30-06 and the Lee 200gr

[SDGarrick]

Greetings, first post!

I've cast for 45acp before but mostly just plinking with no real thought to accuracy, alloy property or velocity. I'm excited to say that this week I've ordered the lee 200gr .309 which I'll be loading in a 1/10 twist 30-06. I'm a fan of heavy and slow, and understand that peak accuracy is typically about 1800-1900fps. I have 2 goals, inexpensive reduced loads to develop FUNdamentals and hunting.

I have the most recent lyman manual and 4 or 5 older lyman/ideal manuals, which contain lyman CB loads, but i thought i would ask about the Lee boolit. Closest load I've found is for 311299, which I assume can be used for the Lee.

loads i see per Lyman 49th (24" bbl) for 311299 are:
12.7gr unique for 1400fps - 17.2gr for 1673fps
21 gr 4227 for 1600fps - 29gr for 1992 fps
30gr varget for 1588fps - 38gr for 2017 fps

besides Unique, 4227 and varget, I have w231(I've heard 5-7gr for mousefarts) and 4064 (similar to varget)


sorry for the long read. I've done a ton of research and just want to know others experience with this boolit and these powders, Thanks!

[w5pv]

I use 40 grains of 4138 under a Lyman 200 sp with very good results.I estimate the it travels about 1850 to 2000 fps.It will group about 3/4 inch at 75 yards.This is all guesstimates on my part I have no crony

[Shooter6br]

Try 16g 2400,

[lotech]

I used the Lee 200 about 25 years ago in .30-06 and .30-40 Krag. My old notes are sketchy, but as I recall, the bullet shot fairly well, even though sized at .309", perhaps a bit small for most .30 caliber bores. The alloy approximated Lyman #2. My '-06 loads used H4895 and IMR-4198. I finally damaged the mould and threw it away. In recent years, I have been using Lyman's #314299 cast from wheelweight alloy and sized to .310" in the .30-06. Best cast bullet I've found so far for this cartridge.

[Wayne Smith]

I use 40 grains of 4138 under a Lyman 200 sp with very good results.I estimate the it travels about 1850 to 2000 fps.It will group about 3/4 inch at 75 yards.This is all guesstimates on my part I have no crony

Should I assume you mean 4831?? IMR or H?

[Larry Gibson]

I have 2 goals, inexpensive reduced loads to develop FUNdamentals and hunting.

Given your goals I suggest starting at 30 gr Varget under your Lee bullet and work up to 34 gr in 1 gr increments using 10 shot groups at 100 yards from a good bench rest. Use a 3/4 gr Dacron filler;

The rifle, through the accurate grouping of the test loads, will tell you what is the best load.

Larry Gibson

[SDGarrick]

Thank you all so much for your input. I've been shooting BR for years but CB is a whole new and exciting venture.

[w5pv]

I am using IMR

[TXGunNut]

Welcome to the forum and thanks for the thread. I cast for every rifle I own except for my 30-06's but I think that will change sometime next year. Good luck on this project, I'll be taking notes.