Looking for recommended powders for 165gr. 30-06 loads.

Am using Lapua brass, Federal Gold Medal match primers.

23" Shilen Select Match barrel, #4 taper. 1X10 twist.

Thanks for your time and comments.

Sam

I have had very good luck reloading various 30-06s I usually start with 57grs IMR4350 with a 150gr remspcl and see which way the rifle wants to go,Ive also had very good luck with 50grs varget or 50gr imr4064 and 150gr remspcl,also 60gr re19,All these loads are max in my rifles,a mauser VZ24 and a springfield 03a3

My preference is toward the mid burn rate powders. Any of the ones that I have had good luck with include, W748, H 380, RL 15, IMR 4895, 4064 and H 4895. I think Varget is way over rated.

With 180 grains and above if I need velocity over 2500 fps, then I move up to the 4350s, 4831s, RL 19, and RL 22.

I have based this on accuracy out of my 4 different 30/06s.

These bullet/powder combinations have been very accurate for me...

165 Sierra GK + 47.5 grs IMR 3031 = 2,700 fps and 0.808" average 3-shot groups at 100 yds.

165 Sierra GK + 48.5 grs H4895 = 2,788 fps and 0.842" average 3-shot groups at 100 yds.

165 Sierra GK + 49.5 grs IMR 4064 = 2,744 fps and 0.639" average 3-shot groups at 100 yds.

165 Sierra GK + 55 grs H414 = 2,819 fps and 0.587" average 3-shot groups at 100 yds.

The rifle is a pre '64 Winchester w/24" barrel. I used Federal 210 primers for all loads.

In my case, the bullet more so than the powder has been the component most affecting accuracy. I've tried these loads with 165 gr Nosler BT's and 165 gr Hdy SST's and my rifle just didn't care for those bullets. I also didn't start getting good accuracy until bullet speed got up around 2,700 fps.

[ 08-09-2003, 10:31: Message edited by: JKuczmarski ]

Most people think IMR 4350, between 57 and 58.5 is the first powder of choice with 165s.

I've also had excellent results with 61.5 grains of H4831SC, 62 grains of Reloder 22, 59.5 grains of Reloder 19 and 50 grains of Varget.

I respect Seafire's opinion immensely, but I have to disagree with his statement that Varget is overrated. The more I use that powder, the more I admire it. For serious target loads in the .308, Varget is virtually unbeatable, and it is a staple of Palma shooters, who have to reach 1000 yards with their .308s. I've also had fantastic accuracy with Varget in every single .30-06 I've tried it in.

Well, the 57 gr. of IMR-4350 and the Nosler 165 gr. B-Tip is the magical loading in my M-1917 Enfield, I don't see anything wrong with it, and it works, my '06 seems to like it with a belch.

I've never run across a good rifle in '06 that won't shoot accurately with 165's and 57.5grs of IMR 4350

57 gr. 4350
CCI 200 primer
WW brass
165 gr. Nosler Partition

Shoots well in all 3 of my 06's.

Another good powder for the 30-06 is 4895. Not as good as 4350, though.

4350 would be hard to beat. If you prefer a ball powder for ease of measuring, either WW 760 or H 414 would do nicely. For our European friends who may have difficulty finding American powders, VV 160 is a good choice.

Imr 3031 and 4320 is a good and accurate choice.

BIG SAM,
I have a strong preference for H-4350 in a '06.
The Hodgdon Annual Manual list 59.0 grains as a max load with a 24" barrel. My Rem. M-700 likes 59.5 grains of it out of a 22" barrel. The average group size for five five shot groups is .247". The extreme spread of velocity is 11.0 fps and standard deviation is 5.1 fps. Velocity in my rifle is 2830 fps. Primers are CCI BR#2 and cases are Win. .270 cases that were converted to '06. My chamber is a little long so I trim my cases to 2.510". The bullet was the Sierra 165 grain Hollow Point hunting bullet. Good luck.

Have found 60g Re 19 and CCI 200's deadly accurate.
Would estimate 2,800 fps.
Rob T

In my bolt guns in 3006 my favorite powder is Reloader 19, with IMR 4350 a close second. With 165 grain Bullets a load of 59.0 grains should get you excellent accuracy. I commend you on your choice of Brass and primers, excellent.

Big Sam,

No one has mentioned WW 760. I couldn't get the velocity I was striving for with IMR 4350 so I tried WW760. Using WW brass and WLRP's and a Hornady 165 Spire Point I carefully worked up to 59 grains. I did this in .5 gr increments. No sign of excessive pressure. The priners are a bit flat but the bolt opens easy. Accuracy had been excellent. I got several groups under one inch. One was 3/8" and I'm not that good!
This was in a 22" barreled Reminton Mt. Rifle. Oh yeah, veleocity is averaging 2,825 fps and the deviation in 10 shots is 42 fps.
Rich Elliott

Big Sam,

In my Browning FN Safari I have had excellent results with three powders; H414, RL 19 and RL 15.

All powders are accurate but find the best combination with Winchester brass, WLR primers and H414 with 165 gr Nosler BT, Speer or Hornady. My load is above the listed max with no pressure but I get approx. 2900 FPS from the load, same with RL 19

Good shooting

BD

Sam, my M1 accuracy load uses the Sierra Matchking 168-grain bullet with 47 grains of IMR 4064. A very accurate, but mild, load.

The 165 Nosler BT has been my whitetail bullet for many years. I hate to sound like a broken record, but my favorite load for decades was 50gr of IMR4064, then I tried IMR4350 and like it just a smidge better. Try 57-57.5gr on the IMR4350. These loads are with Win brass and Win standard large rifle primers.

My vote goes to Hornaday's 165g BTSPI with 56.5g of H-414, Federal Brass and WLR primers. Velocity 2,824 fps. = .75" groups out of my Win 70. But they are all a rule unto themselves. Start low and work up.

Scout Master 54

I have been using H-4350 and a 165 Horn or Nosler part. for so long it just seems natural. Have used IMR as well thou the H seems to meter alittle slicker. I used 59.5grs. with federal gold medal brass and cci-250 for hunting loads. For practice i will load a few hundred of what ever brass ( it is all mix or match federal) with 58grs. My current '06 is a Mark X with a #2 stainless Shilen. The big load is running 2950 fps.
Ed

Also try some IMR-4895, it was a natural powder for the '06 during WWII, even in the Garand, I just love the smell of it, too, when you touch off a round.

win 760, h414, 4350 SERIES.

I use RL22. My son has a Rem 721 that will shoot in the .3" range with rem 165 corelokts. My two Mausers will shoot in the .8" range with a slight adjustment in powder charge. You can't put too much RL22 in the case.

Seafire--I agree that Varget is much overrated. The last whitetail I shot was at a range found hill to hill 287 yards. Remington Brass, Fed 210 primer, 165 R-p Cor-Lock, Bushnell 12X, and Varget. Deer hit through the ribs fwd, ran 15 feet up the hill and rolled over dead..I suspect if I had been using a different powder---he would not have gotten that extra 15 feet...Powder selection is like anything else, if you want to start a good argument ask what is the best caliber, bullet, primer, brass, reloading equipment, etc.etc. THATS what is so wonderful and fulfillig about reloading...finding that perfect powder, brass, primer, etc. Only my opinion of course...