Cast loads in my 30-06

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reloader762
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Cast loads in my 30-06

Post by reloader762 »

Recently picked up a Rem. 770 bolt gun in 30-06 and loaded up some test loads for it last week. I was using mixed brass by Win. Rem. and Fed. along with CCI LR primers and I use three different powders Alliant 2400, H-4198 and Unique. The two bullets I used were the Lee 170 gr. FP and the Lee 160 gr. TL RN both powder coated, gas checked and sized to .311". Targets were shot at 50 yds. as that is as far as I can shoot around here in the back yard range without making a day trip to the public range.

All load data came from the Lyman Cast Bullet manual #4, below are the groups but none were much larger than 1.5" and some under 1". We had some issues with the Chrono not reading probably due to overcast skies on some loads but I will be retesting those loads for data at some point as will as some additional powders I have and maybe even a primer change on a couple loads to see if that improves things. I haven't been behind the trigger since last Nov. after having surgery and weather not cooperating on my days off so I'm a bit rusty.
Image

Target #1
Low: 1698
High: 1715
Average: 1709
Spread: 16.8
SD: 6.78

Target #2
Low: 1731
High: 1761
Average: 1747
Spread: 29.99
SD: 11.61

Target #3
Low: 1950
High: 1981
Average: 1966
Spread: 31.30
SD 11.22

Target #4
Low: 1971
High: 2015
Average: 1989
Spread: 44.64
SD: 16.50

Target #5
No Data but shoots great, will load and shoot again.

Target #6
No Data

Target #7
No Data

Target #8
Low: 2277
High: 2309
Average: 2292
Spread: 31.71
SD: 15.39

Target #9
Low: 1635
High: 1701
Average: 1650
Spread 65.70
SD: 26.57

Target #10
Low: 1665
High: 1709
Average: 1686
Spread: 44.46
SD: 17.49
Last edited by reloader762 on 13 May 2019 16:40, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Cast loads in my 30-06

Post by mr surveyor »

Just looking at the velocities, load data and targets, it seems to fit my findings with 30-30 Win loads. My experience, although admittedly limited in years of testing, seem to indicate that cast (rifle) bullets seem to perform best (accuracy wise) with the more "moderate" loads of pistol powders. My estimates seem to show somewhere around the 80-90% load level between recommended minimum and max load data (if it's available) will hit the sweet spot. There will be some noticeable loss in velocity, but accuracy will be definitely noticeable.


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Re: Cast loads in my 30-06

Post by reloader762 »

I would agree with what you have said, but I've had some good success with some rifle powders as well mostly on the slower side of the burn rate scale. Reloader #7, H-335 and H-4895 have produced good loads in my SKS, 30-30 and 7.62 x 54r using cast lead.

I sized a batch of the same bullets I used in the test down to .309" tonight and I'm going to load up a test batch of those load that shot well with the smaller dia. bullets and see how they do compared to the same loads that used the .311" dia. bullets. Will be interested to see if the data changes much or if accuracy improves or goes south. Hope to get those test loads shot this weekend, weather is supposed to be really nice for a change.
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Re: Cast loads in my 30-06

Post by mr surveyor »

Just from my limited cast bullet experience in the micro-groove 30-30, the gc'd bullets shot o.k. at 1800-2000 fps using rifle powders, but accuracy was much increased when I dropped down to Unique, AA#7 and the like in pistol powders. Velocities between 1450 and 1600 (depending on bullet style and weight), with pistol powders, always gave the tightest groups. I'll admit that the "screamers" with rifle powders were still within what would be considered hunting accuracy inside the 100 yard range, but the low volume pistol powders were far more accurate, group wise in the 50 yard range. There's no doubt that every gun/barrel is a "one of a kind", even from the same day's manufacturing run .... it seems that they will each tend to have their own preference for cartridge loads. Find what works in your own individual gun and stick with it. Finding it is what makes the whole trip worth the work. :)

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Re: Cast loads in my 30-06

Post by RBHarter »

Well done !

I've found that heavy for cartridge or twist bullets and slowest powders for the cartridge tend to deliver the best groups and energies with cast .

My personal favorite 06' is finicky and even after as many years as I've been fooling around with it the best loads are about 1.5" at 100 over Unique and 4350 held to 1800 fps . It does help to have a 1-8.5 twist so I can shoot all the insanely heavy bullets .
The slow twist 308 is pretty happy 21-2200 as long as I don't break 175 gr , bullet shape doesn't seem to matter to the weight/length math in that rifle .

The old Savage 325 30-30 ........I'm still looking for a bullet that doesn't shoot well that's compatible with with the 1-12 twist . Every load in it is a medium load of Unique or jacketed start load of IMR 4350 .

A easy to please rifle rifle with jacketed is generally very easy to get shooting with cast .
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Re: Cast loads in my 30-06

Post by reloader762 »

From my understanding of the Microgroove barrels in 30-30, an oversized bullet .310" or as large as will chamber with a BHN of at least 12 and a gas check should shoot well when the velocity is kept in the 1700 fps. or lower range. I've always heard that the Microgroove barrels don't shoot as well at the higher velocities as the standard grooved barrels. My old Sav. 170B pump 30-30 with a 1:12 twist bore will shoot the Lee 170 gr. gas check bullet with a full load of H-335 at jacketed velocity more accurately than with jacketed bullets.
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Re: Cast loads in my 30-06

Post by AlaskanGuy »

You really need to check out some shotgun powders for that 30-06 and cast bullets... 2400 is great but Red Dot by Alliant is better... how about 13g of Red Dot for “the load” as ed Harris calls it. Jumps out at around 1500 FPS with a 190g bullet. Red dot is bulkier then 2400 and takes up over 50% of the case so the danger of a double charge is nil... also consider this.... 7000 grains of powder in a lb, and that equals 538 reloads per pound.. in my 223, 22-250, and 22 Jet, I use between 4 and 6 grains of red dot..that is over 1000 rounds of ammo per lb of powder.. combine that with a 50gr 22 cal bullet, that gets your cost per round to just pennies.

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Re: Cast loads in my 30-06

Post by reloader762 »

AlaskanGuy wrote:You really need to check out some shotgun powders for that 30-06 and cast bullets... 2400 is great but Red Dot by Alliant is better... how about 13g of Red Dot for “the load” as ed Harris calls it. Jumps out at around 1500 FPS with a 190g bullet. Red dot is bulkier then 2400 and takes up over 50% of the case so the danger of a double charge is nil... also consider this.... 7000 grains of powder in a lb, and that equals 538 reloads per pound.. in my 223, 22-250, and 22 Jet, I use between 4 and 6 grains of red dot..that is over 1000 rounds of ammo per lb of powder.. combine that with a 50gr 22 cal bullet, that gets your cost per round to just pennies.

AG
Thanks, I know about "The Load" by ed Harris I've had a few chats with him in years past about shooting cast lead, molds and various powders. I do use Red Dot on occasion with my 30-30 plinker loads using either the Lee 150 or 170 gr. FN bullet coated with the gas check left off.

I mainly go with 2400 because I got started using it in my 357 Mag. cast lead loads and once I started shooting cast lead in my SKS rifles I used ed's 2400 load in them as well. "The Universal Load" of 16.0 grs. of 2400 by ed Harris is my favorite load in all my 30 cal. rifle for general purpose shooting, it meters so well and I have four different rotors that I use with my RCBS Little Dandy that I can throw needed charges with. I'll probably give the Red Dot a try next time around just to see how it does.
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