REDUCED loads ?????

[moooose102]

i have read a SMALL amount on reduced loads sometimes being dangerous. something about they can actually cause excessive pressures? i was thinking about doing some reduced loads just for plinking, but i don't want to end up in trouble. where do i find reduced loads data so i can be safe? do they consider reduced loads the begining loads in the manuals? i would be loading for my .300 win mag, and a 45-70 government lever gun. i have imr 3031, 4198, 4831 and a can of acurate #7 on my shelfs. for reduced loads, do i need to pick up some other powder(s)?

 

[nicholst55]

The Speer reloading manual publishes reduced loads for most of the cartridges they list, usually using one of the IMR SR-XXXX powders. That's where I would start. Alternately, try calling Sierra, Hornady, etc., and asking about reduced loads.

 

[rcmodel]

3031 & 4198 would work in the 300 Mag.
4831 probably not so good.

Most of the reduced load blow-up warnings pertain more to very over-bore cartriges like the 7mm Mag, 264 Win, 25-06, etc.

All you need to worry about with the 45-70 is getting the bullet out of the barrel. You can use any 45-70 Trap-Door data in your Marlin.
http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

Here is a lot of info on reduced "youth" loads from Hodgdon:
http://www.hodgdon.com/data/youth/300winmag_y.php

The Lyman manual is another great resource for reduced loads.
You should get a copy.


rcmodel

 

[Walkalong]

SR-4759 is made specifically for reduced rifle loads. It is a very bulky, tubular powder.

 

[dakotasin]

fwiw i load about 17 grains of unique for my daughter's 300 wsm w/ a 165 grain bullet. runs out about 1500 f/s.

the 300 wsm and 300 win mag are similiar enough that i'd load the same load in my 300 win mag were i inclined to shoot light loads in it.

 

[Redbeard55]

Reduced loads

The Cowboy Action Shooters have taken reduced loads to areas never touched by the reloading manuals. I always had trouble loading lead bullets in high power rifles until I located the following website.

http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm

Pistol charges of powder in 30-30 Winchester and other rifle chambering. 308 Winchester isn't on the list, but I used the same data for the 30-30. I've also had good results with 7mm Mauser. Velocites are in the 800 to 1200 fps range. The bullets reliably make it out the end of the barrel and my accuracy seems to be on par with what is posted on the website. Great practice for off hand shooting and it saves wear on tear on my body. Also allows more practice since the price to reload is drastically reduced.

 

[carnaby]

Hodgdon seems to recommend H4895 exclusively for their magnum caliber youth loads.

http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Youth Loads.pdf

 

[NuJudge]

Do a search for Secondary Explosion Effect. Also, Double Charges.

For reduced loads, don't use anything slower than 4895, and be positively neurotic about examining charged cases for too much (or too little) powder.

 

[EBRDude]

I have had success using very small charges of Blue Dot for 308 loads that are less that 1000fps. They are amusing and make very little noise, but you have to be very careful with many things. This is not for the casual or distracted persons.

 

[ranger335v]

" do they consider reduced loads the begining loads in the manuals? "

For conventional powders, YES.

Going still lower, it's good to use cheaper lead bullets, usually cast, and light charges of faster powders. Get a copy of Lyman's loading manual for info on that.

 

[tokarev762]

I like to use Alliant 2400 for reduced charges in my rifles.

In my 45/70, a bolt action conversion from a SMLE, I use 25 grains of 2400 under any weight bullet. 300 JHP to 500 cast lead. Accurate and easy on me and the rifle. Should work on deer up to 100 yrds.

Also use 16 grains of 2400 with 165 gr. cast lead bullets(without gas checks) in my 30-30(12 grains and it kicks like a .22 lr) and my .308 Win.

 

[highlander 5]

Accurate Arms 5744 is a good powder for reduced rifle loads especially in the old black powder cases.

 

[Walkalong]

SR 4759 also. Whoops, old thread. I already said that.

 

[Cypress]

I tried the IMR 3031 for some reduced loads in my 300 WM and got hangfires on every round.

 

[Okiecruffler]

I've been using Blue Dot for many years in several different rifle rounds. It is reduced velocity and recoil, but still high pressure. The difference in 2 loads, 0.2gr apart can be scary.

 

[moooose102]

If you call and ask Henry for an additional $10 you can get the metal forearm band, cost includes delivery

that does not sound like anything i want to mess with.
i have pretty much settled in with imr sr4759, or imr 4198. thanks.

 

[444]

A classic reduced load article (three parts).


http://guns.connect.fi/gow/arcane1.html

 

[Walkalong]

The difference in 2 loads, 0.2gr apart can be scary.

Ask me how I blew a primer with Blue Dot in the .22 Hornet.

I use 700X to download it to .22 mag velocities.