Reduced load, light bullet, .308

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canadianshooter

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I see in the Speer manual there is data for the 100 gr. "Plinker" bullet. I also see there is reduced load data for that bullet. I would like to create a round for young/new shooters that is low recoil/low cost in my .308 bolt. Does anyone have any experience with these loads?
 
No experience with these in particular, but also consider cast bullets for light loads, they are far cheaper than jacketed and work very well at lower velocities.

Mark
 
I've used a reduced charge of H4895 in my wife's 308 with 150 gr bullets to get a load of less then 2000 fps for a low recoil practice load. Just look up the max charge for H4895 on their site for the bullet weight you want , use 60% and your good to go. By the way this reduced load is approved by Hodgdon so no worries about detonation.
 
Interesting reading - Ive been using IMR 4350 for the 150gr FMJ/BT rounds - I am new to reloading and didnt think there would be any issue - I see that Im gently compressing the propellant at 58gr -

Im not dissatisfied with the results... I realize they could be better...maybe I'll pick up a pound of 4895 and enjoy the hobby just a little more :)
 
If you go to the Hodgdon web site for load data
look up 308 and check out IMR Trail boss powder

150g nos bt / Trail boss powder start 10.0g @1175 @ 25800psi
max 14.0g @1417 fps @ 27100 psi

Trail boss powder is supposed to be the newest reduced powder for lead loads


have not tried it just doing research in another cal and saw it
 
SR4759 is an old standby for reduced loads. I use 23gr with a 150/155gr jacketted bullet in the .308 Win. Accuracy is surprising and has gotten me a couple of turkeys @ 100 yds.:) It is a nice low recoil load besides.
 
150gr load

I've been looking at the lightest bullets (100-130 grain) but if the recoil is mild with 150gr reduced load maybe that's the way to go. I'm probably not looking to hunt as much as have a cheap mild load for people to plink with.
 
MudChucker said:
Interesting reading - Ive been using IMR 4350 for the 150gr FMJ/BT rounds - I am new to reloading and didnt think there would be any issue - I see that Im gently compressing the propellant at 58gr -

Im not dissatisfied with the results... I realize they could be better...maybe I'll pick up a pound of 4895 and enjoy the hobby just a little more :)
Click to expand...
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I would think that would be quite an accurate load.
It may need a bit more powder, to give it a little more compression.
4350 likes to be compressed.
 
The 2009 Hodgdon Annual manual has a great writeup on reduced loads for kids, the recoil sensitive or just to let you shoot more without busting up your shoulder.

The general approach is to use a light for caliber bullet and a reduced change of powder with a burn rate much faster than would normally be used. H4895 seems to be the gold standard. They have loads for 6.5 Swede, 270, 7RM, 308, 30/06, etc all of which get the recoil down to 243 levels. The author used Barnes bullets pretty much exclusively, but you could probably go with something cheaper like a Nosler Ballistic Tip.

The 2010 Hodgdon manual now has Trail Boss loads for most of the above as well, looks like fun.
 
4350 is at the slow end of the spectrum for a 150. It would be real good for a 180 at full power.

For a light load, the cast bullet is great. DWG sells a 130g lead bullet. About $30/500

Trail Boss or Unique would work well and kick like a 22.

For longer range and more accuracy, the Sierra 125 is fantastic. I have seen it used all the way to 600 yards by a kid with a 308. Around 34 gr of 4895.
 
MudChucker said:
Interesting reading - Ive been using IMR 4350 for the 150gr FMJ/BT rounds - I am new to reloading and didnt think there would be any issue - I see that Im gently compressing the propellant at 58gr -

Im not dissatisfied with the results... I realize they could be better...maybe I'll pick up a pound of 4895 and enjoy the hobby just a little more :)
Click to expand...

I'm sorry, but did you perhaps mean 48gn? 58 grains of powder in a .308 case... somehow I don't think that's possible with 4350? Most sources list the 'max' as 48, so I'd figure 49-50 might be the absolute max in a carefully worked-up load for a forgiving rifle...

Just wanted to clarify in case it was a typo.

-M
 
I have 3 very accurate benchguns that i use for cast bullet BR. one is a Production class .308 and it is most accurate with heavy bullets( 175-205gr.) at a speed of 1900fps. My .30 BR likes 175gr. bullets at the same speed, and my .300 Whisper likes 180 gr. bullets at 1500fps or so. I mention these cals. and loads because they represent for me, the most accuracy at the lowest cost.
As an example, my .300 Whisper uses between 7.5 grs and 17 grs. of powder, depending on powder and load, the bullet prolly costs less then a nickle, the primer may well be the most expensive part!
 
Also to consider, are 'bullits' that are factory cast (just add lube!) Powder charges I'm seeing are roughly half of FMJ loads of equal weight. Of course, pure lead shooting will require more frequent cleaning. As always, YMMV.
 
Doc M said:
I'm sorry, but did you perhaps mean 48gn? 58 grains of powder in a .308 case... somehow I don't think that's possible with 4350? Most sources list the 'max' as 48, so I'd figure 49-50 might be the absolute max in a carefully worked-up load for a forgiving rifle...

Just wanted to clarify in case it was a typo.

-M
Click to expand...

Sorry forgot to mention 30-06 cartridge...
 
This is what I've put together (and tested) for a light .308 load.

Light Varmint Load ( 1725 fps - measured-, Rem 742, nice and quiet)
Primer: CCI #200 Large Rifle Primer
Powder: Trail Boss 15gr (no listed max, 15gr is full case)
Bullet: Sierra 110gr HP (or other)
Brass: W.W Super X
 
Speer 100gr plinkers

I have been shooting these for over 25 years as a fun shoot for new shooters or just for a fun day of trigger time at the range. There are not a long distance shooter but great fun out to 100m ( I use 150 gr sitzers from Speer for any thing past 100 on paper and many moose and deer ) I have a short barreled 308 that groups wide with them but my M1A just loves them and with the reduced recole you can shoot them all day. With my old eyes and open M1 sights I can cover 8 of 10 rounds with a loonie at 50m and the wild two are me. Pop cans ,golf balls no problem. Let me know if you want my data on the loads I used.

Cheers Kevin
AKA getsome

canadianshooter said:
I see in the Speer manual there is data for the 100 gr. "Plinker" bullet. I also see there is reduced load data for that bullet. I would like to create a round for young/new shooters that is low recoil/low cost in my .308 bolt. Does anyone have any experience with these loads?
Click to expand...
 
Inspired by mr Harris and "The Load", I use thus in the 308 Win (and have for years):

Any old brass
Any old primer
Any old bullet between 110 and 150 grains (I'm sure it would work fine with your 100 grain plinkers)
15 grains of Red Dot (reduce to 13 if bullets are over 150 grains)
Seat it so it fits in the mag

Fairly accurate, bangs the steel gong(s) at the range nicely, and dirt cheap to load cuz I'm only using a relatively few grains of powder per pop.

You can up that a grain or two in a 30-06, and get identical results.
 
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