IMR 4064 / 165 gr 30-06

[RPRNY]

So, I've been working up loads for an elk hunt this fall in a new rifle - 24" 30-06 T/C Dimension.

I'm still waffling between the 180 grs Sierra Game King, and 165 gr Nosler AccuBond. The 180 gr Sierra is superb over H4350. Accurate and plenty fast. I had assumed the 24" barrel would favor the slow burners in 165 grs as well. Started however with Varget as that has done yeoman's duty in 30-06 mid weights in the past. No luck - inconsistent, wide SDs. Moved on to IMR and H 4350. Again, just couldn't find the right mix at 165 grs.

I happened to have Ken Waters' Pet Loads in front of me last week and looked up the oldies but goodies. Decided to give IMR 4064 a go with 165 Nosler and to my surprise at 51.5 grs was giving me 2892 fps and superb accuracy. Quite surprised to have this old chestnut turn out so well in that long barrel.

Again, still not sure whether I will go with the 180 grs or 165 grs. I'm getting 2800 fps with just over 56 grs of H4350, so that's got the theoretical lead but I'll have to shoot them a bit more and see which is delivering the best cold chamber first shot.

Anyone else like Ye Olde 4064 in 30-06?

 

[frgood]

Funny you should ask.

Just this morning, I started practicing with my 30-06 load in anticipation of my first deer hunt. After completing my ladder, I have settled on the following.

Remington 783 - 30-06 - 22" barrel.
Primer: Winchester Large Rifle
30-06 (.308)
Case: Mixed
Powder: IMR 4064 wt.: 46.5 grains
Bullet Hornady SST 165 gr.


I do have a couple hundred Nosler and will try those at some future time.

This morning my shooting was sporadic as I am working on my technique. However, when I was consistent, I was getting touching edges on my rounds at 100yds. I am still learning|Practicing my way up to 200 yds.

 

[Reloadron]

IMR 4064?
Why heck, I use it as a steak seasoning and also put some on my breakfast cereal.

Old notes but 47.9 grains in my old Rem 700 26" barrel yielded about 2700 FPS. No longer have the rifle but think it was maybe a 1:10 twist. That was using 165 grain Spitzer bullets. I never noted the brand? Anyway, IMR 4064 has always been one of my Go To powders and I likely have more 4064 around than any other powder.

Ron

 

[Alderman]

My go to ammo I shot in my first .06 was a 48.0 grain dose behind a Sierra 165 Spbt or hp. My father loaded them for me and I took my first few Blacktails and one elk with them.
Mild load but killed 'em if I could hit 'em .



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[thump_rrr]

M1 Garand load
30-06 24" 1-10" twist
46.5gr IMR 4064
Winchester brass
CCI M34 Primers
168gr SMK
2650 FPS

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use nothing but 4350 in the 30-06 now with both 165gr and 180gr bullets. I tried a lot of powders and all worked well enough but when I did 5 and 10 round groups 4350 came out ahead.

I have a problem with you bullet selection. You chose a good bullet with the 165gr AccuBond bullet but why go to a GameKing bullet when you upped the weight to 180gr? I have never shot an Elk but I would use a 180gr bullet but in an AccuBond or Partition bullet instead. It's my opinion the 180gr bullet over 4350 will do the best job on Elk under conditions that aren't perfect.

 

[RPRNY]

The Sierra Game King is quite a stout bullet. I am quite confident in it at 100 - 250 yards, beyond which I won't shoot. Will likely go with the 180 but in the end it will be the one with the best cold chamber accuracy.

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[jmr40]

4064 is a good 30-06 powder, but I pretty much use H4350 with all bullet weights. Shooting 165gr Accubonds I can get 2880-2900 fps from my 22" barrels. Right at 2800 fps with 180's and excellent accuracy with either. Never shot any of the Sierrias, but wouldn't hesitate to use either the 180 or 165 gr Accubond in my rifles. I'd probably go with 180's unless the 165's were much more accurate.

In your case I'd go with the 165's at 2892 fps and not look back.

 

[SARuger]

I might try some 4064, I have plenty, but right now I'm using Reloader 15 with Sierra 2145's in a Ruger American. I'm getting dime sized groups at 100yards.

 

[sage5907]

I have always been a IMR 4350 user for 165 grain bullets in a 30-06 with a standard load of 57 grains. I have tried 49.5 grains of IMR 4064 with that same bullet but velocity is much lower. If you aren't satisfied with 4350 I would recommend that your give Reloader 17 a try. 56 grains of Reloader 17 will give you about the same velocity as 57 grains of IMR 4350 and it doesn't have the quick pressure signs of IMR 4350 when you near the maximum load.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The Sierra Game King is quite a stout bullet. I am quite confident in it at 100 - 250 yards, beyond which I won't shoot. Will likely go with the 180 but in the end it will be the one with the best cold chamber accuracy.

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If you are so confident with the GK bullet why did you consider the AccuBond bullet in 165gr? I agree the GK is a good bullet but on thin skin game like Deer, not tougher big boned Elk. I know Elk are not that much tougher and they are not armor plated but the are bigger and stronger so a premium bullet will help prevent a long track and keep the animal from suffering. Of course you are the one who has to make the choice but I'm confused as to why you went with the premium AccuBond bullet in 165gr and the GameKing at 180gr?

 

[RPRNY]

If you are so confident with the GK bullet why did you consider the AccuBond bullet in 165gr? I agree the GK is a good bullet but on thin skin game like Deer, not tougher big boned Elk. I know Elk are not that much tougher and they are not armor plated but the are bigger and stronger so a premium bullet will help prevent a long track and keep the animal from suffering. Of course you are the one who has to make the choice but I'm confused as to why you went with the premium AccuBond bullet in 165gr and the GameKing at 180gr?
__________________

I answered your question. You aren't confused, you just don't like my choice. That was apparent in your first post. Thanks you for sharing your wisdom. Our views differ on the Sierra Game King.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I was not arguing with you and clearly said it was your choice which bullet to use. No need to take offense when none was meant. It's a shame people can't discuss different views without someone getting annoyed. We can disagree without being at odds with each other. I won't bother you with any further questions or discussion on this matter.

 

[cougar1717]

IME, IMR 4064 is a good powder for 30-06 with 150's or 165's. A lot has to do with where you can find accuracy in your workup. If you can find good accuracy, even if it's closer to 308 velocity - that is great! The only place I could find it was near max, which has great velocity, but the pressure also puts that thin, bright ring on every case. So, IMR 4350 gave accuracy at a lower pressure.

 

[RPRNY]

I think I have to give IMR 4350 another trial in 165. The argument about a flatter pressure curve is compelling.

 

[Galil5.56]

Love IMR 4064 in 30-06. The very first round of metallic ammo I ever made, used it (DuPont IMR 4064) and a Hornady 165 grain BTSP. Worked up to 49.5 grains, with very nice accuracy in my M700. No chronograph back in 1979, but for a teenage kid, I was sure it was lightning. Over the decades I used many bullet weights and types with this propellant in 30-06, and it worked well. Meters like broken twigs, but I weighed every charge, so no big deal.

It's a classic, and hope you get some great results. Good luck.

 

[50of4064]

Well let me think on this a while...IMR 4064 you can't go wrong

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[old heeler]

I use H-4350 with 165gr AB in my 30-06 on a cow tag and same powder but use 180gr Partition on bull tag. I don't draw cow tag every year but if I do get one it's either 4th or late season and I get some pretty cold weather and H does little better for me.

 

[hdbiker]

Imr4064

After chasing this powder and that powder for 40 plus years, I settled in on IMR4064 for my .270 (130 gr), .308 (150 gr), 30-06 (150).Thats the powder I started out with 40 years ago HAHAHA. hdbiker

 

[entropy]

IMR 4064 / 165 gr 30-06

Good powder/bullet combination. If I were going for elk, I'd opt for the Partition in 180, but the accu-bond is an excellent bullet also. So is the Game King. I loaded some 200 gr. Barnes X's for a friend for elk, they did the job quite nicely. Can't remember the load, though it was with IMR 4350.

I took several deer with 165 Partitions backed by IMR 3031 out of a 742 Carbine, the Partitions are my favorite.

Meters like broken twigs

I don't have that problem; I hand weigh my powder charges. My Dad gave me his RCBS charge thrower, I gave it away. Never even set it up.

 

[Nature Boy]

Meters like broken twigs

Boy that's the truth

And sounds like my coffee grinder going through my Dillon powder throw

 

[Gtscotty]

I like 4064 in my .308's, but stick to H4350 in my '06. I am using almost the same 180gr load you mentioned for my elk load this year, 180gr SGK over 56.5gr H4350, right at 2800 fps out of a 22 in barrel. Sierra says this bullet is fine for large game, and recommends driving it at maximum velocities. I would be comfortable using either of your loads.

 

[RPRNY]

I have a problem with you bullet selection. You chose a good bullet with the 165gr AccuBond bullet but why go to a GameKing bullet when you upped the weight to 180gr? I have never shot an Elk but I would use a 180gr bullet but in an AccuBond or Partition bullet instead. It's my opinion the 180gr bullet over 4350 will do the best job on Elk under conditions that aren't perfect.

Well, rest assured, if you have remained concerned about this. I got my elk, a respectable large-end 5x5 but no Forest Monster, at 173 yards with 180 grs Sierra SPBT over 56.2 grs H4350. Quartering, just off broadside. Through and through, total destruction of both lungs. Clearly delivered both excellent penetration and expansion. He took four wobbly steps, dropped, and was gone by the time I had walked to him.

 

[Bayou52]

For 165-168 grain 30-06, I've taken a 4064 load out of the Hornady loading manual and have been using that with quite good accuracy - 45.2 grains. I should note that I only shoot recreational targets, but several of my friends have dropped deer in their tracks with this load.

 

[Sunray]

IMR4064 is your friend for just about any .30 cal. Way more consistently accurate in .30-06 than either 4895. Your TC's barrel is pretty much an oddly shaped M1 rifle barrel. Same length and rifling twist. It should like the same bullet weights. That 51.5 grs 2892 fps sounds about right. A tick below max. I can hear the thud now.