Powder recommendations for .308 & .30/06

[Blktail]

I am looking for your advice on powder for reloading the .308 and .30/06
I use the guns for deer and moose and will be loading 150-180 grain bullets.

[Skyline]

Well..............IMR 4064, 4895, 4831, 4350 and RL 19 and 22.

[Blktail]

What makes a particular powder better than another?
Speed?
Lower pressure for a given speed?
Are some cleaner?
What about repeatability? Accuracy?

If you had to choose one powder for .30/06 180 grain bullets shot out of a Pre-'64 Model 70 featherlight, what would it be?

What about .308 with 165 grain bullets?

The Lee reloading manual lists a gazzillion powders. Based on the limited information in the manual, how do I choose wisely?

[Ol` Joe]

What makes a particular powder better than another?

I look for a powder that does a certain thing I`m wanting the cartridge to do. If I want to shoot a 180 gr bullet from my `06 at top velocity I choose a different powder than I would if I wanted to hunt for the best accuracy with a 150 gr bullet in the same cartridge.

As for your other questions I would try H4831 with the 180 gr bullet in the `06 and Varget or 4064 with the 165 in the 308.
Then again H4350 would likely do well in both...........but so would R19.
Ya just have to experiment.........sorry, but I doubt there is one "do it all" powder.

[Dom]

I look for acceptable accuracy, case not too hot or no signs of too much pressure, no unexpended powder after shooting, etc. I've settled on H4350 and 180 grainers, just because it works for me. I guess there is no coverall answer, you just have to try until you are satisfied, Waidmannsheil, Dom.

[Rocky Raab]

It's a good question.

The absolute best powder can be hard to find. It has to generate the highest possible bullet velocity at below maximum pressures, burn cleanly and consistently, not fill the case too much or too little, and meter well through a dispenser.

But there's even more to it that that. The BEST powder would have a broad pressure curve and not "spike" its pressure peak, yet tail off in pressure just before the bullet leaves the muzzle. It would not erode the rifle's throat either mechanically or thermally. It would leave little fouling and no unburned particles in the bore. It would not create a huge muzzle flash or boom. It would not degrade in storage either before or after being loaded into cartridges. Finally, and not the least important, it would be easy to manufacture so that every batch performed the same.

Making the whole thing even more complicated is the fact that EVERY rifle is different, EVERY bullet is different and EVERY cartridge case is different. Finding the powder that shines with Brand A bullet, Brand B primer, Brand C brass in your own Brownugeremingester Model 777 rifle - at your altitude and in today's weather - well....

[Skinny Shooter]

VARGET works well for me using 150, 168 and 175grain bullets in a 308 with WLR and 210M primers.

[Adam Helmer]

Blktail,

I began using IMR4895 in 1962 in the .30-06 and .308 and have added H414 as my favorites for the 150 and 180 grain bullets. There are so many good powders now, I guess you just have to pick one or two and then work up your accuracy loads.

Adam

[HPBTMTCH]

Best luck with varget in the .308, and IMR 4350 in the `06.

[Gil Martin]

My preferences are IMR4895 and IMR4350 in the .30-06. When loading for the .308, I use IMR4064. I would recommend trying different powders and see what works best in your rifles. All the best...
Gil

[Jack]

AA 2520 is good powder for 308. Pretty good in the 30-06, too.
H414 is a good choice in 30-06.

[Mike Moss]

When hunting with the 308 I just use 150 gr bullets. If I want a different bullet I use a different cartridge not that the 308 is not good with other weights.

To date I find that IMR 3031 best in the 308 with RL 10 looking good so far.

In the 30-06 with 150 thru 180 gr bullets I like IMR 4350 the best.

[Blktail]

I have settled on IMR 4350 and H335. I got some 180 grain Speer Magtips for the .30/06. I have not decided on a bullet weight for the .308 yet. Maybe I will have to get more than one.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks for all the comments. They were a big help.

[kutenay]

I have used those two powders very extensively in a variety of both .30-06 and .308 chambered rifles. I currently have four '.06 and two .308 rifles since I sold several rifles this past year; I am now using H-4350 in the .06s and RE-15 in my .308s with excellent results. This is because these powders are less temperature sensitive than some of the others mentioned.

My P-64 FWT will consistently shoot .5" at 100M with IMR-4350-57grs., CCI 250s, Fed. nickle brass and gives 2760 av. mv. My Browning Safari Grade does only .75" with this load as does my Brno-ZG-47 with the longer barrel, bnoth in untouched factory stocks. My original Mannlicher-Schoenauer does an easy half-inch with 2725 out of it's 20" tube.....what more can you ask for and these are all 180 NPs, my choice as the "best" bullet in the '.06.

[Blktail]

Kutenay

Where did you get your load data for the 57 gr of 4350 with a 180 gr bullet.
My manual indicates a max load of 53 gr with a 180 gr jacketed bullet.
I would love to get that velocity with a 180 gr bullet. Your help would be greatly appreciated.