30-06 185gr powder consultation

Camelot43

Hey guys looking for some input on a load for my 30-06.

Do you have any temperature stable "Extreme" powders to use with the Berger 185gr VLDs that give you good velocity and accuracy?

Just starting this load thought I would consult with guys who have done it.

Thanks

Cyclonus

IMR 4895 is your friend

Camelot43

Thanks for the recommendation. Berger does not have load data for the H4895 comb is it safe to take hodgdon's data and avg. the difference in powder grain between the 180gr & 190gr bullet loads?

Also has anyone had good success with Varget in the 30-06?

charliemeyer007

Since you are shooting low drag bullets you should look into ball powders. Bbl life will be longer and they meter well. Some of the newer powders claim better temperature preformance. My experiance is loads that work well at 32 F. will be way too hot at 100 F. I don't load winter and summer loads anymore.

Cyclonus

Now varget is a good powder but its not going to give you anywhere near max velocity for that load hence why I suggested IMR4895 as it is a military powder. Im not sure if H4895 is Hogden's equivalent it might be but dont quote me on that. im sure somewhere online you can get a loading for it hence why I favor lee's load data as it goes by bullet weight not by manufacturer of said bullet and list all kinds of powder choices as well as appx velocities for those powders (which im sure they all do. )

Okie743

you asked: Accuracy and velocity for a 06?

My choices are as follows:
H4350 (start at the low end on all powders and go in 1/2 gr increments.
IMR4350 (H4350 seems just a smiggen less critical of the powder weight grains for accuracy changes as compared to the IMR4350 or just a smiggen more user friendly when looking for a accuracy load)

definition of smiggen is just a little more than a nat's bristle!

H4831 (low velocity but some 30:06 guns really like accuracy from the H4831

From a 30;06 which is one of my favorite calibers, I like to have a real accurate bullet hitting on target, rather than a bullet going real fast but not on target every time. Big game prefers the last one. If you want little higher velocity drop down to the 150 grain bullets and the H4350. (you won't believe how much felt recoil (fliniching) is also reduced.

Bottom line is you never really know about accuracy until you do the testing, what works good for other's guns may not be any good in yours, but 30-06's are normally user friendly for good accuracy, if you don't try to force them to go high velocity with standard factory hunting barrels.

Camelot43

Thanks Okie

I think I will try that H4350 to start out Berger has the load data on it luckily which most of the time they have limited info on powders and being a 185gr it is not a typical weight for info

bpost

Better pick up some RE-19 along with the 4350. My 30-06 likes it.

Navybat

My .30-06 loves IMR 4350. I get 2700 fps with 180 grain Hornady SST and 54.5 grains.

I'm switching to VARGET, however, in order to simplify my powder requirements between .280, .30-06, and .223.

woodchuckjohn

By chance I hit upon this very accurate load for my /06. IMR4064 powder, 50.3 grains, 150 grain Sierra game king produced one ragged hole at 100 yards two inches high.