308 and IMR 4831

[senior]

Found: Lets start again. 1st I did not take any offence to any of your posts nor did I mean to give any. Sometimes threads can appear blunt or offensive when not actually meant to be so. To me, it just seemed you did a lot of reloading & as such, would seem likely you would have had a much more appropiate powder on hand. Since you have an 06 why would you consider a powder, much more appropiate to that cartridge, as a left over.
Myself, if I want to download a charge for either a beginner or youngster, I find lighter bullets a better alternative since they will generally shoot closer to original point of aim than heavier bullets loaded much slower.


Ignore H4831s post above, it's obvious why he touts that powder

 

[Found]

Well I got out today and tried out the new reloads, drove to the local pit with the ATV. I was not impressed by the recoil as I thought it would be less but it is a FCXP3 Savage package firearm which is light. The specs say 6.5 pounds but I have never verified it.
The first shots were at 25 yards to sight it in. I was cold from just driving their on the ATV so I did not do too well. Two three shot groups, one as I arrived and one after adjusting the scope.

The next was at 50 yards and I was impressed with the six shot group (under an inch) with one flyer using the ATV as a rest.

I then had a neighbour hear me shooting and he stopped by. When he left I was cold again and I was not impressed with the 100 yard group so I packed up and left (2½” group of six with one flyer). I will get out again and see if I can keep the firearm from rocking and maybe dress a little warmer to.

 

[Ganderite]

You did not mention the bullet weight.

Most of us are focused on accuracy/velocity when looking for a "good" load. Some are looking for velocity/accuracy.

In reading all your posts, your objective became more clear. I will comment on the totality of what you said.

Fireforming. Not really worth the effort for what you have. In fact, I have two match rifles that shoot better with full length sized brass (like new brass) than they do with neck sized brass.

What you can do, since you are looking for an accurate load with moderate or reduced recoil for the kids (a real good idea) is start a load development program, working through the new brass. When you are all done you will have your fire-formed brass.

That would be a good time to champfer all the case mouths, since they will be nice and round.

I suggest you try some 150, 165 and 180 gr bullets with your 4831. I would load 3 of the Start, 3 of the Max and 3 in the middle. These 27 shots will tell you if any are looking like they want to be accurate and will give you a taste of the recoil.

Shooting in the winter can be tricky when doing load development. A load developed in cold weather may not /probably won't be as good or the same in the summer. I take the ammo to the winter range in a plastic picnic cooler. This prevents ammo from chilling. In the cooler is a 2 liter plastic pop bottle filled with hot tap water. This keeps the ammo at summer-like temps. When I shoot, I put the group ammo (3, 5 or 10 rounds) in my shirt pocket. Body temp is similar to summer temps. As a result, my test results are more year-round valid.

When my son was around 8 I fixed him up with a cut down 308 target rifle. iron sights and a 20" barrel. Recoil had to be light, but it had to be accurate. I loaded the Sierra 125 with 3031. It was very accurate and would work back to 600 yards. I don't recall recoil being an issue for the little guy.

I can assure you that a light bullet and a faster powder can produce almost benchrest quality shots with light recoil.