h 322 loads

It seems that IMR-3031, IMR-4064 and IMR-4320 were offered with their current names starting sometime in the 1930's. Before 1944 the US government used the following powders in 30-06 ammo,  DuPont PyroDG, 1185, and for match ammo DuPont 1145, 1147, 15 1/2, & Hercules HiVel. I think the 1185 was most popular in 30-06 before IMR-4895 and 1185 may have also been an "IMR" powder.

Originally posted by bigb00mer just got my first enfield. what should I look for in reloading for my new toy? this one is in 95 % condition and extremely clean inside and out Savage Arms marked US Property with matching bayonet

The best dies I've found are the Lee collet neck sizing dies. These come in the Lee Deluxe Rifle three die set. Years ago RCBS tried to make collet dies that were terrible. The lee design is much better.

Besides the action that allows "case stretch" the chamber in the Enfield does not match the shoulder shape of new ammo. This is by design but makes full length sizing cause very short case life. Full length dies try to shape the should back to factory shape. The shoulder in the chamber is farther from this shape as the case headspaces on the rim and the extra space in the chamber is designed to allow out of spec ammo to chamber as this was a problem in WWI.

Neck sizing keeps the shoulder of the fired case the same shape as the rifle's chamber and saves the case from being resized back to a factory new shoulder that would overwork the brass.

Look for boxer primed cases and avoid S&B ammo and cases. Some people say Remington cases are a bit thin but I haven't had problems loading them.