I have a lot of .30 Carbine 110 grain FMJ and SP bullets. I just got my dads 30-06 and some boxes of 200 grain rounds. I was wondering if there would be a problem loading the .30 Carbine bullets using IMR 3130. The M1 carbine fires them at about 1900 fps. Load data for the IMR 3031 indicates the 110 bullets will start off about 3200 fps. Target will be coyote, and or fefal dog. Has anyone developed a lower velocity load using the 110 carbine bullet?
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110 grain .30 carbine for 30-06 ?
- Thread starter Hook686
- Start date
The problem with launching bullets made for lower velocity at high velocity is they can suffer core stripping or even fly apart in the air from being spun too fast for their construction. The twist in most .30-06 barrels is one turn in 10", which is really a number originally come up with for 220 grain round nose bullets in the obsolete .30-03 chambering. At 3200 fps, that little, short 110 grain round nose FMJ only needs about 1 turn in 24 inches to stabilize. So a .30-06 barrel will have it spinning more than twice as fast as it needs to. Not being designed for that extra centrifugal effect, it can disassemble. Not to mention the core can slip inside the jacket before it gets to the muzzle (core stripping) which introduces wobble in flight which both makes it more likely to disintegrate and to produce wide groups. So I would be looking at something like the Barnes 110 grain solid (#30341) which can't fly apart and which has just enough greater length that the spin is less inappropriate for it.
For the Carbine bullets in .30-06, I would look at light loads of Trail Boss powder. Somewhere between 14 and 18 grains should have you inside the bullet's normal velocity envelope. Speer suggests 29 to 31 grains of IMR4227 for reduced loads with one of their 110 grain bullets, going about 2300 to 2500 fps from a 22" barrel. Hot for a carbine bullet, but not up at the screaming velocity from IMR3031. 3031 is too slow for good reduced loads, and at those reduced velocities will not burn efficiently or completely and will increase risk of a squib load. The bullet is too light for it.
For the Carbine bullets in .30-06, I would look at light loads of Trail Boss powder. Somewhere between 14 and 18 grains should have you inside the bullet's normal velocity envelope. Speer suggests 29 to 31 grains of IMR4227 for reduced loads with one of their 110 grain bullets, going about 2300 to 2500 fps from a 22" barrel. Hot for a carbine bullet, but not up at the screaming velocity from IMR3031. 3031 is too slow for good reduced loads, and at those reduced velocities will not burn efficiently or completely and will increase risk of a squib load. The bullet is too light for it.
Marco Califo
New member
Sierra publishes 30-06 110 gr loads for their FMJ, SP, and HP Varmit bullets at 3300 to 3500 fps (latter uses TAC). Same loads for all three bullets. They do not mention bullet disntegration as an issue.
I have shot the 110 HP in 308 (1:10) at 3300 fps and it is an excellent load. Seems very accurate for ~200 yards.
Re: disintegration, I have shot Barnes lead free VG 40 gr 223 (1:9) bullets at 3800 plus, and get a solid thump on steel plates at 100 yards every time. I will believe a FMJ can disintegrate when I see it happen to me.
I have shot the 110 HP in 308 (1:10) at 3300 fps and it is an excellent load. Seems very accurate for ~200 yards.
Re: disintegration, I have shot Barnes lead free VG 40 gr 223 (1:9) bullets at 3800 plus, and get a solid thump on steel plates at 100 yards every time. I will believe a FMJ can disintegrate when I see it happen to me.
The M1 carbine fires them at about 1900 fps. Load data for the IMR 3031 indicates the 110 bullets will start off about 3200 fp
Listen to Unclenick. I have been on the firing line and seen blue puffs when bullets were pushed too fast. I have been in the pitts when a bud shot 223 bullets too fast. It was 200 yard sitting rapid fire and the target on my left indicated insufficient. Either no bullet holes, or something resembling a couple of bullet holes. On the next two strings, including the alibi string, same result.
Back on the firing line I asked the shooter, a bud named John, what was going on. John's bullets were blowing up in flight. And for the last ten shot string, and the alibi string, he had loaded 20 rounds each string and fired them all off during each 60 second rapid fire! You can do that with an AR15. Try doing that with a 308 Win and not get knocked over by the recoil.
Jim Watson
New member
While I have blown up my share of overdriven .224" target bullets, I think the 110 gr .30 Carbine FMJ is probably tougher. I don't think it will blow up, but you might not hit much with it, either.
I think if I had a supply of the bullets I was not using in a Carbine, I would give them a try in .30-06 and not depend on the Internet.
I think if I had a supply of the bullets I was not using in a Carbine, I would give them a try in .30-06 and not depend on the Internet.
I built (4) 308s and took them to the range. These looked like Homer Simpson's home made spice rack. They got one chance to shoot a good group. I knew their best chance was with Vmax 110 gr bullets 3000 fps 43kpsi.
3 of them did shoot that best and 1" 3 shot groups at 100 yards were common from those ugly rifles.
But the one with a Parker Hale sniper trainer bull barrel could do a 5 shot 0.97" group with 150 gr Hornady #3033 bullet. 2950 fps 65kpsi, which that rifle liked better.
I am not always right. But 80% of the time, 110 gr .308 bullets make 100 yard groups easier the first time out.
3 of them did shoot that best and 1" 3 shot groups at 100 yards were common from those ugly rifles.
But the one with a Parker Hale sniper trainer bull barrel could do a 5 shot 0.97" group with 150 gr Hornady #3033 bullet. 2950 fps 65kpsi, which that rifle liked better.
I am not always right. But 80% of the time, 110 gr .308 bullets make 100 yard groups easier the first time out.
"....30 Carbine bullets using IMR 3130..." That'll do nicely. Data's on Hodgdon's site. You may want to rethink a 110 out of .30-06 though. It's done regularly, but 110's are really made for .30 Carbine. A 125 or 130 might be better.
Just be advised that if you're thinking of keeping the hides, an SP or HP will make great big holes. A 110 grain HP out of an M1 Carbine at about 1900ish makes grape fruit sized holes in a ground hog. Will in Wiley's hide too.
An FMJ may not be legal for hunting. Might be ok for varmints though. Your State hunting regs will tell you one way or the other.
A Hornady GMX would do too. Solid copper with controlled expansion. Will not use regular 110 grain data though.
Alliant 2400 is used with cast bullets out of a Carbine. Also used with 175 grain plus cast bullets in .30-06.(Out of my old Lyman book) Problem would be current data. Alliant lists 2400 as handgun powder. Not much cast bullet data. On-line at least.
Just be advised that if you're thinking of keeping the hides, an SP or HP will make great big holes. A 110 grain HP out of an M1 Carbine at about 1900ish makes grape fruit sized holes in a ground hog. Will in Wiley's hide too.
An FMJ may not be legal for hunting. Might be ok for varmints though. Your State hunting regs will tell you one way or the other.
A Hornady GMX would do too. Solid copper with controlled expansion. Will not use regular 110 grain data though.
Alliant 2400 is used with cast bullets out of a Carbine. Also used with 175 grain plus cast bullets in .30-06.(Out of my old Lyman book) Problem would be current data. Alliant lists 2400 as handgun powder. Not much cast bullet data. On-line at least.
Load data for the IMR 3031 indicates the 110 bullets will start off about 3200 fps.
Old Speer#10 says starting load of IMR3031 at 42.5gr for 2572fps to 46.5gr at 2833fps.
They also list a reduced load of 29gr IMR4227 for 2297fps.
Hammerhead
New member
I agree with the cast bullets & Trail Boss. I've had great luck with that combo in other 30 cal's. The cast 115 RN Carbine bullets always seem more accurate than anything else at about 1,200 fps. I use the Magnus 115 RN coated with 50/50 liquid alox/mineral spirits. Very nice groups at 100 yards in my 30-30 Handi rifle, no jacket worries, no leading, and a lot cheaper than jacketed.
Looking for a similar coated bullet.
Looking for a similar coated bullet.
HOOK686, check out www.castpics.com... Some of the data found therein may be somewhat dated, but you may find a usable starting load in there somewhere.
Thanks for all the input. As an 'Old timer' I'm reducing my firearm hobby. I used the .30 carbine bullets in a Ruger Blackhack using 13.3 grains of Alliant 2400. I have the Blackhawk on consignment at my gunsmith's shop and was pondering the bag of bullets on hand. I still have a Winchester Model 70 in 30-06 an reload 125 Nosler Ballistic Tips for it using IMR 3031. I also have IMR 4350 and the tip about older reloading manuals took me to an IMR 4350 load that was about 2500 fps. Accuarcy is noted as a problem, but a coyote does not need 1/2 MOA at 100 yards is my thought. I was hoping someone might have been onto a 30-06 load using Alliant 2400 as I have plenty of that, as I also reload .357 & .44 magnum rounds.
Again thank you. If I come up with a decent load I will post it.
Again thank you. If I come up with a decent load I will post it.
I've had good success with pulled M1 carbine bullets with 2400. The following load is safe in my guns, you should work up to it paying attn. to all pressure signs and after consulting a GOOD manual.
L-C '69 .30-06 brass, WLR primer, Pulled M1 Carbine ~110 gr FMJ bullets, 16.0 gr of new manuf. 2400. Rifle = '44 vintage Smith Corona 1903A3 Springfield
Velocity for 5 shots 1404, Ext Spd 34. Accuracy at 25 yds = 1/4" ctr to ctr, accuracy at 100 yds with issue iron sights = 1-1/2".
It's a good load with no recoil to speak of, fun to plink tie plates out to 150 yds or so and good enough for 'chucks to 100. I've not tried good commercial bullet with it, but suspect that with a good scope, a Sierra 110 gr SP would be well down near a MOA load from a good bbl. Out where your from, Hook, it should do nice for stalking ground squirrels if that's still legal in the People's Rep. of Kalifornia?
HTH's Rod
L-C '69 .30-06 brass, WLR primer, Pulled M1 Carbine ~110 gr FMJ bullets, 16.0 gr of new manuf. 2400. Rifle = '44 vintage Smith Corona 1903A3 Springfield
Velocity for 5 shots 1404, Ext Spd 34. Accuracy at 25 yds = 1/4" ctr to ctr, accuracy at 100 yds with issue iron sights = 1-1/2".
It's a good load with no recoil to speak of, fun to plink tie plates out to 150 yds or so and good enough for 'chucks to 100. I've not tried good commercial bullet with it, but suspect that with a good scope, a Sierra 110 gr SP would be well down near a MOA load from a good bbl. Out where your from, Hook, it should do nice for stalking ground squirrels if that's still legal in the People's Rep. of Kalifornia?
HTH's Rod