice of brass. With Federal factory 150gr Nosler solid base BT's I shot a .5 inch group with my featherwieght so I know it'll shoot. I just need more work I guess. It is fun trying to find the sweet spot though!!

I don't mean to be a smart azz but try CCI primers. My hunting load in '06 uses IMR 4350 giving me 4 shot groups just over 1/2 inch at 100. I ran out of CCI's one time and used the Winchester's. To my surprize the group opened to 1 1/2 inches at 100. This was using my Feather Weight as well. Nice boot huh? I also shoot 165's just off the lands.

 

[Khornet]

A second for CCI primers

they have given the best results in my '06. Haven't tried match primers though.

 

[GooseGestapo]

K-hornets experience most closely matches my experience.

To get the accuracy you are looking for try this:

Size your brass to just touch shoulder of the case.

Use Federal 210 or 210M (match)

Use the Nosler Balistic Tip bullet, or Sierra 150gr FLAT BASE.

Seat to at least .310" bullet inside the case neck, Usually 3.250"oal with the '06 and 150gr bullets. The deeper seating has given me better accuracy with most .30/06's as they tend to have long necks. I've had similar experiences with .22 Hornet, 7mm-08, .30/06, and .338-06. With long loose chambers, you get better accuracy with the bullet guided into the lands by the case neck holding it "centered" than with seating it to touch the grooves.

Use 52.0gr of IMR4064. This has been most accurate load in at least 10 different .30/06 rifles I've worked with. Max is 53.2-54.0gr depending on the source of data. You'll do better working close to max with the '06 as the data is milder than for other more recently released cartridges. Ditto for the .257 Roberts.

The 165gr most accurate load has been 56.5gr of IMR4350. (57.5-58.0gr is max), so, with the 165's, you just hadn't gotten there yet.

Good luck with your efforts.

Just don't forget to use some of them to hunt with. The deer/elk don't know the difference between 150 and 165gr bullets, nor 1" vs 2" accuracy, nor 2,650fps vs 2,900fps !!!!
BTDT !!