Loading .308 for less recoil

[NJM15]

I have a M&P 10, and using CFE 223 at 49 grs and 155 gr lead still more recoil that's the starting load info. Is it a hit and miss procedure (no pun ) maybe it is just a little too much gun for me after shooting my .223 sport for 4 years. What would be the lightest load for the gun to function correctly?

 

[BigBill]

For all my semi auto rifles I use IMR 4895. I use the CCI 34 NATO primers.
There a thicker wall primer so slam fires won't occur with floating firing pins. I never know what 308 I'll be shooting. Be safe make them all the same.

 

[Cdog]

I've been loading for the DPMS/SR25 type AR .308's for about 10 years and haven't tried reducing loads.

Using a stock that fits me has been key to shooting comfort. I have a strong dislike of muzzle brakes, but they are effective.

I've not tried one, but you may be able to use an adjustable gas block to extend the range of reliable operation.

 

[fredj338]

Try a 130gr bullet, but you should be good with 147-155gr running at midrange vel levels. M1/M1a loads are well off the top end & you can get quite a bit lower vel & still get reliable functioning. It will never recoil like a 223 though. My 6.8 is pretty close to heavy bullet 223 in recoil, very hard hitting downrange with really mild recoil.

 

[rwsmith]

Just what you need.....

I like light loads, 'youth' loads if you will but I just think that they are fun.

IMR 4895 is EXTREMELY versatile and can be loaded to 30% less than max. These give me around 2400-2600 fps depending on bullets. I use a lot of light cheap plinkers and they work great.

If you want even less, or want to shoot lead bullets, SR 4759 will give you velocities from about 1600 to 1900 or thereabouts depending on the bullet.

PS If my light 30-06 Savage rifle can feel like a .22 I know yours can.

 

[DwayneV]

Try Speer 125 gr. TNT bullets. They are cheap, shoot well, and make light recoiling loads for rapid fire. I have won many medals with them in my M1 and M1903A3 rifles at Camp Perry.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I have a 22-250 that I down load with a 55gr jacket bullet at 2750 fps.

My 30 cal. has a 150gr SP target load at 2540 fps and a 180gr at 2360 fps.

These are my minimum recoil loads that have the best accuracy.
4895 and 4350 powders worked for me but I did try ball and many other
powders to find my best loads.

Good luck finding your load.

 

[Peak53]

Do a search on gallery loads using Unique in .30 cal rifles. That will make a .22 out of it.

 

[MichiganScott]

IMR 4895 is EXTREMELY versatile and can be loaded to 30% less than max. These give me around 2400-2600 fps depending on bullets.

Use this to find a starting load. Increase in 0.5gr increments until you hit the max listed load or you get 100% functioning. If you use 130gr bullets recoil will be even less than with 155gr bullets.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

I like light loads, 'youth' loads if you will but I just think that they are fun.

IMR 4895 is EXTREMELY versatile and can be loaded to 30% less than max. These give me around 2400-2600 fps depending on bullets. I use a lot of light cheap plinkers and they work great.

If you want even less, or want to shoot lead bullets, SR 4759 will give you velocities from about 1600 to 1900 or thereabouts depending on the bullet.

PS I my light 30-06 Savage rifle can feel like a .22 I know yours can.

SR4759 is not available anymore;it can be replaced by AA5744.Look for cast bullet loads.When I had my AR10,I'd shoot 180 gr cast bullets on top of IMR 4227 and it would cycle the action.But I must say that I had to adjust the gasport to max opening.But IMR 4227 will generate velocities around 2000fps without much recoil.
Qc

 

[rwsmith]

I still....

I've still seen some around. Fortunately I'm stocked up, but thanks for the tip with the AA powder.

 

[revolver_ph]

I load light for plinking with my M1A using 29 grains of H4895 and a 155gr cast bullet. Accuracy is OK yielding 1.5-2" at 100 yards. Recoil is very light. 29 grains is enough to reliably cycle the M1A. Cycling gets unreliable below 27 grains.

Forgot to mention -- I also load light ammo for my AR-15 critters: 19 grains of 4895 with a 62 grain cast bullet. In this case accuracy is excellent at sub-inch, 100 yards with my best shooting AR.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Gas operated semi-autos generally require loads that have pressure curves similar to factory ammo in order to function properly. Variations in bullet weights or powders (type, burning rate, charges, etc) can be the cause of cycling problems and/or potential damage to the firearm.

Short version is that the AR platform is what it is, and intended to function correctly only with appropriate ammo. You can probably achieve some relief with carefully assembled ammo, but big changes would require alterations to the rifle to assure proper functioning without worries about parts damage (essentially rendering the rifle unsuitable for its intended purpose in order to satisfy a more narrow role).

 

[lhump1961]

Recoil was a consideration for me when I built and AR-10 so I built it heavy. The weight kept it nice to shoot although you might not want to carry it around all day...it will hold a box of shells in a single mag! Still I like it and can easily shoot standard .308 loads from a high capacity platform.

MHO would be that a .308 is what it is and if you have a lighter rifle then it will certainly have more felt recoil. Pick your poison...more recoil or more weight.

edit: Nice to hear from you, Ray. Still proudly wearing your holsters!

 

[rwsmith]

Can you get different springs.....

Can you get different springs for AR rifles like you can with semi auto pistols? Or is an AR spring an AR spring?

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Can you get different springs for AR rifles like you can with semi auto pistols? Or is an AR spring an AR spring?

AR rifles function with a spring to return the bolt carrier to battery, but the action of the rifle is gas operated. Gas from the fired cartridge is bled off through a port in the barrel into a tube, passing back into the upper receiver, unlocking the bolt and driving the bolt to the rear, extracting and ejecting the fired case, then the next cartridge is chambered as the bolt carrier returns forward into battery.

Spring strength has less effect in gas operated firearms than in recoil operated firearms. In the AR rifles the spring needs to be sufficient to buffer the bolt carrier in recoil and to drive the bolt carrier forward with sufficient momentum to strip the next cartridge from the magazine and drive it into the chamber while the bolt returns to locked position.