168 gr bt combined technolgy bullet
- Thread starter kirk
- Start date
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,404
- 6,217
kirk,
Welcome to the forum. Your rifle will tell you what powder and charge to use out of your 30-06. A good place to start is with the powder that is listed as most accurate in the Nosler Reloading Guide. The technicians at Nosler have determined that IMR 4350 gives the best accuracy. They recommend a starting load of 53.0 grains and a maximum of 57.0 grains. Make certain to start low and work up to ensure safety in your own rifle and to find the charge that gives you the best accuracy in your rifle.
Welcome to the forum. Your rifle will tell you what powder and charge to use out of your 30-06. A good place to start is with the powder that is listed as most accurate in the Nosler Reloading Guide. The technicians at Nosler have determined that IMR 4350 gives the best accuracy. They recommend a starting load of 53.0 grains and a maximum of 57.0 grains. Make certain to start low and work up to ensure safety in your own rifle and to find the charge that gives you the best accuracy in your rifle.
- Thread starter
- #3
300WSM
Handloader
- Dec 24, 2011
- 963
- 578
Welcome to the forum......
there is no magical load for your application. There will be a magical load for your gun and only your gun.
Nosler has 4350 in that caliber bullet combo running at the best accuracy in their testing. However that may or may not be the case in your platform.
IMR 4350 is a great versatile powder used in many calibers. It is a powder I always have on hand because it can used in such a wide range of applications.
I will add this...if you are grouping that well with factory ammo....then I would have to say you are not dotting all the "i's" and "t's" with your hand load. Nearly all powders if applicable for a caliber will at a minimum duplicate group sizes that the factory loading is offering....if they are loaded properly.
there is no magical load for your application. There will be a magical load for your gun and only your gun.
Nosler has 4350 in that caliber bullet combo running at the best accuracy in their testing. However that may or may not be the case in your platform.
IMR 4350 is a great versatile powder used in many calibers. It is a powder I always have on hand because it can used in such a wide range of applications.
I will add this...if you are grouping that well with factory ammo....then I would have to say you are not dotting all the "i's" and "t's" with your hand load. Nearly all powders if applicable for a caliber will at a minimum duplicate group sizes that the factory loading is offering....if they are loaded properly.
CatskillCrawler
Handloader
- Jul 30, 2011
- 1,205
- 4
Just to clarify, IMR-4064 shoots 150, 165 and 180 gr bullets out of MY 30-06 superbly. This same rifle will not group anything but 200gr bullets using IMR-4350. Each rifle has its own likes and dislikes.
joelkdouglas
Handloader
- Jun 5, 2011
- 1,310
- 3
I agree with the other posters, first on safety and then on powder selection.
Nosler's test data indicates IMR 4350 is the most accurate powder for the .30-06 and 165 / 168 grain bullets. They list a max charge of 57.0 grains. You should not exceed max charges.
I find that 57.5 or 57.6 grains of IMR 4350 works quite well for me. As an aside, Hodgdon lists 58.0 grains as max (compressed).
Are you shooting the Core Lokt's with 4064, or out of factory ammo? The Core Lokts have a different shape than the NBTs, so you'll probably have to fiddle with the seating depth and figure out what your rifle likes. There's a pretty solid explanation in the Nosler manual how to figure out the distance to the lands.
Nosler's test data indicates IMR 4350 is the most accurate powder for the .30-06 and 165 / 168 grain bullets. They list a max charge of 57.0 grains. You should not exceed max charges.
I find that 57.5 or 57.6 grains of IMR 4350 works quite well for me. As an aside, Hodgdon lists 58.0 grains as max (compressed).
Are you shooting the Core Lokt's with 4064, or out of factory ammo? The Core Lokts have a different shape than the NBTs, so you'll probably have to fiddle with the seating depth and figure out what your rifle likes. There's a pretty solid explanation in the Nosler manual how to figure out the distance to the lands.
- Thread starter
- #7
thanks to all that replied, i am new to the reloading game so i am still learning. it was with factory ammo and i am tight dont want a lb of every powder at my house i do reload for my 30/30 and 243 was trying to get one powder for all i dont see that happing but i can use the 4064 on my 243 so all is not lost. thanks again kirk
CatskillCrawler
Handloader
- Jul 30, 2011
- 1,205
- 4
SJB358":1am3h2rv said:
Good choices for certain. I was thinking Varget, IMR-4350 or IMR-4064 and IMR-3031.
LOL - this could start another thread...
300WSM
Handloader
- Dec 24, 2011
- 963
- 578
On the being minimal point of view IMR 4350 is a must have for any reloader
We have all been there in those shoes in wanting to make one powder work in multiple loads for reasons of simplicity to cost. Anyone who acts as if they have never tried to make a go with a "do all" powder is fibbing.
One thing you will have to do in that approach is accept the fact that not all loadings will be match worthy, however they may indeed be hunting worthy.
In order to get all to shoot the way you are hoping you will wind up having more powder than you know what to do with.
We have all been there in those shoes in wanting to make one powder work in multiple loads for reasons of simplicity to cost. Anyone who acts as if they have never tried to make a go with a "do all" powder is fibbing.
One thing you will have to do in that approach is accept the fact that not all loadings will be match worthy, however they may indeed be hunting worthy.
In order to get all to shoot the way you are hoping you will wind up having more powder than you know what to do with.
I am one of those who is trying to reduce my powder inventory to manageable levels. Right now I am down to 3031, 4350, RL-19 and H-1000. I still have 3 lbs. of 4064 that I will keep using in my Whelen and 06 until it runs out. For those interested the breakdown is
IMR-3031, 223, 308, 45-90, 45-70.
H-4350-all of the 30 magnums.
H-1000-7mm STW (175gr)
RL-19 7mm STW (160gr)
My original goal was to have three, 3031,4350,H-1000, but that may not work.
IMR-3031, 223, 308, 45-90, 45-70.
H-4350-all of the 30 magnums.
H-1000-7mm STW (175gr)
RL-19 7mm STW (160gr)
My original goal was to have three, 3031,4350,H-1000, but that may not work.
I probably have at least 20 different powders on my bench, but as of right now, I could do just about everything with
RL7- 45-70
RL15 - 35 Whelen, 22-250, 308
RL19 - 338WM, 300WSM, 243, 7x57
RL22 - 270WSM, 7WSM
Granted, like 300WSM said, some may not be the absolute best, but I could make do with 95% of those and probably be just fine. Very seldom do I look outside of those powders for much. I even have some loads for the 264WM using RL25, so that may see some more use. Still haven't found anything RL17 really does great for me though.
RL7- 45-70
RL15 - 35 Whelen, 22-250, 308
RL19 - 338WM, 300WSM, 243, 7x57
RL22 - 270WSM, 7WSM
Granted, like 300WSM said, some may not be the absolute best, but I could make do with 95% of those and probably be just fine. Very seldom do I look outside of those powders for much. I even have some loads for the 264WM using RL25, so that may see some more use. Still haven't found anything RL17 really does great for me though.
6mm Remington
Ammo Smith
- Feb 27, 2006
- 5,255
- 626
joelkdouglas":2kew9isb said:
IMR4350 - 57.4 grs. & either 165 gr. AccuBond or Partition. Lots of folks who use IMR4350 and 165-168 gr. bullets on this site seem to all have a favorite load that is usually between 56-58 grs. with 57.0 to 57.6 being really common as the most accurate load without showing pressure signs. Hope this helps.
G
Guest
Guest
I'm a proponent of using good powders when you identify them. However, sometimes you need a variety of powders to test for a new rifle. I'm a big proponent of building your stock over time, so don't go out and spend a bunch of money right away - which is sounds like you're not inclined to do.
As for your current combination, I'll suggest either IMR or H4350. In fact I just last summer worked up a load for my 30-06 using the 168gr BT, and used H4350. I worked up according to Nosler's manual, and the max charge was safe in my rifle, as well as highly accurate (<.5" at 100yds for 3 shots). That load knocked down a nice little doe at 185yds earlier this season and I've been enjoying tender steaks ever since.
As for your current combination, I'll suggest either IMR or H4350. In fact I just last summer worked up a load for my 30-06 using the 168gr BT, and used H4350. I worked up according to Nosler's manual, and the max charge was safe in my rifle, as well as highly accurate (<.5" at 100yds for 3 shots). That load knocked down a nice little doe at 185yds earlier this season and I've been enjoying tender steaks ever since.
