30-06 Bullet

[HEAD0001]

I am looking for bullet(mold) suggestions for a 30-06. The rfle is a TC Encore. I am looking for a bullet for shooting practice, so my goal would be the best accuracy I could achieve for practice out to 200 yards.

35 caliber is the smallest bullet I have cast for in the past.

I imagine I would want a GC design.

I would like to be able to cast these bullets from straight WW.

Any good load suggestions for a 30-06?? Thanks, Tom.

[wiljen]

The RCBS Sil bullet is about as good as I've found in 30 cal.

[James C. Snodgrass]

200 gr Lee and a case full of WC 860 . Has done moa at 100 yds for me but I an't put it on paper at 200 . I get about 2150 + fps . James

[Vly]

The RCBS 180 gr SP shoots very well in all my 30 cals. RCBS molds are a joy to work with. I get goods results in 30-06 using powders like Varget, IMR-4198, and SR-4759 for speeds in the 1700 fps to 1900 fps range.

[357maximum]

The RCBS 180 gr SP shoots very well in all my 30 cals. RCBS molds are a joy to work with. I get goods results in 30-06 using powders like Varget, IMR-4198, and SR-4759 for speeds in the 1700 fps to 1900 fps range.

What he said X2

[shotman]

You need to stay in the <200 gr or the drop is going to be real bad. The T/C s I have shot are not that good for tight groups. I like the 311413 but there are some on here dont get as good as I do

[carpetman]

I have not used the RCBS 30-180-SP that Vly and a couple others mentioned. I have used the same style in 6mm (in .243) and that style in .22 cal. I'd bet heavy that they are right on with the recommendation. It is a gas check design,but I have had good luck using it sans gas check too.

[Thumbcocker]

Lyman 311291

[Echo]

+1 on the -291

[Patrick L]

I've had really good luck with the SAECO 301, but I never shot it past 100 yds (that's as long as our range is!)

[Hardcast416taylor]

DITTO on the RCBS 180 gr. I also use the LEE 312 - 185 gr., all sized to .311". Varget and 4198 powders have worked for me. Robert

[Larry Gibson]

If you're asking about current commercial moulds I agree on the 311291. The Lyman 311284 is also good for a heavier bullet. The RCBS 30-180-FN is also good. With the TC barrels you want about as much driving band bearing surface as possible for best accuracy. The longer case neck of the '06 allows these bullets with longer driving band bearing surface to be used without excessive seating below the case neck.

WW alloy will get you good accuracy up through 1700 fps or so in the TC barrel. I'd add 2% tin to it for better casting quality. For consistent accuracy and not having to clean the barrel every 10 shots or so you'll probably need to use a harder alloy or water quench your WW bullets. If you don't WQ the faster powders mentioned like 4198 and 4759 are good ones. Also, 2400 and 4227. For 1700-2000 fps I prefer 4895 with a 3/4 gr dacron filler. Try 28-32 gr with any of the above bullets.

Larry Gibson

[beagle]

The newer version of the RCBS 30-180-SP is hard to beat in the .30/06. There is an older version that looks similar to a 311467./beagle

[MakeMineA10mm]

Hey guys, with the discussion, I take it you mean this one:


(.30-180-FN 546 Mould No. 82014)

and NOT this one, right?

(.30-180-SP 541 Mould No. 82020)

[beagle]

There's two 30-180-SPs. The one that you pictured Part Number 82020 and Part Number: 82013 which is the old/obsolete design. The 82020 is one I have gotten very good results from.

What little shooting I have done with the old one looks promising as well./beagle

[Larry Gibson]

I was refering to #82014. It has the obvious longer bearing surface (fits the '06 length neck quite nicely) for better hold in the multi groove TC rifling. It also has a shorter nose for potentially less imbalance from unwanted obturation or bending.

Larry Gibson

[lar45]

http://www.castbulletassoc.org/milit...kota052007.pdf
http://www.castbulletassoc.org/milit...keye051207.pdf
Here is a link to some score sheets from a Military rifle cast bullet shoot. It gives the mould, lube, powder charge...
The pink entries are new National records.

It may be useful.

[kir_kenix]

Those are some pretty intersting links lar. Suprised to see that everyone uses the issue barrel, suspected I would see some Douglas/Hart/Lija/shilen/whatever on those milsurps. The Lyman 311299 has a strong following, along with a few others. No custom boolits, and even a Lee made the list! Everybody was shooting either k-31's or springfields as well.

It is kind of cool to see what the competitors are using, but by no means should we limit ourselves to just what they are using. There are a ton of good .30 molds out there, and provided they fit the bore well and are heavy or fast enough, most can be shot satisfactorily out to 200 yds. Most of my .30 plinking is from 100 yards and in, but I like to launch a few further down range from time to time...

[atr]

Lyman #211284 210 gr GC / RN
and
Lyman #311291 170 gr GC / RN
both shoot very well in my 1917 model 30-06
the 170 gr seems to cast a little more easily than the 210 gr

[Tumtatty]

Lee 312 160gr 2rn rocks in my M1 Garand! And its cheap too! I use this mold for:
Garand
Enfield
Mosin