New venture - Squib Loads for full-bore rifles
Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2012 2:00 pm
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!
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!