I went to buy some ammo for my BAR 06 and was shocked at the price ! I have all the equiptment for loading a semi but I'm not sure what powder would be best to use to get the correct pressure curve,accuracy and vel. I have a 20" bbl and want to use 150 grn bullets. This rifle shoots exceptionally well with factory loads. Some have suggested 4064 or 1mr 4350. Any help appreciated.

Loading for semi-autos does indeed require appropriate pressure loads. I load for M1 Garand. I suspect these loads would also work for your BAR. Recommened loads for 150 grs from Jim Thompson's book "The Complete M1 Garand" are listed as: WW769 53.2, WW748 50.2, AA2460 46.1, Varget 47.8, IMR4320 47.6, IMR4064 51.2, H4895 46.0, H322 44.0, RE15 47.8, VihtN150 48.5, IMR3031 47.6, IMR4895 48.0. As Always start lower and work up.

Hope this helps.

RE15, H4895, 4064 all work well in gas operated auto rifles as they were all originally designed to do just that.They may not work best with heavy bullets but work very well with 150 - 180 gr bullets.

I like Varget or H-4895

I haven't actually worked with an autoloader so I can't speak from personal experience, but my understanding is that gas operated autoloading high power rifles should not be loaded with the slow burning powders because the pressure peak from such powders endures too long and therefore can lead to bending the internal action rod of the mechanism.

If that is true, IMR4064 and IMR or H 4895 would be much better for your use than the 4350s.

Civilian autoloaders are designed for commercial ammo, you do NOT need to use a fast powder. Use what is best for caliber, I would use h-414 if it was my 06.

LE270
The phenomenon you mentioned is mainly related to
Garand and M14. In ar15,it can cause cases to stick and rims to tear off.
Most commercial gas rifles can handle longer PT curves, but with Rem 742 I had, function was best with 4895. Your mileage may vary.
Covet16
Quebec Sierra

Major Caliber and covey16: Thanks for the correction.

My 742 was a .280 it functioned best with H-4831, I have also loaded for many BAR's in .270win and they work fine with H-4831 or H-450.

Major Caliber
Mine was 742 carbine 30-06 18" barrel. It never exhibited the usual 742 diseases and was reliable.
It got traded for a "better deal" after I owned it for 4 seasons. I'm one of the few people in the world that actually wishes they had their 742 back

I've had a couple in 30-06 all functioned fine, but weren't very accurate, my .280 could put 3 shot's in 3/4" at 100yds.

I have reloaded for over 20 years for my 742 and BAR in 30-06, the powder I have settled on is VARGET. I hunt with my rifles so my normal load is

VARGET @ 47.0
180 Nosler Part
CCI BR2 Primers
Fed Prem Brass

I also use RCBS Small Base Dies and Crimp using the Lee Factory Crimp Die

The Powders that I have has good sucess in my Auto's are IMR 4895 (Dirty) IMR 4064 (Cleaner) Reloader 15(2nd Favorite) and VARGET (FAVORITE). These powders are perfect due to the chamber/port pressure of the auto's. Make sure you keep the ports clean with Hoppes.

[ 11-12-2003, 02:18: Message edited by: Alaska Bush Man ]