Ok, now after my previous question, I am trying to find ways to shoot on the cheap to keep my practice up with the bigger calibers. I currently load a 165 grain lead cast bullet at about 1400 fps with I believe 12 grains of Unique in my .30-06. I am thinking of trying some Rem Corelokts in both the 06 and the 8mm with Unique. Are there loads out there for Unique and jacketed bullets? The reason I am wanting to use a different bullet for the 06 is that I can buy lots of jacketed bullets locally for cheaper than I can have lead ones shipped in. I don't have the time to cast my own bullets, nor do I really have the desire to do so, causing me to want to find other options to shoot these two on the cheap. I load Speer 45 grain SPT's and WW 748 in my .223 for varmints and such, so no need to reduce the loads there. Any info would be great. Thanks.

Edit: I stated in my last thread also that I see no point in pushing bullets at absolute minimum. I should clarify that in saying that in respect to big game hunting. I would like to push bullets at lower velocities for target practice, but increase the speed with better constructed bullets for hunting.

Hello CB. I think you have lost me. I see no reason to download anything for plinking. If you want to plink, get a Bushmaster and plink. Downloading, as you know, can be dangerous. Keep the killers, killers and the plinkers, plinkers. Just my .02's. Regards, Rick.

One reason to download standard cartridges for plinking is to save money, a LOT of money over the course of a long period, and to get practice with the rifle that you will use in the field. I know in Richard Lee's guide to reloading, there is an entire section dedicated to this topic, though no actual data is available in that book. I currently load my .30-06 with cast bullets and small doses of Unique, a very fast powder specifically designed for handguns and shotguns, but also used quite a bit for reduced loads in rifles. There are other pistol powders from other companies that also double for being used in rifles.

Yes, downloading is dangerous, as is reloading period. Downloading certain powders can become extremely dangerous, especially with slower burning powders that are specifically designed for rifles and nothing else. For example, loading something like IMR4350, H4831, Rotumbo, or something of the sort, in very small amounts would be quite dangerous. Conversely, loading small doses of Unique, amounts the powder was designed for, is perfectly safe, in most cases. I do not have any specific information regarding loading Unique in these calibers with Jacketed bullets. I am sure it is out there, but I have not found it, so I am asking for help from the members here, who have been much of a help in the past.

I hope this helped clear up any questions you had as to why I wanted to shoot reduced loads in my hunting rifles.

Oh yeah, and I don't have the money to sink another $1000 into a Bushy, as much as I would like to, another reason I am trying to find ways to shoot on the cheap

I know Speer publishes reduce load data and I believe Hogdon also has some published that I came across a while back. Reduced loads are also quite helpful in getting young shooters used to a gun and working them up to a full steam load. There is another thread going about how the old man takes the kid out to shoot the 06, it beats him up. Then the kid tries a 243 and loves it. Case in point.

Here's a recent discussion on the topic from another board, take the information as you will.

http://p077.ezboard.com/fparallaxscu...cID=2904.topic

I haven't tried it myself with jacketed bullets, I have only shot reduced loads with cast, but apparantly others have shot jacketed bullets with reduced loads of 2400.

That is very interesting that they are using loads that light with 2400, which is actually in the medium range comparitively speaking for the powders that Alliant puts out. Interesting. I have been looking all night to find info, and have found a little bit of information for reduced loads. I have found one that is called "the load" and is for all 30 caliber or larger cases and 13 grains of Red Dot. I am trying to find as much information as I can, and it seems this may be a long research project, lol

2400 is a pretty good powder for cast bullets and is commonly used in that application. It has the advantage of not being position sensitive, so you don't need to worry about tipping the rifle back before shooting or using a filler to get consistant ignition.

"The Load" was first written up by Ed Harris in Reloader's Digest some years back. The 13 grains of Red Dot worked well, and I have used it off and on. Harris now suggests a load using 2400 instead. I don't have the exact charge in front of me now, though. 2400 seemed to be an old timey favorite for reduced loads with jacketed bullets. Phil Sharpe had a bunch of 2400 loads in his Complete Guide to Handloading.

I've seen published loads using 2400 for jacketed bullets in the 6.5x55 mauser, and the .30/06. I've used 2400 myself in the .30/06 for some reduced whitetail loads for Mrs. Charley

For 2400 start with 16 gr and can be loaded to 20+ gr.

I think I may try that 2400 instead of Unique, I just have the Unique lying around right now, lol. Or I may just find some bulk lead bullets and keep loading with Unique like I have been. I am not sure, though, if there are 8mm lead bullets in the 180-200 grain range available. Hmmmmm... or I may just take up casting my own, I started out reloading without much guidance, I am sure I could do it, just need to get motivated I guess, lol.