30-06 Reduced Loads

[bender]

Was wondering about loading some reduced loads for my 30-06 bolt rifles (for my son to shoot). I take my son shooting with me almost every weekend... but... with my normal 30-06 loads, he's "had enough" after only 2 shots

My Lee book and my Hornady book don't list any reduced loads. My speer manual (#12) lists a few.

Bullets I currently have: 100gr Plinkers, 110gr FMJ, and 150gr Hornady FMJ, and I may have a box of 168gr Speer FMJ.

I'd like to hear some ideas for 110gr and 150gr bullets, at around 2000fps or less.

I don't know much about reduced loads... is there a pressure problem (as in high pressure) ?

 

[Steve Koski]

http://www.chuckhawks.com/reduced_recoil_reloads.htm

http://www.reloadingroom.com/page33.html

http://www.woodsdrummer.com/ml07.html

http://www.nfa.ca/content/view/118/197/

 

[Steve Koski]

Doh!

 

[bender]

thanks! that woodsdrummer site seems to have some good advice on it.

I did search THR before posting, and I found some reduced load threads, but not for 30-06.

I'd still like some THR members comments about which ones they have tried and found safe and good shooting.

 

[Joemyxplyx]

30-06 Reduced Loads and 4895

Here's some info from Hodgdon on using a 60% of normal load of 4895 for reduced loads: http://www.hodgdon.com/data/youth/index.php

Enjoy

 

[tkcomer]

Here's another one from the Reloading Room: http://www.reloadingroom.com/page46.html I found this and us it for my 30-30 loads. I use 8.8grs behind a 170gr cast bullet. This is a powder puff of a load.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Why not go get that youngin a .243 or something that he can handle?

I know its easier to reduce a load for the fellah but I think he'd love to have one he can call his own.

Then again I can understand where your coming from if you are financially unable to do so at this time. Story of my life.

 

[dracphelan]

The loads I used were a speer 110gr JHP with 42.5 grains of IMR 3031. I got good groups with this load and low recoil. Your results may vary. The range of loads I tried with the powder was 42.5 grains to 45.1 grains.

 

[dakotasin]

start at around 10 grains of unique and work up to maybe 14-15 grains w/ a 165 cast bullet (commercially available - i use laser cast for my 8 year old daughter's 300 wsm). you are looking for around 1600-1800 f/s. recoil is about like a 22 hornet or 223, trajectory is a little more rainbowed than a 30-30, and should be able to kill deer.

 

[bender]

Why not go get that youngin a .243 or something that he can handle?

I think he has shot just about every one of my guns. He has a couple of .22LRs, but he wants something bigger.

He likes my .303 enfield a lot (no. 4, US built). He didn't like my M41 swede at first (too long I think), but now he likes shooting it (I load it kinda light, and it also shoots where you aim it...).

my 8mm k98 and my 30-06 bolts, he's doesn't like shooting much, due to the recoil.

He wants a lever rifle (357 mag he said), and he also wants a muzzleloader.
He's gettin' a T-C Hawken for xmas (perc).

I want to start shooting my rem700 (30-06) after I put a nice scope on it (haven't decided on which scope yet). But I wanted to load up some reduced loads so my son can shoot comfortably. (he's 9. 10 soon).

Thanks for all the info so far !!

 

[zxcvbob]

I bought some Berry's plated .30-30 bullets and intend to load them with 13 grains of Red Dot.

http://www.castbulletassoc.org/forum/view_topic.php?id=1387&forum_id=22&jump_to=6586

 

[bender]

does 31gr of H4895 with a 150gr FMJ bullet sound OK? I used the Hodgdon formula for H4895 reduced loads:

multiply the max load by 60%

Max load listed was 51gr in the Hodgdon Annual, which reduced to 60% is 31gr. However, maximum listed in the Speer book for 150 FMJ with H4895 is 46gr, which reduced to 60% is 28gr.

I have some H4895 already. I'm on my way to sportsman's warehouse to pick up some SR 4759 if they have any.

 

[joneb]

does 31gr of H4895 with a 150gr FMJ bullet sound OK?

That sounds like a good place to start, I have not tried reduced loads with H4895 but I did try 23.5-24gr of AA5744 w/Nos 125 BT F-210 for .308Win, the accuracy was good but there was a lot of unburned powder left in the barrel, SR 4759 may have been a better choice ? I am really pleased with Blue Dot and the before mentioned components. I already had BD on the shelve, if you have Unique or 2400 these will work well too. One draw back of reduced loads is the Point of impact will be different from standard loadings in windage and elevation.

 

[Starter52]

12 grs. of Red Dot and a 150 gr. cast bullet is my (and my boys') favorite light .30 load. This load kicks enough to know you're not shooting a .22, but it's not punishing at all. It works in .30-30, .308, .30-06, etc.

The same load works with a 150 gr. jacketed round nose bullet.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Cool. Sounds like he's been on the back end of several fine rifles.

Keep up the great work dad!

 

[bender]

I went to Sportsmans Warehouse earlier today and bought a pound of SR 4759 and a pound of AA 5744.

 

[TonyT]

bender,
SR-4759 was the old time favorite for reduced loads. Go to the IMR/Hodgdon website which provides maximum loads which can be reduced quite a bit.

XMP-5744 is also a powder for reduced loads,

The Lyman Ideal manual No. 39 also lists reduced looads for lead and jacketed bullets using Unique powdewr. If you need a copy of the page from this manual send me an e-mail.

 

[Art Eatman]

Any of the slow-burn pistol powders. For instance, I've used 20 grains of 2400 behind a 169-grain gas check, but the load is also quite mild with 150-grain jacketed.

Art