Handloads for semiauto rifles

jneilson · June 22, 2008, 10:21 AM

I want to start loading my own ammo for my 7400 30/06. What powders should I use and what would be a good reloading books to get. I have a couple of old realoading books but they don't mention semiautos. Thanks.

Threefeathers · June 22, 2008, 10:50 AM

4064 is the go powder for 30-06. Then 4895, TAC, Varget, RE15.

crowbeaner · June 22, 2008, 10:58 AM

The Speer manuals #9 in particular mention semi autos. Here are some loads I shoot in my 742; you should work up to them as all rifles are different:
A) FC brass, CCI 250, 52.5 of H380, RP 150 PSPCL
B)LC 67 mil brass, worked, 52.0 of H380, CCI 250, Sierra 150 PSP Pro Hunter
C)LC 67 mil brass, worked,48.0 of WW 748 or BLC2, Sierra 150 PSP PH
D)RP brass, RP 9 1/2, 47.0 of IMR 4064, 180 Hornady Interlock FB
E)WW brass, RP 9 1/2, 48.0 of IMR 4064, 180 RP PSPCL
F) LC 67 mil brass, worked, CCI 200, 50.0 of H380, Speer 165 gr. PSP
G) WW brass, CCI 200,54.0 of WW 760, RP 150 PSPCL
These loads have and still work well in my Remi Semi. Stick to MEDIUM rate powders to make sure the gas pressure stays in the working zone, and keep your chamber clean. Slow burning powders will cause problems with feeding and ejection. Nothing faster than IMR 3031 (and it's a little too fast) and nothing slower than WW 760/ H414. WW 760 is great stuff; it measures great and is usable with 150,165, and 180 grain bullets. It cycles the action smartly and accuracy is very good with all bullet weights. Enjoy. CB.

steve4102 · June 22, 2008, 11:51 AM

The 30-06 responds very well to H 4350 and better yet IMR 4350. Yes, it is true that some semi-autos can have issues with slower burning powders. This is mostly related to the military actions like the Garand. A slow burning powder in a Garand will damage the Opt rod. Not so much the case with a Rem 7400. You will be just fine if you go as slow as the 4350's, but I would not go any slower. Slow powders can have increased gas port pressure and cause the action to come back fairly hard. Over time with a whole lot of shootin this can cause excessive wear on the action of a 7400.

oldscot3 · June 22, 2008, 12:31 PM

Also be aware that you may need to use small base dies to assure reliable feeding.

Slamfire · June 22, 2008, 05:39 PM

I have Garands, M1a's, a few other gas guns. Gas gun ammo requires more care than bolt gun ammo.

I use small base dies, but if you only have a regular sizing die, well go try it.

For gas gun ammo I would:

Full length resize.

Set up your sizing die with Wilson type cartridge headspace gage. Size to gage minimum.

I recommend reaming your primer pockets to depth. But always check check the primers to determine that they are below the case head.

Do not worry about seating bullets to the lands or any of the stuff. Just seat them shorter than your magazine.

And I would use IMR 4895 or IMR 4064. Since I don't have a M7400, I don't know if something as slow as IMR 4350 would cause troubles. That powder sure would cause problems in my autoloaders. So why risk it?, just use a powder in the burn rate of the ones Crowbeaner recommended.

cdrt · June 22, 2008, 06:01 PM

I use standard Lyman dies to reload for my M1 Garand and never have had a problem.

You might want to get one of those Wilson case gauges to double check your loaded rounds. I use one and as long as they fit the gauge, they work in the rifle.

jneilson · June 22, 2008, 06:22 PM

Thanks for the replies. I'll pick up the Speer #9 manual and read it. Also, are small base dies anything like full length resizing dies?

rg1 · June 22, 2008, 08:18 PM

I've got an older version, the Remington 742 Woodmaster. I'd recommend either IMR 4895 or 4064 for bullets up to 150 grains. I've used slower powders over the years, IMR 4350 and IMR 4831 and I think it has caused some battering of the action. IMR 4895 and 4064 shoots and cycles my 742 fine and should be easier on the action and locking bolt as recoil energy of the bolt should be less. For heavier bullets up to IMR 4350 should be ok. I use regular full length sizing dies and they work fine for my rifle. Here's some info from IMR in their Reloading Guide. It's not published any more but IMR data can be found on Hodgdon Powder's website. Note in the IMR Reloading Guide that it says reduce 10% and work up as loads listed are near max. Do buy some reloading manuals for safety sakes and for how-to's.
http://www.imrpowder.com/pdf_reload.html
You can print out either rifle or pistol data. It's a handy free source and is about 11 pages long.

crowbeaner · June 23, 2008, 06:42 PM

The SB dies are a bit tighter than the regular FL dies and size the base to SAAMI minimum. I use them for my 742 and I've never had a problem with feeding. I especially like them when working with GI brass because it is a bit softer than commercial stuff.

June 22, 2008, 10:21 AM	#1
jneilson Member Join Date: February 23, 2008 Posts: 55	Handloads for semiauto rifles I want to start loading my own ammo for my 7400 30/06. What powders should I use and what would be a good reloading books to get. I have a couple of old realoading books but they don't mention semiautos. Thanks.

June 22, 2008, 10:58 AM	#3
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	The Speer manuals #9 in particular mention semi autos. Here are some loads I shoot in my 742; you should work up to them as all rifles are different: A) FC brass, CCI 250, 52.5 of H380, RP 150 PSPCL B)LC 67 mil brass, worked, 52.0 of H380, CCI 250, Sierra 150 PSP Pro Hunter C)LC 67 mil brass, worked,48.0 of WW 748 or BLC2, Sierra 150 PSP PH D)RP brass, RP 9 1/2, 47.0 of IMR 4064, 180 Hornady Interlock FB E)WW brass, RP 9 1/2, 48.0 of IMR 4064, 180 RP PSPCL F) LC 67 mil brass, worked, CCI 200, 50.0 of H380, Speer 165 gr. PSP G) WW brass, CCI 200,54.0 of WW 760, RP 150 PSPCL These loads have and still work well in my Remi Semi. Stick to MEDIUM rate powders to make sure the gas pressure stays in the working zone, and keep your chamber clean. Slow burning powders will cause problems with feeding and ejection. Nothing faster than IMR 3031 (and it's a little too fast) and nothing slower than WW 760/ H414. WW 760 is great stuff; it measures great and is usable with 150,165, and 180 grain bullets. It cycles the action smartly and accuracy is very good with all bullet weights. Enjoy. CB. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

June 22, 2008, 06:01 PM	#7
cdrt Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2007 Location: The Lone Star State Posts: 255	I use standard Lyman dies to reload for my M1 Garand and never have had a problem. You might want to get one of those Wilson case gauges to double check your loaded rounds. I use one and as long as they fit the gauge, they work in the rifle. __________________ Navy Vet, SWIFT Boat OIC, Distinguished Pistol Shot #1399 USS JOHN S. MCCAIN (DDG-36)

June 23, 2008, 06:42 PM	#10
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	The SB dies are a bit tighter than the regular FL dies and size the base to SAAMI minimum. I use them for my 742 and I've never had a problem with feeding. I especially like them when working with GI brass because it is a bit softer than commercial stuff. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

June 22, 2008, 10:50 AM	#2
Threefeathers Junior member Join Date: June 7, 2004 Location: AZ Posts: 392	4064 is the go powder for 30-06. Then 4895, TAC, Varget, RE15.

June 22, 2008, 11:51 AM	#4
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,955	The 30-06 responds very well to H 4350 and better yet IMR 4350. Yes, it is true that some semi-autos can have issues with slower burning powders. This is mostly related to the military actions like the Garand. A slow burning powder in a Garand will damage the Opt rod. Not so much the case with a Rem 7400. You will be just fine if you go as slow as the 4350's, but I would not go any slower. Slow powders can have increased gas port pressure and cause the action to come back fairly hard. Over time with a whole lot of shootin this can cause excessive wear on the action of a 7400.

June 22, 2008, 12:31 PM	#5
oldscot3 Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2007 Location: texas Posts: 997	Also be aware that you may need to use small base dies to assure reliable feeding.

June 22, 2008, 05:39 PM	#6
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	I have Garands, M1a's, a few other gas guns. Gas gun ammo requires more care than bolt gun ammo. I use small base dies, but if you only have a regular sizing die, well go try it. For gas gun ammo I would: Full length resize. Set up your sizing die with Wilson type cartridge headspace gage. Size to gage minimum. I recommend reaming your primer pockets to depth. But always check check the primers to determine that they are below the case head. Do not worry about seating bullets to the lands or any of the stuff. Just seat them shorter than your magazine. And I would use IMR 4895 or IMR 4064. Since I don't have a M7400, I don't know if something as slow as IMR 4350 would cause troubles. That powder sure would cause problems in my autoloaders. So why risk it?, just use a powder in the burn rate of the ones Crowbeaner recommended.

June 22, 2008, 06:22 PM	#8
jneilson Member Join Date: February 23, 2008 Posts: 55	Thanks for the replies. I'll pick up the Speer #9 manual and read it. Also, are small base dies anything like full length resizing dies?

June 22, 2008, 08:18 PM	#9
rg1 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2001 Posts: 1,125	I've got an older version, the Remington 742 Woodmaster. I'd recommend either IMR 4895 or 4064 for bullets up to 150 grains. I've used slower powders over the years, IMR 4350 and IMR 4831 and I think it has caused some battering of the action. IMR 4895 and 4064 shoots and cycles my 742 fine and should be easier on the action and locking bolt as recoil energy of the bolt should be less. For heavier bullets up to IMR 4350 should be ok. I use regular full length sizing dies and they work fine for my rifle. Here's some info from IMR in their Reloading Guide. It's not published any more but IMR data can be found on Hodgdon Powder's website. Note in the IMR Reloading Guide that it says reduce 10% and work up as loads listed are near max. Do buy some reloading manuals for safety sakes and for how-to's. http://www.imrpowder.com/pdf_reload.html You can print out either rifle or pistol data. It's a handy free source and is about 11 pages long.