Cast bullet loads for the .30-06

[bigduke6]

Anyone here have a tried and tested cast bullet load for .30-06 using Unique? tried the other day with, 12 grns unique, 190grn bullet (it was a lymen mold but dont have the details on me) for my M1903, bullets were mostly tumbling they were all sized and lubed etc.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

I've found that the loads published in the Lyman cast bullet book are a bit punk and was never satisfied with their performance. All the loads I could find for that sort of thing were a bit feeble. I doubt that's the reason for tumbling however. Maybe your bullet's too long. Maybe it's sized a smidge too small. It's possible your bullets were too soft and they just skipped through the rifling without engaging. The 1903 doesn't exactly have lead bullet rifling after all. Not huge and agressive like an early Winchester. I gave up on cast and went to gas check. It gave me way better results.

[bigduke6]

Thanks Jim, was looking at cast for the enfields also, tried before with an enfield and was spot on, am sure it was a .308.

Think I,ll look for a better mold for the .30-06

[TDH]

Lee has a flat nosed 155 grain mold that shoots real well in in S-C 03A3 and my garands. In the .308's I use 40.4 grains of 4895 or Varget
In the .06's 47 grains of the same powders or for the 7.62x39 24 grains They work well in all of them.

[mustanggt]

Your alloy, the diameter of the bullet could have an effect on your performance. I use 314299 Lyman which is a fat .30 for the british and russian rifles. I size mine to 312 in my 03a3. I found that the 311299 was to small on the bands as well as the nose (.298). The 314299 is 304 on the nose and rides the bore much better. I've used straight lino and hardball which work equally well for me. It is gascheck and is extremely accurate from mine with 30gr of 3031 or 22gr 2400. Of course you need to find out what works in your rifle as these only work in mine. They move along about 1800 fps which is quite snappy!!!