Inexpensive 30.06 Bullet?

Mr AR15

Mr AR15

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I've been wanting to shoot my M1 Garand on a regular basis but due to factory/surplus ammo costs I don't. I reload almost everything I shoot except 30.06. I have tons of brass as I always saved it for future use. The big reason for not reloading 30.06 is I haven't been able to find a bulk FMJ bullet that is inexpensive enough to make me go and reload 1000 rounds or so. I have found a nice 55gr FMJ (Hornady) for my AR's but I can't find the same for 30.06.

Is there even such a thing as a cheap bullet for the 30.06 round? What is everyone else using? This is really just for plinking. I'm not doing precision shooting with the Garand.
 
What about 110 grain plinkers? I think $16.99/100 in the Russel's catalog - but that's b4 the dollar went up - not sure current. If you shoot the 35 calibers like .356 or 35 Whelen, you would be able to use easy to find cast 357's obtained for $100/1000. You can also cast your own 30 caliber bullets.
 
There are some excellent cast bullets avail. such as 311284 as well as 311299 and others, that have proven themselves in CBA military matches in both the Springfield and the Garand. M.T. Chambers makes and markets many of these dif. designs including Loverin, Eagan, Saeco #315, and most of the Lyman designs.
 
I thought I had to stay with FMJ to prevent leading. I know that gas checks will be needed for the cast bullets as I use cast in my .303 but regardless won't there still be substantial leading. I have a fellow that casts bullets in Hamilton so getting a good supply is not a problem. But I didn't think cast would be appropriate for this gun.

I am about to do a search on loads for the Grarand so I haven't settle in on a load yet. I sure hope Unique or Win 748 is a contender as I have a good deal of both powders stockpiled for other calibres.
 
Richard Lee's "Modern Reloading" 2nd edition has a good section on cast bullets - and lots of loads for cast in 30-06. It's worth the $20 for sure as long as you don't mind his biases for Lee products.
 
If you use the proper size bullet, cast hard, gas checked, you should have no problem. Most of these bullets(.30 cal. cast) are considered "bore riders" so it is important to know both the Land to Land, and groove to groove measurements, before deciding on a design, if looking for best accuracy.
 
When you use cast bullets in a Garand you periodically have to clean the gas system of lead fouling--no big deal for a standard shooter/plinker rifle. NRA does not recommend their use in "Match conditioned" m-1's because to clean properly you have to take down the rifle--and they don't recommend take down of match rifles on a regular basis.

If they are hard cast, gas checked and fit the bore well you should have no issues for several hundred rounds between cleaning.

44Bore
 
I have a scanned NRA article from American Rifleman Mar 86 that goes in depth into reloading for the M1, powder, case prep and various bullets. If anyone wants it just give me your email address and I will forward it on to you.
 
"...such a thing as a cheap bullet for..." Nope. You'd have to work up the load anyway. IMR4064, IMR4895 or Varget with regular large rifle primers and any 150 grain bullet will do.
"...What about 110 grain plinkers?..." Those are made for the M1 Carbine. Too light for reliable functioning in an M1 Rifle.
"...said that the..." Yep. The .30-30, 7.5 Swiss, .300 Win Mag and a whole bunch of others use a .308" bullet. Go buy a copy of The ABC's of Reloading.
 
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The Remington Core Lokt bullets are cheap and preform very well in everything I've tried them in (7x57 among others) I haven't tried them in my Garand yet, but I'll be picking some up. They seem to preform very well plinking and hunting from what I've read.
 
I use the Hornady 150 FMJ's all the time, great bullet, and they shoot just as well as match bullets in most of my guns. I use them in my M1's, K31's, M1917's. Get them from Higginson's, good price.
 
Except for placing backorders and waiting, 30cal FMJ's are all sold out right now. With the growing backorder list, often new stock comes in and goes out before any open sales can be offered.

What happened with the recent Lapua shipment.

Backorders are filled on a first come basis so if you don't mind a wait, will be the fastest way to get some.

However, I have a strong supply of 22cal 55 and 62gr FMJ's while it lasts. Great if your are shooting AR's and other black rifles.

Selling fast so let me know...

Jerry
 
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