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Treading water in a pool of powder choices
utbrowningman
Member Posts: 2,723 ✭✭✭
I need powder for my Savage AC 114 .30-06 with a 1/10" 22" barrel. The books I have looked at (bought the Lee) list dozens of choices. I don't have the time or $$ to try many. Is there a good powder to start with?
Comments
I use IMR 4350. My favorite. Of course, a lot might depend on what bullet and weight you are looking at.
First loads will be with Rem 150 grain MC (metal case - lead bullet with full nickel-plated copper jacket) - no expansion.
IMRs 4350 (work up - not down)
Min - 50.4 grains for 2500 fps
Max - 59.9 grains for 3000 fps
**Hornady Data
IMRs 4895 (work up - not down)
Min - 44.5 grains for 2600 fps
Max - 51.7 grains for 3000 fps
**Sierra Data
It is really hard to beat IMR-4895 for the 30-06. They loaded billions of rounds with it during WWII.
Read that on the IMR site. I'll probably get two and that will be one of them.
Spend a while looking through almost any load book and take note of how VERY many cartridges make good use of 4895, 4320, 4064 and RL-15. Amazing. I'd have a hard time choosing between either of the two 4895s or RL-15 as near-universal rifle powders. A pound or two of those on my shelf and I can load almost any rifle cartridge you name to at least a usable level. (But if you held me down and forced me to pick, it'd be RL-15.)
When starting out, it is wise to pick one or two versatile powders. Leave the niche powders for later.
Rockys on the money here. Stick to the oldie but goodies. Their endurance is for a reason. RL-15 is VERY versitile, and where I'm at about $4 cheaper per pound.