Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Do I Dip Into The Good Stuff?

I've been playing with an 03A3 that got a new Criterion barrel from CMP in Anniston.

It's done surprisingly good things with 165 SST factory ammo. I happen to have H4350 and 165 Interlocks on-hand, and have found the latter to shoot every bit as accurately in other .30-06 rifles. This would appear to be, "peas & carrots", no?

Still, an '06 is basically an omnivore, and I have H414, H4895, Hunter, Big Game, H4831SC on the shelf, and some others. With H4350 being so scarce at the moment, do I reserve it for the others in the stable who also feed upon it?

First-world problems, here.

FC

H414 was a great substitute for H4350. I had a picky 06 that didn't care for H4350 or IMR 4350. Switched to H414 and 165 BTSP and it wasn't picky anymore. A bonus is the H414 meters awesome in rcbs dispenser.

Back in the 08 shortage I bought a bunch of H414 when I didn't want to spend my H4350. It worked really well. I reserved the H4350 for hunting applications where there would be big temperature swings, but for summer shooting the H414 worked great and meters better than H4350 as well.

Sounds like you have a great selection of powders on hand. Why not use them? You might find one of them returns better accuracy than even the 4350.

I too have a Criterion barrel, installed on a 1903A1 M1941 USMC Sniper clone. It'll return 1/2MOA on a good day, 3/4-1 MOA on average. Powder of choice: SR-4759, coupled with 170-180 grain cast bullets- the only bullets that have touched the bore since new. A couple thousand or so rounds down the pipe so far and not a sign of wear. When my 10-12 pounds of 4759 I have is used up I shall weep unashamedly as it's no longer made.

Give IMR 4064 a try with a 168 bullet as well.

Wonder if the reduced output of 4350 is related to the Lake City Transition, or the closure of the Australian plant

I've been getting some interesting results with 5744 and the Lyman 220 gr. cast bullet. Been running those through a Browning B78 single shot 30-06. probably will run them through a 1903A3 I have as well as a Husqvarna 06 I recently picked up. Just have to sit down and run a few pounds of lead through the molds when I can find the time.
Paul B.

IMR-4064 and a 165 gr or 168 gr match bullet will bring a tear to your eye......48.0 or 48.5 grains to be exact.

As far as I am aware the ADI powder plant is still open. AR2209 (aka H4350) is a bit short here too. I buy it by the 4kg bottle so am good for a few years.

Thanks, all.

I loaded 4 each at 57.5, 58.0, and 58.5 grains of H4350, and we'll see how they do (given my crappy shooting skeelz...) I think my range counts as critical infrastructure, so hopefully I can get out there this coming week.

I'll probably make a similar batch working-up H414.

The IMR4064 thing intrigues me. I'll bet I could work it into the 7-08, Whelen, .308, .223, and possibly other chamberings in the stable. Perhaps, should I stumble across some (cough, cough), I'll pick up a pound.

FC

try 30 gr of IMR3031 with the 220gr cast my -06 loves it.


to the OP: yes, use it. there will be more.