30-06

[swampthing]

I'm a little confused as to which alloy to use in my 30-06. My goal is to achieve a 2400-2500fps "Hunting Load" with 170g or 200g LFN's. From what I understand from reading your book, any lead bullet alloy that is 18BHN or greater will breakdown or erode as it penetrates. I understand that I should be aiming for 1.5x expansion for the fastest kill speed.  Is there a viable option aside from using a softnose mold? Maybe a .30cal FN mold for the bigger meplat and rely on DV?
                                       Sounds like I should be going for a ductile alloy, but what alloy would allow 2400fps, without getting over expansion and/or bullet break down?

[Veral]

First off, don't be concerned about getting a mushroom.  It isn't critical, not even important, with rifle loads.

The best alloy is Wheel Weight alloy with 2% tin added, this to be used as a base.
Dilute with pure lead till you can just obtain 16 bhn by water dropping or oven heat treating, as you prefer.  Water dropping to 16 bhn will require a richer alloy than oven hardening, and less ductile.

  If you are using LBT lube, 2400 fps will be easy to get with excellent accuracy, and you can expect good terminal performance out to at least 300 yards, with 170 gr bullets, farther with 200 gr.  If I were to sell you a mold for your 'needs', it would be an LCFN as heavy as your rifles throat would accept, but not over 200 gr, as the BC of this bullet is off the chart, yet the meplat is identical to the LFN.  But if you have an LFN, use what you got, and you'll be happier.  I'll be happier if you buy a special mold for the purpose!!!