Pistol loads for highpowered rifle

358Scout

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I've been reloading for some time and have a question. I have had a 358 Winchester built on a Remington 700 action. My intentions are to create two separate loads zeroed to two different scopes using Leupold QR mounts. One load will be for myself using 225gr Sierras/Noslers for hunting and the other for my daughter who will use 160gr. silhouette bullets on the Pistol Silhouette Range. What I was thinking, was to load the 160gr around 1400 - 1600fps. range. My question is this.... Using a light load lets say with a powder charge of 10 - 15gr compared to a 40 - 50 gr charge for the heavier bullet --- will this create an unusual or dangerous pressure level in an almost empty case? I've read where some loads should not go below the specified data and or above. I haven't found any specific data for this light a load.
 
If you get a Lyman Cast bullet loading manual you should be able to work up the kind of load you want even if you are using a jacketed bullet (not sure just what the silhouette bullet you are referring to is). For economy a cast lead bullet might be the best way to go for that purpose. You will likely want to use a totally different type of powder such as 5744, 2400 etc. , rather than attempting to reduce the load of the powder you are currently using. You are most likely to get poor ignition by reducing slow burning powders to that level.
 
Use a fast powder. A rifle powder works well at high pressure. Does poorly at moderate pressure and poorly at low pressure.


The best for this kind of work is 2400. Start at 15 gr and go from there.

or Unique. Start at 12 gr and go from there.

Even with a lot of airpace the ignition will be just fine.
 
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