Proper bullet for youth load 30-06

[Rodger Peterson]

I have assembled a load for my 12 year old son a new hunter. The load as is follows:

Warning: this load can be dangerous and should not be used by anyone but myself, if you use it your gun may blow up and injure you!:eek:

30-06
44 grains 748
Winchester bulk bullet (30-30) 150 grain flat nose

I chronographed this load for an average 2446 fps

My reasoning for using this bullet is that I figured that this load may not provide enough velocity to expand a 150 grain spire point very well. But on the other hand will the 30-30 flat nose blow up at 2450 fps? This is going to be used for mule deer at 100 yds.

I will also let you know how I got to this point if any others out there want to help the younsters. I'll skip how he ended up with 30-06, that would be another thread. After reading the Hodgon youth information I figured I'd try his recommended loads. I just couldn't get my hands on the Hodgdon powder. So I bought IMR 4895 and tried a charge similiar to what is listed above. Velocity was very irratic and grouping was not good in this particular rifle. So after loading 20 out of that brand new can, it sits on my shelf with no further use that I can think of yet. So after studing all of my manuals, only Sierra showed a low charge of 748 which I have on the bench. I was able to group them 1/2" with my rifle and my son can keep them in the 9 ring with his. Recoil is substantially less than than a full house load. So now I am at the bullet question. Thanks in advance for the help.

[Jim Watson]

Well, I am not a hunter so, like Will Rogers, all I know is what I read in the newspapers. Ken Waters Pet Loads got a 150 gr flatpoint over 2400 fps in a bolt action .30-30 and considered it nothing but good. He also mentioned the Norma light factory load with 150 gr .30-30 bullet in .30-06 case at 2411 fps cataloged in Sweden as the ".30-30-06" for use in lands less used to handloading.

As far as whether a 150 gr spire point would expand at 100 yds with mv 2450fps... Sierra ballistics show that their 150 gr spitzer at mv 2400 fps would be doing 2161 fps at 100 yards. If you fired that same bullet at full power, 2900 fps, it would be doing 2137 fps at 300 yards.
So if Dad can shoot one at 300 yards, Junior would get the same result at 100.

Looks to me like either one will kill.

[Leftoverdj]

You're safe on that powder charge. Lee shows far lighter charges with 150 grain cast bullets, so there is not a problem with reducing H335. Bullet choice looks like a good one to me. I worry more about failure to expand than overexpansion on light game.

Some spitzers will work, too. There are still people around here hunting with Savage 99s in .300 Savage. That's the ballistic level you are working at, and they favor Hornady 150s if they are not using Remington factory ammo.

[Rodger Peterson]

Thanks for your informative replys. If Ken Waters feels confident in his load, so do I. I am certain that Sierra feels 300 yds is well within range, so do I. I guess either bullet will do the job. It would be nice if the reloading manuals included a bit more information regarding bullet selection.

[Johnny Guest]

Lee shows far lighter charges with 150 grain cast bullets, so there is not a problem with reducing H335. This is not always the case. A load that will barely get a lead bullet out the barrel may very well get a jacketed bullet of equal weight stuck in the barrel. The additional hardness of the jacket creates a lot more friction. The general guideline, a load that is safe for a jacketed bullet is safe for same weight lead, does not necessarily run in the other direction.

Rodger Peterson, don't be too concerned that a 150 gr. bullet designed for the .30-30 might be too delicate for this range of loading. My Hornady manual shows their #3036 RNSP bullet at 3000 fps. The choice of bullets for the .30-30 mainly concerns nose shape and, sometimes, placement of the cannelure. My own first rifle handloads used the Remington CoreLokt 150 RNSP and IMR4895 in .30-06 caliber. The combo was recommended by a veteran hunter and loader, and yielded over 2900 fps. That "old man" (far younger than I am now :D ) was a perfectionist who wouldn't make poor suggestions to anyone.

Your desire for a load that won't unduly batter a younger hunter speaks well for your concern that your son enjoy the hunting experience. May you share many decades of participation in one another's activities, whether or not he "takes to" hunting.

As to starting the lad out on a .30'06, that's your business. One thing, though - - If there are any "all around" calibers, the 'aught-six is high amongst them. My sole worry would be that the rifle stock might be too long for him. Twelve-year-olds usually have a bit of growing yet to come. You might consider having the stock cut back a little for a better fit. This can be added back on later, with spacers and/or a thicker recoil pad. OR - - If the rifle currently wears a nice stock, you might buy a "take off" stock to modify for current use, saving the nicer one for later on.

I wish you and your son good hunting for all the seasons to come.

Johnny

[Leftoverdj]

Johnny, you ain't gonna stick no bullets with .30-30 level loads in a .30-06 case. Time enough to worry about sticking jacketed bullets when you get down close to 1000 fps lead bullet data.