30-06 reduced loads w/jbullets

[autofix4u]

I have a need to work up a 30-06 load with a 170 grn jacket bullet, but I need it to run 2300-2400fps. My first thoughts go to AA5744 for powder. But I am sure the are several others that will work as well. Any thoughts of suggestions? Thanks, Josh

[NickSS]

Your choice is a good one but you might also try IMR 4198 or perhaps 3031. They both work at reduced loads for cast bullets and should work at a slightly hotter load for J bullets. If you are loading these bullets for hunting at reduced velocity you should restrict your range or pick bullets with lighter jacket material or you may not get good expansion at longer ranges

[Jim]

Auto, can you tell us what your objective is? Sometimes it helps to understand where you're going.

[bruce drake]

If you got to use those Nasty J-Word bullets at that velocity, NickSS is on the money regarding bullet selection. Use the 150gr or 170gr RN jacketed bullets designed for 30-30s. Their jackets are thin enough to expand reliably at the velocities you are looking for.

Then again, a 170gr 311291 gaschecked, lubed and cast with a decent alloy will reach 2000fps easily and still do a good number on a deer...

Come to the light Carole Ann!!! Stay away fom those evil J-words!

Bruce

[kelbro]

I have used the Hornady FN 30-30 bullets with devastating (to the deer and hogs) results loaded light in a 30-06. I used SR4759 and H4895. The SR4759 was more accurate.

[autofix4u]

Auto, can you tell us what your objective is? Sometimes it helps to understand where you're going.

Jim, to answer your question. I will be loading these for my dad (he refuses to shoot lead due to a bad leading experince in the past)for dee season. He for reasons unknown to me traded his marlin 30-30 for a Winchester 70 in 06. But now has a hard time shooting full power loads due to an eye issue. We wish to load the 06 with 170grn fn (made for the 30-30) to just over 30-30 preformance. I should have listed the powders I have to work with in the origanal post. They are, unique, universal clays, wc820, aa5744, RL15(about out), h335, h380 & h4831 both new & surplus. So now that you have the right info, any suggestions. Thanks in advance,Josh DeLozier

[Ricochet]

Hodgdon's website has a section on reduced loads. Worth looking at. If they don't list anything for the 170 grain bullet, which isn't popular in .30-06, see if they have 180 grain loads and use those.

[Rocky Raab]

The Accurate manual lists a maximum charge of 32.0 of A5744 with a 168-gr for almost exactly 2300 fps (Start charge is 28.8 for 2000 fps). Oddly, they also list a max of 34.0 with a 190-gr for the same 2300 fps (but with higher pressures). I wouldn't use any powder faster than that or you'd run into pressure spike problems, and powders slower than your RL-15 would likely not burn efficiently.

You probably could use Start-level loads of H335 or H380, or get another can of RL-15 (which would be my second choice after the A5744).

[Echo]

Slower powders wouldn't burn efficiently, but I'll bet a case full of 4831 under the 170 would be in the vicinity of 2300 fps...

Ed

[Rocky Raab]

Ummmmm, no.

Start loads of H4831 would give 2500+ and a case full would approach 2800.

Worse, if you reduce slow powders below their Start levels, you run the very real risk of secondary pressure spikes, the so-called Secondary Explosion Effect, or SEE.

[runfiverun]

something like the rl-15 which is much like 4895 should easily be reduced.
man i hate these i need a load deals you gotta try things a bit to get accuracy and efficiency.
i have used aa-2230 for this same thing before but cannot recall the load as it was a one off deal.
the 308 is a lot easier to make a 30-30 out of.

[NickSS]

I would go with the AA5744 and get a 30-30 bullet going around 2300 fps. I know that they work fine in deer as I have shot several with a light loaded 30-30 bullet years ago. My load was a little hotter than you are looking for as it was around 2500 fps and killed deer like a bomb went off in their chest.

[MT Gianni]

Lighter bullets will kick less.

[autofix4u]

Well I loaded 60 rnds with aa5744. 10ea starting at 29grns at 1 gn intervals to 34grns. Dad is coming over saturday afternoon and we will run them over the crono and see what happens. If these don't get the results we are looking for I get some other powder to try. All is not lost if I cannot come up with a workable load before season opens, I will just loan him one of my Winchester 94's. Then he will see what cast can do, no jackets in my 30-30s. I just wish I could say the same for the quarterbore rifles. Thank you all for the suggestions and I will let you know after saturday.

[725]

My favorite: 30 gr IMR 4198 / 180 jacketed -- very pleasant

Page 298, Speer #13 -- 180 jacketed, 30.0 grains IMR 4198 @ 2000 fps
180 jacketed, 26.0 grains IMR 4198 @ 1723 fps

Never tried but they list:

Page 297, Speer #13 -- 165 jacketed, 25.0 grains SR 4759 @ 1941

Good luck and keep helping your Dad as best you can.

[JDL]

I have a need to work up a 30-06 load with a 170 grn jacket bullet, but I need it to run 2300-2400fps. My first thoughts go to AA5744 for powder. But I am sure the are several others that will work as well. Any thoughts of suggestions? Thanks, Josh

This is the load I use:
LC'67 Match brass
CCI 200 primers
170 grain Nosler Solid Base FP
42 grains of IMR-3031
Velocity 2349 fps

Six groups of this load averaged 1.41" and very pleasant to shoot. Should be instant death on deer.
JDL

[TCLouis]

If it were me, as Ricochet said, I would go to the Hodgdon's online loading manual, or do a web search for Seafire and Blue Dot.
Maybe both.

It may be because I am cheap, maybe because the range is only 10 miles away, but I shoot 3 or 5 round tests and work up after I see something that looks like it is worth investigating. 10 round groups star getting into dirty barrel/clean barrel issues too it seems.

[Three44s]

I would secure a copy of Lee's Modern Reloading .......

I checked mine and found H4895 @ 41 or 42 gr. pushing a 168 gr. J-word to about the speed you are seeking. ( I realize it's not on you powder list)

Your idea of letting your Dad use your 30-30 (no J-word) rifles sounds like the best tactical and strategic solution though ............ LOL!

And also, I would recommend the Simms recoil pad for the '06. Barring that, Shooter's Friend makes a very good quick pad. Ugly ........ but VERY COMFORTABLE!

Regards

Three 44s

[autofix4u]

Well it looks like I don't have to worry much about downloading the 06 for Dad. He came over after church today & we did some shootin. We started off with the aa5744 loads for the 06, all went well with some nice groups & expected speeds. Found a load that the rifle seemed to like ok. Then I wanted to try out a Marlin 336 in 30-30 I had traded for. It didn't have a rear sight on it when I got it, and the front scope mount holes were stripped out. it now wears a reciver mount peep & new post.(Bubba lives here also) Well dad likes Marlins & really like the sites and the way this one shoots. When he left so did my marlin, ohh well I can't seem to keep marlins around anyhow. Thank you all for the help & suggestions. Josh DeLozier

[Ricochet]

That's a happy ending.