Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles What is the optimal powder for 165 gr. bullets in 30'06?????

Been thru a bunch of powders besides 414, 4895,4064,rl15,w748 and 760, 4350 and 4831, but 414 always comes out the best in accuracy and velocity combined in my #1a, and it also shows a definet preference for winchester brass.

Cautious, but safe bet..... grin

4350 for me just use a little more in my stire.

Never tried H-4350 cuz I got hooked on IMR-4350 early on, but I'm sure its great... particuarly now that they have the "extreme" line that isn't as temp sensative.

My favored 165 load utilizes RL-19, but those three would seem to me to be the ideals to start with: RL19, IMR- & H-4350s.

RL 19 gives me 2900 fps from a 165 gr SST without signs of pressure at all. With 61 gr in a 23.6" barrel it is over max so look up book starting numbers and work your way up.

57.5/IMR 4350, Fed 210Ms, 165 Nosler Partitions. Have shot quite a lot of game with this, including a couple elk. Great load.

30-06 and 165 grainers, well there are so many good powders, the best for velocity and accuracy are those that fill the case and yield 100% or more density. So I recommend:

RL22, RL19, H4350, IMR4350, IMR4831. I sure there are others that work, but I found those that yield top accuracy w/ high velocity also have 100% load density.

Note1: RL22 is a compressed load but has yielded the highest velocities w/165's that I tested (actually I started years ago with N205, then changed to RL22, almost the same stuff). Work up to 62-63 grains of RL22 from well below and see near 3,000 FPS in a 24" barreled 06. In a Ruger 1-B 30-06 with 26" barrel and N205, I recorded a 3047 FPS average w/165 Nosler Partition. No flies on the 30-06. This was an old Bob Hagel load recommendation. I also use a Lee factory crimp die and mild crimp when using compressed loads of powder, especially RL22. Also note, I used only new once fired Winchester or Federal Gold Metal 30-06 Brass for load development and testing.

The TOP compressed RL22 loads are 60k PSI loads. Were using 270 Winchester pressures as a guide and your brass life will suffer, and these are HIGHER than normally recommended 30-06 pressures which are held a bit low due to old Springfields and the like. Do NOT use in lever guns, pumps, autoloaders, or 50+ year old bolt guns, also rear locking lug Bolt rifles (some Steyr's). MODERN guns only, please....use extree caution. Inexperienced, hamhanded, or daredevil type reloaders can get into trouble w/ any case and compressed loads, be advised....

Note2: I have not gotten a Barnes X 165/168 to go anywhere near that fast without undo pressure signs, load is too compressed for the long lead free bullet and RL22, Use caution.....Try only H4350, IMR4350, and RL19 with the X Bullets. I have NOT tried the newer shorter MRX bullet....

Also good are: W760, IMR4320, IMR4064, RL15, N204.

I have not tried RL17 or BigGame in a 06 case. May or may not work well.

Bob

All of my 30-06 rifles love H4350 and 165gr bullets.

IMR 4350 here too. Last years loads were 56gr under a Speer PSP 165. in my Rem 7600. I have but havn't tried H4350...

Be safe
Patty

RL22 or WW760 have been the velocity kings for me when pushing 165s from the '06. Using compressed RL22, 2900-2950fps were possible out of some 22" bbls and other barrels would not push 165s past 2850fps. I don't even bother with RL22 anymore, its too inconsistent from lot to lot. Gave up on WW760 years ago due too it's temp sensitivity.

H4350 seems to have the best blend of decent velocities, temp insensitivity and lot to lot consistency. Have some Ramshot Hunter, but only tried it one '06 so far.

MtnHtr

I've used 57-58gr IMR 4350 for a while now and been very pleased with it. When I run out of IMR I plan on trying out H4350 next however, mostly because of Temp insensitivity.

I like 2 - H4350 and IMR-4064

165 w/ RL22, IMO puts the '06 near magnum class...especially with a 24" bbl or longer.

I have to vote IMR4350, but then I have never loaded any of the H4350 so don't know about it!

I use 57 grains of IMR 4350 powder. The young guys on my deer lease say IMR 4350 is an old mans powder.

I'll be the odd man out. Started with IMR4320 40 years ago because it meters better out of my powder measure. Never saw a reason to change or experiment.
If I was starting out today, 4350 would be the one to try first then let your rifle tell you what it likes.

Do you realize the OP started this thread 7-1/2 years ago?

Hanco often replies to people who haven't even logged onto the Campfire for years. Apparently he likes to stay busy.

RatherBHuntin: My Winchester pre-64 Model 70 (24" barrel) in 30/06 shoots Nosler 165 grain partitions so well with IMR 4895 that I have been using it for decades now.
Be sure to give this powder a try - I think it will work well for you.
Good luck.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Curses! Trolled again.

It is good to revive old threads like this, there has been lots of new powders brought out in the last 7.5 years suitable for the fore mentioned caliber and bullet.......

The fun part when someone drags up one of these old threads, is watching to see the different answers folks put up from their first time posting on the subject. LOL