Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Favorite powder for the good ol 30-06

Hey guys what powders do you like for the 30-06? I have a buddy who just got into shooting and Im going to load him up some 165g BT's and 180 accubombs.

Happy 2009!!

IMR-4350 (or H4350) is hard to beat. There may be slightly "better" powders for a particular weight of bullet but the 4350 powders do a good job with bullets from 150 to 220 grains. I've only used IMR-4350 in loading for the .30-06 (in two different rifles) so my experience is admittedly limited. Still, I've been very happy with IMR-4350 in the .30-06.

My two cents....
Cheers!
-Bob F.

For the 165's I'd work with one of the 4350's (take your pick it don't matter) and or R19 (if one really wants top speed).

For the 180's I'd go with one of ther 4350's and or R22 (if one really wants top speed).

Dober

Personally, I like:

150's.....H414 and Varget
165's.....H4350
180's.....H4831sc

My favorite powder was WW760 because it works really well with my RCBS UNI-FLOW powder dispencer. Every drop from the tube went to the scale and no problems. It worked well with the Hornady 180grSP.

Ken

What Mark said..

+2 on what Mark Said

I started loading the 30-06 twenty years ago with IMR 4350 for all bullet weights, then switched to H4350 about seven years ago when the "Extreme" line of temp-insensitive powders appeared. H4350, however, is a tad slower the IMR 4350 and usually requires .5 - 1.0 gr more powder per bullet weight.

For me, it's Varget.

imr 4064, works well with 150 and 165's,

Good advice here - my hands-down favorite load for the 30-06 is WW case, 57.5 gr/IMR 4350, Fed 210M, w/ 165 gr Nosler Partition bullet, about 2950 fps. Have used this load in many rifles, have killed lots of game w/ it, including elk. On the latter, have gotten pass throughs on broadside shots at 200 yards.

The most accurate load across the board for me - a load that in over 15 rifles shoots well if a rifle will shoot anything well - is 52 grains/IMR 4064/150 Sierra (don't recommend this for big animals - in fact, I've given up Sierras for all big game hunting after many bullets have disintegrated. Nosler Ballistic Tips are similarly accurate, better game bullets in my experience.

Another very accurate combination is 55 grains/IMR 4350/180 Sierra boattail. I've not shot any game w/ this bullet, but it really shoots.

RL15 for 125's
IMR 4064 for 150's,
IMR 4350 for 165's,
IMR4350, H4350, RL19, IMR4831, WW760 for 180's
RL19 for 200's

One powder for all......4350

you mean BESIDES 4350?

The powder that comes closest to filling the case and give the highest velocity is most often the ideal powder for any cartridge in my opinion.

I used H4350 until I tried Ramshot Hunter. Velocity was about the same but Hunter had less deviation and better groups.

Winchester Cases, Fed 210 Primers

165 TSX
55.5 Big Game 2832
60.0 Hunter 2843

165 Nosler AB
57.5 H4350 2848

165 Nosler PAR
58.0 H4350 2839

165gr Nosler Ballistic Tip: 58.5gr H4350
165gr Swift A-Frame: 57.5gr H4350
180gr Nosler Partition: 56.5gr H4350

I guess that means I like H4350. The two 165gr loads will group around 4 inches at 300 yards. The 180gr will stay MOA out to 300 yards and then open to about 5 inches at 400 yards. It is my go-to load. Doesn't shoot super flat compared to my 270, but its dependable.

I love easy and this is easy. H4350 about 57 or 58grs. of it and a 165gr. bullet and you've got something close to easy/perfect. I use Sierra's or Hornady's for practice or deer hunting,then switch to Nosler's for elk if I'm going to us my .06. Truth is I don't use the great one much anymore, but that's just me.

Thanks guys I think I know what to start with

Now all I have to do is find some H4350.......

Good luck finding it in the Valley, last time I needed some I finally found it in Miles City...

Dober

Wonder if Rob has any?