Semi-Auto 30-06 powders

[Slufoot]

Hello I've ordered a Browning BAR in 30-06 and am waiting on it's arrival.
I bought some RCBS small base dies and have 100 cases sized, trimmed and primed.
I have a good supply of Rem. 150 grain Core-Lokt bullets and a couple 8 pound jugs of IMR-4895, so I'm hoping this combo will work in the Browning.

Have any of you folks used this powder in the '06 for a semi-auto rifle?

Thanks!
Slufoot

[old06]

I use IMR4064 with good accuracy  in a Remington 742 I dont have all the info in front of me this guns is a back up loaner so it escapes me

[targshooter]

I presently own a Remington 7400 in which I load 220 grain bullets over DuPont IMR 4350 at 1 grain below the listed max in the Lyman No 47 Reloading Manual. I loaded 1 grain below the max in Lyman No. 46 for a Model 74 in .308 using 150 and 165 grain bullets over either IMR 3031 and Win 748 when I owned it several years ago. The Remington autos I have loaded for like the near max loads for proper functioning.

[nrb]

The advice I have seen and been given is to use moderate loads for semiautos, especially for the Remingtons. Having loaded for 3006 rifles for over 40yrs, I like 150 - 165 gr spire points with a slow powder such as 4350 or 414. If you are loading for a Garand then you use a faster powder. Over the years when I tried hotter loads, they grouped well; but I resisted using them for fear of beating up the action. One recent victory was to get an old 7400 that grouped in the 2in range to shoot everthing in less than 1in. This is a great hunting rifle.
best,           nrb

[Rick Teal]

I used to hunt with a remington 742 in 30-06.  I found that a medium burn rate powder was best for this gun.  I tended to use IMR 4320, but found that I would get pressure signs with higher velocity loads.  I was happy pushing 180 grainers at 2470 fps for whitetails, but had problems when I tried to get 2600 out of it for moose.  I was going to try a slightly faster powder when my attention was drawn elsewhere.

Since you're shooting a browning which is mechanically superior to the remington, and you're planning to use lighter bullets, I don't anticipate you having anything like the problems I encountered.  I shoot 4320 in my .308 BAR (180's), and the recoil is hardly noticeable.  If you have some of this powder on had, give it a try.

[dogwhisperer5]

I've used lots of IMR-4895 in semi-auto '06 rifles and it works great. 4895 and 150gr. bullets was what was used in the original .30 M2 load developed for the M1 rifle which some feel was successful! Many tons of 4895 was burned up during WWII-Korea in the .30-06 case behind the 150gr. M2 Ball bullet in a semi-auto rifle...so I'd consider it to be a "classic" combo.

[Ranger J]

In my old Remington 742 I have had good luck with Reloader #7.  I could get a couple of hundred feet faster with Re # 15 but I don’t need the extra speed,  the #7 loads cycle perfectly, they have slightly less recoil and are very accurate with 150Gr Core-lokt bullets.
RJ

[1911crazy]

I believe the rule of thumb is the IMR4895 for all the military semi-auto's so why change now for the modern semi auto's?  The burn rate of the IMR4895 is perfect for the semi-auto's. You should be fine with IMR4895 powder. Using the wrong burn rate powder can mess up the cycle timing.  Everything works together in a semi auto rifle you need the proper burn rate so its timed right to operate the bolt carrier correctly not too fast and not too slow.  I believe you can't go too far up and down the powder burn rate list from IMR4895 too. If you do use another powder stay close to the IMR4895 burn rate.

I don't think the after market semi auto's made in the US are as strong as the military semi-auto's.

[Slufoot]

Hello everyone, Thanks for all the info!!!!
My rifle came in today and I picked it up from the gun shop. It is nicer than I expected, bought it used from the GunList. Other than a little blueing wear at the muzzle it looks new. This model is the Browning BAR MKII Lightweight it has nice walnut stocks, adjustable sights and a set of Weaver scope bases. I'm going to line the open sights up before I put the scope on it, that way if the scope should fail in the field I can remove it and continue to hunt with the open sights.
 
dogwhisperer5 & BigBill, You guys have really got my hopes up for the components I have. Thanks for the encourageing words.

Good Shooting!
Slufoot

[1911crazy]

I reload the speer 180gr magnum mag-tips for my '06.  Its a round that recomended for moose and elk.  We shot a blackbear with it and it stayed were we shot it dead on the spot. I like the 180gr speer round in the '06.  The 150's should work ok for deer.

[mdatlanta]

4064 or 4895 are about the right "speed" for auto-loaders.

[NYHunter]

I always had good luck using  IMR 4350 with 180 grn Hornady RN, Rem. cases and 9 1/2 primers. Charge weight was about 44.0 grn of powder. Velocity was close to 2800 fps if I remember correctly, it's been awhile.  But double check the Hornady guide.

[Country Boy]

52 grains of 4064/ 150 grn bullets vel. 2950 in a Browning bar with 22" bbl. Winchester factory loads run 2870 in the same rifle.

[Landngroove]

A load that has proven itself for me, in a Remington 742, .30-06, is 47 grains Winchester 748, with a Hornady 180 grain BTSP. Deadly on deer.