Thread: Low recoil 308 loads for the young fella

130grn speer hps OR 125grn ballistic tips loaded down to about 23-2400fps will work just fine and dandy...what we used in the 7.62x39mm and they kill deer well
the recoil will be sweet stuff all in .308 with suppressor,it has been in mine. use those awesome 151s for young fella to finish off animals (saves the ears and doesnt disturb other animals) you could push them a bit faster..think Rob says they good till above 1800fps
I wouldnt go any slower with the 125-130 grn loads,they will be good at that or even faster,find load that rifle groups with and go from there. dont rush the young fella,putting them off or developing a flinch will take AGES to work it back out again.

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.