I have found soe pretty good loads for the '06 over the years, and the neat thing is, I keep finding some more. Yesterday, I took Maw Shootist to the range to get her ready for bullwinkle hunting. She did a very good job with her new to her moose load -- 150 TSX with a manageable load of H4895. Shot just over an inch -- not too shabby for the first time shooting this year.

I tried several loads. One was dowright dismal. One was showing promise, and the last one impressed me. The one with promise was a 180 Partition loaded with 58 gr of H4831sc. Just under an inch, but not significantly. The one that impressed me was 59 gr of H4831sc with the same partition. Two through the same hole, and a third close enough you couldn't say it was a flier. Liking it, and still in love with the old warhorse -- 30-06 forever!

What velocities are you getting?

Re 19 and IMR 4831 work quite well in all of my 30-06s. I should try H4831 some day. That's what does wonders in my Rem mtn rifle in 270 Win. My pre-64 Win in 270 prefers IMR 4831 with any bullet.

I've been using 57 grains of H4350 in RP cases with a Federal 210 under a 180 Partition for years. I didn't even need to look in my notebook to remember the specifics. I've chronographed that exact load on over 2 dozen occasions (never less than a 5 round string) and it gives an aggregate AVG FPS of 2818 out of my old Ruger 77 with a 22" pipe. I never had much luck with slower powders... Slower powders gave just as good accuracy, but I never saw any increases in speed that made it worth switching over. Slower powders also made the SD's and ES's go up quite a bit.

Using a modern short cut powder or ball powder in the -06 just seems like blasphemy to me

YMMV

I like H4350 myself with 180grn 30-06 loads.

I like 4350 but the other (Hodgdon) brand IMR. I load 52 grains behind a Nosler eTip and made one really big hole with 5 rounds. I didn't chronograph it so I can't tell you the speed.

I like 4350 but the other (Hodgdon) brand IMR. I load 52 grains behind a Nosler eTip and made one really big hole with 5 rounds. I didn't chronograph it so I can't tell you the speed.

For years, I thought that IMR4350 was THE powder for 30-06, and it still works real well. Before I started hand loading for myself, an old codger made me up some 180 Win PP with H4831 -- 58.0 gr. He said it would give me factory specs, and he was right. Sighted in with factory Winchester 180's, the point of impact didn't move with the reloads.

My go to load with 180 grainers in the past was 55.0 gr of IMR4350. It worked well, and killed a bunch of moose REAL dead. I am liking the accuracy of this load. Have to try some more. Velocity is 2750 fps. Another powder that has worked well in my rifles is H414. One that I CANNOT get to shoot in my rifles is IMR4064, and that is supposed to be one of the best.

I just loaded some for my wife -- 150 Win PP with H4895, and she shot a marvelous group with them. I'm beginning to think the 30-06 is not terrible load specific.

Here's another recipe for the 06. 180gr Sierra Spitzer on top of Accurate MRP (AA # 3100) at 54.5 grains with Win std primers. Shoots one hole groups out of my WBY vanguard with a 22" barrel. My barrel was chopped 2" and recrowned.

I've found R22 works wonderfully with 180 grn bullest in my 06. Work up to between 60 and 61.5 grains and you will be impressed.

What kind of velocities are you getting with the RL22? I've heard that RL19 works pretty well in the '06 with 180 grainers.

You and a bunch of other people. If a 30/06 won't shoot that one well, ammo ain't the problem.


Okie John

for sure!

Might consider choosing a more polite name for your better half than "the old Warhorse".

Might make moose season more enjoyable, not to mention those moose steaks later on.

I'm just sayin'.......

The rifle, mcknight -- the rifle. She's anything BUT a warhorse - - - - - - way better than I deserve.

With a 22" barrel 2725 fps with 61 grains of R22. No pressure signs and .5 moa accuracy made is seem like a good place to stop.

I've read many times that you can't get enought R22 in an 06 case to hurt yourself and I would tend to agree.

I had a long fling with IMR4350 for my 30-06. Like you say, it's still a good powder. But like most guys, I went looking for something new and faster and ended up with RL19 for 165/8's and RL22 for 180's. Now that Swedish powder looks really interesting too. I like Swedes!

I have never chronographed a faster load with any bullet weight from 150 to 220 grains than when using 760. The other powder and only with 180 grainers I would use in my rifle, is the 4350's.

I fully realize that my '06 has a sloppy chamber and uses several grains above most contributors here, or any of the manuals, but there isn't a hint of excess pressure with my loads.

When it was new, it digested VARGET, or AR2208 as it is called downunder, with the 130 grainers though I have noticed that in recent years, VARGET has been slowed down somewhat in contemporary versions and no longer gets the same velocities I used to get.

This is normal evolution with powders after they are marketed by other companies as the burning rates are often modified to replicate pre-existing versions from other sources as was the case with AR2209 being sold as H 4350.

When released, it was a little faster than IMR 4350. These days, it is a little slower but does not effect handloaders as slowing a powder reduced pressure a tad. (velocity too)

JW