Texas Hunting Forum

.308 reduced recoil help

Posted By: BrentBoedeker

.308 reduced recoil help - 07/21/16 02:40 PM

I've got imr4166, and some Sierra 125 gr hunter bullets. I'm looking for some info/input to get a 308 savage 11 down to a manageable level for a recoil sensitive young lady. I'm thinking we can practice with these, and load some of the nosler ballistic tips that will expand at slower fps for hunting rounds. She has shot mini 30, 223. Just not crazy bout this 308. Thanks!
Posted By: Tactical Cowboy

Re: .308 reduced recoil help - 07/21/16 03:08 PM

Start with the starting load, which Hodgdon says will run 2800 fps with your powder. Back off a grain or so at a whack. If you start getting big spreads in velocity, you've backed down too far. Find the happy medium between recoil and consistency. If that doesn't work, find a less efficient powder so you still get adequate case fill, but lower velocities.
Posted By: ChadTRG42

Re: .308 reduced recoil help - 07/21/16 03:12 PM

That powder should be ok as a reduced load. It's in the burn rate where you want to be. But start high and work down if you plan to go below the listed minimum. I would't go too low.
Posted By: redchevy

Re: .308 reduced recoil help - 07/21/16 03:31 PM

I would find some H4895, I have had good luck making reduced loads with it. My wife shoot a 110 grain prohunter out of my 270 Winchester using this powder and it has no problems killing deer/hogs within normal rages.
Posted By: ccoker

Re: .308 reduced recoil help - 07/21/16 03:34 PM

I did a 308 reduced load project a few years ago.

http://tacticalgunreview.com/building-a-...308/#more-11869
Posted By: BrentBoedeker

Re: .308 reduced recoil help - 07/21/16 07:51 PM

Great info. Thanks!
Posted By: ccoker

Re: .308 reduced recoil help - 07/21/16 10:34 PM

just read throught it. man, that was a while back
That same 13 year old is now 19 and in college!
Posted By: kmon11

Re: .308 reduced recoil help - 07/22/16 01:18 AM

IMR 4895 and Accurate 5744 are both good for reduced loads. Like Chad said though you can probably use the 4166 and work down and get there.

Hodgdon has a reduced load write up on using IMR 4895 on their website.
Posted By: 30378

Re: .308 reduced recoil help - 07/22/16 02:45 AM

Try 30gr of IMR-4198 with 150gr Nosler Ballistic Tips. Works great for my 9yr old.
Posted By: syncerus

Re: .308 reduced recoil help - 07/22/16 03:48 AM

The 4895 powders are the **go to** powders for reasonable reduced loads. As a general rule, you can go down to 60% of full power loads in a safe manner. In a .308, you're really looking at duplicating .30-30 loads. Don't forget to use fairly soft bullets at those velocities; you may even want to use the round nose .30-30 bullets, assuming ranges under 150 yards.

That said, Chad is the professional. If he says that you're gtg, then follow his suggestions.
Posted By: jeffbird

Re: .308 reduced recoil help - 07/22/16 04:17 AM

If you want cream puff target loads use Trail Boss, which is used for sub-sonics. It is shaped liked doughnuts, so it provides good fill with light loads. Literally near zero recoil. I've used Varget with 125's and recoil is mild. Hodgdon publishes reduced loads with H4895. Do not go with cases with low fill or you risk detonation rather than burning.
Posted By: strobes

Re: .308 reduced recoil help - 07/24/16 04:58 PM

To avoid "Secondary Explosion Effect" or a "Reduced-Charge Detonation (S.E.E. or R.C.D). you have to have a cartrige X% full of powder, the volume changes with caliber.
You can start development from min velocity too, subsonic. But of course trajectory is completely different.
https://www.loaddata.com/articles/PDF/LD-36%20Haviland%20LR.pdf
Posted By: WileyCoyote

Re: .308 reduced recoil help - 07/24/16 08:54 PM

Very interesting article, Thx for posting the link.
Ron
Posted By: poisonivie

Re: .308 reduced recoil help - 07/25/16 02:18 PM

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthre...olit-Rifle-Load

Take a look at this thread. Lots of good info.
Posted By: blackcoal

Re: .308 reduced recoil help - 07/25/16 03:40 PM

We were using Unique back in the 80's. I used to buy open partial boxes of .308 bullets to use shoot light loads in 30-30s, possum, coons, yotes, etc. Both to stay in practice and save money. I never mention it because everyone complains about it being dirty plus it is old and not the newest best powder. Young kids could shoot a winnie 94 and not cross their eyes. Noise was less and didn't upset people or animals.
Posted By: Tactical Cowboy

Re: .308 reduced recoil help - 07/25/16 07:49 PM

Originally Posted By: blackcoal
We were using Unique back in the 80's. I used to buy open partial boxes of .308 bullets to use shoot light loads in 30-30s, possum, coons, yotes, etc. Both to stay in practice and save money. I never mention it because everyone complains about it being dirty plus it is old and not the newest best powder. Young kids could shoot a winnie 94 and not cross their eyes. Noise was less and didn't upset people or animals.


I load about 10 grains of titegroup with a 110 grain bullet in my 30-30 and 30-06 to do that. Good, cheap fun up
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