30-06 load/bullet developement help

[archeryrob]

So I went a bought a Bergara B-14 Hunter in 30-06. The wife kept pushing me for what to get for Christmas and how can you go wrong with a new gun?

I have an existing NOE 183 grain 30 cal mold I am using in my 30-30 with 11bhn powder coated bullets water hardened when cast to about 14. I am happy with that, but I think I want to go lighter and flatter shooting with the 30-06. I found this page using the NOE 310-165-FN-H3 165 grain bullet and I already have H4198 and was thinking of give this a shot at 36 grains in the spring time. I was thinking of going in the 150 grain range but have not found a bullet mold I liked for the weight and design yet. Bullets will be gas checked and powder coated.

GRT is calcing it at 2293 fps. Obliviously I think I might need to move the hardness up a bit. Ya'll think 16 or 18 BHN and quenched? I want to shoot it flatter and longer, so as hot as I can push it is better. BUT, It will be a hunting bullet, so as soft as the speed will allow it to be. I'll go with more grains to get flatter if it could handle it.

So I am looking for thoughts what anyone else has done and variations I should try.

 

[RockPile]

I'm scratching my head on why you'd want a .30-06 that shoots at .30-30 velocities.

I get the appeal of cast bullets. I make them for my .45-90 Sharps. But that's a different deal of course.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I load 120 grain copper plated for my 30.06 with cast data. They are accurate and easy on the shoulder. Makes for fun steel punching out to 300 yards.

 

[Seedy Character]

I'm scratching my head on why you'd want a .30-06 that shoots at .30-30 velocities.

I get the appeal of cast bullets. I make them for my .45-90 Sharps. But that's a different deal of course.

Recoil
Economy

My grandson wanted a .30-06. Though, He had never shot one. Tried too talk him into a another caliber. Not having it, he wanted .30-06.

He saved and had got the rifle and 1 box of Hog Buster 180gr.

Takes rifle to range, fired 1 round, put rifle away and would not touch.

I load some 120gr powder coated bullets at 2500-2600 fps. Equals a mid-range .25-06 load.
Shoots 1" groups and the loves it.

For OP, good powder coat can be pushed to 2600 fps. BHN of 10-12

I buy my bullets from SnS

 

[jmr40]

With those bullets, at that velocity, you're not going to gain anything with lighter bullets. If you must pursue this just keep using the same 183 gr mold you have.

Even with conventional high ballistic coefficient bullets loaded to 2800-3000 fps you don't see significant differences in trajectory between bullet weights until you get to 400ish yards. And for really long range work the heavier bullets shoot better. And you ain't gonna make it to 400 yards with any of those.

 

[BWS]

For $25 or so,get the Lee 150. Around 15BNH. 4198's for the 1800-2000,then either 4895's or,I shoot 40g of Varget for a stout varmint load. But anything in the medium burning range. My 150 drops around .310 but it's the nose that's so sweet on it, .3005 and I leave it alone. Loading to a lite-med jam.

Just sayin,your rig might not care for it, but $25,worth a try. I will say,it's noticeably less recoil than 175's at any velocity. Just boils down to trying a few powders and hitting two different nodes to see if it's a match.

'16 CDL,SSF 30'06 is my current favorite. Was carrying it today with 150's,still some Ghogs about. The 4-12 Refield scope isn't enough for serious target work but is a peachy pairing for this combo. Heckuva nice offhand rig.
Good luck with your project.

 

[archeryrob]

I'm scratching my head on why you'd want a .30-06 that shoots at .30-30 velocities.

I get the appeal of cast bullets. I make them for my .45-90 Sharps. But that's a different deal of course.

Well this was over 2250 and Remi-core locs only shoot 2660. Its a discussion and I am looking for input. If you don't want to suggest, fine.

Seedy Character, thank you. I would like to get near 2600, but not sure if H4198 will do that. I also do not care about recoil. My 30-30 with 183 grain rounds and 29 grains of 3031 is a thumper and make the barrel damn hot if fired quick. Fast, level, and accurate with cast rounds is all I am interested in.

I'll spend $100 on a mold I don't care about the money, I want it to be the correct weight, shape and so on. I am not looking for a cheap mold, just the correct combination of powder and bullet weight. The 183 I have, has a big metplat. I was worried it might not feed as well in 30-06, but hell, I can try some.

4198 is the powder "I have" I did not get suggestions on powders to reach higher feet per second. Thoughts? I can load 4198 and other to test.

 

[archeryrob]

4227 is cracking the whip
38 grain 2533
37 grains 2499
36 grains 2464
35 grains 2428
34 grains 2392

V120 40 grains 2504

 

[Stevel]

Sorry, no experience with cast.

I used to have an M77 RSI in 30-06 with an 18" barrel. IIRC 52gr of 4350 would send 150 fn (30-30 bullets) at just about 2400 fps.

Used 19gr of Trail Boss for 1600 fps at the muzzle. Taught my wife to shoot with these in a regular 22" M77 which she liked.

Will move her up to the faster round next time with a limbsaver pad.

 

[archeryrob]

Ordered the 165 grain mold. I got lots of brass. Maybe I'll try both the 165 and 183 grain pills on targets.