30-06 cast bullet load....

[Trooper224]

I used to use 2400 in my cast bullet loads for the '06. But, all Alliant powders are unobtainable in my area. Anyone know of an alternative?

 

[Patrick L]

I too settled on 2400 years ago, but I also played with IMR 4227 and as I recall it did well.

Like you, when my current supply of 2400 dries up I will have to find an alternative.

 

[rockquarry]

Lots of alternatives and you may find one or more that actually provides better accuracy than #2400. In no particular order, I'd try 5744, IMR-4198, Reloder 7, and H4895. Plenty of .30-06 cast bullet data for all these powders. I've never used H4198 but would guess it would be very similar to the IMR version.

 

[Skyhunter]

My favorite cast bullet load for my 30-06 has been the Lyman #311284 pushed by SR 4759, but that's out of production (I laid in a goodly supply a long time ago).
IMR 4064 and 2400 worked almost as well, but I settled on the SR 4759. I always meant to try IMR 3031, just never got "around to it!"

WYT-P
Skyhunter

 

[old tanker]

My favorite cast bullet load for my 30-06 has been the Lyman #311284 pushed by SR 4759, but that's out of production (I laid in a goodly supply a long time ago).
IMR 4064 and 2400 worked almost as well, but I settled on the SR 4759. I always meant to try IMR 3031, just never got "around to it!"

WYT-P
Skyhunter

I too used SR4759 and Lyman 311284 combination, in both .30-06 and 30-40 Krag. SR4759 has always given me good results with cast bullets in rifle cartridges from .30-30 through .375 H&H. It is a moderately bulky powder and fillers are not needed. Alas, Hogdon saw fit to discontinue it.

 

[RM Vivas]

I found a 12 pound keg of 700x at a garage sale and worked up cast loads with that.

 

[M29since14]

I used Herco for lower velocity loads, around 1600 FPS, and had decent results with Win 748 up to a bit over 2200 FPS.

I did not do extensive testing but did shoot my 748 loads at 300 yards, just to see what they would do. I was pleasantly surprised. I was looking for a cheap powder and at that time bulk 748 was what I could get that did the job with less expense than others. The Herco I received as a gift and it worked very well at 1600 FPS or so, at 100 yards.

I used a standard Remington 700 BDL hunting rifle and scope. The bullet was a Lyman flat-nose gas-check design that weighed around 180 grains. I don’t recall the number. It worked well in both of my .308 and .30/06 rifles. The .308 was a Winchester post-64 Model 70 Lightweight.

 

[rockquarry]

I've used the #311284 in the .30-06, but found Lyman's #314299 to be a more accurate bullet in the popular .30 caliber rifle cartridges including the .308, .30-40, and .30-06.

 

[venomballistics]

I used to use 2400 in my cast bullet loads for the '06. But, all Alliant powders are unobtainable in my area. Anyone know of an alternative?

I've used 4227 and 3031
4227 will likely be your best bet.
For uncharted waters .. CFE blk might be worth a workup

 

[Warren Sear]

After using Unique for 40 years for cast bullets in rifles, 231/HP-38 is now my favorite (not "go-to") powder for cast bullets in .308 Winchester and 30-06 (works fine in 6.5, 7, 7.65, and 8mm Mauser, and 7.62x54r as well). Use gas checked cast bullets weighing from about 140 to about 180 grains.

Use 231/HP-38 approximately grain-for-grain as with Unique.

Start with 8 grains, but 10 should put you where you want to be. You can probably bring it up to 12 or more, but 10 is enough for me. This is with any of the above mentioned cartridges and bullet weights.

I'm all done with Bullseye, Unique, and 2400, even if they bring them back. I won't be needing any of them for handguns either, once my existing supply is exhausted.

edit to add: Oh, and I was born and raised in the USA, so I call them bullets, not "boolets", but I am glad Mexican and French speakers feel free to join in on the forum also. Welcome to the USA!

 

[max503]

My favorite cast bullet load for my 30-06 has been the Lyman #311284 pushed by SR 4759, but that's out of production (I laid in a goodly supply a long time ago).
IMR 4064 and 2400 worked almost as well, but I settled on the SR 4759. I always meant to try IMR 3031, just never got "around to it!"

WYT-P
Skyhunter

I'm still working through a 6 pound jug of military, pull-down SR 4759. Same boolit. So far I've only lubed them. Haven't powder coated any, but that is coming soon.

 

[rwsmith]

I like a few of these....

Lots of alternatives and you may find one or more that actually provides better accuracy than #2400. In no particular order, I'd try 5744, IMR-4198, Reloder 7, and H4895. Plenty of .30-06 cast bullet data for all these powders. I've never used H4198 but would guess it would be very similar to the IMR version.

IMR 4198 is a great choice. IMR 4895 can be reduced 30%. I've used it for all kinds of loads. If H4895 has the same characteristics that would be GREAT! I'll have to look back in my log because it's been decades, but it seems I found some data even using Unique getting down to around 1500 fps. If your bullets are coated or gas-checked you can push them harder.

I love to experiment with reduced loads. I can make my 30-06 shoot like a .22. People say, "Why don't you just get a .22?" I have a .22 rifle but you can't experiment with loads like you can a centerfire.

 

[max503]

I love to experiment with reduced loads. I can make my 30-06 shoot like a .22. People say, "Why don't you just get a .22?" I have a .22 rifle but you can't experiment with loads like you can a centerfire.

Same here. Here's my latest. A 30 caliber wadcutter in the 30-30 with a light charge of Bullseye.
I'm going to shoot it out of my Thompson Contender rifle barrel with 24X scope.
Going to see how far I can accurately lob that chunk of lead downrange.
I'm thinking a heavy boolit at low velocity would be more effective than a light one. That's where a noiseless big bore round would be better than a 22 CB. Even at short range, a heavy projectile would be more effective than a lighter one at the same velocity.

 

[venomballistics]

Same here. Here's my latest. A 30 caliber wadcutter in the 30-30 with a light charge of Bullseye.
I'm going to shoot it out of my Thompson Contender rifle barrel with 24X scope.
Going to see how far I can accurately lob that chunk of lead downrange.
I'm thinking a heavy boolit at low velocity would be more effective than a light one. That's where a noiseless big bore round would be better than a 22 CB. Even at short range, a heavy projectile would be more effective than a lighter one at the same velocity.

I've done this as well.
Most 22's are mediocrity defined. While these centerfires are often exquisite platforms.
I'd rather grab one of these out of the rack and keep it in service.
What I've found to be the greatest factor in terminal performance in these loads has been bullet shape.
Flat points are a great default choice.
Weight only factors in if it doesn't over penetrate.
A through and though wound looks the same wether it's made by a 100 grain or a 200 grain where velocities are equal.
It is easier to achieve a consistent load with a heavier bullet as it gives us more pressure and a better burn.
I pretty much stick to a 150 grain in these loads though the practical application was taken over by a 9mm PCC

 

[gwpercle]

I used to use 2400 in my cast bullet loads for the '06. But, all Alliant powders are unobtainable in my area. Anyone know of an alternative?

What Powder(s) do you have or are available to you .
My Pet cast bullet 30-06 load involves 13.0 grs. Red Dot and a 170 gr. FN-GC cast lead bullet ... You got Red Dot ?

There are others to choose from ... but the question is ...
what can you put your hands on !

I hate these stinking Shortages !

Gary

 

[LoboGunLeather]

My usual cast bullet load in .30-06 uses the Lee C309-170F, gas checked, 30 grains of H335. I have substituted BL-C2 with identical performance. Bullet alloy is 50% wheel weights, 50% linotype metal, BHN about 17-18

This is a close approximation of factory .30-30 loads, estimated 2100-2200FPS. Very accurate at 100 yards from a rest. Deadly on Colorado mule deer (usually 150-250 lbs live weight) out to 150 yards.

I have used the same bullets in .30-30, .300 Savage, .308 Win, .30-40 Krag with comparable results. Annual reloading routine includes a couple hundred in .30-30 to keep the sons and grandkids supplied. I don't think they ever learned that .30-30 ammo can be bought in stores, they just box up all the empties to send to old Grampa.

In .30-06 I have gone up to 36 grains of H-335 for about 2400-2500FPS. Very close to factory 180-grain ammo velocities.

Bore cleaning requires only a few passes with a bronze bore brush, solvent patch, then a few dry patches.

 

[mtgianni]

Same here. Here's my latest. A 30 caliber wadcutter in the 30-30 with a light charge of Bullseye.
I'm going to shoot it out of my Thompson Contender rifle barrel with 24X scope.
Going to see how far I can accurately lob that chunk of lead downrange.
I'm thinking a heavy boolit at low velocity would be more effective than a light one. That's where a noiseless big bore round would be better than a 22 CB. Even at short range, a heavy projectile would be more effective than a lighter one at the same velocity.

That wadcutter with 2.5 gr of BE is a joy to shoot out of a 14" TC in 30-30.

 

[venomballistics]

What Powder(s) do you have or are available to you .
My Pet cast bullet 30-06 load involves 13.0 grs. Red Dot and a 170 gr. FN-GC cast lead bullet ... You got Red Dot ?

There are others to choose from ... but the question is ...
what can you put your hands on !

I hate these stinking Shortages !

Gary

I developed my loads with almost no usable data.
Mine was blue dot with a magnum primer.
Starting at 8 grains, I'd adjust to achieve 1050 FPS for a subsonic load. I'd usually achieve single digit extreme spreads out of these loads.
The dots are going to be sorely missed. Alliant makes some of our most flexible powders. but their hear today, gone tomorrow availability has me a little gunshy

 

[max503]

I've never got acceptable (to me) accuracy with 22 CB's. I've had real good results shooting lubed, round balls out of a Contender 44 Mag, but this thread is about 30-06's.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I am down to my last bottle of 4227 & 4759 for my light rifle loads.

In the 30-06 I will be switching over to 4895, when the well runs dry,
for light target load at 30-40 Krag speeds , or lower.