Hi all! Happy Independence Day!

I have purchased the BTB fire lapping kit for my 30-06. Having slugged the barrel, there is a constriction where the barrel is roll-marked, and the muzzle is actually looser than this area. I intend to fire-lapp per Marshall's excellent instructions to see if I can improve the bore. The next step would be to replace the barrel, but if lapping works, so much the better.

I have searched this forum and have found that most folks reccomend light loads of Red Dot or similar fast powders. The fastest powder I have is Unique.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a starting load with Unique for fire-lapping, or should I try a faster powder.

I also load for 45ACP and 45 Colt, and Unique works great for me in these calibers, which is why I have it on hand.

Enjoy your holiday and thank you!

8.0 to 10.0 gr of Unique should work well for you. Have used 13.0 gr for cast plinking loads and chrono'd at approx 1250 fps, so the 8.0 would be sufficient to assure the bullet leaves the bore, but not so fast as to cause concern.

Be sure to tilt the muzzle upward and then gently lower after chambering and prior to firing. Want to keep this minute amount of powder as near the primer flashhole as possible. A pinch of dacron wouldn't hurt to keep it in place.

4.0 grains of Red Dot gave me the 600 fps Marshall recommends in my .30-06. I'd try 5.0 grains of Unique. The recommended polyester batting filler will hold the powder against the primer. A 1" square of 1/4" batting is enough. If you've got a chronograph start high and work down to 600 fps or a bit less.

Bye
Jack

4 grains of Bullseye and enough polyester pillow stuffing to fill the case works great, right at 600fps or so.

Sorry.... I've only used Bullseye for lapping.