Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Mausers and Military Rifles Anyone using light loads of 4895 in the 30-06

I'm getting pretty good accuracy at 100 yards with my 03A3 using the Lyman Manual starting load of 46 gr of 4895 and 125 gr bullets. Their max load of 4895 for the 125 bullet is 53.5. It's my understanding you can safely shoot loads using IMR or Hodgdon 4895 at 60% of book max powder loads, which can be considerably less than book starting loads. Has anyone here tried or know of anyone using the lighter than book starting loads of 4895 with good accuracy? Not saying I want to take it down too far but if I can still get good accuracy with less recoil using less powder I'll give it a try.

I used 40 grains of H4895 with a Sierra 150gr round nose for the 30-30 out of my 1903Afaux and it shot very well.

I like H4895 for reduced loads in the 308. I tested it with 165-grain Remington Pointed Soft-Point CoreLokt bullets in a Savage 99E and a pre-64 Model 70 FWT. Velocities ran from about 2,050 fps with 35.5 grains to about 2,150 with 37.5 grains. The 99E put them into about 1.5 MOA but the Winchester put them all into one hole.

I also tried it with 170-grain Speer FPs meant for the 30-30 Winchester. 40 grains averaged 2,386 fps in a 22” Model 700. A 36.5-grain charge averages 2,205 fps in that rifle, 2,118 in a 20” Model 700, and 2,277 in a Tikka T3. Accuracy is superb but it starts to drop a lot past about 150 yards because it matches the 30-30.

I wouldn’t cut H4895 charges below what’s recommended. For loads that light, look for information on “The Load” by CE Harris. https://forum.castbulletassoc.org/thread/1387-the-load-is-13-grains-of-red-dot/


Okie John

You don't mention the velocity you want to achieve, or why good old 4895 is your only choice....but IMO the use of 4895 in reduced loads although safe, is seldom the best accuracy option. Many powders work much better, RL-7/4198 come to mind, CE Harris's famous article from American Rifleman and Handloaders Digest..."The Load", short version is 13 gr Red Dot works from 6.5 Swede to 8x57 Mauser and all between. More modern options mention 5744 as a do-all, and it is in my experience...but it can be dirty with too light bullets or no crimp. Don't get panicky if a load is quoted for cast bullets, generally they generate more pressure than cup and core jacketed...I know, it's counter intuitive, but people with pressure measuring equipment tell us it's true.

I'm hoping to stay above 2200 fps and I've got a lot of IMR 4895. Doubt if I'll drop much, if any, below 40 gr loads.

41 grains H4895 + 165 Sierra BTHP has long been a favorite with me for easy shooting in light .30-06's, when for some dumb reason I'm not shooting cast bullets that is!

i use 39.0gr of IMR4895 for a 275gr WFN GC in 9.3x57.





bottom left, 280gr RN GC with 41.0gr of IMR4895 for a 9.3x57

I have had great 100 yard results with 35 grains IMR 4895 , 150 grain FMJ. BT. Same load for 270 with 130 grain FMJ . BT.