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Posted: 11/8/2014 1:00:14 AM EDT
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I'm working up loads for gas checked 173gr hard-cast lead boolits in my 30-30 over SR-4759 powder starting at 15.5gr and working up.
What I'm wondering is, what is the safest velocity you should push a gas checked boolit to in this caliber? I see reports of velocities over 2000FPS but that same seriously high. Any suggestions? |
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I don't really know of an "unsafe" velocity for cast bullets unless the load leads your barrel and you continue shooting which could create problems.
I loaded a GC bullet up to just over 2000 fps in my 1903A3 (30-06). It leaded some and the bore needed to be cleaned every 8 - 10 shots, but it was a hunting load so that didn't matter. SR-4759 might be a tad fast burning if it's 2000 fps you're seeking. The Lyman 49th maxes it out at 17.7 grs. and 1800 fps with the bullet you're using. For 2000 fps loads, you may be better served with traditional 30-30 powders such as Re7 or IMR3031. |
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Thanks for the reply.
I'm not necessarily trying to exceed 2000 FPS, more just trying t understand the limits of cast bullets. I know there are better 30-30 powders but you have to use what you have/can get. Powders are still unobtanium around here and at least SR almost fills the case, which should help positional sensitivity. |
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Quoted:
Thanks for the reply. I'm not necessarily trying to exceed 2000 FPS, more just trying t understand the limits of cast bullets. I know there are better 30-30 powders but you have to use what you have/can get. Powders are still unobtanium around here and at least SR almost fills the case, which should help positional sensitivity. That's the "thing" about cast bullets. A cast bullet is like a pot of chile. The recipe can be infinitely different depending on the chef and how he want the chile to taste. There are simply too many variables involved to answer the quote in blue. Everything from bullet design to alloy not to mention powder coating and paper patching. Bullet hardness and type is the first place to start. The only thing you can do is try. When you get too hot you will notice right away. Your groups will open up dramatically. You may even see grey smoke (lead vapor for lack of a better description) in the air. Have a good bore brush and some lead removing solvent (I use Hoppe's lead removing solvent) or some other type of lead removing bore cleaner handy. Motor1 |
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Quoted:
That's the "thing" about cast bullets. A cast bullet is like a pot of chile. The recipe can be infinitely different depending on the chef and how he want the chile to taste. There are simply too many variables involved to answer the quote in blue. Everything from bullet design to alloy not to mention powder coating and paper patching. Bullet hardness and type is the first place to start. Motor1 Quoted:
Quoted:
Thanks for the reply. I'm not necessarily trying to exceed 2000 FPS, more just trying t understand the limits of cast bullets. I know there are better 30-30 powders but you have to use what you have/can get. Powders are still unobtanium around here and at least SR almost fills the case, which should help positional sensitivity. That's the "thing" about cast bullets. A cast bullet is like a pot of chile. The recipe can be infinitely different depending on the chef and how he want the chile to taste. There are simply too many variables involved to answer the quote in blue. Everything from bullet design to alloy not to mention powder coating and paper patching. Bullet hardness and type is the first place to start. Motor1 I would have to disagree here. While both are important, the key to a good cast boolit comes down to the sizing. If it is sized properly, hardness doesn't have to much to do with it. Did you cast them yourself, or buy them? Did you slug your bore yet? What kind of gun are you shooting them out of? What is the purpose of the load? Hunting, Target, Plinking? Answer some of these, and you will be able to more narrowly define what is most important. |
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Quoted:
I would have to disagree here. While both are important, the key to a good cast boolit comes down to the sizing. If it is sized properly, hardness doesn't have to much to do with it. Did you cast them yourself, or buy them? Bought them from a local guy that is pretty well known for casting Did you slug your bore yet? Nope, not yet What kind of gun are you shooting them out of? Win 94 What is the purpose of the load? Hunting, Target, Plinking? Hunting/Plinking. Trying to work up a decent ~100 yard white tail/feral hog load Answer some of these, and you will be able to more narrowly define what is most important. Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Thanks for the reply. I'm not necessarily trying to exceed 2000 FPS, more just trying t understand the limits of cast bullets. I know there are better 30-30 powders but you have to use what you have/can get. Powders are still unobtanium around here and at least SR almost fills the case, which should help positional sensitivity. That's the "thing" about cast bullets. A cast bullet is like a pot of chile. The recipe can be infinitely different depending on the chef and how he want the chile to taste. There are simply too many variables involved to answer the quote in blue. Everything from bullet design to alloy not to mention powder coating and paper patching. Bullet hardness and type is the first place to start. Motor1 I would have to disagree here. While both are important, the key to a good cast boolit comes down to the sizing. If it is sized properly, hardness doesn't have to much to do with it. Did you cast them yourself, or buy them? Bought them from a local guy that is pretty well known for casting Did you slug your bore yet? Nope, not yet What kind of gun are you shooting them out of? Win 94 What is the purpose of the load? Hunting, Target, Plinking? Hunting/Plinking. Trying to work up a decent ~100 yard white tail/feral hog load Answer some of these, and you will be able to more narrowly define what is most important. |
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Quoted:
I would have to disagree here. While both are important, the key to a good cast boolit comes down to the sizing. If it is sized properly, hardness doesn't have to much to do with it. Did you cast them yourself, or buy them? Did you slug your bore yet? What kind of gun are you shooting them out of? What is the purpose of the load? Hunting, Target, Plinking? Answer some of these, and you will be able to more narrowly define what is most important. Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Thanks for the reply. I'm not necessarily trying to exceed 2000 FPS, more just trying t understand the limits of cast bullets. I know there are better 30-30 powders but you have to use what you have/can get. Powders are still unobtanium around here and at least SR almost fills the case, which should help positional sensitivity. That's the "thing" about cast bullets. A cast bullet is like a pot of chile. The recipe can be infinitely different depending on the chef and how he want the chile to taste. There are simply too many variables involved to answer the quote in blue. Everything from bullet design to alloy not to mention powder coating and paper patching. Bullet hardness and type is the first place to start. Motor1 I would have to disagree here. While both are important, the key to a good cast boolit comes down to the sizing. If it is sized properly, hardness doesn't have to much to do with it. Did you cast them yourself, or buy them? Did you slug your bore yet? What kind of gun are you shooting them out of? What is the purpose of the load? Hunting, Target, Plinking? Answer some of these, and you will be able to more narrowly define what is most important. Agreed wholeheartedly... fit is far more important than any other factor for a cast bullet. You can shoot a pretty soft slug at hunting accuracy without much trouble at plenty of reasonable velocities, you might just start to get some leading. Get fit right first or you'll have poor accuracy and leading. For a hunting bullet, if that's your interest, it's probably best to stay slow and heavy with a big meplat if you are able. A plain old clip on wheel weight bullet will shoot just fine up to 2000 fps in plenty of things, with a GC and proper lube (some people say they shoot tumble lube at really high velocities but I can't make it happen without moderate leading). I've been shooting powdercoated Lee 155s in my SKSes and AKs with 10% reduced jacketed loads with decent accuracy, for instance. If you're worried about leading up your rifle barrel, next time you're at the grocery store grab a box of Chore Boy copper pads for $2. Pull a bit of it off and wrap it tightly on your cleaning brush and it will obliterate any trace of leading in just a few strokes, no muss and no fuss. A really cool and purpose built .30-30 hunting bullet I like is the 311440. It's very accurate, feeds awesome in my Marlin 336 and Win 94, and although I've just been killing paper and milk jugs with it, it's very, very accurate! 
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