.300 win-mag light loads

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backwoodzboy

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Hello all, I was wondering if anyone here has ever loaded up some reduced load ammo for .300 win-mag? I want something with a little less umph, and kick. I like my .300 but would like to get a 30-06, but I figured if some ammo manufacturers can produce reduced recoil, than I might be able to as well, then that would give me a dual purpose rifle. I thought I would start here for my search, for live feedback. Thanks again fellers!:)
 
h-4895 and 130-150 grain bullets.

i think i started at about 35 grains w/ a mag primer and kept going up until i got to 30-30 performance for my daughter; probably ended up around 45 grains or so. i kept bumping the load until we got to 300 savage, and it sits there now. i wouldn't worry about continuing to use h-4895 to continue to bump performance until we hit 308 or 30-06 levels.

btw... she used her 30-30 equivalent load last year in 200 yard competition, and then killed her first deer at a little over 100 yards w/ the same load, so the accuracy potential is there.
 
Don't know what bullet weight that you want but Speer has reduced loads in their #9 and #12 manuals. They are using SR4759 for 150 and 165 gr. and IMR 4198 for 180gr. Velocities run 1700 to 2000fps. A starting load of 56 gr of Reloader #15 will put you around 2650 with 165 gr. That would put you near 308 level.
 
I am sorry but if you want lighter kick dont reduce but change to a smaller caliber, Thats like bying a mazaratte and driving it 55 mph, Most calibers perform best at near top velocity why shoot a 300 mag to 30-06 velocity? why carry a longer barrel? heavier rifle and all the things that come with magnums to get 30-06 velocity? The late Jack Oconnor said it best, Never reduce a load unless your shooting lead
 
It cracks me up. People buy the hot magnum and then the next question is about a reduced load for it. That said, if you really must wimp out, got to Hodgdon's web site and then to Trail Boss. There is a page that explains how to assemble reduced loads with Trail Boss for any cartridge you wish to load for.
 
andykusaf and grumulkin,

Not everyone has the cash to buy several different rifles. One of the benefits of buying a .300WM is that you can easily download it, so you effectively have two rifles for the price of one.

Why don't we just try to answer the OPs question, instead of holding him up to ridicule?

I don't have any first hand experience downloading .300WM, but here is a website that offers a variety of loads.

http://www.reloadersnest.com/frontpage.asp?CaliberID=61

There is a load published there driving a 130gr. bullet at 2890 fps. That should be significantly less kick than a 180gr. bullet at the same velocity (common factory load).
 
It cracks me up. People buy the hot magnum and then the next question is about a reduced load for it. That said, if you really must wimp out, got to Hodgdon's web site and then to Trail Boss. There is a page that explains how to assemble reduced loads with Trail Boss for any cartridge you wish to load for.
It works the other way too. I see people that buy a standard caliber such as 30-06 and try to milk it for another 200fps. If you want magnum performance, buy a magnum. Reduced loads can serve a purpose. Not everyone is Mr. Macho and can't or doesn't want to handle heavy recoil. It is easier to download a gun than to make it out-perform it's intended limits.
 
Link to Hogdon's Youth Loads:

http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Youth Loads.pdf

Downloading to suit your needs is a smart practice. Load it right and you have everything from a .32 ACP (71gr @ 830fps) to a .300 Win Mag (250gr @ 2590fps) in one rifle.

I’d love to have a Maserati one day, but not one with the throttle stuck to the floorboards. 140 mph or nothing. On day one the car would be totaled and you’d end up in jail or the hospital.

I’d want a throttle that worked. Drive it at a sensible speed when it suits my needs, and open it up when the time is right.
 
In my mind, downloading isn't as smart as getting what you need in the first place whether that be a 30/06 or a 300 Win. Mag. but I would agree, it makes less sense to get a 30/06 and try to make it perform like a 300 Win. Mag. than the other way around.

Personally, I think downloading in most cases does not give optimal accuracy and if you're always shooting reduced loads then you won't be proficient with the gun when you wish to shoot full power loads. While the 300 Win. Mag. is a fantastic round, at the ranges most hunters shoot, a 30/06 with the proper load would be quite suitable for everything in North America and for everything in Africa short of the large dangerous game species.
 
to the fellers who suggest i am wimping out.....I aquired the rifle in a trade, the ol boy that had it before me did not like the kick, thats how I got it. I actually don't even notice the recoil, I don't really shy away from recoil, I know how to get my body to absorb it, and at 250ish pounds it aint a problem.:neener: I just don't think I need all that power for this part of the country. I just wanted reduced loads because it might be the rifle I loan a friend or brother, or a backup. I have a .308 I use for hunting, thats plenty good for me.
To the fellers who posted info, thanks so much!!!! I look forward to seeing more.:D
 
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