30 cal with lead bullets

Nevada Ed

Nevada Ed

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I have loaded my 30-06 1903 with the half jacket speer and hornady bullets........
just wondered what would happen if I tried a .309 dia. 115gr LRN and what the maximum fps would be to prevent heavy leading.
Max for the jacket was 1600 fps and am thinking that 1,000 fps might work depending on the hardness of the lead. I have yet to find this info out, sorry.
It would just be for 50 to 100 yard paper target use for me and the kids.
Later.
 
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1000 fps should produce no leading as long as the bullet fits the barrel. For best results make a chamber cast and size bullets to throat diameter.

If you can't do more than slug the barrel, try to size the bullet .001-.002" over bore diameter.
 
powder coated cast can give you that and more without any leading at all.
Ive run them plain based up to 2700FPS.
As we get up there in velocity, alloy becomes more critical.
That said, it offers a lot of territory you didnt have before
 
In my 30-30 and other 30 cal. rifles US & Russians I cast the Lee 32 cal. 90 gr. tumble lube SWC an size it accordingly. For the US 30 cal. it's .311" with a light coat of Lee Alox/JPW lube once before and once after sizing I cast the bullets from pure lead.

In the 30-30 I use 3.5 grs. of Alliant Bullseye and any LR or LRM primers,bullet is crimped in the top TL groove but you can adjust it out a groove at a time if need be,I didn't find a need to do so. MV runs just under 1100 fps.

Although I like my bullets a bit fatter your 115 gr. bullet with 4 to 5 grs. Bullseye should work fine.

5 shots 50 yds. with ir0n sights from a Sav. 170 pump 30-30.
30-3020Plinker209020gr.20SWC_zpszbykdhre.jpg
 
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I have been shooting cast bullets in .30-06 (and several other .30 calibers) for the past 30 years. Bullets have included the Lyman 311291, Lee C309-170RF, and Lee C309-180R.

Without gas checks I have found velocities up to about 1400FPS can be had with just about any lead alloy and no problems with leading. These are useful for teaching young shooters, and effective on small game.

With gas checks and bullets cast of 50% wheel weights and 50% linotype metal I can get into the 2200FPS range without problems. This is equivalent to factory ammo in .30-30 and .30-40 Krag, and we have taken dozens of deer with these over the years.

A 110-115 grain bullet cast of just about any lead alloy, properly lubricated and sized for the bore, should be capable of 1400FPS or so without much difficulty. In .30-06 I would suggest charges between 5 and 10 grains of just about any shotgun-type powder (Unique, Red Dot, etc) with results evaluated by accuracy on target. For such reduced loads the cases used should be segregated and used only for this purpose, not returned to use with full power loads.

With my usual .30-06 cast bullet load (C309-180R, 2200 FPS) in the Springfield 1903 and 03-A3 rifles I have found that the 400 yard sight setting is just about right for 100 yard shooting.
 
The gas check allows higher velocities. I routinely go 2,000+ in 30-30, 30-40 and 30-06 rifles with a 170 grain.training. The short 115 grain bullet may tumble from a barrel bored to use much heavier bullets.
 
I don't have experience with anything that light in .30/06 but I agree with others who have said to be sure your bullets are 0.001-0.002" over bore diameter. With wheel weight alloy you shouldn't have any trouble to 1400 FPS or so if you have a reasonably smooth bore. As SP mentioned, if tumbling is a problem just move on to a heavier bullet of at least 170 grains or so.
 
I use SR 4759

Too bad they aren't making this powder, but there are ways to keep the velocity down. I bought a ton of .30 carbine cast lead bullets before coated became popular and the final word isn't in there. But if you shoot at carbine velocities, theoretically it should work. I got them from Penn Bullets and if they are making coated bullets now I wouldn't hesitate to buy another batch. I think low velocity rifle bullets are a real kick to shoot.
 
I use SR 4759

Too bad they aren't making this powder now, but there are ways to keep the velocity down. I bought a ton of .30 carbine cast lead bullets before coated became popular and the final word isn't in there. But if you shoot at carbine velocities, theoretically it should work. I got them from Penn Bullets and if they are making coated bullets now I wouldn't hesitate to buy another batch. I think low velocity rifle bullets are a real kick to shoot.
 
Here are some shots with cast bullets at 113g and 200g going anywhere from subsonic to 1644 fps:
30cal_20140926_zps392c4651.jpg


and here are some 170g GC lead bullets at 2000 and 2375 fps:
0e6d2e93-5a2b-4efb-8889-5f838bed53da_zpsxtmdz3cs.jpg

Reloader 7 is a great powder for lead bullets. The lube is 2:1 Beeswax/Vaseline smeared into the lube grooves just before going through the Lee .309 push through sizer to attach the gas check. Zero leading, shiny bore after the shots.

I drove some 100g Hornady #3005 SJ bullets up to 3000 fps with RL-7 and most of the bullets wouldn't hit paper at 50 yards, but the ones that did made the cleanest holes I've ever seen. :eek:
 
Red Dot is an excellent propellant for use with light lead bullets in the .30-'06. Use between 10 grains and 13 grains to get whatever muzzle velocity you want. Do not use any fillers above the propellant.
 
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