I can't decide between IMR 4895 and Win 748 for Nosler 125 NBT's in my 30-06. Any preference and if so what grains? I'm looking to stay north of 3,000 fps so no downloads

Got any Varget?
58gn will get you around 3300fps.

Couple of years ago, a 'fire member gave me this recommendation (wish I could recall who it was!):

"125gr NBT, 58.5gr of IMR 4350, I think its a middle of the road charge but seems to be magic in the 06'"

I loaded up 4 rounds just for grins, and all four were touching!

That load is like a hammer on deer. It's just under 3000 in my 22" M70.

I’m a fan of that bullet in the ‘06. Hits hard, kills quick.

I use 59 gr Big Game, mag primers.

But this day in time, you use what you can find. The ‘06 isn’t finicky. Several loads will work and work well.

DF

3300 is easy with Varget.

I haven't tried the two powders you mentioned, with this bullet in the 30-06 case.

Coached a new hunter a few years back. She had a lightweight 308 that was beating her up at the rifle range. I handloaded some 125 Nosler BT's to about 3100 fps for her. Recoil was greatly reduced. Accuracy was excellent.

We went hunting and she took a fat whitetail buck at about 120 yards. Flattened him with one shot. The bullet went through both shoulder blades and was recovered, quite expanded, under the off-side hide.

I don't know that I'd push that bullet much harder than 3100 fps... After that, there's the 130 gr Barnes TTSX..

Regards, Guy

Yeah, 3,100 fps works well and is about where I run mine.

If a bullet will blow thru a WT’s chest with a good exit, you may not need a heavier bullet for that application. This one does that with a lot of internal carnage.

DF

59.5grs of Varget is the load i use and a few of friends, kills deer hard

No I don't have Varget. The only other choice I currently have is 3031. If my choices aren't what I need for this bullet I might have to go get some Varget

https://www.nosler.com/30-06-springfield

i would go with IMR4895

Hodgdon shows 3031

49grs - 3091fps
52.8grs - 3298fps

I'm pretty sure you could get nice results with 3031. Give Hodgdon's online data a look.

Have used 3031 in the 06 with that bullet for kids to shoot their deer. It has NEVER failed, and the kids could shoot it rather easily. Its an excellent combo, and certainly effective in the field.

I know you said no down loads... but I'll just add the bullet is an excellent performer at the lower speeds also. So overall a good bullet choice in the 30 caliber family.

Took several deer years ago, loading it in a 30/30. One in the pipe and one in the magazine tube. Never needed the second bullet.

That’ll work. The old ‘06 is pretty versatile, generally easy to load for.

Not sexy but effective. As has been said the ‘06 is never a mistake.

DF

4895 will work, thinking it is an old pet powder for the '06.

That 748 would be okay as well.

Most powders in that general burn rate could be used.

Availability rules, these days. Use what ya got or can find.

DF

I think I'll go with 3031. Thanks everyone

You got it, use it.

Let us know how it performs.

DF

Happy to hear that the 125 NBT is a good performer. I have six boxes of 125 NBT factory loaded by Nosler that are showing about 3100 FPS. I have not been confident taking them hunting for whitetails. I take it from the replies that on game performance is good? They shoot well out of my Tikka and group to the same place as the 130 TTSX.

Any recovered bullets?

The 125 NBT turns the .308 or 30/06 into a .270 in my mind.

Blasphemy!

Never caught one. Chest shots pass thru. You could conceivably catch one in a ham or large piece of meat with an oblique shot. They penetrate better than many would think.

DF

No No! Thems is for wabbits.

180 gr Core-Lokts is for deerss.

Dem wabbits can get purdy tough, don’t ya know.

Ya reckon dem deer be just big ole wabbits?

125’s kills’em, too. Just as dead.

BTW, I seen pictures of wabbits with antlers. Not live, just pictures.

DF