Powder choices?

[Morgan321]

I've just started reloading(30-06). I'm looking for a 1000rd quantity of supplies to be consistent and work on my skill(shooting and reloading). My local store only has small amounts of 1lb cans, is very expensive($30-36/lb), and I would have to take 1lb cans from different lots. So I'm getting a 8lb jug from powder valley.

I'm getting good results(around 0.8moa) with the rl19 and 168amax, I selected those only because they were available and the rl19 said "good for 30-06" on the label. The accurate load I found for the amax is weak and goes well subsonic at 1k yds and the rounds hit in a 4 foot circle so I'm going heavy this time, at least 190gr.

Powder Valley has lots of IMR in 8lb jugs, 4350, 4831, 7828, and 4007ssc. 7828 seems too slow, but the other 3 seem suitable. Any suggestions given my use? I'm learning on my own and the extent of my knowledge is what I can read online.

Also bullet suggestions? The amax have worked well for me but I can't find any heavy ones. 190smk and 200smk are available online, is one better than the other?

 

[kansas]

I like 4350 in the 06' but one thing for sure is if you want to shoot 1000+ yards you need to go to at least 175 bthp. I'm starting to play with 190 gr smk in my .308 with some RL17 powder trying to keep it from going sub sonic past 1000 yards. If I was using a 06' I'd be looking at Berger 185 gr Juggernaut, Sierra 190 gr MKs or Hornady 208 gr Amax. I'm sure there are several other heavies out there but the 06' with it's larger case capacity offers a lot of better options for bullet and powder combos than the .308. Go to JBM ballistics chart and compare ballistics for different bullets at 1000 yards and then try and match powder and bullet combos by looking at loading data to find a combo that will keep you from going sub sonic past 1000 yards. My .308 loves the 168 gr smk and nosler cc but they just aren't much good past 800 yards.

 

[JGorski]

My 06 loves 180 grain bullets as well as 190 & 168s. The powders it likes are H4350, IMR4350, 4000MR & RE17. If I were doing a "Longrange" load for it I'd probably get some 178AMAXs or 180MKs and load them up with 57grs H4350 or 4000MR, had great results with 53.5grs RE17 under 180GKs out to 300yds, too.

 

[BuzzBoss915]

I don't know if I'd go "all in" with 8 lb. jugs, as an entry level handloader? The more normal progression is to bite the bullet with a one pound can, THEN (if happy with performance) purchase a larger quantity. The different lot numbers is of small consequence, and something everyone has to deal with, eventually. All manufacturers have quality control staff, you can be reasonably sure that one lot is very close to another. BB

 

[Morgan321]

None of those powders are available locally though so I can't try them. The powder I can get locally I can't find online. So chicken and egg thing going on. At $35/lb vs $22/lb the cost savings adds up fast.

I picked powder at random the first time and it came out good(cheaper and equal or better consistency than the best factory ammo I've tried) with only 24 rounds shot doing an ocw to choose the load.

I guess the question becomes is it possible to have complete dud results? I find it hard to believe SMK bullets won't work well, especially with basic load development?

I started with 200rd of supplies and it took 24rds(1/8) to find the best load. I want to start with 1000rd and be left with 950+ rounds of consistent ammo to work on my skills and not have to waste time and money always switching ammo. Plus it's 57 cents/rd vs $1.2 for CMP match ammo or $1.7 for retail match ammo.

I don't know if I'd go "all in" with 8 lb. jugs

 

[Pinecone]

Realize that when you order powder online, there are shipping fees. Plus the hazmat fee, which runs $25 - $27.50 for EACH PACKAGE.

Order 1 pound of powder and you pay the hazmat fee. Order 10 pounds and you still pay the same hazmat fee.

 

[Morgan321]

Thanks, hazmat fee was already accounted for. 8lb shipped costs the same as 5lb bought locally for me.