Reduced 30-06 load needed

[Busterman]

Again, my sincere thanks to all for sharing the information. I'll start reloading as soon as I get back in good form with my shoulder. I'll be ready for next season for sure..
A quick note on the rifles: My match legal Garand was built by Roland Beaver. It has a Douglas premium barrel, new gas cylinder and rebuilt to spec oprod. The other is an old DCM '03A3 in spectacular condition. They are both very accurate and I am certain will be with reduced loads. Can't wait to try them. Regards, Don

[Busterman]

In addition, with mercury filled recoil reducers correctly installed I am not the least bit concerned about recoil with any of the reduced loads mentioned in this thread. I'm looking forward to a great season now when I actually thought my highpower days were over.
Best to all,
Don

[Tuna]

I have a friend who just finished his rehab after cuff surgery. Took six months counting recovery time for him, then doing the assigned exercises and he is now back shooting trap and doing very well with it. As he said do what they tell you and DON'T be in a hurry to get back to any kind of shooting till you have fully recovered and the doctor says OK. Another shooter we know who had the same operation started shooting after three months and then had to go back in and have it repaired again. So don't take the chance and wait till they say you can even if you feel great.

[Busterman]

Great advice, thanks!

[Griff Murphey]

I use 43 gr. 4895 and a 168 BTHP, not a light lad but lighter than what others seem to use... Never had an FTF and I think the load could be cut a bit and still have reliability and accuracy.

[emmagee1917]

Might also look at a Smith Enterprises muzzle break , reduces 30-06 to light .243 recoil.
Chris

[Dollar Bill]

From ceresco on the CMP forum: "If you are shooting at 200yds and under, try 48grs of any of the powders mentioned and the 110gr Hornady spire point at 3.09"OAL. It will shoot with any match bullet at those ranges, function 100%, recoil noticably less and cost less. No need for 168gr bullets at short range. Good Shooting...... "

Many folks swear by this load for reduced recoil in Garands. Powders mentioned are 4895, 4064 and varget.

[Matt Anthony]

I still have a torn rotator cuff and have refused surgery due to the increase in hospital infections and doctor mistakes, plus the outragous cost of the entire ordeal. Due to litigation issues, there are as many as 5 different tests you must take before surgery which simply drives up the cost. Consultation fee's, $350.00 an hour and the many hours you spend sitting in waiting rooms just to talk to the doctor. Anyway, I have lived over 3 years with it and on a scale of one to ten, with one being the least of my pain, I am presently on 3 by watching what I do with the shoulder. I was at 10 for over a year!
Reduced loads is your question, and I have used reduced loads for years with my daughter and wife so they could work up to full house loads in 243 and 308. The garand as you know must have pressure to cycle and it must be with in a certain parameter. As I don't own a garand and only have bolt guns, I really don't think there are any loads that reduce recoil down to what you need to keep your shoulder from exploding when shooting semi-auto's!
However, there are many sources of reduced loads online and older reloading manuals. One such is Phil Sharpe's book on reloading. I found many loads for the 30-06 in his manual that honestly were pleasant to shoot using Unique. My older Lyman handbook has one load which is my pet load in 308, 12.5 gr's of Green Dot using a 185 gr. Hoch top pour cast bullet. With the gas check and lube it weighs in at 193 gr's. I use #2 alloy or 15 BHN and this hardness is perfect for hunting and target. For the 30-06 you can bump it up to 14.0 gr's. FPS in the 308 is 1461 and the 30-06 is 1499. Anyway, good luck with your shoulder, mine has taken years to heal by itself and that was my decision to not have the surgery!
Matt

[Busterman]

Matt, Surgery is my only option at this point. Unfortunately, I've already had plenty of time for it to heal which it has not mostly due to not being entirely careful. I am working with the information generously offered in this thread plus friends that are working on lead bullet loads for me. I have a fine gunsmith installing mercury filled recoil reducers in 3 of my rifles. I'm confident that with the combination of both I'll be o.k. I am definitely giving the repair plenty of time to heal properly. It's not just the rotator cuff in my case, the tendon ripped loose and needs to be re-attached to help cushion the joint from bone on bone contact. Thanks for the load information and your comments.