Bullet choice for reduced loads

[Ifishsum]

Greets,

My 10yo nephew will be hunting with his dad for spring black bear, and the plan is for him to use a youth model Savage chambered in 7mm-08. He is on the small side, and I told my brother I would load up some reduced rounds for him to use in this rifle. I have a few different 7mm bullets available for this endeavor; considering a muzzle velocity in the 2100-2400 range, and expected shot range of 150yds or less which of these makes the most sense from a performance standpoint? (Black bears in eastern Oregon are generally less than 300#)

Nosler Ballistic Tip 140gr spitzer
Hornady Interlock 139gr BTSP
Hornady Interlock 139gr SST
Hornady interlock 154gr SP

 

[ironworkerwill]

I would use a starting load of the fastest powder you have like varget or imr 4064 on the best constructed bullet you have around 140 grains.

 

[rcmodel]

See this about that!

http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/H4895 Reduced Rifle Loads.pdf

This is the best you can do safely.

rc

 

[Ifishsum]

Wish I could find H4895....but I think IMR4064 should do and I do have plenty of that. I have used it in lighter loads for the M1, although not quite as light as I plan to shoot for in this case.

I'm leaning toward the 139gr Hornady SP, unless I can find one of the two .284 bullets recommended by the Hodgdon in their data for youth hunting loads.

 

[joneb]

I've seen IMR 4759 around, this should be a suitable powder for your needs.

 

[ironworkerwill]

Bullet Weight
139 GR. HDY SP
IMR Powder IMR 4064 Bullet Diameter .284" C.O.L. 2.800" Starting Load Grains 40.0 Velocity (ft/s) 2,682 Pressure 42,500 CUP Maximum Load Grains 42.5 Velocity (ft/s) 2,847 Pressure 49,900 CUP


Bullet Weight
140 GR. SFT SP
IMR Powder IMR 4064 Bullet Diameter .284" C.O.L. 2.750" Starting Load Grains 38.0 Velocity (ft/s) 2,593 Pressure 41,200 CUP Maximum Load Grains 40.5 Velocity (ft/s) 2,770 Pressure 50,300 CUP

The above has been cut directly from Hodgdon.

 

[Bwana John]

Id go with the heavy bullet, and the 60% reduced 4895

I've seen IMR 4759 around, this should be a suitable powder for your needs.

I shoot alot of 4759, and it is great for powder-puff loads... but I think 60% 4895 would be the best powder for this application.

You might want to load up a bunch of light bullets with 4759 to practice with before the hunt, however.

 

[PJSprog]

He says he can't find H4895, John. But, yeah, I agree it would probably be the best for a reduced load. It's what I use in my 7x57 Mauser and .30-'06 loads.

 

[witchhunter]

What if the bear is around 500 pounds? Use a good bullet. Hornady interlocks are good bullets.