Is there something wrong with downloading a cartridge?

C

chuck nelson

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Given accuracy is acceptable, safe reloading is practiced, and you have the rifle already, is there anything wrong with say making your 300 shoulder smasher a 30-06 by reducing loads?

I can't see that there would be. But maybe I'm missing something.
 
There are issues with some powders becoming explosive when downloaded too much. People who know more about this should be along to clarify a bit. That said generally there are no issues with doing what you describe as long as you've done your homework on powder choice as you can get downloaded factory loads for many calibers.
 
Not in my books. I have a great IMR 4064 + 150gr Partition load for my 7mm RM. It chronographs at just a hair under 2700fps and gives sub MOA accuracy. I don't have the charge in front of me, but I believe it is 49.0gr. That is what my wife will be using if she gets an elk draw this year.
 
If you can find a load using H4895 you can reduce the load to 60% of the maximum with no issues. I do this for practice loads as it reduces barrel wear and is less expensive so I can shoot more.
 
Like others have stated, as long as you are using appropriate powders for downloading, at at appropriate charges, you are okay.

I've got some loads for a handful of 30 caliber cartridges downloaded way low, just for fun shooting, shooting small game with, or getting kids to start shooting with. Cast lead bullets and Trail Boss have become a bit of a mainstay at my reloading bench for this type of thing.
 
Stay away from H 4831 and H 4350 if you're looking to reduce loads...........go to a faster burn like 4895 or 4064 or even 3031, none of these have been accused of detonation (anomalous pressure event) or what ever term you prefer to use. I use 3031 a lot in big old black powder cases where the fill is sometimes as low as 50% and have never had a problem and have had some very accurate loads as well. Another way to achieve the same effect is to load with a powder significantly too slow for the cartridge / bullet weight, in question, this has been used by the proponents of detonation theory. For example using Retumbo in a 300 Win Mag with a 150 gn bullet. Full case or lightly compressed is also supposed to give good accuracy and no chance of an anomalous pressure event.
 
I'm not talking about reduced loads. All I'm saying is to load the cartridge down two or three hundred fps. Most handloaders without a chronograph are likely there already.
 
I was told there is proper reloading charts for downsizing your loads on the back of tampon boxes, next time you pick some up for your self just have a read on the back of the carton.







Just messing with ya. I think they show min powder charges in reloading manuals, might be best to try some reloading variations after some searching.
 
What you are talking about is ANY starting load... and of course there is no problem... reduced loads are below starting load levels and as said above, some powders do not react well with alot of empty case space and you can get pressure spikes... going from .300 WM level to .30/06 level is no problem with almost any powder.
 
So if no new chrony, what is the point of this thread?

obviously you've been reloading long enough to know it's okay to "download" a few hundred fps......feeling a bit insecure about something? Just trying to understand where you are trying to go with this.
 
There is a tendency for most guys to try or think they are loading things to the nuts. Lets face it, magnums aren't always that fun to shoot for extended periods either. Nor are they friendly to barrels. I think there are a few upsides to backing off a bit. I dunno.
 
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