what are they - are they loads that have a smaller charge than a reccomended starting load? how much lower can you go from the reccomended starting load? i ask because im planning to reload some 7.62X51 cases and ive read that you should reduce the load by 2 grains, is this the standards rule of thumb?
reduced power loads?
- Thread starter 97guns
- Start date
- Status
What type of powder and bullet make a difference. How much do you want to reduce?
Ol' Joe is right, don't reduce starting loads. You can actually increase pressures by reducing the charge with some powders.
You can load a 165 gr lead bullet with Unique to make a load that's about the same as a 357 mag powerwise. See Lyman manual.
Ol' Joe is right, don't reduce starting loads. You can actually increase pressures by reducing the charge with some powders.
You can load a 165 gr lead bullet with Unique to make a load that's about the same as a 357 mag powerwise. See Lyman manual.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Hodgdon has published "Youth Load Data" on their site. They claim you can use H4895 and only H4895. Their formula is 60% of the Max charge listed in their manual. (or on their Hodgdon Load Data site) Here is the link to all the information on these Youth Loads directly from the Hodgdon site. They are using the term "Youth Loads" but no matter what they call it they are in actuality "Reduced Loads".
**NOTE**
Read all the information and cautions on the page. It's important to follow their directions and NOT to use the data with loads that wouldn't normally use H4895.
**NOTE**
Read all the information and cautions on the page. It's important to follow their directions and NOT to use the data with loads that wouldn't normally use H4895.
Remo-99
Member
Depending on the intended use, their are all kinds of reasons for reducing loads, say for like cowboy action matches with 30-30 lever rifle etc. to similate a lower blackpowder charge.
As for 308win there is data for reducing it, online. To around 2000fps or even 1000fps.
info from the Hodgdon site.
As for 308win there is data for reducing it, online. To around 2000fps or even 1000fps.
info from the Hodgdon site.
NuJudge
Member
Sounds like you are using military .308 brass
Military brass may be heavier than commercial in the .308, requiring a reduction in powder.
Some other calibers, such as .223, certain foreign commercial brass is way heavier than domestic commercial or military.
"Reduced loads" are generally lower pressure, and sometimes lighter bullets, used for practice and initiating beginners. Most often this is in pistol calibers, but sometimes rifle calibers. Cast bullet rifle loads are almost always lower performance. Different powders have to be used, usually faster burning rate powders. Simply reducing powder charges below recommended minimums can cause a whole host of problems, including erratic ignition, Secondary Explosion Effect, bullets stuck in barrels, and others.
Presuming you are staying with Jacketed bullets, here are some selected reduced loads:
http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Youth Loads.pdf
Military brass may be heavier than commercial in the .308, requiring a reduction in powder.
Some other calibers, such as .223, certain foreign commercial brass is way heavier than domestic commercial or military.
"Reduced loads" are generally lower pressure, and sometimes lighter bullets, used for practice and initiating beginners. Most often this is in pistol calibers, but sometimes rifle calibers. Cast bullet rifle loads are almost always lower performance. Different powders have to be used, usually faster burning rate powders. Simply reducing powder charges below recommended minimums can cause a whole host of problems, including erratic ignition, Secondary Explosion Effect, bullets stuck in barrels, and others.
Presuming you are staying with Jacketed bullets, here are some selected reduced loads:
http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Youth Loads.pdf
Remo-99
Member
In 7.62x51 nato brass, starting loads for 308win should be quite safe in my opinion. As long as you are aware the military brass is thicker and has reduced case volume, when your working up loads.
As ArchAngelCD posted, Hodgdon has a good bit of youth data available on their website.
Also, IMR's SR-4759 and Accurate's 5744 powders are useful for reduced loads in rifle calibers. They were expressly designed for it.
Also, IMR's SR-4759 and Accurate's 5744 powders are useful for reduced loads in rifle calibers. They were expressly designed for it.
Last edited:
fireflyfather
Member
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2006
- Messages
- 807
DO NOT reduce rifle loads using very slow powders. Fast powders like magnum pistol/shotgun or faster, you can get away with a lot, but with slow burning rifle powders, you don't want to play around with that too much. The Lee manual has some good info on this, as does castboolits.gunloads.org.
- Status