I've been shooting my new -06 and the scope that it came with has a very short eye relief. Needless to say, my anxiety of the recoil of my (first) 30-.06 was relieved when the scope clocked my right in my face! Money is tight so a new scope is out of the question, so I want to do some reduced loads. I've looked it up on google and while there is no manufacturer posted data on reduced loads that i've found, many people suggest loads. Now, I'm not stupid i've been loading for a good while (with published loads), but it looks like all the reduced loads seem to be that they just load less than the min load, nothing special. Isn't the reason for the min load that you're not supposed to load below it? The only powder I have is IMR 4064, and i found a reduced load or two for that. I guess my real question is, is it really safe to just go and downsize loads? I remember reading that doing that with pistol loads (my main experience) can cause it to all ignite at once causing a kaboom.
reduced loads
- Thread starter jrkfantom
- Start date
- Status
ColtPythonElite
Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2011
- Messages
- 10,478
Look into cast loads
NeuseRvrRat
Member
my speer manual lists a 100 gr youth/plinking load iirc
ditch that scope
ditch that scope
cag215
Member
http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/H4895%20Reduced%20Rifle%20Loads.pdf
H4895...reduced loads...
For a 150 gr bullet 60% is @28.5 grs of H4895
H4895...reduced loads...
For a 150 gr bullet 60% is @28.5 grs of H4895
Last edited:
ArchAngelCD
Member.
That was going to be my suggestion. Those loads are well tested by Hodgdon and very safe. They are also accurate in most rifles too.
Another good point, H4895 can also be used for full power 30-06 loads if you decide you want to shoot them again and will deliver as good or better accuracy as IMR 4064 does. No, it's not safe to drop below published load data with other powders. It can be dangerous.
W.E.G.
Member
The scope hitting you in the face really has little to do with the recoil of the rifle.
You need to study your firing position, and set up behind the gun so that it is impossible for the scope to hit you in the face on recoil. It is not hard to do this.
You got hit in the face with the scope because of user-error, not because of the ferocity of the rifle in recoil.
You need to study your firing position, and set up behind the gun so that it is impossible for the scope to hit you in the face on recoil. It is not hard to do this.
You got hit in the face with the scope because of user-error, not because of the ferocity of the rifle in recoil.
I'm loading with 150 Gr soft points. I'll have to see if I can wrangle up some 4895. Sorry that I missed hogdson's load, I was looking through load manuals, but it's possible that I missed it in the big lee manual. And Mr. WEG, I'm not trying to be a ****** nor start a fight, but I'd hope that after shooting the 91/30, M44, SKS, and Kar98k (with german stampings 
) that I have a passible hold! The stock also seemed a bit short to me compared to how far the scope was, so i moved it up the rail and that remedied the face hitting for the most part. Moving the scope up makes it to wear i have to lean a little further to reach the scope, which in turn solidifies the butt to my shoulder wear there is no more give for my body to move when the shot goes off. But seriously, the eye relief is like 2", i've never had one that close. I'll have to check my form though, thanks. I'm just curious about the plinking loads because i'm not much of a hunter, and the idead of mild loads at the range to plink all day and extend brass life sounds good
) that I have a passible hold! The stock also seemed a bit short to me compared to how far the scope was, so i moved it up the rail and that remedied the face hitting for the most part. Moving the scope up makes it to wear i have to lean a little further to reach the scope, which in turn solidifies the butt to my shoulder wear there is no more give for my body to move when the shot goes off. But seriously, the eye relief is like 2", i've never had one that close. I'll have to check my form though, thanks. I'm just curious about the plinking loads because i'm not much of a hunter, and the idead of mild loads at the range to plink all day and extend brass life sounds good
Salmoneye
Member
Try IMR4895, SR 4759, or AA 5744.
IMR 4895 is suitable for reduced loads, and the others were expressly intended for reduced loads in rifles.
A 100% load density of Trail Boss under a jacketed bullet will be a super light load. And of course, TB will work with cast as well.
IMR 4895 is suitable for reduced loads, and the others were expressly intended for reduced loads in rifles.
A 100% load density of Trail Boss under a jacketed bullet will be a super light load. And of course, TB will work with cast as well.
110 grain Xtreme plated 30 cal bullets with 10-11 grains of Red Dot, Bullseye, Unique. You could also use Hornady #3005 short jacket bullets.
That will give you about 1700-1800 fps with the recoil and report of a 22 mag. In the open, you don't even need ear protection
That will give you about 1700-1800 fps with the recoil and report of a 22 mag. In the open, you don't even need ear protection
gamestalker
member
You are correct, you can only go so far down in powder reduction before encountering serious problems. Changing powders to one that is intended for low velocity / light recoil is the best option. Then of course you could try casting lead bullets. However, shooting non jacketed bullets through a high powered rifle barrel can be a nigh mare when it comes to removing the fouling that will build up.
GS
GS
gamestalker
member
And when your budget allows for such, pick up one of Leupolds inexpensive optics. They are really good glass, 100% water proof, and offer some very generous eye relief, among other wonderful reasons to purchase Leupold glass.
GS
GS
Scopes often need to be set up for the individual.
Perhaps you need to do more than just move the rings on the bases. To get it set for you, you need to figure out the proper eye relief, and your natural position on the stock, and loosen up the scope in the rings and set the scope in the rings so you mount it naturally.
What's the length of pull of the stock? Is it too short for you? Do you know the quick easy way to check your length of pull? The old rule of thumb is, hold the gun in your right hand with the hand in shooting position, barrel straight up, and elbow crooked at a right angle. The stock should come just to your upper arm at the bend. That's usually pretty close to right for any individual.
Not having the rings/scope adjusted right is one of the reasons I believe many don't like scopes, or say they are slow. When set up right, the height, and eye relief should be right (may require different ring height), so you can throw the gun up and what you were just looking at appears magically with the cross hair on it without hunting around in the scope for it.
Shooting off a bench rest, and having to lean way into it is also a good way to get scope whacked. Most benches make you get too low, and you end up leaning into it too much. Having enough rest height to be able to sit up straight helps. I haven't been whacked by the 338 shooting off a bench.
Perhaps you need to do more than just move the rings on the bases. To get it set for you, you need to figure out the proper eye relief, and your natural position on the stock, and loosen up the scope in the rings and set the scope in the rings so you mount it naturally.
What's the length of pull of the stock? Is it too short for you? Do you know the quick easy way to check your length of pull? The old rule of thumb is, hold the gun in your right hand with the hand in shooting position, barrel straight up, and elbow crooked at a right angle. The stock should come just to your upper arm at the bend. That's usually pretty close to right for any individual.
Not having the rings/scope adjusted right is one of the reasons I believe many don't like scopes, or say they are slow. When set up right, the height, and eye relief should be right (may require different ring height), so you can throw the gun up and what you were just looking at appears magically with the cross hair on it without hunting around in the scope for it.
Shooting off a bench rest, and having to lean way into it is also a good way to get scope whacked. Most benches make you get too low, and you end up leaning into it too much. Having enough rest height to be able to sit up straight helps. I haven't been whacked by the 338 shooting off a bench.
Last edited:
NWcityguy2
Member
Yes it sounds like what is really needed is to adjust the eye relief of your scope.
On the subject of reduced loads 4895 is a good option as is Alliant 2400. Alliant's 2004 manual has load data for 2400 in 30-06 using jacketed bullets if you want to stick with those. Click on this link for that manual as well as several others... http://www.castpics.net/LoadData/default.html
If you don't want to buy another powder try using 308 Winchester load data with 4064. I've dialed back 4064 in other calibers and haven't had a problem with it. It's not 4895 but its not hard to ignite either.
On the subject of reduced loads 4895 is a good option as is Alliant 2400. Alliant's 2004 manual has load data for 2400 in 30-06 using jacketed bullets if you want to stick with those. Click on this link for that manual as well as several others... http://www.castpics.net/LoadData/default.html
If you don't want to buy another powder try using 308 Winchester load data with 4064. I've dialed back 4064 in other calibers and haven't had a problem with it. It's not 4895 but its not hard to ignite either.
- Status
