Opinions on powders!!

[damadama]

I'm looking to feed my 7mm Rem Mag and my 25/06 on the same powder with 140 & 162 grain bullets in the former and 100 & 120 grain in the latter. I intend to use Hodgdon powders so the best choice is limited to Retumbo, H1000 and H4831.
I would appreciate some guidance, opinions and preferences please. All are fine powders and will produce similar velocities but which gives the most consistant results. I would normally use the powder that gives the greatest load density but it would appear that there is very little difference in bulk between these.

I would also appreciate any views on the merits of H414 and/or H4350 in the 30.06 with 150 and 165 grain bullets. Again I'm looking for consistancy and not necessarily the highest velocity.

 

[dan belisle]

H4831 SC would be my choice for those two calibers, from those three powder options. Relatively easy to meter, and a good choice performance wise. The most accurate 150gr Barnes X bullet load I ever found with the 150 gr bullets was with H414, it kept them in 3/8" of an ich for five in a row from a sporter Win 70 Ranger. - dan- dan

 

[ricciardelli]

7mm Rem. Mag.:
Of the three powders you mentioned I would go with Retumbo. RL-25 would be my second choice.

.30-06:
I would go with IMR-4350.

 

[fogducker]

for the 30-06..ive been using the 4350. with 180 grain bullets..so far so good will let you know more when i try one out on a moose

 

[bigbull]

They are all good, you will have to try all three and don't be surprised if one powder doesn't work best in both calibers! If your stuck on Hodgdon OK but there are other powders that will work also. The 30-06 and IMR4350 go together like ice cream and apple pie.
bigbull

 

[Steeleco]

I too have been using IMR 4350 in my 30.06, infact in all three that I have had along the way. I've used it under 165 grn and 180 grn bullets with great results both on paper and in the bush.

 

[JasonYuke]

I find in the Mag calibers RL-25 will give the best velocity, Might as well make her do what it is suposed to do!, For my other Magnums I use H 1000, and some RL-25 in the RUMs,
And my own special reseve stocK like a fine scotch H-870 I have a 10 LB jug of it. No not intresed in selling any.

 

[beretta boy]

Tried many of the mentioned powders in both the .25-06, .264 Win Mag (similar in application to the 7mm Rem Mag) and .270. I would start with the H4831SC to attempt what you are looking for - then proceed from there.
( Prefer H870, but alas, it's no longer being churned out and I have only 4 pounds left) Heard a runour that Hodgdon will be bringing out H869 - a powder very similar in burn rate and characteristics to H870 this Spring.

Heard it said on several fronts that handloaders have probably taken more game with H4831 powder than any other. Certainly works for me> Seems it was a favourite of Jack O'Connor in his pet .270 - Mod. 70's too !

 

[moosehunter]

Keep in mind that with our temp extremes were pretty much confined to the Hodgden extreme line if we want to be near max and shoot year round.

 

[Rich McFarlane]

30-06 165 hpbt Sierra Game Getter 55.5/H414

Last 3 moose shot down the wind pipe into the lungs - meat loss nil.

 

[john-brennan]

powder

I shoot all 3 calibres mentioned and Retumbo is excellent with the 25-06 with 115-120gr bullets (speed 3150fps, very accurate), also in the 7mm mag with 160gr-175gr bullets (3050-2950fps, very accurate). with the lighter bullets in the both cal. metioned H4831 works well. If you can find it i use H870 with 160gr in the 7mm mag the best for speed and accuracy (3100fps plus). The 30-06 H4350 or H414 is all i have used and both work well with 165gr or heavier bullets, i find the 30-06 less fussy when it comes to finding a good load.