30-06 handi reduced loads

[rfd]

a bud just picked up a 30-06 handi and wants to shoot low recoil loads.  he reloads for both rifle and pistol and just added the 30-06 dies and other complimentary goodies to his turret press.  i've got some load data for cast boolits using unique for him to try out but he wants to use jacketed loads and low recoil.  any suggestions fellers?  thanx.

[YRUpunting?]

Here ya go.

http://members.shaw.ca/cronhelm/TheLoad.html

[44 Man]

I would start with lighter bullets, say 125 gr.  I use that wt in Sierra Pro Hunter with great success and you have a 'real' hunting bullet, not just a plinker.  According to Hodgdon's website you can down load with H4895 to a lever that equals 70% of the max load listed with the bullet of your choice.  One of their recommended reduced loads is 40.5 gr with a 125 Nosler BT, or 39.0 gr with the Hornady 130 ssp (another very accurate bullet in my experience).   The Hornady is listed at 2500 fps and that puts that bullet well within it performance envelope and give you a light kicking load that will do the job nicely.  In fact I run the same bullet in my 30-30 at that same velocity for a much lighter 'kicking' load that the standard 150 gr bullets.  Tell him to get some Pro Hunters or Hornady SSP's and check the Hodgdon website and have some fun!  44 Man

[petemi]

Lewis, that's good advice all the way

Pete

[quickdtoo]

There's H4895 as 44 Man mentioned, there's always Trail Boss if he wants even more reduction.

Tim

http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/H4895%20Reduced%20Rifle%20Loads.pdf

http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Trail%20Boss%20Reduced%20Loads%20R&P.pdf

[thejanitor]

I use a regular book load with IMR4064 and a 125 gr bullet.  It does not kick bad with the laminate stock I have on that rifle. If it were for a youth and had a lighter stock it may not seem as pleasant.
I have never shot any other weight bullet in that gun. May not help but I hate big recoil and I enjoy my Handi 30-06 with the 125s.   thejanitor

[sluggo]

 I don't know if you can find them anymore, but Speer had a recipe for a 100 gr RN plinker back in the 80's. 16.0 gr of SR 4759 behind that bullet gave you 1548 MV.

[Airsporter]

You can reduce any load listed by Hogdgon using H4895 to 60% of the max load.  When my son was younger, he bought a Mosin model 38 carbine in 7.62x54R.  It was quite a handful using full-power military loads - especially with the short barrel.  So I handloaded him some 125gr commercial bullets (designed for the 7.62x39) at the 60% level and it felt like firing a light-recoiling SKS.

[gcrank1]

Use any load that you find that equals 30-30 performance and it will feel like a 30-30, if thats the kind of 'reduction' he wants.
For less than even that use the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook data to make wonderful cast bullet loads, but be advised that the same dia. as jacketed (ie, .308) is not what you want to use; you will have better luck with .311ish even cast of wheel weights with a dash of tin. At 1250-1400fsp, or so, gas checks may not even be needed on a GC design bullet if it fits the throat well, as that recommended .311 will likely do.

[Ol BW]

I found a load that mimmicks Remington Managed Recoil velocity according to the Nosler manual for 125 gr. bullets using 39.0 gr. of Reloder 7.  This is the starting load in my Nosler manual.  I loaded this for my girlfriend's son when he got his first rifle.   I substituted Sierra 2120 125 gr. bullets.  His chamber measured 3.241 so we set the COL at 3.221.  It shoots well in his Stevens 110 30-06 and with almost identical point of impact as the Remington Core-Lokt 150 gr. factory loads.  It is a pretty mild round but I am not sure if it is as mild as your friend wants.  It may be worth a shot.

It works good if you want to give someone practice rounds but gives them the flexibility to use factory loads that have the same point of impact whenever needed.  I wouldn't want a kid to not be able to go hunting cause I was not able to load any shells, when you can pick some up at the store on the way home from work in a pinch!

BW

[geezerbiker]

As per Ed Harris, I use 16 grains of 2400 behind a 125 grain bullet in the 06.  It's a nice light load that is pleasant to shoot.  I'm thinking of trying some plated bullets with it soon.

Tony

[rfd]

real good stuff, thanx everyone.  i've got trail boss to help him with and he's gonna look around for some h4895.

[gcrank1]

FWIW, I recently used a TB load in the 8mm Mauser, a case full to the shoulder, and it was de-light-ful. Had to set more elev. by a good bit though.

[rfd]

thanx again, guys.

can't get h4895 so we're gonna build rounds based on the trail boss i have. 

the imr tb load data for .30-06 calls for a 150 nosler bt (can't get that bullet) and i'm wondering if other bullet types and weights can be used, and how to calculate their powder charge?

[YRUpunting?]

There's an article in the 2013 Hodgdon's reloading manual (it's magazine for about $8) on Trail Boss for subsonic.  It works the exact opposite of any other powder.  Start with the case filled to where the bottom of the bullet will be and shoot it.  From there work DOWN until you get an accurate load.  Bullet weight doesn't matter.  What does matter is the bullet leaves the barrel.  Go to low and you'll stick one.  I had one that stuck in the barrel about month ago, it sucks I don't recommend it.

[gcrank1]

Low Recoil loads dont need to be sub-sonic and be in danger of sticking, unless you want to be sub-sonic. If you get those jacketed bullets down to typical cast bullet rifle velocities you will be well below the factory offerings and do nicely.

[rfd]

thanx fellers, i think we'll be good to go now.

[Flynmoose]

I have been shooting 150gr Sierra JSPs with 15 gr of TrailBoss. Arthritis in my shoulder dictates a very low recoiling load and this is it. It is pretty accurate out to 100 yards. I shot some today, as a matter of fact.
FM

[sluggo]

Yupper, Trail Boss data shows with a 150 gr Nosler BT you can go down to 13.3 grs, personally I'd go with a flat based bullet for more stability.