.30-06 and 165gr Bullets, what powder?

[PHOENIX PHIL]

As mentioned in the .30-06 thread, I've got one coming. First .30-06 I'll have ever owned. Picked up a great deal on a M70 FW that hasn't been shot since bought in 2008. Will load it lightly initially with the intent of building up my wife's recoil tolerance until she can handle 165gr loads.

So what powder do you guys like for this caliber/bullet weight combination? I'm thinking IMR4350 or Varget.

 

[stug]

I use to use ADI2209 which is Hodgdon H4350 56.5gr from memory.

 

[Pheroze]

I am almost finished my first load: 180gr hornady BTSP over 54.5gr IMR 4350 (final touches this week I hope). So, I am no expert, but in building the load everything I read indicated IMR 4350 or H4350 is the way to go.

Regarding recoil, I noted that the Hornady manual starting loads were much lower (48gr) than Lee(56gr) for 165gr over IMR 4350. So, if you go with Hornady I believe you will get lighter loads to start.

 

[jduckhunter]

So what powder do you guys like for this caliber/bullet weight combination? I'm thinking IMR4350 or Varget.

Phil I've been loading 30-06's for over 40 years and IMHO IMR 4350 is the way to go, it's given me great results with a bunch of different rifles, including my latest a Ruger Guide gun with a 20" barrel. I shot this group last Sunday at 200 yd. with Speer 165 gr. bullets and 58 gr. of IMR 4350 with my new rifle.

 

[lcq]

As mentioned in the .30-06 thread, I've got one coming. First .30-06 I'll have ever owned. Picked up a great deal on a M70 FW that hasn't been shot since bought in 2008. Will load it lightly initially with the intent of building up my wife's recoil tolerance until she can handle 165gr loads.

So what powder do you guys like for this caliber/bullet weight combination? I'm thinking IMR4350 or Varget.

Of the two I would go Varget. You will lose a bit of velocity (animal won't know the difference) but use 10gr less powder (less recoil) and varget is not temperature sensitive. The 06 is very easy to get shooting accurately like the 308. Qualifier, this is for a bolt gun not an autoloader.

recoil 8 lb rifle max loads

imr @ 2930 21 lbf
varget @2870 18 lbf

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

@jduckhunter, that's a helluva a group at 200 yards, great shooting. Thanks for the feedbacj gents, seems I'm on the right path. I have plenty of Varget and IMR4350, a fair amount of H4350 too. I'll give it all a go. With living in hell's kitchen, it may be a few months before I have a final load. But will update you when I do.

 

[lcq]

So what powder do you guys like for this caliber/bullet weight combination? I'm thinking IMR4350 or Varget.

Phil I've been loading 30-06's for over 40 years and IMHO IMR 4350 is the way to go, it's given me great results with a bunch of different rifles, including my latest a Ruger Guide gun with a 20" barrel. I shot this group last Sunday at 200 yd. with Speer 165 gr. bullets and 58 gr. of IMR 4350 with my new rifle.View attachment 43687

that is an outstanding group, closer to a benchrest gun than a hunting rifle. well done

 

[jduckhunter]

Good luck Phil, finding the proper seating depth may be your biggest challenge.

 

[lcq]

I am almost finished my first load: 180gr hornady BTSP over 54.5gr IMR 4350 (final touches this week I hope). So, I am no expert, but in building the load everything I read indicated IMR 4350 or H4350 is the way to go.

Regarding recoil, I noted that the Hornady manual starting loads were much lower (48gr) than Lee(56gr) for 165gr over IMR 4350. So, if you go with Hornady I believe you will get lighter loads to start.

I generally go with the powder manufacturer, nosler or the older Lyman manual. The exception is all copper bullets which behave quite differently due to their much longer bearing surfaces, then I rely on Barnes or Hornady

 

[lcq]

Good luck Phil, finding the proper seating depth may be your biggest challenge.

always is. usually magazine length is the limiting factor as most of us don't load singles in the chamber when hunting

 

[jduckhunter]

Phil I've been loading 30-06's for over 40 years and IMHO IMR 4350 is the way to go, it's given me great results with a bunch of different rifles, including my latest a Ruger Guide gun with a 20" barrel. I shot this group last Sunday at 200 yd. with Speer 165 gr. bullets and 58 gr. of IMR 4350 with my new rifle.View attachment 43687

that is an outstanding group, closer to a benchrest gun than a hunting rifle. well done[/QUOTE]
Thanks, I load for most of my rifles like they are benchrest rifles, I want to know that if I miss it's my fault not my gun or bullet.

 

[lcq]

that is an outstanding group, closer to a benchrest gun than a hunting rifle. well done

Thanks, I load for most of my rifles like they are benchrest rifles, I want to know that if I miss it's my fault not my gun or bullet.[/QUOTE]

when I miss it is always my fault. But I'm like you if I know the gun shoots lights out it builds confidence

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Thanks, I load for most of my rifles like they are benchrest rifles, I want to know that if I miss it's my fault not my gun or bullet.

I try to do that too, but I'm not that good of a shooter.

 

[jduckhunter]

I guess that's why we all practice, to get better or to be at least as good as we can be.

 

[Grumulkin]

Using Barnes TSX bullets and crimping them with a Lee Factory Crimp Die, I've had excellent results with Varget. I've never tried IMR 4350 in a 30/06 but it's a powder frequently recommended.

 

[Areaonereal]

57.2 grains of IMR 4350 and the 168 gr Barnes TSX has been a one shot dead 90% of the time in my sons 30 06, chrony at 2775 fps. In my 30 06 IMR4451, if you can find it, at 56.5 grs at 2700 fps with 180 accubond worked quite well in Africa Three weeks ago, pass thru on everything but a Kudu thru front shoulder and lodged in stomach. Lethal to pass thru out to over 300 yds. If your rifle will not shoot IMR 4350 57 grs, 180 gr bullet, sell it...

 

[Rob404]

Any suggestions for a 180gr bullet,my 06 shoots pretty good with the set-up i have but i'm always interested in something new

 

[lcq]

Any suggestions for a 180gr bullet,my 06 shoots pretty good with the set-up i have but i'm always interested in something new

accubonds or interbonds in 180. If you go copper drop down one or two sizes

 

[Rob404]

accubonds or interbonds in 180. If you go copper drop down one or two sizes

I'm more interested in hot set-ups for powder,I use mostly Sierra Game and Match kings

 

[lcq]

I'm more interested in hot set-ups for powder,I use mostly Sierra Game and Match kings

Hot setups?