There were lots of outstanding target loads for a 30-06 rifle, one that stood out based, on useage was the 168 SMK and 47.0 grains IMR 4895. Accurate Arms came out with a duplicate of IMR 4895, so anyone can toss in AA2495 in the mix, and then H4895 was a duplicate, now it is an extreme powder. Everything I have heard about these extreme powders sound great, the basic problem I have is, I don't see any difference on target or over my chronograph. Whatever difference there is, requires pressure instrumentation to see.
So I recommend, buy by price. Whatever is cheaper, IMR 4895, AA2495, or H4895. One thing to notice about NM ammunition was that it was not loaded to proof pressure limits, it was in fact, probably in the middle to lower 40,000 cup range. Which is just great for barrel life, ammunition reliability, and case life.
National Match ammunition was issued to Garand shooters, now this load is a velocity duplicate of the 174 FMJBT, but the 168 SMK, 168 Hornady, 168 Speer, and the 168 Nosler are much better bullets.
Another load that was inappropriate for Garands, because port pressure was too high, was a 168 Match with 55.0 grs IMR 4350. I shot that load for a while, it was accurate, but for some reason it kicked more than the IMR 4895, and therefore I went back to 4895.
In my pre War M70, the old IMR 4895 match load shot well out to three hundred yards.
With old ammunition you get cracked case necks. Otherwise a good 600 yard group for a hunting rifle and a 1970's 6X scope.
