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Treading water in a pool of powder choices

utbrowningman
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?
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • 1988z01
    I use IMR 4350. My favorite. Of course, a lot might depend on what bullet and weight you are looking at.
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  • utbrowningman
    quote:Originally posted by 1988z01
    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.
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  • bpost
    It is really hard to beat IMR-4895 for the 30-06. They loaded billions of rounds with it during WWII.
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  • 1988z01
    BOOK REIPIES FOR 150 grain FMJ BT

    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
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  • 20gabob
    H414 or Win 760 are the perfect powders for the 30.06 as far as i'm concerned and they are reasonable in price compared to some others.
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  • utbrowningman
    quote:Originally posted by bpost
    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.
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  • Ambrose
    For my "standard" .30/06 loads, I use 57 gr. of IMR4350 with a 165 gr. bullet and 57 gr. of IMR4831 with a 180. However, my Savage 114 chronographs faster and shows pressure signs sooner than my other .30/06's. Probably just this particular rifle but still, worth mentioning. FWIW: My 114 is one of the early ones with the blind magazine.
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  • Rocky Raab
    When starting out, it is wise to pick one or two versatile powders. Leave the niche powders for later.

    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.)
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  • 1988z01
    quote:Originally posted by Rocky Raab
    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.
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