H380 vs. IMR 4064 for .30-06

Sea Buck · December 22, 2013, 10:29 AM

I am going to load 165gr Nosler Accubonds in .30-06 for next seasons deer hunting. I have available H380 and IMR 4064. I recall there was some controversy about H380.But I do not remember what it was. I am thinking of starting at 48gr H308, or 46.5gr IMR 4064. I am shooting a Ruger RSI Mod 70,I think a 20 inch bbl. Any comments/suggestions will be helpful. Thanks.

Bart B. · December 22, 2013, 10:38 AM

IMR4064 was "the" powder used in the .30-06 for competition when it was popular.

No competitor's ever got consistant accuracy with ball powders winning matches and setting records with centerfire rifles as far as I know.

Depending on how one tests them, all sorts of preferences will surface.

Jimro · December 22, 2013, 02:50 PM

For hunting level accuracy, it doesn't matter.

Unless you are hunting in sub zero conditions the "harder ignition" reputation of H380 and other ball powders won't be much of an issue.

From personal preference, IMR 4064. Starting at 46.5 gr is good. Look for accuracy around 48 gr. CCI 200 primers, BR-2, and even Tula Magnum Rifle have all touched off 4064 very well for me. I used the Tula MR primers for a Garand load back during the great primer shortage of 2011-12 when I couldn't get milspec primers.

Jimro

Sea Buck · December 22, 2013, 10:26 PM

Thanks. Actually I think I'll go with H380. I use it for my .243,meters like a dream, and I don't have to crunch through the powder to get my load. However I can't seem to find the right data for a decent load. Looks like factory loads get 2800fps muzz velocity so that's about where I'm aiming at. My old Sierra manual list this at a max of 51.1 gr for 2800 fps. Maybe 50.0 gr is where I'll want to be. Any loads you are using and your input would be appreciated.

William T. Watts · December 22, 2013, 11:49 PM

Personally I like IMR4064, I've had outstanding results with this powder. With that said if I were you I would use a magnum primer with H380, ball powders are more difficult to ignite, add cold as another factor a standard primer may not be hot enough! William

ligonierbill · December 23, 2013, 07:02 AM

I loaded some 165 SGK over H380 for my brother this deer season. I usually use that powder in 22-250 with a CCI 250, but I noticed others using WLR, so I did as well. Worked fine. We were shooting in chilly (mid 30s) but not frigid conditions. We did not chrono the loads, but they were certainly "minute of deer". Now, I checked several manuals and Quickload before I loaded these, and for whatever reason, Sierra is pretty conservative with this particular load. Current manual lists 50.5 max for 2,700. Different 165s, of course, but Speer is a good bit higher and Hodgdon higher still. You can look them up. One note: QL projects the Hodgdon load a little over spec pressure. I didn't use it. I find commercial claims of velocity to be somewhat optimistic, but I would think 2,800 is very doable with handloads. Will chrono my brother's rifle in the Spring. All that said, I was scrounging for powder and out of IMR-4350. That would be my first choice with '06.

Sea Buck · December 23, 2013, 10:01 AM

Thanks for all your input. Looking at data from several sources(it's tough to find) I'm going with 52gr of H380,and WLR primers, with the 165 gr Nosler Accubond. Should give me about 2600 fps since I am shooting a short barreled rifle: Ruger RSI Mod 77 Mk II. Muzzle flash and recoil will be interesting. I'm investing in a lead sled as a self Christmas present.

December 22, 2013, 10:29 AM	#1
Sea Buck Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: New England,Florida Snow Bird Posts: 312	H380 vs. IMR 4064 for .30-06 I am going to load 165gr Nosler Accubonds in .30-06 for next seasons deer hunting. I have available H380 and IMR 4064. I recall there was some controversy about H380.But I do not remember what it was. I am thinking of starting at 48gr H308, or 46.5gr IMR 4064. I am shooting a Ruger RSI Mod 70,I think a 20 inch bbl. Any comments/suggestions will be helpful. Thanks.

December 22, 2013, 02:50 PM	#3
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	For hunting level accuracy, it doesn't matter. Unless you are hunting in sub zero conditions the "harder ignition" reputation of H380 and other ball powders won't be much of an issue. From personal preference, IMR 4064. Starting at 46.5 gr is good. Look for accuracy around 48 gr. CCI 200 primers, BR-2, and even Tula Magnum Rifle have all touched off 4064 very well for me. I used the Tula MR primers for a Garand load back during the great primer shortage of 2011-12 when I couldn't get milspec primers. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

December 22, 2013, 10:38 AM	#2
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	IMR4064 was "the" powder used in the .30-06 for competition when it was popular. No competitor's ever got consistant accuracy with ball powders winning matches and setting records with centerfire rifles as far as I know. Depending on how one tests them, all sorts of preferences will surface.

December 22, 2013, 10:26 PM	#4
Sea Buck Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: New England,Florida Snow Bird Posts: 312	Thanks. Actually I think I'll go with H380. I use it for my .243,meters like a dream, and I don't have to crunch through the powder to get my load. However I can't seem to find the right data for a decent load. Looks like factory loads get 2800fps muzz velocity so that's about where I'm aiming at. My old Sierra manual list this at a max of 51.1 gr for 2800 fps. Maybe 50.0 gr is where I'll want to be. Any loads you are using and your input would be appreciated.

December 22, 2013, 11:49 PM	#5
William T. Watts Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2010 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 1,074	Personally I like IMR4064, I've had outstanding results with this powder. With that said if I were you I would use a magnum primer with H380, ball powders are more difficult to ignite, add cold as another factor a standard primer may not be hot enough! William

December 23, 2013, 07:02 AM	#6
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,460	I loaded some 165 SGK over H380 for my brother this deer season. I usually use that powder in 22-250 with a CCI 250, but I noticed others using WLR, so I did as well. Worked fine. We were shooting in chilly (mid 30s) but not frigid conditions. We did not chrono the loads, but they were certainly "minute of deer". Now, I checked several manuals and Quickload before I loaded these, and for whatever reason, Sierra is pretty conservative with this particular load. Current manual lists 50.5 max for 2,700. Different 165s, of course, but Speer is a good bit higher and Hodgdon higher still. You can look them up. One note: QL projects the Hodgdon load a little over spec pressure. I didn't use it. I find commercial claims of velocity to be somewhat optimistic, but I would think 2,800 is very doable with handloads. Will chrono my brother's rifle in the Spring. All that said, I was scrounging for powder and out of IMR-4350. That would be my first choice with '06.

December 23, 2013, 10:01 AM	#7
Sea Buck Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: New England,Florida Snow Bird Posts: 312	Thanks for all your input. Looking at data from several sources(it's tough to find) I'm going with 52gr of H380,and WLR primers, with the 165 gr Nosler Accubond. Should give me about 2600 fps since I am shooting a short barreled rifle: Ruger RSI Mod 77 Mk II. Muzzle flash and recoil will be interesting. I'm investing in a lead sled as a self Christmas present.