I thought I'd share with you guys a picture I took last night while teaching my daughter. We've been working this load of brass for a while, and the final stages of measuring and pouring powder along with seating the bullet were last night. She finally got to bring some rounds to completion.

We're working up some reduced recoil rounds for her ruger american 308. The goal is to put consistant holes in paper at 50, 100 & 150 yards, and learn how to be accurate with a scope at various shooting positions. I picked up 500 Hornady 168gr boat tail, jacketed Hollow point bullets for a good price to make her practice rounds.

We've started with 10 rounds each of 5 different charges of H4895, from 20 grains to 28 grains, seated to 2.800"

Everything I've found for load data places this at roughly a half charge.


Now we just need to get to the range.

Have you looked over Hodgdon's "60% Rule"? Just skimming I see the max charge of H-4895 near 43 grains with a 168 grain bullet, 308.

43 x .60 is 25.8 grains. That means the min charge should be near the 25.8 grains then UP to the book charges listed. Your minimum charge levels MAY be to low, even with H-4895, which is a very versatile powder.

Again, I just skimmed through but I would check your numbers.

Re think this my friend,reduced that much could cause some grief.

I will most certainly rethink on advice from here.

I had read an article that with H4895 it'd be ok to do down to 1/3rd loads. But it was only one article, and it was the internet.

In looking up (60 percent rule), I'm able to find significantly better information.

https://imrpowder.com/wp-conte...uced-rifle-loads.pdf

Hodgon's site says max load for a 168 gr jacketed bullet loaded with H4895 is 43 gr. So 60% is 25.80 gr

I guess we're going to pull some bullets. We'll adjust to 26 gr - 34 gr, and try those.

Thanks guys.

No Thank you,saw that sweet child's pic and re read your recipe,I just had to respond

quote:

Originally posted by 45 Cal:
No Thank you,saw that sweet child's pic and re read your recipe,I just had to respond

Thank you for doing so.

I was going to do all the test firing myself, until I was sure it was safe.

Still, I'd hate to damage her gun.

We'll re-work the lighter loads...and I'll still do all the test firing until I'm sure the rounds are safe.

FWIW, I use the Hidgdon 60% rule fairly often, 308, 30-06, 243, and the 300WSM. I normally don’t load right at the lowest limit, but I am certainly below ‘normal’ book listed minimum charges.

I’ve never had any problems doing so. Of course it’s always H-4895 powder.

Have you considered Trail Boss?

quote:

Originally posted by Mike_in_VA:
Have you considered Trail Boss?

Is that a different powder? I haven't heard of it before. I don't recall ever seeing it.

quote:

Originally posted by AKSuperDually:

quote:

Originally posted by Mike_in_VA:
Have you considered Trail Boss?

Is that a different powder? I haven't heard of it before. I don't recall ever seeing it.

Hodgdon makes it. It is specifically designed for reduced loads. It is VERY bulky (little fluffy doughnuts).

The minimum / maximum load range is determined as follows:

1. Fill the case with Trail Boss to the base of the bullet you want to use.
2. Weigh this charge. It is you maximum charge.
3. Multiply the maximum charge by 0.7. This your starting load.

Trail Boss should not be compressed.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Mike_in_VA:

quote:

Originally posted by AKSuperDually:

quote:

Originally posted by Mike_in_VA:
Have you considered Trail Boss?

Is that a different powder? I haven't heard of it before. I don't recall ever seeing it.

Hodgdon makes it. It is specifically designed for reduced loads. It is VERY bulky (little fluffy doughnuts).

The minimum / maximum load range is determined as follows:

1. Fill the case with Trail Boss to the base of the bullet you want to use.
2. Weigh this charge. It is you maximum charge.
3. Multiply the maximum charge by 0.7. This your starting load.

Trail Boss should not be compressed.

Mike

Thank you. I will start looking for this powder at my sources, and give it a try if these H4895 loads are still too much.

AK - I didn't see in the original post, what grain bullet are you loading?

For a child that age and that distance, everything over 147 grains is pure overkill. Second of all, as a few have already said - that is not enough powder. I like shooting mouse fart rounds at short range to practice technique too, so I would consider something like 28 grains of RE-15 with a 147/150 grain bullet. Sierra used to make 125 grain bullets years ago, but not sure if they do any more. 27 grains of RE-15 would get you around 2200 FPS with a 125 grain bullet, and that should be a walk in the park for 150 yards, with limited recoil.