? ? ? Surplus Powder ? ? ?

[Ben]

Of all the surplus powders available currently, which has the best application with cast bullets in the 30 / 06 - 308 Win. class of cartridges ?

Thanks,

Ben

[Buckshot]

............That's kinda tough to answer because there are a few that are really good, but they require a true filler to meet the "Best" qualification. I suppose IMR7383 would be one of the good ones but I have no personal experience with it in those 2 cases. There are those around who do have the experience with it.

Do a search on 'IMR7383'

..........Buckshot

[felix]

Yeah, Ben, Buckshot is correct. IMR7383 is the one to get for both 308-3006 case size when using 30-35 caliber boolits. Start with 37 grains in the 308 case. Add 3 grains using the 3006 case size. ... felix

[Ben]

Thanks Felix:
:smile:
I have two 7 lb. jugs of IMR 7383 on hand. I'll give your load data a try. Thanks for your help.

Ben

[Maven]

Ben & Felix, I've tried IMR 7383 in the 7.5 x 55mm Swiss with 165gr. CB's and liked it, but velocity was a bit high. To wit, 38.5gr. + Ly. #311466 -> 1,967 fps, SD = 21 fps. Since the .308 is 7.62 x 51mm, I'd suggest dropping the initial charge to 34gr. While I have used it in my '06, it was with 125gr. Sierra SP [j------d] bullets: 55gr. -> 2,697 fps, SD = 22 fps. Accuracy was 1 moa or better. As Felix suggested, 37gr. is probably a good place to start in the .30-06. Btw, 7383 doesn't need magmum primers for consistent ignition.

[Char-Gar]

I have had nothing but good luck with WC872 and the 30-06, 308 and 30-40 rounds. I use 50-52 grains in the .308 and 30-40. This is a lightly compressed load and will give all the accuracy the rifle and bullet has to give. Velocity is in the 1.8-1.9K range. My Remington 700 VS will give regular .65 MOA groups with this load and the 165 RCBS Sil.

In the 30-06 I use 50 grains and enough PSB to get a light compression. The amount of PSB is .5 to 1 cc depending on bullet and it's seating depth. Again this powder charge will give all the accurcy the rifle and bullet can deliver. With either the RCBS 165 Sil, 311291 or 311284 my 03A3 will give 1.5 - 2 MOA all day long and my Winchester 70 will reduce these groups about .5 MOA.

[Ben]

Ahhhh.......this is the kind of information I was needing with regard
to the use of surplus powders in the 308 W and 06'.

Thanks to all of you who have kindly taken the time to respond and educate me on the use of surplus powders. This is a great forum, I come here often and " catch up on the latest " with regard to cast bullets.

Best to all of you,

Ben