Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Best powder for 06' 180 gr loads?

I used around 58.0grs of H4350 for years until I tried JB's Ramshot Hunter load. Better velocity and accuracy out of several '06's.

Either of the 4350's or h4831 have always done well for me.

First rounds I ever loaded (about 1970 or so) were with an 06, 180 Noz and IMR 4350

Dober

My experience, too, and for the lighter bullets(165 and down), I've had good accuracy and speed with IMR4895.

My only .30-'06 with notable accuracy of the four I own is at its best with H414 (W760) and the 180 gr. Hornady RN.

Another vote for IMR4350. But my personal faves for the 180 gr bullets are the hard-to-find Norma 204 and the obsolete Hodgdon 205.

In my rifle I get better velocity with IMR4350 than H414, but better accuracy with the H414.

58.0 grs of H4350 started by a WLRM (magnum) primer in an R-P case with a 180 Accubond has given me 2730-2750 or so out of a 22" barrel. That range seems like a very common combo on this thread.

That was me too until I started running H powder. Sad to say my pet load changed a little

Several people have already mentioned Ramshot Hunter. I started loading 180's in the .30-06 in the 1970's with IMR4350, then eventually switched to H4831 and H4350. They all worked fine.

Then Hunter came along and it shot very well, with slightly higher velocities, in several rifles. Have tried it in at least half a dozen .30-06's with various 180's and it has done so well that's all I use anymore. 58.0 grains has always proven accurate and fast, but Ramshot lists up to 60 grains, depending on the bullet. In my experience it's easy to get 2800 fps with fine accuracy from a 24" barrel.

The latest rifle is a pre-'64 Featherweight. I stuck in some loads with 58.0 grains and the 185 Berger VLD and the first 3-shot group was around 5/8" at 2750 or so from the 22" barrel. In addition Hunter is pretty temp-resistant powder.

Mule Deer

Good info there on Ramshot Hunter. You've piqued my curiosity enough that I will be buying some to try. Their website suggests 300 WSM & 338WM as other cartridges that Hunter may be used in. Do you have any experience with their magnum powders?

I assume you mean the Ramshot powder named Magnum. Yeah, I've used it a lot, in cartridges from the .240 Weatherby to .416 Rigby. It works great, and is particularly good in any of the conventional belted magnum rounds from .264 to the .300 with heavier bullets, and with 115-120 grain bullets in the .25-06 and any bullet in the .257 Weatherby. Oh, and it's one of the very best with 140's in the 6.5x55.

Hunter works great in any case where powders in the burning range of IMR4350 to H4831 normally work well. Aside from the .30-06 I've used it in the .220 Swift, .243 Winchester, .257 Roberts, .270 Winchester and .280 Remington (both standard and AI), always with great results.

Yes H4350 is extruded, just like IMR 4350. MuleDeer has some experience with Ramshot Hunter and reports that it is fairly temp resistant. Ramshot Hunter is a ball powder.

The H kernels are shorter though, and they work better through a powder measure.

60-61 grains of R22 has worked well for me.

Ned

Ive had very good luck and accuracy with 57grs H4350 and 4000MR powders. CCIBR2s or WLR primers work very well.

One of my favorite groups with PP4000MR and 180 Hornady SPs.

I concur with gorskij. Here's 57.0grs H4350 185'vld 2820fps.

320 yards

Choices,choices...... This isn't getting any easier. The good news I guess is that I can get damn near anything to shoot well in a .30-'06.

Ref the Ramshot hunter powder; standard or magnum primer?

I use standard.
59.0 gr Hunter, CCI200 primers.

P

Thanks, heard nothing but good ref Ramshot