.30-06; IMR or H4350?

[TXGunNut]

I've been using IMR4064 and Hodgdon Varget in my pet load for several years but with my new Super Grade it isn't getting the job done. Not happy with the Varget load in my Ruger M77 either. I realize the rifle may be to blame in each case but I'm thinking a change in powder may be called for. I've done most of the tricks with primer, coal and bullets so I'm beginning to wonder about a new powder and 4350 seems to have lots of followers. Problem is, which 4350? Not a fan of AA powders so I would like to know how ya'll feel about IMR or Hodgdon 4350. Won't rule out AA powders, just don't know much about them. Hodgdon and IMR are equally absent from store shelves in my area (DFW) but have located some of each from the mail-order houses.
Thanks in advance for your input.

[Tim R]

I know I've had good luck with IMR 4350 in my '06 Winny F/W. Back in the day when I was reloading '06 only, I burned a can pretty often.

[Red_Eagle]

I've had excellent results with IMR-4350 and the Sierra 165gr HPBT. It was also a stellar proformer in my 280 Ackley.

[GeauxTide]

Wow, my best loads with 150s are with 4064. In three different rifles. As above, IMR4350 with 165 or higher.

[qwman68]

Imr-4895 is what i use in my 30-06 and it shoots sub moa.

[Mike / Tx]

I have used all three 4350's you mentioned with IMR being the most used, and most accurate for the load I worked up.

It is listed in the Lyman 46th edition as the top load for IMR-4350. I used Nosler BT's and this load shot well in numerous rifles of different maks, so well that I just decided to keep it. I use Win primers, Win or Rem cases, and the OAL is set to 3.250" base to tip.

I figured that many rifles shooting it around an inch or less, it couldn't be a bad load.

[darkgael]

I have used them - they all work well in all of my .30-06s (4). "Well" meaning MOA or better. Pick one.
Pete

[James R. Burke]

My best deer load in my 30-06 is IMR-4350 with a Nosler 165 grain Partition. Inside 1" five shots at 100 yards all day. But that is just my rifle with the c.o.l. I worked out for it. It might work really bad in someones else's. I was lucky I had a few differnt powders I could try. But that is my favorite for deer. Ruger NO 1 A Light Sporter.

[Shoney]

I've always found slightly better accuracy with IMR 4350 over the H 4350, and almost always at a higher velocity in comparing the accuracy loads. I can get a slightly higher velocity out of H 4350, but the accuracy drops off.

[TXGunNut]

Thanks, all! Now I wish I could find some! Seems all my favorite recipes include an ingredient I can't find at this time. Hoarding is problematic but I'm considering raising my stocking levels to a 5-10 year supply rather than my former 2-4.

[jaredb03]

Off topic but where do you guys buy your 30-06 bullets online? Im looking for FMJ, but also interested in Lead but don't know how they do in 30-06(Ive only reloaded 9mm, and 40 s&w).

[Sarge]

There is probably a 30-06 out there someplace, that won't shoot well with H4895. So far, I've never met it. If I ever do meet it, I'll eliminate the usual suspects of rifle inaccuracy before I ever change powders. It has been that good to me.

Same goes for most any non-magnum bottleneck rifle cartridge, from the .223 on up. I have also used IMR's version of 4895 with equally-good results.

[AlaskaMike]

[...] also interested in Lead but don't know how they do in 30-06

Cast in the .30-06 works wonderful. I only have one mould, a Lyman 311332, which is a 180 grain bullet, but I've also used some that someone else cast from an RCBS 180-FN mould that worked pretty well too. I've pushed my own bullets up to about 2500 fps in my 'O3A3 and still had good accuracy. At those speeds I had to water quench the bullets (drop them in a bucket of water out of the mould) to get them hard enough with my plain wheel weight alloy. At sub-2000 fps speeds air-cooled bullets work perfectly fine.

If you plan on shooting cast, I'd recommend finding some 200 grain or heavier bullets. If you're thinking about doing some casting yourself, I'd recommend a Lyman 311299 mould.

For 150 grain FMJ bullets, you might check out www.gibrass.com. I don't know if he still has them, but he used to have a bunch of good quality pulled bullets from surplus M2 .30-06 ammo.

Mike

[mrawesome22]

Another nod for IMR 4350.

[Slamfire]

The only difference between Aa4350 and IMR 4350 is the difference between powder lots. Accurate Arms told me that their 4350 is a copy of the IMR. My load testing indicates that that this is a valid claim.

There is very little difference between H4350 and AA/IMR 4350. My H4350 took about a grain or two more to get the same velocities as AA4350.

On target performance was excellent with all three powders.

I buy by price.

4350 is an outstanding powder in the 30-06 with 165 grain or heavier bullets. I have not tried it with 150's.

You can load 99% of all cartridges with just two powders: IMR 4895 and IMR 4350. Try both in the 30-06.

30-06 M98 26"  1-10 Wilson Barrel
								
175 gr Sierra 55.0grs  AA4350 wtd. FED 210M W/W cases OAL 3.30"	5 Oct 2000
							T=70°F	
								
Ave Vel =	2710						
Std Dev =	18							
ES =	43						
Low =	2679						
High =	2722							
N =	5							
								
								
175gr Sierra 56.0 grs  H4350 wtd. WLR  Commerical cases OAL 3.290"	5 Oct 2000
							T=70°F	
								
Ave Vel =	2733						
Std Dev =	24							
ES =	80						
Low =	2686							
High =	2766							
N =	14							
								
190gr Speer 54.0 grs  H4350 wtd. FED 210M Frontier cases OAL 3.350"	5 Oct 2000
							T=70°F	
								
Ave Vel =	2517						
Std Dev =	18							
ES =	53						
Low =	2483						
High =	2536							
N =	10							
								
				
								
190gr Speer 55.0 grs  H4350 wtd. FED 210M Frontier cases OAL 3.350"	5 Oct 2000
							T=70°F	
								
Ave Vel =	2590						
Std Dev =	9							
ES =	25						
Low =	2579						
High =	2604							
N =	9							
								
190gr Speer 54.0 grs  AA4350 wtd. FED 210M W/W cases OAL 3.350"	5 Oct 2000
							T=70°F	
								
Ave Vel =	2642						
Std Dev =	15							
ES =	44						
Low =	2629						
High =	2673							
N =	10							
								
							OK	
200 gr Sierra  Match 53.0 gr H4350 wt'd WWII Cases Fed 210S OAL 3.35	30 April 98
				(190 to 195 gr cases)		T=72°F	
								
Ave Vel =	2509						
Std Dev =	20							
ES =	58							
Low =	2478							
High =	2536							
N =	15							
200 gr Sierra  Match 54.0 gr H4350 wt'd WWII Cases Fed 210S OAL 3.35	30 April 98
		 		(190 to 195 gr cases)		T=72°F	
								
Ave Vel =	2575						
Std Dev =	10							
ES =	30							
Low =	2559							
High =	2589							
N =	9

							
200 gr Sierra  Match 51.0 IMR 4350 wt'd WWII cases Fed 210S OAL 3.35	30 April 98
				(190 to 195 gr cases)		T=72°F	
								
Ave Vel =	2460						
Std Dev =	22							
ES =	68							
Low =	2427							
High =	2495							
N =	10							
				
								
200 gr Sierra  Match 52.0 IMR 4350 wt'd WWII cases Fed 210S OAL 3.35	30 April 98
				(190 to 195 gr cases)		T=72°F	
								
Ave Vel =	2581						
Std Dev =	78							
ES =	205							
Low =	2481							
High =	2686							
N =	10							
								
								
200 gr Sierra  Match 53.0 IMR 4350 wt'd WWII cases Fed 210S OAL 3.35	30 April 98
				(190 to 195 gr cases)		T=72°F	
								
Ave Vel =	2585						
Std Dev =	36						
ES =	129							
Low =	2546					
High =	2675							
N =	10

[golfballshootr]

Not mentioned but, I have actually had some really good luck with the IMR 4007 SSC with the Hornady 150 IB out of a Win. Mod 70 30.06.

[BruceM]

In my 1970 vintage M70 .30-06, I get 1" or slightly less 5 shot groups using this load.

WW case
CCI LR Magnum Primer
Sierra 165 grain SBT
57.0 grains IMR 4350

Chrongraphs an honest 2825 fps out of the 22" barrel and is instant death on whitetails. This is a MAXIMUM load in my gun so work up in yours. DO NOT just duplicate it. IMR 4350 gives uniformly excellent results w/maximum velocities in any .30-06 turnbolt rifle I've tried it in.

Bruce

[temmi]

I have come to use only IMR 4350.

[TXGunNut]

Wow, more good info! Still no IMR4350 in sight but may try the AA version, Slamfire.
Agreed on working up, Bruce. Some rifles like max loads, others don't. My other .30-06's seem to like loads just under or at max, one needed a max load just to seal the case neck properly. New owner uses factory loads so he'll be fine.
I've been buying bullets and other components from Cabelas, of all places. I usually just buy camping and hunting gear from them but lately I've been checking out their reloading stuff. If you watch the promotions and sales carefully it's a fair deal and I like beating the freight by picking up in store. Works out good for them, I generally browse the eye candy a bit when I pick up my goodies. I'm a bit disappointed by their ammo prices and number of items on backorder but that's the state of the industry now.

[btmonnat]

I have been playing with my 30-06 Browning Bar for 2 years trying to stay away from max loads and never got a load that was under 1 1/2''. This winter I tried 58gr. of IMR-4350 with a 165gr. nosler bal. tip, which was a slightly compressed load and had 5 shots in a 1 hole cluster that measured 5/8'' at its widest point. Thats the best I have ever shot with any auto and I have sighted in alot guns for other hunters. This gun will shoot with most of my bolts with the exception of my 2 bench rifles. I will not even try anything else in the 30-06. IMR-4350 is the best in my gun and I have tried alot of powders.

[TXGunNut]

Still no IMR4350 on store shelves around here, found some H4350 on my own shelf! Too many powders! According to my records it performed well in a 150 gr load in 2004 but no comments or targets for the 165 gr load I had listed. Have no idea why I didn't pursue it then but that rifle was a bit finicky. Still is. Was loading some try loads at the range when I tested those loads, think I'll load a few more 165's atop 58grs of H4350 to give it another try. New rifle liked the 150's with 59grs so they may both be my new loads. Sure glad I keep records but will have to include more info and comments from now on. Also helps to go back and read them carefully when I get stumped!
New rifle is going off to Winchester next week, hopefully will have a few try loads ready when it comes back.
Thanks again.

[GallowGlass]

RL 17 58 grs. , Speer 150 BTSP, Fed 210 p, 3.25 min.OAL - 3006 fps. Speer Reloading Manual #14 safe-workup!
Zinger Is "HOARDING" of powders,primers -componets a panic issue concerning our 2nd ammendment rights,or are we just plain scared about the state of affairs (economy) in our World??

[Toolman]

Another powder you might consider for the 30-06 is Hogdon H380.

[TXGunNut]

I've realized that I'm a fan of Hodgdon powders, Toolman. Haven't taken a serious look @ H380 but now I will. Quite an interesting powder, what can you tell me about it?

[mrawesome22]

H380 doesn't give good enough case fill for me in the -06. Case fill is important to me. That's why I choose IMR4350 over H4350. The IMR has longer sticks and compresses.