Gallery Load

[GoBig]

I'd like some advise on how to proceed. I'm going to put together some loads for my 700 long range in 30-06. I have my full power loads figured out but also want to make a gallery type load for grouse at 25 yards. I want the load to be as quiet as possible and moving in the 800-1000 fps range. I've done much reading and have only a few questions. Which would be quieter in that velocity range using either bullseye or red dot, a heavy bullet or a light bullet? I have access to a lyman 311252AW mold throwing an 80 grain round nose, a lee C312-185-1R at about 183 grains, and a lyman 311284 at iirc 214 grains. If the lighter bullet is likely to be quietest and the 311252 is unacceptable (I worry about excessive jump to the rifling) then would the lee C309-120-R be suitable? Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think I'll need a gas check for these. Last question, should I shoot the 309s as cast or size them? What size should I size them to? I have slugged the bore and will measure it as soon as I find my mic. Sorry for the long read and thank you for any help.

[Mk42gunner]

Down in the military cartridge section there are a lot of threads about cat sneeze or gallery loads for the '06. I wouldn't really call them quite, but they are quieter than full blown loads.

Virtually all of my .30 caliber boolits are sized .311", I have never seen the need to go smaller.

Robert

[GoBig]

That's the area I've been reading for the past couple days. Just curious about relative noise of heavy vs light. I'm thinking a light bullet would need less pressure to send at a given speed and would result in less pressure leaving the bore which will lead to less noise but wanted confirmation by more knowledgeable sources. If I can get it quieter than a 22 ill be pleased. Thanks for your sizing information.

[runfiverun]

5 grs of powder is quiet but not whisper quiet.
you can take them down further.
3.5 grs of 700-x, clay's, or titegroup will all be pretty darn quiet. [that lightweight lyman will work just fine for grouse]
but you'll need to test them some to make sure the bullet is stabilized and exiting the barrel.
a dry ready to shoot jacketed barrel has a lot more friction than even a glazed over pre-lubed barrel.

[Outpost75]

We regularly shoot 100-yard matches with '06 Springfields on the reduced SR targets using plainbased cast bullets. In a ten-inch twist a heavier 150-160 grain bullet which fits the throat will be more accurate than lighter ones. Accurate 31-155D was designed especially for gallery load target shooting in the Springfield at subsonic velocities with 5-6 grains of Bullseye and gives better grouping than Ball M2 ammo. We cast bullets 8-10 BHN with 50-50 plumber's lead and wheelweights, and size .311-.312" depending upon state of throat wear.


Attachment 204765

Lightest charge we have used is 4 grains, which still shoots fairly well at shorter ranges.

At 200 yards bump the charge to 8 grains of Bullseye or 8.5 grains of 231 or WST or 10 grains of Herco or AutoComp.

[Larry Gibson]

I use 3.2 gr Bullseye under a 90 gr cast bullet for just such a load. Have taken many grouse with it. It's about as quiet as you'll get w/o using a suppressor.

[rockrat]

I used to shoot the '252 boolit in my '06 using 3gr of bullseye

[Kestrel4k]

I'd like some advise on how to proceed. I'm going to put together some loads for my 700 long range in 30-06.
I have my full power loads figured out but also want to make a gallery type load for grouse at 25 yards. [...]

Not sure why this very detailed 'stickied' thread wasn't of assistance?

Recipes for "Mouse Fart" Loads in 30-06

[Digital Dan]

A proper piece of buckshot properly loaded will do the trick.

[lwknight]

Not to restart a war or kick dead horses but I would point out that reduced loads mean reduced rpm's on the bullet. Therefore a lighter bullet will stabilize at lower velocity than a longer shaped heavier bullet.

[Bama]

Just be careful about going too low or you will stick a bullet in bore. They are a booger to remove. Red Dot is not very loud in a bolt gun with a 200 gr bore rider in a 308W at 6 gr and does not appear to be position sensitive.

[Outpost75]

Safest way to remove stuck bullet with with Brownell Squibb rod.

Essential range kit I carry all the time! I charge LUNCH to clear lodged bullets from barrels.

Most Saturdays I eat free!

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...-prod1251.aspx

[wmitty]

If brownells prices don't do it for you go to local welding supply and get a 36" piece of brass 1/4" brazing rod. About 6 bucks last time I bought one.

[GoBig]

Not sure why this very detailed 'stickied' thread wasn't of assistance?

Recipes for "Mouse Fart" Loads in 30-06

Likely because my first question wasn't answered, at least not that I saw. That thread is an incredible source for information however.

Bama, already been there. Stuck the 214 grain bullet in the barrel about 20 inches in with 2 grains bullseye. 4 grains went through an 18" stack of rags and a half inch sheet of OSB.

I will start with Larry's advise of the light bullet and charges near 3.2 grains bullseye. I have recovered indoor range scrap that is a good deal softer than wheel weights. I'll start with that and see how it goes.

Thank you all for your input.

[Texas by God]

A proper piece of buckshot properly loaded will do the trick.

A #1 buckshot I believe. In my 30-30 I used to use .310" rb's meant for muzzleloaders and 3 grs bullseye. I had to single load those. Now I use .309" fp 90gr boolits that feed through the magazine with the same powder charge. The same load in the bigger 30-06 case would be quieter and slower of course.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[GoBig]

How was accuracy at 30 yards with the buckshot load?

[Digital Dan]

I've not pursued that at great length with the .30 caliber, but with a .430" round ball in the 77/44 I can pretty much dot your "I" at 50 yards. It doesn't take much powder to make them work, but a bit of soft lube on the ball doesn't hurt. YMMV

[P Flados]

I played around with low power 30 cal loads.

In my opinion, a medium weight is probably a better choice than a lighter boolit when you want both quiet and effective distance. Heavier allows more of your powder to be fully burned and the initial pressure spike gone well before the boolit leaves the gun.

I kind of figured this out by accident. I was working with a 150 grn in a 14" barrel and was working down in charges of Promo (Red dot equivalent) checking to see how low I could go with good accuracy. I was at an indoor pistol range and it was obvious that initial loads (above sonic) were "normal" and were "not quiet". After my first shot subsonic, I remember stopping and inspecting the gun to make sure the boolit was not in the barrel. The change was dramatic.

[Thumbcocker]

311291 unsized no gas check 5-7 grains of fast powder squirrel head sized groups at 50 yards. May have to enlarge flash holes.

[Texas by God]

How was accuracy at 30 yards with the buckshot load?

Squirrel hunting accuracy. The Accurate 31-087T is even better.