Need some advice please.

Was first thinking about getting a .243 because I don't like excessive recoil but was told I could load a .308 with a smaller bullet and a smaller load that wouldn't be so punishing for the range. Would like to hit the silhouettes at 300-400 yards at max.

Thus I'm seriously considering acquiring a 308 bolt action rifle to plink at the range and very occasionally hunt deer or pigs here in Hawaii. (Probably will post something on the forum for a trade at some point). 308s are plentiful not expensive and the round can be loaded for just about any purpose. Right?

Does this make sense? If so, do any of you have pet loads. Any advice on this acquisition is appreciated. Been loading handguns for a few years now but haven't shot rifles since I was a kid.

mahalo

There are some reduced recoil factory loads out there, but they are really mimics of 30-30. At 3-400 yards you would be lobbing them in with quite a looping trajectory. IMHO you would do better with a .243.

There is a weird low power .308 load on the Web that involves 123gr bullet and some Hercules (?) 2400 powder. I am unsure of the powder but I recall it is used in 44 mag loads a lot. This load gives you about 1900-2000fps but that is not really enough for a 30 caliber round at 300+ yards without a lot of elevation. Maybe that's OK for plinking silhouettes.

Concerning recoil here is something to think about. When you go to the range with hand guns you shoot a lot of rounds. The other day I went to the range and shot some rifles then a friend and I decided to shoot hand guns. I had a 9mm and shot 100 rounds of ammo and wish I had more. I carried two rifles that day a Anschutz 22LR and a Savage .223. I think I shot a total of about 70 rounds between both rifles. The point I am trying to make is shooting a few rounds of .308 recoil becomes a non issue. Also you don't have to load them to max. Don

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a semi-auto will have less recoil than a bolt, and you could always add a comp to the gun to lighten it up more.

if that wont do it for you, get a .223 bolt gun. I never noticed a truly significant difference between a 243 and a 308 myself. On the other hand, I guess a 243 could be loaded lighter and still keep a decent trajectory.

There is a powder specifically designed for reduced loads in cartridges such as the .308 - it is "SR 4759". It is sort of light and fluffy so as to fill up the air space in the case as much as possible.

There are 2 recommended .308 reduced loads at
Reduced Recoil Reloads

Low recoil loading with the 308 is easy. One area you can look into is Hodgdon's "60% rule" with H-4895. Low recoil & long range shooting with the same load may be a problem though.

Thanks guys. Appreciate the comments. I heard about 308 loads with 2400 which is what I use for my 357 and 41 magnum loads. I think it's just for lead bullets.

Will look into H-4895 and SR 4759.

What I'm hearing is that I can work up loads equivalent to a .243 as far as recoil goes but may not get the flat trajectory.

For years I have used a low(er) recoil 308 load for Eastern Whitetail hunting. It consists of pulling the FMJ bullet from GI Ball ammo and replacing with a 125 gr spire point bullet. Very accurate and takes the edge off the recoil.

It is a time honored target load.

Should be easy to do.

Similar to M1gunner, I developed low recoil load using a 125 grain bullet but in 30'06.

It was a hunting round for a 15 year old, small frame girl. Distant family relative.

That was about 3-4 years ago. Last I heard she'd harvested about 15 white tails with it and has 30 rounds left. One or two misses and a few sighting rounds account for the difference. She's delighted with the cartridge loading.

Yeah, she drives the local guys crazy.

So sjmax, please tell me about the load you cooked up...

Thanks for the link,
Now maybe I'll start using that unopened 4lb canister of the stuff I've had for years.
Cost me $12,,can't let it go to waste..

Mahalo guys!

Charles Petty did an article in Handloader Magazine about a year ago using TrailBoss powder with a .308. I would not expect long range accuracy (300+ yards).

April 2010 Issue# 265

You can find Reddot loads also. 2000 fps IIRC.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/arch...hp/t-2751.html

Here it is

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Warren

Thanks Roundgunner and sar4937.

The idea of loading lead is intriguing. I have a bunch of 2400 sitting on my shelf so that could be put into use. I've heard you can use it for low recoil loads as well strictly for lead bullets.

Can you shoot lead bullets at any distance with accuracy (200 - 300 yards+) or is that something that you'd only expect with a jacketed bullet?

mahalo

My Grandfather used a lot of cast rifle for varmits. I was to young to remember the load but they have cast bullet rifle matches around here, they may do them there too. Or try yahoo for info.

A friend who was trying to get me to come to one of the cast rifle matches sugested a 213gr GC over 22 gr of 4759 then move up on the charge untill the groups shrink down with this 30-06.



I have never tried it but he was a sniper in Viet Nam and still snipes a lot of deer. I'm pretty sure he knows what works. I will give it a try some day. The rifle matches are the same day as the IDPA matches that I’m the clubs match director at so it is a matter of priorities.
Good luck.

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Warren

Mahalo nui loa Warren. Let me know if it works. There's a guy here in Honolulu who does great cast bullets so this is something to consider.

30 caliber lite loads:

100 grain .308 diameter Hornaday bullet for M-1 carbine, see Hornaday load data.

125 to 130 grain bullet, again see bullet manufacturers load data.

With a Speer 130 grain hollow point, I have an 1885 Browning single shot that will shoot 5 rounds into a dime at a 100 yards. Absolutely deadly on prairie dogs and very easy on me.

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