30-06 and Dacron Question

[Clinton]

I've got some general questions about cast loads for 30-06 and the use of Dacron filler. I like to shoot sitting and prone with a sling and iron sights. But I find I hate any gun that recoils harder than a 7.62x39 surplus round. So I'd pretty much written off any of the old U.S. service weapons and their respective calibers. But then I got the idea of casting bullets for an 03-06 and seeing how I've never really cast bullets for rifle loads before, I'm wondering how light do cast bullets in a 30-06 recoil? Also, is it absolutely necessary to use dacron with these loads no matter what powder you're using? It just seems like a lot of extra hassle when reloading can already be a chore. Thanks.

[RickinTN]

I think you'll find many to recommend a charge of between 16 and 18 or so grains of 2400 behind a bullet that fits the rifle well and is normal-for-cartridge weight. I don't use any filler with this load and get great accuracy out of several rifles. Take a look at the favorite military rifle loads thread and you'll find good information. Recoil is quite mild with these loads. Velocities should run in the 1,500 to 1,700 fps range.
Good luck,
Rick

[Clinton]

Would you compare recoil to something less than jacketed 308? And thanks btw.

[RickinTN]

I would compare recoil as being probably less than half of a factory .308 Winchester loading. I relate it to an overgrown 22LR.

Rick

[Clinton]

Sounds perfect, thanks.

[Larry Gibson]

Here's a 10 shot sitting RF string with my M1903 National Match Type II on the 100 yard reduced target. Load is the 311466 over 18 gr 2400 with the Dacron filler (no hassle....really).

Larry Gibson

119304

[Scharfschuetze]

Just out at the range today with my brother-in-law and forum member Stratman shooting my ersatz 1903 NM Type II at the 200 yard gong (same size as the SR 2 NM 200 yard bullseye) with Lyman's 311334 (190 grains) sized at .310 over Unique powder for 1,600 fps. With a canvas shooting coat on the recoil is mild to say the least and accuracy is just fine.

[Blackwater]

One thing not listed above, and I haven't done it yet, but a very savvy buddy has, is that when using dacron, you must use enough to reach down to the powder and up to the base of the bullet. This apparently alleviates the occasional phenomena of "ringed barrels," which is something that's good to be alleviated. Using just enough to keep the powder charge next to the primer is alleged to sometimes causing ringed barrels, so load accordingly.

[CGT80]

I use red dot and herco in the 30-30 and 30-06 with a 180 grain cast boolit, no gas check. No dacron needed. The 30-30 is running at 1300 fps. You can even use 150 grain jwords over 13.0 grains of red dot in the 30-06 and get 1400 fps and low recoil. I use the 30-30 load to shoot steel chickens at 110 yards and have done very well in a local steel competition with that load.

There are a number of powders that work well for light rifle loads. I have also loaded jwords over light charges of imr 4895. 30.0 grains of imr 4895 under a 150 jacketed is much softer than the full power loads and is part of their youth load data for downloading 4895....................might have been hogdgon's web site, but I use IMR powder.

I use an aluminum NOE 5 cavity mold for my rifle boolits, and I just ordered one for 40 S&W as well. Cast is low recoil and inexpensive for rifle use.

[rsrocket1]

Do a lookup on using any of the Lee C309-XXX cast bullets without the gas check loaded with 10 grains of any of the faster pistol powders such as Red Dot, Unique, Bullseye, 700X. For real budget low recoil shooting, try the Lee C309-113-F with the above loads and no gas check. Accurate to within and inch or two at 100 yards, low noise, very low recoil and 1500-1600 fps.

[W.R.Buchanan]

My current favorite load for the .30-06 is Lyman 311299 200 gr with 25 gr of 5744. It works well, but I am about to try the 16 gr of 2400 load with the same boolit as I have heard nothing but good things about this combo. I also have Lee 309-190gc boolits that work pretty well.

On a similar note 20.5 gr of 5744 with 314299 has proven to be the best shooting load so far in my Enfield #4 Mk1. Probably going to try the 2400 load in that gun as well.

I would also suggest a big mushy recoil pad for your gun if it doesn't already have one. I got this Limbsaver Slip on for my Enfield and it makes the gun very enjoyable to shoot.

Randy

[zomby woof]

I think you'll find many to recommend a charge of between 16 and 18 or so grains of 2400 behind a bullet that fits the rifle well and is normal-for-cartridge weight. I don't use any filler with this load and get great accuracy out of several rifles. Take a look at the favorite military rifle loads thread and you'll find good information. Recoil is quite mild with these loads. Velocities should run in the 1,500 to 1,700 fps range.
Good luck,
Rick

This.....
I couldn't stand shooting this load because it was too soft. I love recoil!!!

[Finnmike]

Let me say this: a 100-round bench session of 16 to 17 gr of 2400 under a 200-gr 311299 is relaxing. Having said that at 66 yrs the limbsaver pad on my 1917 guarantees it. My "tough" sessions are behind me!