Best powder for 308 and 30.06?

[smitty56]

It has been a long time since I reloaded 308 and 30.06. I have most of my components but now need to pick and buy a good powder? I am not necessarily asking for loads but will be using a mixed lot of brass with 147 grain FMJ bullets. My current books don’t list near as many loads for the standard military 147 grain bullet, but give tons of specifics for newer bullets. I did find more loads in older books that I have going back to the 1980’s. This is for just a general plinking load.

In today's buying environment, what is the best, most available, common choice of powder for both 308 and 30.06?

For 223, I used to use Winchester 748 but switched to IMR 4198 due to better availability.
I am looking for a good choice for the 30 calibers now.
Thanks for your suggestions. Hopefully, I will be picking up something at the York show this weekend if it is available there. Otherwise I will go shopping somewhere in Delaware County.
Smitty56

[f14tcat691]

IMR 4895 or IMR 4350. It's all I've ever used and have had no problems with it at all. Especially 4350. It's worked well in the .30-06 I've reloaded and in the .243 Winchester (.308 necked down you know ).

[Bender]

acccuret 2520 is what i use alot reloader 15 is good to
oh and varget

[IronButt]

I've used IMR 4350 for about 15 years in my .308 reloads. I get sub-MOA groups with 168gr match or 150gr hunting bullets, so I've had no reason to try anything else.

[*shooter*]

Varget, IMR4895

Shooter

[509thsfs]

Depends on what you are going to use the ammo in. You note that you are using 147 gr FMJ's. If you are going to use the 06 ammo in a Garand, you limit your powder choices a bit more due to the gas system. In my Garands (as well as my military bolt rifles just because it shoots good) I use IMR 4064. There are other powders with the right burn rate as well. I just happen to have had best luck with 4064 in it.

For hunting loads/rifles, whatever works best for you.

[zep_1]

I use IMR 4350 in my dads 30-06 with 164gr partitions and also in our 25-06's

[509thsfs]

I've had good luck with IMR 4350 as well. never used it in 308 though.

[dk99358]

Depends on what you are going to use the ammo in. You note that you are using 147 gr FMJ's. If you are going to use the 06 ammo in a Garand, you limit your powder choices a bit more due to the gas system. In my Garands (as well as my military bolt rifles just because it shoots good) I use IMR 4064. There are other powders with the right burn rate as well. I just happen to have had best luck with 4064 in it.

For hunting loads/rifles, whatever works best for you.

+1 to this. I think 4350 is too slow and the pressure curve is wrong for the Garand. I don't like 4064 as it doesn't flow thru the powder measure very well. I think Accurate's version of 4064 has shorter kernels.

I'd try either one of the 4895's for starters. IMR 4320 or H335 are a couple of other options. H335 is pretty popular in the 223 so you could use one powder for all 3 cartridges.

Dale

[760gamemaster]

I use IMR 4064 in 308 30-06 and 25-06 all with great results