All this talk about reduced loads, and my readers will start to think that I'm some sort of wild-eyed lunatic. The fact is that I make a lot of standard loads and over the years, I've come to rely on them. I'm also happy to share them. For example.
.38 Special. 4.3 grains of Unique under a 158 grain semiwadcutter or round nose bullet.
,38 Special . 2.7 grains of Bulseye under a 148 wadcutter.
.357 Magnum. 14.5 grains of 2400 under a 158 semiwadcutter. You might want a gas check
.44 Special. 7.5 grains of Unique under a 240 SWC. This is Skeeter's Load.
.44 Magnum. 19.0 grains of 2400 under a 240 SSWC.
.243 Win. 45.5 grains of Reloder 22 under a 100 grain Hornady. This gives me 3100 fps.
.25-06 Rem. 50.0 grains of Reloder 22 under anyone's 117. Accurate in every rifle I've shot it in.
.308 Win. 43.0 grains of Reloder 15 under anyone's 165/168. Very accurate load.
.30-06. 47.0 grains of IMR 4895 under a 150 grain bullet. This is almost the Garand load
.30-06 61.0 grains of Reloder 19 under a 150 Nosler Ballistic Tip. This load is getting hot, better than 2900 fps. Approach with caution. Kills deer like crazy.
.30-06. 60 grains of Reloder 22 under anyone's 165/168. This is actually a fairly mild load, showing only 2700 fps across the screens, but it gets the job done in true .30-06 fashion.
and, finally.
.30-30 Win. 29.0 grains of IMR 3031 and anyone's 170 RN bullet. The go-to load for .30-30 used to be 30 grains of 3031, but at the turn of the century, 3031 changed and everyone backed off a grin.
UPDATE: How could I forget .45 ACP? My standard load is 4.5 grains of Bullseye under either a cast or jacketed 230 grain roundnose bullet. That's the only load I've ever used for that caliber.
Again, all the standard cautions apply, but I think anyone who uses these loads will be on firm ground. They've served me for two decades. As far as I know, they're all published loads, although I have to admit I haven't double-checked this year, but I haven't loaded any centerfire this year.
Again, as in all things, use this data at your own risk. They work in my guns. Your guns may be different.
Nice selection, and I REALLY need to start reloading again.
ReplyDeleteIMR 3031 gave me some very consistent loads in my 7-08. Was at the range one day talking to another reloader about 7-08 and he told me about 303t1. Turns out he worked at Bell Helicopter and was involved in testing loads for the mini gun development. He related that they found 3031 to be the best for consistency and accuracy. It's been some time since I reloaded anything and I'm too lazy to go dig out my log books but I recall having a sub MOA group from my 700 Varmiter out of the box using IMR 3031 with a 168 gr boattail match bullet.
ReplyDeleteThere is quite a sense of satisfaction in casting your own bullets and using them to produce a high quality round.
ReplyDeleteThere was a time wheel weights could be had for the asking at tire shops.
I was casting Keith's 429241 bullet and could shoot my .44 cheaper than a .22 LR.
I also used 19 grains of 2400.
no 41mag or 38super love. I just dont know any more man..... :P
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