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trixter
01-04-2012, 01:24 PM
I live in the Medford area of the Rogue Valley in Oregon, if you live here, and cast 30.06, and would like to help someone get better at our hobby, then please let me know. I need to compare notes with you.

Thanks

Rick

sqlbullet
01-04-2012, 05:08 PM
I don't live in your area, but I do cast for the 30-06. I also had a college room mate from the Medford area.

I would be glad to share what I am doing that works.

Couple of thoughts. First, have you tried BobS load (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showpost.php?p=312730&postcount=15)? The link has loads for both bolt action and M1 Garand 30-06 rounds using H4831. I would suggest polyfil rather than toilet paper as a case filler. I have issues with unburned powder with H4831, but the loads are accurate and easy shooting.

I have also had good luck with Varget and Reloader 15. Both powders I use about 36 grains and burn clean.

My most recent loads have been using WC872 surplus powder. This is similar to H870. I run 59 grains over a magnum primer with my Lee 200 grain boolit. Function testing is good in my Garand, but I haven't tested accuracy yet. Bore was clean and shiny after 24 rounds.

For boolits, I cast Lee 200 gr 309 from isotope lead plus a little tin. I water drop them and gas check with Hornady checks, lubed with Felix lube.

Hope this helps and am glad to hear any questions.

trixter
01-04-2012, 07:25 PM
I don't live in your area, but I do cast for the 30-06. I also had a college room mate from the Medford area.

I would be glad to share what I am doing that works.

Couple of thoughts. First, have you tried BobS load (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showpost.php?p=312730&postcount=15)? The link has loads for both bolt action and M1 Garand 30-06 rounds using H4831. I would suggest polyfil rather than toilet paper as a case filler. I have issues with unburned powder with H4831, but the loads are accurate and easy shooting.

I have also had good luck with Varget and Reloader 15. Both powders I use about 36 grains and burn clean.

My most recent loads have been using WC872 surplus powder. This is similar to H870. I run 59 grains over a magnum primer with my Lee 200 grain boolit. Function testing is good in my Garand, but I haven't tested accuracy yet. Bore was clean and shiny after 24 rounds.

For boolits, I cast Lee 200 gr 309 from isotope lead plus a little tin. I water drop them and gas check with Hornady checks, lubed with Felix lube.

Hope this helps and am glad to hear any questions.

Thanks for the reply. You are shooting way heavier stuff than I am anticipating. I am going to cast 150 gr boolits and use reduced powder loads Red Dot or Green Dot or some similar fast burning powder. I am just killing paper, and I don't need to go too fast. I am also looking at loading some 110gr hollow points FMJ for varmints. Might try them out on squeakers next spring if I get the results I am looking for.

Mak Rov
01-06-2012, 12:12 AM
Rick,
I shoot cast boolits in the 30-06 too. I cast with a RCBS 30-180 mold and it uses a gas check.
With WW metal it casts about a 185 gr. boolit. I have used Red Dot at 13.0 gr and IMR 4895 at 28.0 to 30.0 gr. Both loads are accurate, especially the 4895 loads, and pleasant to shoot. I really like this boolit for 30-06.

Duckdog
01-06-2012, 08:39 AM
I shoot 150s and 170s. I like the 170 gr a bit more in the 06. If I'm not using 5744, I use 15 gr of Unique without a filler and find it very accurate. Without going into my notes, I think I'm getting near 1850 fps out of it.

Another good source of info for reduced loads is Lees 2nd edition.

Throwback
01-06-2012, 01:09 PM
The Red Dot load will work perfectly for your needs. No special alloy considerations or lube needs. They will all work at the velocity you will get.

Use a gas check. With any bullet weight, seat the bullet far enough out that the gas check portion is inside the case neck if at all possible. (No problem with many bullets) Best accuracy will be found seating the bullet to just contact the lands. Like the others, I think your best results in the '06 will be with heavier bullets. None of my molds currently in use are less than 178 grains. My favorite target load is an old 180 grain Lyman 311413 over 13.0 grains of unique. Velocity will be close to 1,500 fps. Any weight of bullet from 170 to 220 will work with this charge. Accuracy is superb.

I generally size all my .30's to .310. I have only rarely needed to size down or up. (In P17 "Enfields, which I suspect never lost their .303 British bore dimensions when the change was made from the P14, I have not sized the bullet, or I have used the 314-299 bullet, which casts about .312 with my mold and alloy.

mpmarty
01-06-2012, 03:10 PM
I cast 30 cal and shoot in a 308. Not much different from 06. If you want to drive up to my place I'd welcome you for a casting/reloading session. I too use red dot for reduced loads as well as Unique, 2400 etc. 3031 is a favorite powder for "normal" loads at around 2000fps. I'm in the Umpqua valley basin near Camas Valley Oregon.

trixter
01-06-2012, 05:13 PM
Thank you all for the help. The suggestions confirm my hunches.

Marty, I will PM you for directions. Might be some time later this spring.