Reloadin Hornady 3037 150gr FMJ for Springfield 30-36

[smokiniron]

Hi all,
need a little help.

I got the following from Hornady Tech support in response to a request for reloading data for their 3037 bullet - 150gr FMJBT, .308":

"Tough order to fill, with the non-expanding bullet, in part, due to the fact this type of bullet significantly increases the chances of a ricochet. Obviously, the 30-06 is way on the big side for a varmint gun as it is, I would suggest a bullet in the 130 to 150 grain area which will cause pelt damage but the 150 grain will do much less; such as the 150 InterLock item #3031 or the 130 grain item #3020.
Good Luck,"

Any ideas on a good range of loads? The usage is plinking, target practice, and maybe a coyote round that is less destructive to the pelts. Other recommendations are welcome!

- Smokiniron

[rg1]

They shoot very well in M1 Garands and should shoot well in bolt actions. In M1 Garands I load 47-47.5 grains of IMR 4895 powder. Not sure if they would make a good coyote round as they'd likely punch a hole straight through or possibly tumble and cause pelt damage? I also shoot them in a Rem 742 semiauto and they perform well. I use them for plinking mostly and everything else in 30-06 is with Hornady's 150 SP's and SST's. Probably one of if not the best 150 grain FMJ 30 caliber bullet for targets and plinking. Worth giving a 100 round box a try. Powders from IMR 4895 speed up to IMR 4350 will all work well in a bolt action rifle. Nice thing about a 30-06 is it's versatile.

[smokiniron]

Thanks for the reply and comments. I've been looking for a box for 4 months - finally found three at our local Scheels.
Do you have any guess (or chrony data) on velocity at the muzzle?

[Kimber84]

Originally Posted by smokiniron

Thanks for the reply and comments. I've been looking for a box for 4 months - finally found three at our local Scheels.
Do you have any guess (or chrony data) on velocity at the muzzle?

55 grains of IMR 4350 was running around 2725 out of my gun with 150g SST's... Haven't shot any factory ammo in years though... I would guess they'd be somewhere around that range

[bolt-action]

Warning!
I express no recommendation.
I used my rifles, so my results are my results.

I reloaded the Hornady #3037 bullet (150gr FMJBT) with the intent of producing a generic M2 ball cartridge for my M1 Garand and M1903A3 (30-06 Springfield).

I used Winchester WLR primers with 53.0gr Hodgdon H380.

*** I know, many sane folks warn against using H380 in the M1 Garand - too slow with a high peak pressure - kiss your op-rod goodbye and such. If I can find the links to some postings I referenced for my use in this matter, I will post it here..."if."

Anyway...

1) I shot my reload (3037, WLR, H380) through my rebuilt M1903A3 (new barrel) and the Chrony'd AVERAGE velocity was 2,907 fps at 26yds from the muzzle.

2) From the same batch of reloads (3037, WLR, H380) I shot through my rebuilt M1 Garand (new barrel) and the Chrony'd AVERAGE velocity was 2,752 fps at 26yds from the muzzle.

3) Apparently the M1 Garand-fired bullet loses around 155 fps due to the gas used for cycling the bolt.

4) I know the M2 ball cartridge is listed at 2,740 fps (velocity measured at 26 yds from muzzle)

So, I don't know if the velocity of 2,740 fps is from the M1 Garand or the M1903A3...Does anyone know? If I remember correctly, the M2 was a redesign of the M1 ball, during the days of the M1903. If this is the case, then I must dumb down my powder charge for shooting out the M1 Garand, I suppose.

Anyway, I really dig the Hornady 3037's and my M1 Garand op-rod is still op-ing to this day.