Reduced cast bullet loads for 308 and 30-06: What works for you?

Silverado

Silverado

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I'd like to make some light plinking and small-game loads for the 30-06 and 308W. I'm thinking of cast bullets for this.

Should I be considering very light 110-115gr bullets, or are better results found with more typical weights like 150gr?

What powders are best for this in your experience? Preferably one that works in both cases, obviously.

Thanks!
 
Any cast bullet load will be reduced compared to a jacketed load. Your manual should have a few, at least. The lightest bullet weight in my old Lyman book for either cartridge is 120 grains with gas checks.
The .308 accuracy load is 17.0 grains of Unique(max load. 12.0 starting) at 2272 fps and 40,700 PSI. For a 150, it's 15.0 of Unique(max load. 11.5 starting) at 1616 fps and 1920 PSI.
The .30-06 is also with Unique for a 120. 14.0(1960fps 27,000 psi) to 19.0(2331 fps 42,000 psi) 14.0 the accuracy load. For a 150, 12.5(1628fps 25,800 psi) to 17.0(1964fps 38,100 psi). Unique isn't the accuracy powder for a 150.
Really boils down to what cast bullets you can find, if you're not casting yourself. Haven't ever bothered tracking cast rifle bullets myself.
 
With cast bullets you generally want to go the same weight or heavier than your normal bullets. Since there is a velocity limit a lot of people prefer to use heavier bullets so they can get more energy within the velocity limit.

For cast bullets I tend to use H4198, SR-4759, Benchmark, Unique, 800X, and have been meaning to play around with H4895. I get really hit or miss results with Trail Boss for whatever reason. The easiest method would be to use Trail Boss and use the standard published load development method. Fill the case to the base of where the bullet would be when seated (do not compress), weigh that charge, and 70% of that is your starting load. I've also heard good things about the 60% rule with either 4895. Take any load data for any cartridge that uses H4895 (and I've read it also works with IMR4895) and reduce it to 60%. That is your starting load for reduced recoil. Match bullet weight to load data, doesn't matter if it's cast or jacketed.

Data sheets from the powder manufacturer:
http://www.imrpowder.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf
http://www.imrpowder.com/PDF/Youth Loads.pdf (see second paragraph for 60% rule)

I'd also recommend picking up the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook if you are getting into cast bullet reloading. There is a huge amount of information in there as well as a lot of load data.
 
I've also been using Hornady 150gr FMJ with a starting load of 21grs SR4759.
At 25 yards:
IMG_3969_zpsce6305e9.jpg


And the same load at 100yds. These were fired out of my Ruger Scout with a Burris 2.75x Scout scope.
IMG_3968_zps54d39841.jpg


Accurate enough for plinking and fun shooting, and since I'm far from being the world's greatest shot you may do much better. :)
 
In my .30-06 I used 15grs of Herco with a 200 gr gas check cast bullet and 16 grs Herco with a 170 gr gas check bullet.

Also 20 grs of 2400 with the same bullets.

In my .308 I used 15 grs of 4198 with a 100 gr plain base cast bullet. This is a great small game load - kills without blowing up.

Also (in .308) 25 grs of 4198 with a 200 gr cast gas check bullet. This load performs almost like a full power jacketed bullet load. Blows up 4 litre containers and porcupines!
 
Also, do a google search for C. E. Harris and ''The Load". Harris published many articles about reduced loads in the common .30 cals.
I also did some shooting with a .30-06 in the early '90's using Unique and 100 and 110gr jacketed bullets but I don't remember the charge offhand so don't want to possibly give the wrong information by trying to recall it off the top of my head.
 
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