Thread: Low recoil 308 loads for the young fella

Originally Posted by stug

If he wants to reduce recoil he needs to stay away from heavy projectiles. Stick to varmint 125 or 130 at low velocities. Way less recoil.

Yeah....nah.... very dependant on them going in the right place. Totally get what you're saying... the heavier projectile does a fair bit more damage, lot more forgiving if the young fella doesn't quite put it in the right spot. 243 level recoil is manageable, a few practice shots he'll be fine. Those ELD-M will be good, nice and soft.

https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/r...custom-lite#!/

http://https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/rifle/308-win-125-gr-sst-custom-lite#!/

I have probably stuffed up the link. However, like all good ideas someone has already thought of it. Should be easy enough to duplicate this factory loading.

I also agree with @Flyblown above. A heavy, but very soft, bullet would work too. As long as you can keep the velocity low. Ultimately it will be about keeping the recoil down.

https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/r...custom-lite#!/

http://https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/rifle/308-win-125-gr-sst-custom-lite#!/

I have probably stuffed up the link. However, like all good ideas someone has already thought of it. Should be easy enough to duplicate this factory loading.

I also agree with @Flyblown above. A heavy, but very soft, bullet would work too. As long as you can keep the velocity low. Ultimately it will be about keeping the recoil down.

Roberts 151 grain cast projectiles in front of 14 grains of Trailboss does about 1600fps in my 308. Very pleasant to shoot, but I haven't tried on an animal yet.

Awesome guys! Thanks again, very very helpful! Ill order a few different projectiles to try this weekend and let you know how I get on. Ill also try a reduced load with these 168 eldms that I have, In the past these haven't grouped the best through my rifle, ill give them another go may have better luck at slower velocities - Im not really chasing super tight groups.

keep an eye on trademe...the 125grn ballistic tips pop up cheap as factory 2nds...cant see whats different except for colour blemish.

I load 110g Barnes with 2206h and they are pretty tame recoil wise and the 2deer I have shot with them went down in a heap,bush hunting ranges,both reds.also used 150g round nose 30-30 bullets with 30g 2206h ,they killed Sika well,again bush hunting.

Second light soft bullet going slow. Ie something like 125gr sierra soft point. Or if using TB then a varmint bullet.
If inside 100mtr then a case full of trail boss. past that then a min load of?? Check hodgdon data and whatever you have.
Z

For reduced load for a 308 just use the data for the 307 Winchester , they are both one and the same except for the Rim .

I used 150g sst with 38g 2206h ,pretty much loaded to 7.62x39 speeds,low recoil but still killed well at bush ranges.

I have not used this chart. But Hodgdon does a reduced load on various different chambering. Using H4895.
(ADI2206H)

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour..._xNTDqJ9S1DuoJ

Its always a good idea with kids to check and triple check their earmuffs are the best possible, and that they are fitting right round the ear, its amazing how much of our perception of recoil comes from the noise and muzzle blast. They won't notice the lack of them shooting game but any target shooting = earmuffs. Same applies for adults to, whether or not the rifle is suppressed.