Loading for less recoil

• Oct 24, 2017

• #1

H

Huntforadventure

New member

Joined

Jan 16, 2017

Messages

21

Location

Upstate NY

Hello All,

I was curious if anyone has successfully loaded rounds to allow some people that may be turned off by recoil to shoot.

I have a .308 and would like to tune down the power for my girlfriend to give it a shot. The only other rifle I have is .22, and she is now interested in trying a step up. I think the .308 may be to much to quickly, and would like to avoid purchasing a new rifle right away for her to try. I am hoping that I can handload something with less powder and still remain accurate. Any considerations or advice I may not think of?

thanks all.

 

• Oct 24, 2017

• #2

P

pdq_wizzard

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Joined

Jun 7, 2017

Messages

60

Location

Around Boise, ID

use published loads, just using less powder can cause BIG problems with pressure curves.

here is what I have found works well, about a 1/3 of the way down

https://www.hodgdon.com/resources/data-sheets/

 

• Oct 24, 2017

• #3

MJE2083

Well-known member

Joined

Oct 12, 2015

Messages

1,087

Location

Central PA

I agree, use published loads, don't just assume that less powder is safe. Light bullets help significantly, stick to something in the 100-120 gr range. Perhaps even consider some of the commerical reduced recoil loads.

 

• Oct 24, 2017

• #4

Bambistew

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Dec 10, 2002

Messages

7,612

Location

Chugiak, AK

I've played around with reduced power loads... was a lot of tinkering for not much of any gain. You'll probably be surprised what she is capable of. I've had a number of of women shoot magnums up to 375, and they had little to no rifle shooting experience. I would just buy a box or two of the managed recoil ammo and shoot that, vs trying to dink around and find a reduced load that shoots well. Once she's comfortable work up to full loads.

Good luck!

 

• Oct 24, 2017

• #5

P

pikeman1

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Joined

Apr 7, 2017

Messages

59

Location

U.P of Michigan

How about using a smaller grain bullet for less kick if possible. Or have you thought about a clamp on muzzle brake.

 

• Oct 24, 2017

• #6

Dougfirtree

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Jul 27, 2016

Messages

2,882

Location

Adirondacks

I've had great luck loading down with H 4895, as per the instructions on their website. I've been loading 145 grain bullets in my 7mm-08, to about 2400fps and the recoil is no problem for my 8 and 10 year old sons. Frankly, I think they're pretty fun to shoot, too.

 

• Oct 24, 2017

• #7

Gunner46

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Dec 6, 2003

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3,307

Location

Frigid Ohio

Yep, H4985 is your friend.

 

• Oct 24, 2017

• #8

H

HiMtnHntr

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Dec 13, 2016

Messages

436

Location

Wyoming

The above 2 gents are right on the money. I've made some 60% reduced loads with h4895 per hodgdon using cheap sierras. Kids can shoot em all day long. And they're extremely accurate.

 

• Oct 25, 2017

• #9

D

Don Fischer

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Jun 27, 2017

Messages

3,016

Just get her a rifle of her own. 243, 260 ect. I paid $299 for a Mosberg Patriot in 243. If she's not worth $299, dump her!

 

• Oct 25, 2017

• #10

G

Gary

Active member

Joined

Jul 4, 2009

Messages

350

I started my kids off shooting a 280 Rem. Handloaded 115 gr bullets down to about 1700fps. (I believe the powder used was IMR SR4759 - but not sure) No noticeable kick and the kids loved shooting Dad's deer rifle. At the time (30+ years ago) the Speer reloading book had reduced loads listed for a number of cartridges.
As others have said DO NOT load cartridges below published charges - bad things can happen.

 

• Oct 25, 2017

• #11

T

Tjay

Active member

Joined

Dec 29, 2012

Messages

121

Location

Minnesota

Here is good info on reduced loads. I use trail boss in a 308 for fun loads my granddaughter shoots, she is 10.

https://www.hodgdon.com/resources/data-sheets/