New caster here, questions about 30-06 for a 1903a3
Hello everyone,
This is my first post on this forum. I've been lurking here for a few months, taking notes, accumulating supplies, etc.
I'm getting ready to load up my first batch of cast for my 1943 Remington 1903a3. I love this gun to death. I built it from a stripped receiver, got most of my parts from estate sales, and built a complete, period-correct rifle.
Here's where my doubts come in.
I've been abusing the poor search button for a while now, trying to find out the scoop on reduced loads with IMR 4895 powder in 30-06. My very old NRA Handloader's Guide (so old it doesn't have an edition. Looks to be 1968?) lists loads of 37 grains of IMR 4895 with a 180 grain cast boolit. I'm using a Lee C312-185-1R.
The problem is, I've had it pounded into my head to never go lower or higher than the manufacturer suggests. The Hodgdon site lists 45 grains as the starting load for IMR 4895.
Here's a statement from Hodgdon about reduced loads that worries me. I emailed them myself this morning, and they told me that they've never heard of detonation actually occurring in "small arms". Odd to me, seeing as I've read several accounts of it. Perhaps they think they're illegitimate?
I've also read that, as long as you're above 60% case capacity, you'll be fine. QuickLOAD gives me a case fill of 64.5% with 38 grains.
So here's my questions:
- Has anyone here done loads as low as the NRA book suggests?
- Do I need a dacron filler?
- What BHN should I shoot for?
- Does the 60% case fill thing have any credence?
- Am I over-complicating this?
Thank you all very much. I apologize if I've missed similar threads, there's just so many posts on this site it can be hard to find relevant info with a search. If someone has relevant links saved, I would appreciate it.