Cast bullets in 30 06

Scott5 · December 15, 2004, 11:25 PM

Hello all;
I have a question for any one with one of those Windows balistic programs.
I bought a 500 count of 190gr. lead Gas Checked spire point bullets for the 30 06, and I would like to find a medium burn rifle powder load that would top out at about 35K, as per this sight;
http://www.jesseshuntingpage.com/ar...ategory8/9.html

I've got a load using H414, Winchester cases, CCI 200 primers, starting load of 40.5gr, going up to 42.5gr in 0.5gr increments to see if I can get some accuracy out of it.

I figure lead won't wear out the barrel the way jacketed will and it might be a good plinking load. Thanks in advance.

Scott5

MADISON · December 16, 2004, 05:09 PM

For cast bullet loads I go to my LYMAN CAST BULLET RELOADING MANUAL.

Jim Watson · December 16, 2004, 06:51 PM

That is what, about an 80% load for a jacketed bullet?
Why push it? And ball powders don't usually download well anyhow.

If you are going to plink, plink.
Five to 15 grains of some common pistol or shotgun powder or 16 to 20 grains of 2400 will do just fine. The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook has a lot like that. Other sources will give you heavier loads with rifle powders, but the old NRA tests said the faster you push a cast bullet, the better everything has to be and you have to be lucky, too.
I have loaded cast .30-06 bullets with 7 and 12 grains of 700X and 16, 19, and 20 grains of 2400; along with some trials of SR 4759, XMR 5744, H322, 4198, and 4895.
The 12 gr 700X and 16 gr 2400 shot best. In MY rifle.

Leftoverdj · December 16, 2004, 07:54 PM

You got it about right. Lee #2 is the Bible for this stuff. Lyman is dated in its powders and leans way too heavy on pistol powders. Lee shows 42 grains of H 414 giving 35,200 psi under a 190 grain GC for 2090 fps. It also shows a bottom load of 26 grains and a top of 48 so you have plenty of wiggle room.

I'd work in one grain increments to start. Split the difference later if you have two real close in grouping.

Spitzers can be particular. No reason for you not to start where you have in mind, but if you don't like the results you get, drop down to the 1700 fps range. That would be about 32 grains of H 414.

These ain't exactly plinkers. When you can get a .30 caliber bullet in the 200 grain range shooting well at past 2000 fps, you got big medicine. There are folks reporting getting 2300 fps from Aladin's group buy 200 grain spitzer mould. I have not worked in that range myself because I don't have a long enough range to justify it. 1700 fps meets my needs.

Paul Fitz Jones · December 17, 2004, 04:44 PM

As a Saeco Distributor I have sold .30 caliber 120 gr plinking or varmint bullet molds for use with tire weights, bevel base or gas checkable. Use of linotype in addition to the tire weights and a Saeco lead hardness tester has been used successfully. As an old timer I recommended 4895 that the 06 military caliber originally used and the civililian powder was 3031. I have had no complaints about my molds just mentioned used in 30/06, 30-30 or .30 M1 Carbines.

Scott5 · December 18, 2004, 03:33 PM

Thanks for all the input folks,
I've got the Lyman Cast Bullet Reloading Manual, and the Lyman 48 Manual on Reloading, but Lyman likes to fast powders and I want to use slow powders, so I thought maybe someone with the Windows Load From A Disk program could recommend some loads with medium speed rifle powders for those bullets I mentioned.

Scott5

December 15, 2004, 11:25 PM	#1
Scott5 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2004 Posts: 134	Cast bullets in 30 06 Hello all; I have a question for any one with one of those Windows balistic programs. I bought a 500 count of 190gr. lead Gas Checked spire point bullets for the 30 06, and I would like to find a medium burn rifle powder load that would top out at about 35K, as per this sight; http://www.jesseshuntingpage.com/ar...ategory8/9.html I've got a load using H414, Winchester cases, CCI 200 primers, starting load of 40.5gr, going up to 42.5gr in 0.5gr increments to see if I can get some accuracy out of it. I figure lead won't wear out the barrel the way jacketed will and it might be a good plinking load. Thanks in advance. Scott5

December 17, 2004, 04:44 PM	#5
Paul Fitz Jones Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2002 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 266	06 Lead plinkers As a Saeco Distributor I have sold .30 caliber 120 gr plinking or varmint bullet molds for use with tire weights, bevel base or gas checkable. Use of linotype in addition to the tire weights and a Saeco lead hardness tester has been used successfully. As an old timer I recommended 4895 that the 06 military caliber originally used and the civililian powder was 3031. I have had no complaints about my molds just mentioned used in 30/06, 30-30 or .30 M1 Carbines. __________________ Paul Fitz Jones Retired and Loving It Industry Manufacturer Competitor Police Firearms Instructor

December 16, 2004, 05:09 PM	#2
MADISON Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2000 Location: Roanoke, Virginia Posts: 2,678	Where for cast bullet in 30-06 loads? For cast bullet loads I go to my LYMAN CAST BULLET RELOADING MANUAL.

December 16, 2004, 06:51 PM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	That is what, about an 80% load for a jacketed bullet? Why push it? And ball powders don't usually download well anyhow. If you are going to plink, plink. Five to 15 grains of some common pistol or shotgun powder or 16 to 20 grains of 2400 will do just fine. The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook has a lot like that. Other sources will give you heavier loads with rifle powders, but the old NRA tests said the faster you push a cast bullet, the better everything has to be and you have to be lucky, too. I have loaded cast .30-06 bullets with 7 and 12 grains of 700X and 16, 19, and 20 grains of 2400; along with some trials of SR 4759, XMR 5744, H322, 4198, and 4895. The 12 gr 700X and 16 gr 2400 shot best. In MY rifle.

December 16, 2004, 07:54 PM	#4
Leftoverdj Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2004 Posts: 934	You got it about right. Lee #2 is the Bible for this stuff. Lyman is dated in its powders and leans way too heavy on pistol powders. Lee shows 42 grains of H 414 giving 35,200 psi under a 190 grain GC for 2090 fps. It also shows a bottom load of 26 grains and a top of 48 so you have plenty of wiggle room. I'd work in one grain increments to start. Split the difference later if you have two real close in grouping. Spitzers can be particular. No reason for you not to start where you have in mind, but if you don't like the results you get, drop down to the 1700 fps range. That would be about 32 grains of H 414. These ain't exactly plinkers. When you can get a .30 caliber bullet in the 200 grain range shooting well at past 2000 fps, you got big medicine. There are folks reporting getting 2300 fps from Aladin's group buy 200 grain spitzer mould. I have not worked in that range myself because I don't have a long enough range to justify it. 1700 fps meets my needs.

December 18, 2004, 03:33 PM	#6
Scott5 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2004 Posts: 134	Thanks for all the input folks, I've got the Lyman Cast Bullet Reloading Manual, and the Lyman 48 Manual on Reloading, but Lyman likes to fast powders and I want to use slow powders, so I thought maybe someone with the Windows Load From A Disk program could recommend some loads with medium speed rifle powders for those bullets I mentioned. Scott5