Newby here.

[Bigtravoz]

Hi all,

New to the forum and new to casting boolits.

Bought myself the lee 200 grain 30 cal gas check mould, lube etc. now the fun begins.

So I may be posting in the wrong spot here but please forgive me till I learn the way around. Anyway I am wanting to load these in a 30-06, mostly for ****s and giggles but would also like to be able to use them hunting. So to my questions, what powders are people using for similar loadings, and what sort of velocities are reasonably achievable? I thoroughly realise that 3000 fps will never work with cast lead. I must say that I am quite experienced loading jacketed projectiles and have wanted to venture into the dark world of casting. My last question is about hardness, and what works for hunting? As I am probably aiming for the upper end of workable velocity what sort of hardness would be suitable?

Thanks in advance for your help������

[Bad Ass Wallace]

Welcome Bigtravoz,

Taking that first step is the easiest! I'm using a Lyman 311284 in my 30/06 with some amazing results. Fitted with a 12x Leupold scope it took me over 600 rounds to achieve, but then one day I recorded 2 x 10 shot groups under an inch at 100yds.

My load is 31.5gns of 3031 with LP primer and boolit sized to 0.310". The barrel is a 4 groove mil surp that has never seen a 'J' boolit.

https://i.imgur.com/SabiU6Dh.jpg

I'm now working on a 7x57 Mauser that is very promising. The rifle is a FN Mauser

https://i.imgur.com/LuRm5kSh.jpg

[Tazlaw]

I’m new to casting as well, but like the OP I’ve reloaded a bit before. Welcome to the forum. The members here are pretty amazing.

[Bigtravoz]

Welcome Bigtravoz,

Taking that first step is the easiest! I'm using a Lyman 311284 in my 30/06 with some amazing results. Fitted with a 12x Leupold scope it took me over 600 rounds to achieve, but then one day I recorded 2 x 10 shot groups under an inch at 100yds.

My load is 31.5gns of 3031 with LP primer and boolit sized to 0.310". The barrel is a 4 groove mil surp that has never seen a 'J' boolit.

https://i.imgur.com/SabiU6Dh.jpg

I'm now working on a 7x57 Mauser that is very promising. The rifle is a FN Mauser

https://i.imgur.com/LuRm5kSh.jpg

Nice. What sort of velocity are you getting from it?
I am currently building my 06 and have a 24” 6 groove 10 twist to send them down. I only need minute of bambi and truly am not expecting sub moa. Build is on a Parker Hale 1100 action that was originally a 243. Got the receiver for $30 and had to find all the bits except the trigger. Currently building the stock for it. Should be ready in a couple of weeks.

Trav

[Bad Ass Wallace]

They chronograph at 1740fps. I'm at Kingaroy Queensland on a small farm so shooting every day is possible. Happy to post you some boolit samples once you get started.

[bmortell]

this is your friend, usually everthing will go to poop over 2k in 10 twist so this is a chart equalized at 2k for rifle powders. and use at your own discretion and check data elsewhere as the chart isn't made by me. cant say which is best every gun likes different ones, one 30-06 I load for likes 2k charge of h4831 the other h4895. those I consider hunting load at about 3% antimony 3%tin air cooled. or just 20-1, 16-1 lead tin if that works for you. I just would recommend heavy on the tin and lighter on antimony since it needs to be stretchy for big mushrooms. for a more range load if you will 2400 around 20gr is pretty common good load.

Cartridge : .30-06 Spring.
Bullet : .308, 214, LYM LRN GC 311284
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch or 84.84 mm
Barrel Length : 23.0 inch or 584.2 mm

Matching Muzzle Velocity: 2000 fps


Powder.type....Filling/Loading.Ratio%..Charge grains....Charge grams...Vel fps..Prop.Burnt %. P.max psi..P.muzzle psi
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hodgdon.H870.................101.7.....59.6.....3. 86....2000....78.3....25746...10749
Hodgdon.Retumbo...............97.5.....55.6.....3. 60....2000....86.5....25776...10590
Hodgdon.US.869...............102.6.....62.0.....4. 02....2000....75.7....27336...10427
Vihtavuori.20N29.............109.5.....66.8.....4. 33....2000....73.0....27690...10427
Accurate.8700................110.6.....64.2.....4. 16....2000....75.8....28449...10202
Ramshot.Magnum.(Big.Boy)......89.5.....54.1.....3. 50....2000....83.7....25936...10188
Alliant.Reloder-25............89.1.....50.3.....3.26....2000....90 .4....25195...10125
Accurate.MAGPRO...............85.6.....51.6.....3. 35....2000....81.2....25730....9955
Vihtavuori.N560...............84.0.....48.7.....3. 15....2000....83.4....25770....9807
Alliant.Reloder-22............84.3.....48.3.....3.13....2000....86 .8....25662....9734
Hodgdon.50BMG................104.9.....60.4.....3. 91....2000....67.4....28584....9733
Winchester.WXR................86.6.....48.6.....3. 15....2000....86.6....25706....9731
Hodgdon.H1000.................94.4.....53.0.....3. 43....2000....83.9....27301....9725
Vihtavuori.24N41..............99.1.....59.9.....3. 88....2000....71.2....28941....9668
IMR.7828.SSC..................83.5.....48.6.....3. 15....2000....84.1....26445....9633
IMR.7828......................88.2.....48.6.....3. 15....2000....84.1....26445....9633
Vihtavuori.N170...............98.4.....55.2.....3. 58....2000....78.8....27708....9478
Accurate.3100.................91.9.....49.3.....3. 20....2000....92.1....26399....9445
Accurate.4350.................80.8.....43.8.....2. 84....2000....94.2....26166....9271
IMR.4831......................84.1.....45.7.....2. 96....2000....92.4....26415....9212
Ramshot.Hunter................74.6.....45.1.....2. 92....2000....91.5....26408....9205
Alliant.Reloder-19............81.0.....45.9.....2.98....2000....87 .9....26923....9196
Hodgdon.H4831.SC..............84.8.....48.6.....3. 15....2000....84.4....27805....9131
Hodgdon.H4831.................88.2.....48.6.....3. 15....2000....84.4....27805....9131
Winchester.760................72.6.....43.5.....2. 82....2000....90.6....26679....9088
Vihtavuori.N165...............87.8.....49.3.....3. 19....2000....89.4....27400....9084
Hodgdon.H4350.................76.7.....43.2.....2. 80....2000....92.2....26509....9082
Vihtavuori.N550...............74.0.....42.9.....2. 78....2000....94.0....26742....9058
Hodgdon.H414..................69.6.....42.1.....2. 73....2000....92.2....27615....8871
IMR.4350......................81.1.....44.0.....2. 85....2000....87.7....28120....8821
Vihtavuori.N160...............87.3.....47.5.....3. 08....2000....87.4....28656....8774
Ramshot.BigGame...............72.9.....41.4.....2. 68....2000....96.0....27036....8740
Hodgdon.H380..................70.9.....41.1.....2. 66....2000....94.7....28199....8657
Hodgdon.BL-C2.................65.3.....40.4.....2.62....2000. ...97.7....27746....8564
Alliant.Reloder-15............68.7.....38.9.....2.52....2000....96 .1....28115....8505
Accurate.4064.................74.4.....39.4.....2. 56....2000....99.7....28143....8352
IMR.4320......................70.5.....39.4.....2. 55....2000....96.6....28254....8304
Winchester.748................62.9.....38.4.....2. 49....2000....98.6....27893....8274
IMR.4895......................68.9.....37.8.....2. 45....2000....98.1....27535....8274
Accurate.2700.................75.1.....44.0.....2. 85....2000....92.0....30496....8265
Accurate.2520.................67.3.....39.3.....2. 55....2000....99.2....28278....8262
Hodgdon.VARGET................71.3.....39.1.....2. 53....2000....96.4....29234....8212
Vihtavuori.N540...............71.4.....40.9.....2. 65....2000....97.5....29941....8175
Vihtavuori.N150...............76.7.....41.0.....2. 66....2000....99.1....29025....8139
IMR.4064......................71.9.....38.5.....2. 49....2000....96.8....29371....8128
Ramshot.TAC...................64.1.....38.1.....2. 47....2000....98.3....29042....8118
Hodgdon.H4895.................70.8.....38.9.....2. 52....2000....99.0....28751....8036
Accurate.2460.................63.7.....38.7.....2. 51....2000....99.1....29523....8027
Vihtavuori.N530...............64.3.....36.7.....2. 38....2000....98.4....29294....8023
Accurate.2495.................69.6.....37.3.....2. 42....2000...100.0....28635....7992
Accurate.2230.................62.8.....38.2.....2. 47....2000....99.1....29868....7901
IMR.3031......................67.9.....36.0.....2. 33....2000...100.0....28027....7884
Hodgdon.H335..................60.5.....37.4.....2. 43....2000....99.7....29319....7871
Vihtavuori.N140...............70.9.....38.7.....2. 51....2000....99.9....29829....7715
Hodgdon.Benchmark.............65.6.....36.6.....2. 37....2000....99.2....31015....7615
Ramshot.X-Terminator..........60.9.....35.7.....2.32....2000 ....99.9....30099....7595
Hodgdon.H322..................63.9.....35.2.....2. 28....2000...100.0....29692....7583
Vihtavuori.N135...............74.2.....38.1.....2. 47....2000...100.0....29569....7578
Alliant.Reloder-12............64.7.....37.4.....2.42....2000...100 .0....30481....7509
Accurate.2200.................59.9.....34.5.....2. 23....2000....99.7....31301....7404
Accurate.2015.................64.7.....35.5.....2. 30....2000...100.0....31364....7182
Alliant.Reloder-10x...........62.9.....33.6.....2.18....2000...100 .0....31434....7095
Vihtavuori.N133...............70.2.....36.4.....2. 36....2000...100.0....32099....7005

[Bigtravoz]

Thanks fellas. Was figuring somewhere between 1800 and 2000 fps would be the area to look at. I might take you up on your offer at some stage Wallace. Might be able to do a bit of a swap.

[GregLaROCHE]

If you are just plinking, you may want to try some without the gas checks to save on costs.

[smithnframe]

Welcome from Texas! I shoot the same bullet in my 03' and 03A3 Springfield's with excellent accuracy!

[kungfustyle]

The Forster Hollow pointing tool can help and it doesn't change the p.o.a. https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/5170/inline/1

[Bigtravoz]

Welcome from Texas! I shoot the same bullet in my 03' and 03A3 Springfield's with excellent accuracy!
Good to know. I have about 200 of them cast now. Do you use a gas check? I have a thousand hornady ones. I plan on running some close to subsonic and was planning on running those without checks to give sufficient obturation to seal, or am I better running them with gas checks?

[Bigtravoz]

The Forster Hollow pointing tool can help and it doesn't change the p.o.a. https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/5170/inline/1
I have looked at those but I think for deer species it would be counter productive. I need a solid whack that will hold together after hitting bone. But as I say I am new to the cast scene other than the million or so rounds of 22 lr I have shot lol. Have you used them on deer after hollow pointing?

[trapper44shooter]

Welcome to you

[Bigtravoz]

Thanks. Having a ball so far.