cast bullet velocity /'03 Springfield

[jimny]

As a new cast bullet shooter, I have a question about velocity I am getting with my load/ bullet combination. A local dealer makes 173 gr. cast bullets I am using with G I brass and 30 grains of 4895 in my Springfield 03-A3 with 2 groove barrel. My chrongraph is showing average velocity around 1700 fps. I am using the issue sights that need to be on the 800 yard setting to hit the target at 100 yards. Accuracy is OK, most hits in the 10 ring on the SR 1 target. A friend let me look at his copy of "The fouling Shot " magazine, and it has loads listed in the back section. Most of the loads that are similar to my rifle, powder and bullet are getting the same velocity with a lot less powder. (Like 17 to 19 grains instead of 30 grains) Am I missing something? Am I using (wasting) too much powder?

Any ideas out there? Thanks in advance,  Jim

[Castaway]

Check out the latest copy of Handloader (August).  They have an article about cast in the 30-06.  No loads listd for a 170 grainer and 4895, but for a 183 grain bullet, he loaded 35 grains of H 4895 and got a little  over 2,133 f/s

[haroldclark]

Jim, how much powder and velocity you need depends upon what you are shooting for.  If it is mere target practice, use as little powder as you can get away with.

I have used 11.5 grains of Dupont IMR SR 7625 with a 173 grainer and the accuracy is superb with the recoil barely above a 223 Remington.

Currently, I use 25 grains of Reloader 7 behind a 173 grain Saeco #315 bullet.  The chronographed velocity is 2011 fps.  I have used 35 grains of Rel 7 with a Saeco #301 - 210 grain bullet for 2176 fps.  I opt for the slower loading for accuracy and minimal recoil.

I used a Remington 742 Semi-Auto 30-06.  With either of the above listed bullets and 25 grains of Rel 7 powder, it will shoot great at 100 yards.  I'm not even going to post the actual group sizes.  I use both loads to shoot out to 500 meters and it works great.  The wind and mirage becomes a major factor, though.  I have had to hold 8 feet of wind to hit a Ram Silhouette, but it was repeatable.

I think I'll pull the old 06 beast out for tomorrow mornings range session.  I got all fired up.

Harold Clark

[frank405]

I use 42 grains of IMR 4895 with NEI's 220 grain round nose gas check for 2230 feet per second. Shoots extremely well from my dads Enfield. This same load shot well from a Ruger Express also. I do not use a filler and have had no problems in a bunch of rounds.

[fffffg]

the o3 had some problems with the early  actions.. the actions under  serial number 600,000 were not hardened properly and are not to be used with heavy loads..  i dont know what loads you are using in relationship to the book values, but if the gun is under 600,000 consult your gunsmith about the correctness of my post, and the loads that you can shoot in your rifle.. if it is over 600,000 then you can use maximum pressurs / powder amount listed in books with  starting with  lower charges and slowly working up.  get a book that describes high pressure signs so you dont over do it.. you can make mistakes that will greatly increase presssures so read all you can about reloading before getting into heavy loads.. lyman makes a pretty good book describeing most of the reloading processes.. your library may have one and some others also. good luck dave.

[Leftoverdj]

It's an '03-A3. Heat treating ain't a concern.

And he ain't looking for more velocity, but for more economy in target loads.

I'd watch the surplus boys to see if another lot of 4759 comes on the market. That'd do the job with half as much powder costing half as much per pound. Fact is that he can probably find a load to do what he wants with about any of the powders in the range between Unique and 4198.

WC 680 and WC 820 are going cheap now. I'm a .308 shooter rather than .30-06, but they work for me.

[haroldclark]

Who sells surplus 4759? I would be very interested in that deal.

I have been using Surplus WCC844 that is H335 and WC846 that is BLC-2. There is not anyone that I know of carrying any right now, though.

I use Reloader 7 in my 308 and 30-06 at full price. I would change to 4759 in a flash. I have used it in the past.

Harold Clark