New venture - Squib Loads for full-bore rifles

[saddler]

Having done quite a bit of research, I'm now starting out along the path of making up some squib loads.

First in line are 30-06 loads;
I also plan on developing squib loads for 6.5x55 & .303 - and possibly my 6.8SPC (.277") too!

BACKGROUND
Seems that once upon a time, not that long ago, in some parts of the USA folk only had meat on the table if they put it there themselves.

The same folk may have also had very limited funds, so were limited as to what rifle they owned...in some cases, only having the one.

A full power 30-06 may well do a good job on deer, but what to do if there were no deer that day but there were several rabbits or turkeys?
A standard deer round WOULD kill said smaller species; but at a considerable cost in meat damage.

What was needed was a lower velocity, lighter bullet.
Some chamber inserts were (still are?) offered that allow use of a .32ACP cartridge in a 30-06 chamber; but, such an item would entail extra expense, more ammunition to buy & also a certain amount of fumbling with in the field - possibly best left to target range users...

The real world solution came in the form of a 30-06 case, a 0-buck Buckshot or a .32 pistol bullet, plus a moderate charge of pistol powder.

The hunter then simply had to chamber a squib load instead of a deer round; very little meat damage, very little noise & very modest recoil.

CURRENT APPLICATIONS

As per their reasons for first development squib loads would be ideal for hunting applications on smaller vermin species; plus humane destruction of others.
Their lower velocity makes them ideal for use with a moderator too.

Range use.
Downloaded ammunition would allow practice on pistol ranges.
Milder recoil would also allow beginners to learn the basics without developing bad habits from higher recoiling loads.

More experienced shooters could practice with their main hunting rifle when away from full-bore facilities.

RECIPES
For 30-06, I will be pursuing two main options.
1. A single 0-buckshot ball, over either Bullseye, Unique or TinStar
2. A .32 pistol bullet.
Not decided yet on whether to use a wadcutter or a hollow point, such as the Hornady XTP. May depend on the powder charge/velocity I settle on as the XTP require a certain velocity for reliable expansion.

303 squib loads will closely follow 30-06 load data.
Depending on the barrel diameter of my P'14, the 303 loads may even use the same projectile(s)

In either caliber, the key seems to be neck sizing the cartridge case.
Use of an inert filler, such as dacron, is also needed; to keep the powder charge in close proximity to the primer & prevent flash-over.
A good bullet lube seems to be key too; some users also apply PTFE plumbers tape to the bullet. Yet others swage the 0-buckshot through a 308 sizer die - some adding a 30-cal gas-check at this stage of the process.

6.5x55 & 6.8SPC will eventually follow - depending on locating suitable projectile(s).
4-buckshot may be one option for the Swede, not checked out the .277 buckshot options yet; nor pistol bullet possibilities for either size. Swaging down a slightly larger dia. pistol bullet may be the way ahead...we'll see.

The Swedes actually issued a "squib" load for army use indoors. I have one of the metal silhouette indoor targets & from the impact craters it was no pipsqueek cartridge.

The data I have on this issued round will be used in developing a 6.5 squib; IF possible I'll replicate the weight/velocity - though the catch here is that the Swede round used a wooden cored copper jacketed bullet.
MAY be a stumbling block; may also be an ideal project for my yet-unused Nalan bullet swager!

[dromia]

Low power loads are the bread and butter of my rifle shooting.

The basics are well covered in Harris's article based on Mattern's original classifications.

Link here: http://www.full-bore.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=810

I am assuming cast or swaged lead bullets here as using condoms is a bit of a waste.

For the powders used fast pistol through to fast rifle no filler or wad is used these are only really applicable to reduced rifle powder loads and again at no less than 60% of case capaicty.

I use 4-5 gns of any fast pistol powder in most of my loads up to 8mm calibre to good effect for indoor and up 100 yrd target shooting along with bunny bashing. 19 gns upwards of VV N120 for 600 yrd target loads.

[dromia]

I wouldn't use PTFE tape if you are going to shoot more than a few rounds. Xlox is more than adequate for these low velocity rounds.

Th standard 30 cal boolit is the Lee 115 gn Soupcan based on the Lyman 311008.

[saddler]

See what you mean from the earlier linked article - but that is a different topic

My project will purely be to use buckshot and/or pistol bullets - no dedicated lead rifle bullets with mild loads (another side to the hobby altogether)

[dromia]

What I've said also applies to the projectiles you are wanting to use, buckshot is good out to 20-30 yrds after that accuracy noticeably deteriorates, Harris suggests pistol boolits in lieu of anything better. The use of pistol boolits/bullets is purely to reduce cost, the 311008 would mike a fine pistol boolit. All the same stuff

So same principles apply, all I did in suggesting other boolits was try to help you get better results.

[greenshoots]

Downloaded ammunition would allow practice on pistol ranges

only original pistol calibres allowed on our pistol range

greenshoots

[Sandgroper]

From the Hodgdon reloading data center http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp
13.3 - 19gn of trailboss will give you between 1061 and 1477fps with a 150gn Nosler BT for the 30-06

HTH

[saddler]

Downloaded ammunition would allow practice on pistol ranges

only original pistol calibres allowed on our pistol range

greenshoots

TC Contender pistols come in many calibres!

"Original pistol calibres"; single shot muzzle loaders firing large dia. round ball?
First metallic pistol cartridge was the CB Cap (or a close approximation of it) - must be a bit fiddly for you all - and they're not the cheapest of rimfire ammunition

Not all ranges have your criteria & several are ok with rifles loaded below range safety certificate limits...besides, Edinburgh to So. Wales would be a bit of a trek for regular practice!

Dromia is adding to the pot, so folk on here may possibly pick up a few new ideas; whether from my project on squib loads or Dromia's extensive knowledge of short range lead bullet loads.

Folk are now also thankfully aware that A club in So. Wales don't like either option.

[dromia]

The use of calibres on all ranges including "pistol" and "small bore ranges" depends on the wording on your range certificate, the limits it imposes and the club committees application of those rules. For instance a club may agree to impose stricter limits on what is fired down its range but it cannot exceed that which is laid out in the Range Certificate.

There was some resistance when I introduced downloaded full bore rifle shooting at one of my clubs, with some people saying that only pistol calibres were allowed. However the range certificate only stipulates a maximum muzzle velocity, muzzle energy and calibre so any thing within this cleared for the range. What we do with downloads is have each load chronographed for MV and the ME calculated to ensure it is within the limits of the range certificate, the loads are then documented and signed of as allowable.

It surprised quiet a few pistol calibre only people when their 357 and 44mag loads, were chronographed and found to be outwith the range certificate limits, as are some factory loadings. 17HMR is over the top too.

[tackb]

try to find an old lyman manual , they cover this stuff