I have been reloading handgun cartridges with wheel weight bullets for a while now and pretty much have settled on my favorites loads for those (45ACP, 38, and 357) but I have not loaded rifle cartridges with cast bullets. Here are my parameters: 150 gr flat nose; water quenched WWs out of a Lee 2 bullet mold; sized to 308; liquid alox lube; gas checks. Brass is lake city once fired for both 308 and 30.06. Powders on hand are: IMR 4064, 4195, 4350, 4895 and H BLC-2. I'm not as interested in achieving max velocities as I am in accuracy. The loads will be used for practice and maybe eventually for whitetails. So, Gurus, where should I start while using what I have on hand? Incidentally, I'll be shooting the 30.06 in a Browning Medallion and an 03A3 and the 308 in a Savage and a Norinco M14. TIA
308 and 30.06
- Thread starter reomack
- Start date
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I don't believe any of those powders are appropriate for use with cast bullets. Look at SR-4759 16-20 grs in either cartridge should be within the performance parameters you are looking for.
cast bullets
I think you will get better results if boolits are sized .309 As for powder 4895 would probably be best of those you list. Manufacturer says it can be reduced to 60% of max. for reduced loads. I have used 35gr with 180gr in .30-06 abd about 30gr in .308 with good results. Would recomend softer boolit for hunting good luck
I think you will get better results if boolits are sized .309 As for powder 4895 would probably be best of those you list. Manufacturer says it can be reduced to 60% of max. for reduced loads. I have used 35gr with 180gr in .30-06 abd about 30gr in .308 with good results. Would recomend softer boolit for hunting good luck
As a general rule, a heavier for calibre bullet, is better for shooting cast bullets.
However, if you go with 150 grain and want enough speed for deer hunting, here are some figures from the original Lyman book on cast bullets, using the powders you mention.
For the 30-06 and 150 grain gas check.
4198 (I presume this is what you meant with 4195) max. 29 grs--2170 fps.
4064----max 41 grains for 2185 fps.
They also show 3031, which is very similar to 4895, max 37 grs for 2200 fps.
Nearly the exact same loadings in the 308, with 170 grain bullets (they don't show 150) will get you about the same results.
For speeds up to 15/1800 range, or a bit beyond, use faster powders, like Unique or 4227.
- Location
- Golden Lake
For the .30-06 the Lyman 47th lists 4198 with a 151 gr cast. Start = 23 grs. Max = 37 grs
(1670 fps and 2515 fps respectively)
For the .308 it is 21.8 grs and 36 grs (1781 fps and 2727 resp)
(1670 fps and 2515 fps respectively)
For the .308 it is 21.8 grs and 36 grs (1781 fps and 2727 resp)
- Location
- Golden Lake
Hi H4831:
re: the "original Lyman book on cast bullets". I may have the same book. Is it the one with the beautiful painting by ###le Hoskins "The Bullet Makers" -showing a man & his wife & their dog in front of the fireplace - on the back cover?
Pete
re: the "original Lyman book on cast bullets". I may have the same book. Is it the one with the beautiful painting by ###le Hoskins "The Bullet Makers" -showing a man & his wife & their dog in front of the fireplace - on the back cover?
Pete
Hi Pete,
No, here is the front cover of mine, it is the first edition of it. Those grey squares top and bottom is where I applied duct tape to hold it together. It has had a lot of use in some 45 or so years! Also, here is a page of the contents.
Bruce
Pete, I re-read your post. I thought you said the painting was on the front cover, but when you say back cover, that is what is on my back cover, as well.
Oh well, from the pictures you will be able to tell for sure.
Bruce
I've put a few thousand cast bullets through a FR7 and O3A3 over the years. Mid range loads from an older Lyman manual. Bullet of choice 311291. Used to use H4198 in both but have switched to 2400 in the 3006. Never had much luck with the slower rifle powders. Have shot more than a few pounds of the same 2 powders in 303Br, 7.62x54 and 8x57 as well.
- Location
- Golden Lake
Cast bullet book
Hi Bruce:
That is truly a great book! I love all the "notes" throughout the book where the guys tell of their experiences. One of my favorites is on page 92 where C. H. Clark says "It always did go against my thrifty nature to use a 3 cent jacketed bullet at high velocity when a cheap lead bullet could do the job".
Oh, for the days when a jacketed bullet cost 3 cents!
Pete
Hi Bruce:
That is truly a great book! I love all the "notes" throughout the book where the guys tell of their experiences. One of my favorites is on page 92 where C. H. Clark says "It always did go against my thrifty nature to use a 3 cent jacketed bullet at high velocity when a cheap lead bullet could do the job".
Oh, for the days when a jacketed bullet cost 3 cents!
Pete
