Doing research on this myself.
Here are some of the info I had found from Mr. ED Harris. It's long!!
Red Dot in Reduced Rifle Loads
"The Load" is 13 Grains of Red Dot" (In most strong-actioned, military
rifles of .30 cal. or larger)
READ ON FOR SPECIFICS AND WARNINGS!
By C.E. (Ed) Harris, Revised 2-16-94
My success in economizing by using up leftover shotshell powder has
changed my approach to hand- loading. I had a caddy of Red Dot, and no
longer reloaded shotshells, so asked myself, "what can I do with it?" My
shooting is now mostly high-power rifle. I needed several hundred rounds a
week to practice offhand, reloading, and working the bolt in sitting and
prone rapid, but didn't want to burn out my barrel or my wallet. Powder
used to be cheap, but today is $20/lb. (or more), so cost is a factor in
component choice.
I used to ignore pistol or shotgun powders in reduced rifle loads for the
usual reasons: the risk of acci-dental double-charges, fears of erratic
ignition, and concerns with maintaining accuracy, and reduced utility with
a low-power load. Still, the caddy of Red Dot kept "looking at me" from the
corner. Would it work? Data in RCBS Cast Bullet Manual No. 1 and Lyman Cast
Bullet Handbook suggested it would, so I tried it, much to my delight! Red
Dot is bulky, compared to the usual rifle powders used in .30-'06-size
cases. It occupies more powder space in typical charges than common
"reduced load" rifle powders, such as #2400, IMR4227, IMR4198 or RL-7. The
lower bulk density of Red Dot adequately addresses my safety concerns
because it makes an accidental double charge far less likely.
After considerable experimentation, my friends and I found "The Load" is
13 grains of Hercules Red Dot, in any FULL SIZED rifle case of .30 cal. or
larger. "The Load" has distinct advantages over more expensive
alternatives, within certain limitations, which are:
1. The case must be LARGER than the .300 Savage or .35 Remington.
2. The rifle must be MODERN (post 189 design, for smokeless powder, bore
size of .30 cal. or larger.
3. The bullet weight must be within the NORMAL range for the given
cartridge.
4. Inert fillers such as Dacron, kapok or are NOT RECOMMENDED! (Nor are
they necessary).
Within these restrictions I have now engraved in stone, "The Load" works!
The bullet may be jacketeed or cast. Gaschecked cast bullets required in
the .30 cals., otherwise you will get leading, but plainbased ones work
fine in the 8mm Mauser or larger.
"The Load" has shown complete success in the .30-40 Krag, .303 British,
7.65 Argentine, .308 Win., 7.62x54R Russian, .30-'06, 8x57 and .45-70
(strong-actioned rifles such as the 1886 Winchester or 1895 Marlin -- 12
grs. is maximum for 400 gr. bullets in the Trapdoor Springfield -- Ed.)
Though I have not tried it, I have no doubt that "The Load" would work well
in other cartridges fitting these parameters, such as the .35 Whelen, .358
Winchester, .375 H&H or .444 Marlin, based on RCBS and Lyman published
data.
"The Load" fills 50% or more of a .308 Win or .30-'06 case. The risk of an
accidental double charge is greatly reduced, because the blunder is
immediately obvious if you visually check, powder fill on EVERY CASE, as
you should whenever handloading! A bulky powder measures more uniformly,
because normal variation in the measured volume represents a smaller
percentage of the charge weight.
Red Dot's granulation is somewhat less coarse than other flake powders of
similar burning rate, such as 700-X, which aids metering. Its porous,
uncoated flakes are easily ignited with standard primers. So-called
"magnum" primers do no harm in cases larger than the .30-'06, but are
neither necessary nor recommended in smaller ones. I DO NOT recommend
pistol primers in reduced rifle loads, because weak primers may cause
erratic ignition, and their thinner cups can perforate more easily, causing
gas leakage and risk of personal injury!
The velocities obtained with 13 grs. of Red Dot appear mild, but "The Load
" is no pipsqueak! In a case like the .308 or .30-'06, you get (from a 24"
sporter barrel) about 1450 f.p.s. with a 200- gr. cast bullet, 1500 with a
170-gr., or 1600 with a 150-gr. cast load. "The Load" is fully comparable
to "yesterday's deer rifle", the .32-40, and provides good expansion of
cheap, soft alloys (10-13 BHN) at woods ranges. Jacketed bullet velocities
with "The Load" are about 120-150 f.p.s. less than a lubricated lead bullet
of same weight.
Longer-barreled military rifles pick up a few feet per second, but "The
Load" starts to slow down in barrels over 28", such as the M91
Moisin-Nagant and long Krags or 98a Mausers.
My preferred alloy in the .30 cals. is a mixture of 3-5 lbs. of .22
backstop scrap to 1 lb. of salvaged linotype. Wheelweights also work well,
as do soft "Scheutzen" alloys such as 1:25 tin/lead. in bores of 8 mm or
larger. "The Load" drives soft-cast .30-cal. to 8 mm bullets fast enough to
get expansion, but without fragmenting. These out-penetrate factory .30-30
softpoints, and kill medium game up to 150 lbs. well at short ranges up to
100 yards, when placed accurately.
In medium and large bores like the .375 H&H or .45-70, "The Load" gives
typical black powder ballistics for the bore. A 255-265 gr. cast bullet in
the .375 H&H approximates the .38-55 at 1330 f.p.s. Soft 300- 405-gr. cast
bullets are pushed at 1300-1350 f.p.s. from a 22" barrel .45-70, sporter
are very effective on deer at woods ranges. Cast bullets over .35 cal. do
not have to expand appreciably to work well on game if blunt and heavy for
their caliber.
The Load" works well with jacketed bullets, giving somewhat lower
velocities than with cast lead, due to less effective obturation and
greater friction in the bore. The 85-gr. or 100-gr. Hornady or 90-gr.
Sierra JHP for the .32 H&R Mag. revolver, or the Remington 100-gr. .32-20
softpoint bullet become mild, but destructive varmint loads at 1600 f.p.s.
from a .308 or '06.
If you substitute a stiffly jacketed 110-gr. .30 Carbine softpoint bullet,
designed for higher velocities than imparted by "The Load", you have a
non-destructive "coup de gras", small game or wild turkey load which shoots
close to your deer rifle's normal zero, but at 25 yards! A more accurate
and effective small game or varmint load uses a flat-nosed 150-gr. or
170-gr. .30-30 bullet instead. These don't expand at the 1400-1450 f.p.s.
obtained with "The Load", but their larger frontal area improves killing
power compared to roundnoses or spitzers.
I have use pulled GI .30 caliber Ball, and Match bullets with "The Load"
for cheap 200-yd. NMC boltgun practice. Accuracy is equal to arsenal loads,
but I use my 600-yard sight dope at 200 yards. I expect 5-6" ten-shot,
iron-sight groups at 200 yards using M2 or M80 pulled bullets and about
3-4" for the M72 or M118 Match bullets. I use these mostly in bolt-action
rifles, but they can be single-loaded for offhand or slow-fire practice in
the Garand as well. These .30 cal. pulls shoot fin in the .303 British or
7.62x54 Russian, despite their being a bit small, because the fast-burning
Red Dot upsets them into the deeper grooves. The 173-gr. Match .30 cal.
boattail bullets may not shoot as well at these low velocities as lighter
flat bases in the 12" twist .308 Win. barrels, but they do quite well in
ten- inch twist barrels such as in the '06, 7.62 Russian, .303 British and
7.65 Argentine.
The longer bore time of these 1400 f.p.s. (typical 170-180-gr. jacketed
load velocity) practice loads makes errors in follow-through apparent, a
great practice and training aid. The light recoil and lower report of these
loads helps transition Junior tyro shooters from the .22 rimfire to the
service rifle without being intimidated by the noise and recoil.
Zeroing is no problem in the M1 or M14, because "The Load" shoots into the
ten-ring of the reduced SR target at 200 yards from your M1 or M14 rifle at
using your normal 600 yard sight dope! The somewhat greater wind deflection
blows you into the "8" ring at 200 yards with the same conditions you would
expect to do so at 600 yards with M118 Match ammunition. This provides your
Junior shooters some useful wind-doping practice.
The economy of a lighter charge is obvious. A full power .30-'06 load
using 50 grs. of an IMR powder like 4064 costs 10 cents a pop, just for
powder, at 140 rounds per pound (if you are lucky enough to find new powder
for $14/lb.).
Substituting 13 grs. of Red Dot gets 538 rounds per pound at a cost of 2.6
cents which is a savings of over $7 per hundred rounds in powder alone!
Greater savings are possible if you get the best price and buy powder by
the caddy.
Velocity and point of impact of "The Load" is not noticeably affected by
varying powder position in the case. I shoot them either slow fire, or
clip-fed and flipped through rapid-fire in the boltgun with equal accuracy.
Red Dot is very clean burning and is economical both on the basis of its
lower charge weight, and its lower basic cost per pound compared to other
"rifle" powders.
Best of all, using a shotshell powder I already have reduces the kinds of
powder I keep and eliminates the need for a special "reduced load" powder.
This approach is ideal for rifle shooters who are also shotgunners, since
almost everybody who reloads for 12-ga. probably has a keg of Red Dot
already!
I now realize it is foolish to use heavier charges of more expensive
powder for routine practice, varmint or small game loads in my center-fire
rifles. I seldom shoot at over 200 yards, and don't enjoy wearing out
expensive target barrels unnecessarily. Since I already have good sight
dope and need to work more on technique and save my remaining barrel
accuracy life for matches.
I am glad I found the way to get a lot more shooting for the dollar.
Economical powder choice IS possible, and my reloading has become less
complicated and more enjoyable simple since I realized I could do most of
my rifle shooting with 13 grains of Red Dot!
Cast Bullet Basics For Military Surplus Rifles
By C.E. Harris Rev. 9-6-93
FOR THE FULL - NON-CONDENSED VERSION, PICK UP THE NEWEST EDITION OF
HANDLOADER'S DIGEST.
Cast bullet loads usually give a more useful zero at practical field
ranges with military battle sights than do full power loads. Nothing is
more frustrating than a military rifle that shoots a foot high at a hundred
yards with surplus ammo when the sight is as low as it will go!
Do NOT use inert fillers (Dacron or kapok) to take up the excess empty
space in the case. This was once common practice, but it raises chamber
pressure and under certain conditions contributes to chamber ringing. If a
particular load will not work well without a filler, the powder is not
suitable for those conditions of loading.
Four load classifications from Mattern (1932) cover all uses for the cast
bullet military rifle. I worked up equivalent charges to obtain the desired
velocity ranges with modern powders, which provide a sound basis for
loading cast bullets in any post-1898 military rifle from 7 mm to 8 mm:
1. 125-gr., plainbased "small game/gallery"
900-1000 f.p.s., 5 grains of Bullseye or equivalent.
2. 150-gr. plainbased "100-yd. target/small game",
1050-1250 f.p.s., 7 grs. of Bullseye or equivalent.
3. 150-180-gr. gaschecked "200-yard target"
1500-1600 f.p.s., 16 grs. of #2400 or equivalent.
4. 180-200-gr. gaschecked "deer/600-yard target"
1750-1850 f.p.s., 26 grs. of RL-7 or equivalent.
None of these loads are maximum when used in full-sized rifle cases such
as the .30-40 Krag, .303 British, 7.65 Argentine, 7.7 Jap, 7.62x54R or
.30-'06. They can be used as basic load data in most modern military rifles
of 7 mm or larger, with a standard- weight cast bullet for the caliber,
such as 140-170 grains in the 7x57, 150-180 grains in the .30 calibers, and
150-190 grains in the 8 mm. For bores smaller than 7 mm, consult published
data.
The "Small Game or Gallery" Load
The 110-115-gr. bullets intended for the .30 carbine and .32-20
Winchester, such as the Lyman #311008, #311359 or #311316 are not as
accurate as heavier ones like the #311291. There isn't a readily-available
.30 cal. cast small game bullet of the proper 125-130-gr. weight. LBT makes
a 130-gr. flat-nosed, GC bullet for the .32 H&R Magnum which is ideal for
this purpose. I recommend it highly, particularly if you own a .32
revolver!
The "100-Yard Target and Small Game" Load
I use Mattern's plainbased "100-yard target load" to use up my minor
visual defect culls for offhand and rapid-fire 100-yard practice. I
substitute my usual gaschecked bullets, but without the gascheck. I started
doing this in 1963 with the Lyman #311291. Today I use the Lee .312-155-2R,
or the similar tumble-lubed design TL.312-160-2R. Most of my rifle shooting
is done with these two basic designs.
Bullets I intend for plainbased loads are blunted using a flatnosed top
punch in my lubricator, providing a 1/8" flat which makes them more
effective on small game and clearly distinguishes them from my heavier
gaschecked loads. This makes more sense to me than casting different
bullets. Bullet preparation is easy. I visually inspect each run of bullets
and throw those with gross defects into the scrap box for remelting.
Bullets with minor visual defects are tumble-lubed in Lee Liquid Alox
without sizing, and are used for plain-based plinkers. Bullets which are
visually perfect are sorted into groups of +/- 0.5 grain used for 200 yard
matches. Gaschecks pressed onto their bases by hand prior running into the
lubricator-sizer.
For "gaschecked bullets loaded without the gascheck," for cases like the
.303 British, 7.62 NATO, 7.62x54R Russian and .30-'06 I use 6-7 grains of
almost any fast burning pistol powder, including, but not limited to
Bullseye, W-W231, SR-7625, Green Dot, Red Dot, or 700-X. I have also had
fine results with 8 to 9 grains of medium burning rate pistol or shotgun
powders, such as Unique, PB, Herco, or SR-4756 in any case of .303 British
size or larger.
In the 7.62x39 case use no more than 4 grains of the fast-burning powders
mentioned, or 5 grains of the shotgun powders. These make accurate 50-yd.
small game loads which let you operate the action manually and save your
precious cases. These plinkers are more accurate than you can hold.
Repeated reloading of rimless cases with very mild loads results in the
primer blast shoving the shoulder back, unless flash holes are enlarged
with a No.39 drill to 0.099" diameter. Cases which are so modified must
NEVER be used with full-power loads! ALWAYS identify cases which are so
modified by filing a deep groove across the rim with a file and label them
clearly to prevent their inadvertent use. For this reason I prefer to do my
plainbased practice shooting in rimmed cases like the .30-30, .30-40 rag,
.303 British and 7.62x54R which maintain positive headspace on the rim and
are not subject to this limitation.
The Harris "Subsonic Target" Compromise
Mattern liked a velocity of around 1250 f.p.s. for his "100-yard target"
load, because this was common with the lead-bullet .32-40 target rifles of
his era. I have found grouping is best with non-gascheck bullets in
military rifles at lower velocities approaching match-grade .22 Long Rifle
ammunition. I use my "Subsonic Target" load at around 1050-1100 f.p.s. to
replace both Mattern's "small game" and "100-yard target" loads, though I
have lumped it with the latter since it really serves the same purpose. Its
report is only a modest pop, rather than a crack.
If elongated bullet holes and enlarged groups indicate marginal bullet
stability, increase the charge a half grain and try again. If necessary
increasing the charge no more than a full grain from the minimum
recommended, if needed to get consistent accuracy. If this doesn't work,
try a bullet which is more blunt and short for its weight, because it will
be more easily stabilized. If this doesn't do the trick, you must change to
a gaschecked bullet and a heavier load.
The Workhorse Load - Mattern's "200-Yard Target"
My favorite load is the most accurate, Mattern's so-called "200-yard
target load". I expect 10-shot groups at 200 yards, firing prone rapid with
sling to average 4-5". I shoot high-Sharpshooter/low-Expert scores across
the course with an issue 03A3 or M1917, shooting in a cloth coat, using my
cast bullet loads. The power of this load approximates the .32-40,
inadequate for deer by today's standards.
Mattern's "200-yard target load" is easy to assemble. Because it is a mild
load, soft scrap alloys usually give better accuracy than harder ones such
as linotype. Local military collector-shooters have standardized on 16
grains of #2400 as the "universal" prescription. It gives around 1500
f.p.s. with a 150-180-gr. cast bullet in almost any military caliber. We
use 16 grains of #2400 as our reference standard, just as highpower
competitors use 168 Sierra MatchKings and 4895.
The only common military rifle cartridge in which 16 grains of #2400
provides a maximum load which must not be exceeded is in the tiny 7.62x39
case. Most SKS rifles will function reliably with charges of #2400 as light
as 14 grains with the Lee .312-155-2R at around 1500 f.p.s. I designed this
bullet especially for the 7.62x39, but it works very well as a light bullet
in any .30 or .303 cal. rifle.
Cast Bullet Basics For Military Surplus Rifles (cont.)
Sixteen Grains of #2400 Is The Universal Load
The same 16 grain charge of #2400 is universal for all calibers as a
starting load. It is mild and accurate in any larger military case from a
.30-40 Krag or .303 British up through a .30-'06 or 7.9x57, with
standard-weight bullets of suitable diameter for the caliber. This is my
recommendation for anybody trying cast bullet loads for the first time in a
military rifle without prior load development. I say this because #2400 is
not position sensitive, requires no fiber fillers to ensure uniform
ignition, and actually groups better when you just stripper-clip load the
rifle and bang them off, rather than tipping the muzzle up to position the
charge.
Similar ballistics can be obtained with other powders in any case from
7.62x39 to .30-'06 size. If you don't have Hercules #2400 you can freely
substitute 17 grains of IMR or H4227, 18 grs. Of 4198, 21 grs. of Reloder
7, 24 grs. of IMR3031, or 25.5 grs. Of 4895 for comparable results.
However, these other powders may give some vertical stringing in cases
larger than the 7.62x39 unless the charge is positioned against the primer
by tipping the muzzle up before firing. Hercules #2400 does not require
this precaution. Don't ask me why. Hercules #2400 usually gives tight
clusters only within a narrow range of charge weights within a grain or so,
and the "universal" 16 grain load is almost always best. Believe me, we
have spent a lot of time trying to improve on this, and you can take our
word for it.
The beauty of the "200-yard target load" at about 1500 f.p.s. is that it
can be assembled with bullets cast from the cheapest inexpensive scrap
alloy, and fired all day without having to clean the bore. It ALWAYS works.
Leading is never a problem. Once a uniform bore condition is established,
the rifle behaves like a .22 match rifle, perhaps needing a warming shot or
two if it has cooled, but otherwise being remarkably consistent. The only
thing I do after a day's shoot is to swab the bore with a couple of wet
patches of GI bore cleaner or Hoppe's, and let it soak until the next
match. I then follow with three dry patches prior to firing. It only takes
about three foulers to get the 03A3 to settle into tight little clusters
again.
"Deer and Long Range Target" Load
Mattern's "deer and 600 yard target load" can be assembled in cases of
.30-40 Krag capacity or larger up to the .30-'06 using 18-21 grs. of #2400
or 4227, 22-25 grs. of 4198, 25-28 grs. Of RL-7 or 27-30 grs. of 4895,
which give from 1700-1800 f.p.s., depending on the case size. These charges
must not be used in cases smaller than the .303 British without
cross-checking against published data! The minimum charge should always be
used initially, and the charge adjusted within the specified range only as
necessary to get best grouping. Popular folklore suggests a rifle barrel
must be near perfect for good results with cast bullets, but this is mostly
bunk, though you may have to be persistent.
I have a rusty-bored Finnish M28/30 which I have shot extensively, in
making direct comparisons with the same batches of loads on the same day
with a mint M28 and there was no difference. The secret in getting a worn
bore to shoot acceptably is remove all prior fouling and corrosion. Then
you must continue to clean the bore "thoroughly and often" until it
maintains a consistent bore condition over the long term. You must also
keep cast bullet loads under 1800 f.p.s. for hunting, and under 1600 for
target work.
A cleaned and restored bore will usually give good accuracy with cast
bullet loads if the bullet fits the chamber THROAT properly, is well
lubricated and the velocities are kept below 1800 f.p.s. The distinction
between throat diameter and groove diameter in determining proper bullet
size is important. If you are unable to determine throat diameter from a
chamber cast, a rule of thumb is to size bullets .002" over groove
diameter, such as .310" for a .30-'06, .312" for a 7.62x54R and .314" for a
.303 British.
"Oversized .30s" like the .303 British, 7.7 Jap, 7.65 Argentine, 7.62x39
Russian and frequently give poor accuracy with .30 cal. cast bullets
designed for U.S. barrels having .300 bore and .308 groove dimensions,
because the part of the bullet ahead of the driving bands receives no
guidance from the lands in barrels of larger bore diameter. The quick rule
of thumb to checking proper fit of the forepart is to insert the bullet
nose first into the muzzle. If it enters to clear up to the front driving
band without being noticeably engraved, accuracy will seldom be
satisfactory.
The forepart is not too large if loaded rounds can be chambered with only
slight resistance, the bullet does not telescope back into the case, or to
stick in the throat when extracted without firing. A properly fitting cast
bullet should engrave the forepart positively with the lands, and be no
more than .001" under chamber throat diameter on the driving bands. Cast
bullets with a tapered forepart at least .002" over bore diameter give the
best results.
Many pre-WWII Russian rifles of US make, and later Finnish reworks,
particularly those with Swiss barrels by the firm SIG, have very snug
chamber necks and cannot be used with bullets over .311" diameter unless
case necks are reamed or outside turned to .011" wall thickness to provide
safe clearance. Bullets with a large forepart like the Lee .312-155-2R or
Lyman #314299 work best in the 7.62x54R, because the forcing cones are
large and gradual. Standard .30 cal. gaschecks are correct. Finnish 7.62
x54R, Russian 7.62x39 and 7.65 Argentine barrels are smaller than Russian
7.62x54R, Chinese 7.62x39, Jap 7.7 or .303 British barrels, and usually
have standard .300" bore diameter, (Finnish barrels occasionally are as
small as .298") and groove diameters of .310-.3115".
In getting the best grouping with iron sighted military rifles, eyesight
is the limiting factor. Anybody over age 40 who shoots iron sights should
to equip himself with a "Farr-Sight" from Gil Hebbard or Brownell's. This
adjustable aperture for your eyeglass frame was intended for indoor pistol
shooters, but it helps my iron sight rifle shooting, and adds about 5
points to my score!
, but we can't play with those. You can build light loads for plinking/instructing a new shooter. Cast bullets and unique work well I'm told but I'm not an expert on this by any means. I've seen casts as light as 90-100 grains, recoil must be non existant in most rifles.
Great minds.......
