New to the forum and needing some reloading advice.

[DevilDoc87]

Hello, im new to owning a savage product even though im highly pleasedwith my older model 110 30-06. im having a friend of mine reload some 168 gr berger vld's and im trying to figure out which powder to use or not to use. im footing the bill for all the brass and everything like that but need to know the best powder to use for the ranges im shooting. Current ranges im shooting at are between 200-400 yards. Can anyone help me out?

[Elkbane]

When faced with similar questions, I usually consult a good reloading manual, like Nosler's, and choose a powder for the bullet weight that gives a high fill percentage (some manuals don't provide this information, but Nosler's does).

Also, I'm partial to Hodgdon powders due to their (relative) temperature insensitivity, so I also look at their site to see which one is appropriate.
http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

If you don't currently have a manual, I'd buy one ASAP.
I've found IMR4350 and H4350 to work well for 30-06 in the 165-168 grain range.
ELkbane

[wbm]

Sierra lists 51.9g Winchester 760 powder and 45.9g IMR4064 as two of their accuracy loads for the 168g SMK. Both are a good bit below max loads average velocity is from 2600-2700fps from a 26" barrel.

[fgw_in_fla]

I've always had the best results with IMR4350. The gun just seemed to like it best over any other powder. It works real well in my 25.06, too. After trying 4895 & 4064 I gave the 4350 a go & that was the one to use.

Never a problem with Hornady & Noslers up to 180gr.

[Willoughby]

H4350 hands down
best 3006 powder
just my 2 cents

[1happyshooter]

Another vote for 4350 but 4895 is also an excellent powder with a lot of flexibility. I have also recently started using the ramshot powders and have been very pleased so far.

[darkker]

So you're new to Savage, even though you aren't new to Savage...?

For 2-400 yards, it is irrelevant. No significant reason for a boat tail bullet, and powders won't show any significant difference either, provided you are on a node.

[helotaxi]

So you're new to Savage, even though you aren't new to Savage...?

Possibly it didn't get old with him?