Hey there. I am new to the reloading relm and I need help. I am going to be reloading some 30-06 rounds in 168 VLD Bergerbullets for my dad's semi-auto gun. I am woundering what powder and the amount to use??? I don't want to mess up the gun by loading it to hot. Please help. Oh the gun is a 742 Remington. Thanks Dan

Welcome to the forum gnab2. Rules are simple, be nice and join in.

You might look in our load swap section at the top of the page, but check out several manuals and find a load you like for the weight of the bullet you want. Start low and work up and believe the never exceed load data.

Most folks find that loads that are 10 percent under top loads deliver much better accuracy and only drop velocity 2 percent from those top loads.

Accuracy always seems to be the important factor to my reloads. I've found that most big game won't notice any difference between loads that are 150 fps slower than the max posted loads.

Good luck with your dads gun and again welcome to the forum.

Stay away from slow burning powders. I find that 4895 works good in my Garand. Some reloading manuals list loads for the Garand which should work fine in any autoloader.

Ditto to what Lynn said. Slow-burning powders will exert tremendous pressure on any gas-operated semi-auto mechanism. Lean to the slightly faster-burning powders when reloading for semi-autos. Either IMR or H4895, 4064, Varget, TAC, AA2520 or other powder in that general burn-rate area is fine. I would draw the lines between IMR3031 (fast end) and 4895 or RL-15 (slow end).

Thanks for the help. I have Varget already. I hope to find something that works well. I may even try it in my bolt .06. Thanks again. What bullet works fot you'all? I like the horandy ballistic tips but I habe heard great things on the Berger VLD bullets.

I only load target ammo for the Garand (took it hunting once and the only thing I got was more respect for the dog faces that lugged them). 68 Sierra MKs and Hornady 168 NM work well for me. Varget should be a good choice.

Be very careful loading berger vld bullets for a semi-auto. I would check with berger first. Due to the design of the bullet berger recomends loading on the barrel lands, not a good and safe practice for any semi-auto.

Medium loads, small base dies, trim frequently, no problems

H4895 for 150 and under. IMR 4064 or 4320 for heavier bullets.

IMR-4064 will do what you want. Start low and work from that to find "what"? will cycle the action.

Semi-auto requires a little more attention to detail than a "fixed breech". Don't "bounce" that mechinisim more than you need to!

Similar to IMR-4064 burn rate powders should work.

Cheezywan

The Berger VLD seem as if they might be long for the 742's magazine but you may get by. My worry would be the bullets effect on game. I know that a famous gun writer has been singing their praises but,, from his tales I don't think that I would try anything but a broadside lung shot. If that had to go through too much meat,,,,
I'm of "the better safe than sorry" school.

What snake river rufus said!!!!!!!!

I load for 2 Browning BAR's in 30-06. I keep the brass trimmed, use RCBS Small Base dies, and a Lee Factory Crimp die. I use IMR-4895 powder and Remington 150 grain PSPCL bullets with CCI-200 primers.
I have never had any problems with either gun and they both shoot around 1.25" groups at 100 yards with these loads.

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

What do you all think of using h-4831sc and Nos 165gr bal tip? I have to agree with the berger deal and the lands. I think that it will be to long for the semi's. Thanks for the ideas.. DB

Too slow for a semi-auto; guess it would work fine otherwise. My dad used some too-slow powder with 180gr. bullets in his Rem semi-auto, and ripped a case head off :eek:

I do have plenty o Varget to use. I guess I will give that a wirl. I will be getting more powder but I was looking to work with what I got. I guess Varget in the semi and 4831sc in the bolt. Thanks

I'm loading (I think) 41 grains of Varget behind a 165 Hornday for the wife's 742. My gun smith warned me not to run this gun too hard.

Horndays manual had special section just for the Garand.. and that is where I go the load.

I'll post back once I confirm that 41 number.