Powder for .30-06

[K3]

I like using IMR-4895 for .30-06 (accuracy is nice), but I can't get the velocities I want without pressure becoming an issue. Which IMR powder will get me better muzzle velocities?

 

[rcmodel]

Barrel length?
Bullet weight?
Etc. Etc. Etc.?

As for IMR powders:
4895 WAS the 30-06 powder for a very long time.
4064 also generally works very well as bullet weight increases past 150 grain.

Heavy bullets (165 - 220) may well do better with something slower.
Long (26") barrel may do better with something slower.
4350 & 4831 when you get to the really heavy bullets.


rcmodel

 

[K3]

26" barrel
180gr Sierra SBT
Win LR primers
Remington brass

 

[K3]

What about for magnums?

I'm looking at a .300 Weatherby mag, 26" barrel, same bullet, primer, etc.

Edit: I guess what I can't get my head around is slower powders vs faster powders and how that translates into muzzle velocity. All other things being equal of course.

 

[rcmodel]

If you have your heart set on IMR powder & 180 grain bullets, I'd probably try 4350 in the 30-06, and 4831 in the .300 Weatherby.

Edit: Try to imagine smacking a basketball and a bowling ball with your fist.
You will have better luck hitting the basketball hard (fast powder).

Giving the bowling ball a little more time to accelerate up to maximum speed (slow powder) might be a wise choice when you hit the heavy bowling ball.


rcmodel

 

[K3]

Muchas Gracias.

 

[KI.W.]

Momentito!

Here it is: 30-06 VihtaVuori N-550 or -560. .300 Weatherby mag N-560. Those are highenergy powders.

 

[alucard0822]

the slow vs fast powder thing is fairly simple to understand when you take into account that all of the powder is burned up after just a few inches. A fast powder load uses less powder to prevent overpressure, and the smaller volume of powder actually results in less pressure when the bullet nears the muzzle, more pressure when the bullet first leaves the case. A slower powder allows more powder to be used, and can maintain a higher average pressure from throat to muzzle with a lower peak pressure resulting in less strain on the gun with a higher velocity. Just by chance if the 06 is a garand, 4895 is the best choice. Maximum velocity (most of the time) comes at a loss in accuracy, but the ability to shoot heavier bullets (higher BC/better penetration) at the same velocity is where slow powders and "magnum" chamberings shine. I like a 180gr btsp over 56gr Hodgdon H4350 for a nice accurate long range load. I have not loaded for a weatherby, but imagine 4831 and a 200gr bullet would shoot well.

 

[smitty_bs]

IMR4064 for 150gr bullets.
IMR4350 for the 180s.

Those are the standards. Writers such as Ken Waters, Matunas, and others seem to agree.


Some people like RL22 but I don't think you'll see an improvement in velocities unless you're shooting 200gr bullets.

 

[NuJudge]

Work up to it, but any .30-'06 that will not shoot good groups with about 56 grains of IMR 4350 and any major manufacturer's 180 grain bullet will not shoot well with any bullet or powder.

If you are trying to get .300 Win Mag velocities with 180's, look at a Norma powder named MRP.

 

[smitty_bs]

Ditto for 52grains of IMR 4064 and a 150gr bullet. That's a standard accuracy load.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I'm getting 2950fps out of my -06 using 165gr Sierra Gameking over 57.5gr of IMR 4350. Savage 110 with a 22" barrel.

Just finished working up a 180gr Nosler Partition load for elk but haven't put them thru the chrono yet. Started with powder loads, then C.O.L. and now have a load that's producing .75" @ 100yds. Will run them thru the chrono Saturday morning.

Posted by me on March 12th;

Just got back from shooting the Gameking thru a chronograph.

First load was;
165gr Sierra Gameking
56.5gr IMR 4350
Winchester brass (tumbled and trimmed)
WLR primer
C.O.L. 3.250
average 2937 fps


Second load was;
165gr Sierra Gameking
57.5gr IMR 4350
Winchester brass (tumbled and trimmed)
WLR primer
C.O.L. 3.250
average 2975 fps


Third load was;
165gr Sierra Gameking
58.0gr IMR 4350
Winchester brass (tumbled and trimmed)
WLR primer
C.O.L. 3.250
average 3005 fps


All were 5 shot groups.

Shooting platform was a Savage 110 left hand bolt rifle without the Accu-trigger (mine is and older model) and a Burris 3.9x40 scope.

Temp was 80 degrees and sunny with about a 15 knot head wind. Shot group ranged from 1.02" for the first load, .65" for the second load and .95" for the third load.

The 57.5gr load was by far the most accurate load of the three. I forgot the camera today for pics but overall I am impressed with the second load

Tucson is 3200 ft above sea level so my numbers might be just a bit faster than others. But, my chrono didn't lie.

 

[USSR]

K3,

If you want velocity, try RL22.

LC Match or Lapua Brass
190SMK
Fed 210M
60.7gr RL22
2900fps

Don

 

[Clark]

I tried 4895 with 150 gr and the bullet screamed out at 3360 fps
I tried 4350 with 180 gr and the bullet limped out at 2601 fps

 

[USSR]

Clark,

I seriously doubt you drove a 150gr bullet at 3360fps out of a .30-06.

Don

 

[Snapping Twig]

The gold standard three shot clover leaf at 100 yards is 57g IMR 4350 under a 165g Nosler BT. Works under a 150g too.

Ruger 77 in a Lee Six stock, accurized by Buzztail Engineering in Oregon. Shot plenty good before the work, but it's a laser beam now.

 

[uk roe hunter]

I shoot speer 150gr spitzers out of my .30-06 i use 52 grains of viht n140. it is very accurate, don't know what velocity