30 cal. Cast Bullets In a 30-06 or .308 Win Handi

[tfranklin7]

Anyone here load cast bullets for there 30-06 or 308 win. ? I am ordering a Lyman mould and handles, sizer die,gas checks and Lyman manual and going to give it a try with my 30-06 and 308 handis. The reduced loads will make my powder supply go farther  .  TF

[Troyboy]

I don't yet but i'm getting ready same as you. The only difference is i'm just gonna buy the led already cast. I am really happy with western bullets. Everything i have gotten has made me happy and they are very reasonable.

[woodchukhntr]

I have loaded both and currently the .30-06.  I really like 13.0 gr. of Red Dot with just about any bullet that I have tried it with.  See Ed Harris' article "The Load" is 13 Grains of Red Dot" http://www.castbulletassoc.org/forum/view_topic.php?id=1387&forum_id=22

My '03A3 shoots the 150 gr. RCBS semi-point under 3/4" @ 100 yd. with "the load".  The velocity should be around 1800 fps, but that doesn't matter to me.

http://www.lasc.us/ArticleIndex.htm

[Lefty Dude]

When I was shooting lead in my 1895 Lever Browning 06, I used SR4759 powder.

I may start shooting lead in my Handi-.308, I will try SR4759, 5744 & Alliant RL7.

In my Winchester 94 30-30 26" octagon barreled Legacy, I use Accurate 5744.

[clearwater]

30-06

Best results with 170 grain cast, gas checked, sized .309
A 2400
winchester lr
lc brass

308
115 bevel base
sr4759

[BBF]

 Mostly for fun and to see if it would work, I loaded about 3/4 of the case full with Triple 7 and stuck a Lee 200 gr. bullet on top. It went bang with lots of white smoke.

[clearwater]

Mostly for fun and to see if it would work, I loaded about 3/4 of the case full with Triple 7 and stuck a Lee 200 gr. bullet on top. It went bang with lots of white smoke.

Aren't you 'sposed to have a full case when shooting BP or similar?

[BBF]

Yes, for muzzle loaders anyway. Being in a metallic cartridge I didn't think it mattered and there was no problems ejecting the cases and primers looked normal.

BTW about 8 gr. of Trail Boss works as well with the same weight bullet.

[Trapper-Jack]

Mostly for fun and to see if it would work, I loaded about 3/4 of the case full with Triple 7 and stuck a Lee 200 gr. bullet on top. It went bang with lots of white smoke.

Aren't you 'sposed to have a full case when shooting BP or similar?

Definately yes.  I've loaded some '06 shells with black powder and duplex loads with some success, but they have all been up to at least the base of the bullet so I ended up with a little compression once the bullet was seated.  Bad things happen when there is too much space in a cartridge loaded with black or one of the subs.

[Trapper-Jack]

Yes, for muzzle loaders anyway. Being in a metallic cartridge I didn't think it mattered and there was no problems ejecting the cases and primers looked normal.

As I understand it what could happen is called a ringed chamber.  The powder in effect acts as a projectile inside the case and when it reaches the base of the bullet, the bullet in a sence acts like an obstruction in the barrel.  This causes a pressure spike in the middle of the chamber and will bulge the barrel that will look like a dark ring inside the chamber area.  I haven't seen one in real life but have read of them and seen pictures.

[quickdtoo]

I suggest anyone using blackpowder or any substitute to read the manufacturer's data on the product, particularly for Triple Seven. 

Tim

http://hodgdon.com/ml-warning.html

Triple Seven In Cartridges: Use data specifically developed for Triple Seven FFG only.
Cartridge loads should be used exactly as listed in this pamphlet. You may safely use
a card or polyethylene wad up to .030” in thickness to protect the base of the bullet.
Loading density should be 100% with light compression not to exceed .100”.
Testing has shown that Triple Seven will perform best when the bullet just touches
the powder. Allow no airspace between the base of the bullet and the powder. Do
not reduce loads by means of filler wads or inert filler material such as Grits, Dacron
or Grex. Do not heavily compress powder charges. The use of filler wads, inert fillers
or heavy compression may cause a dangerous situation, which could cause injury
and/or death to the shooter, bystanders or damage property. Do not create loads for
cartridges not listed. Contact Hodgdon Powder Company for recommendations concerning
other loads. *See WARNINGS below

[vincewarde]

Add me to the list of people who will be casting bullets for as many of my guns as possible.  Personally, I feel safer with SR 4759 than with small charges of a pistol/shotgun powder.  Less chance of a double charge, etc.

[Rustyinfla]

  Veral Smith has done a lot of work with cast bullets. His forum is down the page a bit on the GBO main page. He has a great book he wrote"Jacketed bullet performance from Cast Bullets" that is well worth the money. Veral has forgotten more about shooting than most of us will ever know.