Gents,
I have been thinking about a rifle dedicated to open sights, and cast bullets. I've considered quite a few, and argued the pros and cons of each. Just never stepped down onto the playing field.
Well, I did this last week (stepped in it, that is). Was visiting a bud, and he made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Picked up a 1903 Springfield that has been "sporterized". I'm sure some would say it has been Bubba-ized, but I think it's gonna suit me to a T.
It already has a Lyman peep on it - model 57, I think. The front sight is issue, which is a small problem. The dang thing is only about 0.050" wide. It looks like a toothpick stuck in the top of a fence post! I'd sure like something around 0.075-0.100". Might not be quite as precise, but durn sure be much more seeable. I thought about building it up with JB Weld, but that seems like a cop-out. Are there any available sight/bases available? Can't hurt to ask.
The next thing is gonna sound kinda flakey, I think. I need some suggestions for loading a 30-06! Never loaded for one! I've owned a couple, but just never bothered to load for them, as the cartridge really never interested me. I just always wanted something everybody else DIDN'T have. And this will be with cast bullets, natch. Eventually I'll get around to slugging the bore, but I'm gonna start out with .310". I gotta make this thing go Bang!
Right now I have the RCBS 150 FN mold, and their 180 (311467 equiv.) too. Might pick up another if I see a real need. Powders shouldn't be a problem. I have the usual IMR & Hodgdon numbers, plus surplus WC820, AA Data 86, 7383, 4895, and 5010.
If you can lend a hand here, it will be appreciated.
I started out with the 180. Loaded 20 rounds of C.E. Harris' load of 13gr Red Dot just for familiarization. And the Lee manual's cast loads for 4350 and 4831 were only one grain apart, so I loaded a ladder test with Data 86, that should run 1700-1900fps. I'll shoot these up at fifty yards and see how they do. What I'd eventually like to wind up with is a 200 yard hunting load for our smallish whitetails and maybe not-so-small hogs. If I can get the 180 up to 2000-ish fps, it should do fine... Course more is better. Any Idea how fast I might get the 150? FWFL, of course. Think 3-4" at 200 is doable? That'd sure make me smile!
Y'all help me out here. I'm sure you guys can save me a large dose of heartburn, not to mention a few pounds of components. Thanks,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Bug.