Loading low and slow!

[Chuck S]

Loading down your big game rifle has several benefits such as dual use for both big and small game. It's also a great way to cut recoil for dozens of practice rounds as well as lowering recoil for younger or smaller shooters. I know that many powders take to reduced loads nicely but keep reading and hearing about how "some" powders are dangerously explosive at reduced load levels. Does anyone have a list of powders and suggested minimums?? I use a lot of Varget and IMR4064 as well as IMR and H4350. How low can I go?:cool:
Good hunting
Chuck S

[Alan R McDaniel Jr]

Chuck, a while back someone posted an article on loading for most rifles with Unique, around 13 gr as I recall. I'll see if I can find it unless someone posts it first.

Alan

[Alan R McDaniel Jr]

Bingo!

http://www.reloadingroom.com/index_files/Universal%2030.htm

Alan

[Chuck S]

Thanks for that article. I'll latch on to some Unique and try it for sure. Still wondering though about using the powders I'd normally use such as the Varget?
Anyone else have any thoughts on this??

[Alan R McDaniel Jr]

Chuck, I've never used Varget so I don't know anything about it. My dad loves it but I can't speak about it beyond that. 4064 and 4350 are both good powders and I have used them both in working up loads for my 35 Whelen and 30-06. I don't load with either of themfor the simple reason that I found other powders that suited my needs and not because the were found lacking.

With that said, I think there is a lower limit to loads using what we consider to be "normal" rifle powders. That limit is defined by the point where inconsistencies in ignition and pressure spikes begin to affect acuracy. I know of only one "detonation" load and that is in a low vel pistol round. I think that for the low pressure/velocity/recoil rounds you are considering that using a powder like Unique is your best bet. You may consider powder with a comparable burn rate as an alternative because Unique is a tad bit on the dirty side. If you clean you guns regularly this shouldn't really be a problem.

Hope this helps.

Alan

[Badger]

Chuck S,

Several current reloading manuals list reduced jacketed loads with 4759 and 4198, as I recall.

I like cast bullets in my rifles for lower recoiling loads.

Badger

[dave-t.]

How low are you wanting to go?

I've been using 180 hornadies at 2960 fps or so for years, and thought, why not drop down to 165's at that spead? Deer aren't going to know the difference, kick should be a little less, and trajectory practically identical.

My plan is to get the 300wm and the 257R shooting in the 2900-2960fps range, so that difference in trajectory is not a worry. Not that I hope to be in a deer hunting situation where intimate knowledge of trajectory at extended range is needed, but it would be comforting none the less.

[LE]

Simply put, I reload by the book. If it isn't in a reloading manual, I won't do it. Try several of those loads & be safe.

[Rich]

Loading down your big game rifle has several benefits such as dual use for both big and small game. It's also a great way to cut recoil for dozens of practice rounds as well as lowering recoil for younger or smaller shooters. I know that many powders take to reduced loads nicely but keep reading and hearing about how "some" powders are dangerously explosive at reduced load levels. Does anyone have a list of powders and suggested minimums?? I use a lot of Varget and IMR4064 as well as IMR and H4350. How low can I go?:cool:
Good hunting
Chuck S

A fellow at Sierra Bullets told me you can use reduced load with IMR3031 in the red can. If you don't have an old Sierra manual, let me know and I will give you the load from the oldest one I have. It is at least thirty years old.

[Hi Ball]

I was told over 40 years ago, that in reloading one should always treat that reloading manual just like your Bible. NEVER add or take anything away that is in that Bible period. This has always been my way of doing reloading at my bench.

[John Y Cannuck]

Loading down your big game rifle has several benefits such as dual use for both big and small game. It's also a great way to cut recoil for dozens of practice rounds as well as lowering recoil for younger or smaller shooters. I know that many powders take to reduced loads nicely but keep reading and hearing about how "some" powders are dangerously explosive at reduced load levels. Does anyone have a list of powders and suggested minimums?? I use a lot of Varget and IMR4064 as well as IMR and H4350. How low can I go?:cool:
Good hunting
Chuck S
I'll stick with the fast handgun type powders for reduced loads.
Be sure to triple check the load in each cartridge, as a double charge would not be good.:eek:
I suspect that much of the problem with reduced loads, is the extra room it leaves in the case. Perfect for double charges.

[Chuck S]

Other than targets, and shooting practice, I'll also use the rifles for Grouse while hunting deer or elk. (an old Townsend Whelen trick) Therefore I wanted to carry a few obviously marked 110, 130 gn bird loads at about slow cast bullet velocities. Looking at a couple of my old cast manuals, I see that several of the more common powders are used in reduced loads such as 3031, 4064 and more so I am sure it's going to be do-able. To be doubly sure though I dropped an email off to Hogdon to see what they say. Since Varget, although produced differently, falls between those two above on the burn scale I'm betting it might be just fine.

Now why not use Unique or several others that have been mentioned? Simple, have you tried to buy powder lately. Even in a large sportsmans chain store, the shelves were bare. I have an ample supply of Varget, 4064 and a couple others so trying to use what I have.