Low recoil Factory 308 Ammo

I’ve got a mate who recently bought a 308 Howa for his son and he’s struggling with the recoil using Federal 150gn Factory ammo .
Is there a lower power Factory load that anyone can recommend for Goats / Pigs etc ?
I haven’t played with the 308 for years so I’m not up with the play , before you suggest hand loading / muzzle brakes etc it isn’t an option, they just want to use Factory ammo with a bare rifle .
These guys are farmers not enthusiasts / Hunters , this rifle is a tool not a toy to eliminate feral animals on their property.
Any suggestions

Try some 130gr, it should have a bit less recoil.

Still, a suppressor/brake would be good for their ears and the shoulder.

Remington used to make a load called managed recoil I think,used it many moons ago when I had a .270, worked well and was very similar to shooting a 243,

I was under the impression but I'm no expert far from it that a low recoiling 308 is a 7mm08.

Doesn't help though in this case.

Fiocchie Perfecta ammo and PPU ammo are generally slightly milder loads compared to others. This has been my experience when looking for common factory loafs for my Ruger Scout.

Yeah Remington did make a managed/reduced recoil load, you may struggle to find any in NZ currently thou.

It used a 125gr or 130gr bullet loaded with 30gr of IMR 4198 with velocity around 2200-2400, if you know a friendly handloader to knock some up for them, in my experience these reduced loads shoot mint with basically no development.

I'm just heading out the door, but this came up with a quick search: https://55six.co.nz/product/hornady-...t-custom-lite/

Educate them on the many benefits of a suppressor, including the ongoing reduced stress to their valued livestock as that tool is being used around the farm

Their tractors, motorbikes, cars and petrol powered tools have mufflers, they now have a new tool that needs a muffler for exactly the same reasons

The sako 123gr game head factory load worked well for me in smacking goats with my wee model seven in 308. Was not a reduced recoil load but definitely softer than a full house 150/165gr load. I shifted to a Belmont 150gr load instead for a bit more versatility.

A suppressor really is the simple answer though, they then wouldn't be limited to a certain type of ammo that could be hard to find reliably.

@Ground Control is your mate in Aussie? If so I guess that rules out a suppressor, unless he happens to be in NSW and can provide a highly compelling case to the local constabulary..

As others have said, drop down to something around 130gr (the sako 123gr would be ideal) and fit a limbsaver. Another option would be to sell it and get a 243

Ive seen reduced recoil loads on shop shelf only once...in Ashburton.... any projectile less than 150 grn will be softer shooting and believe it or not..the winchester power point 180 grn load is softer shooting than the 150grn version.....and its a seriously good killing round for closer range or bush work.
the other smart option,is to find a reloading option...like belmont over here,and get a couple of hundred loads made up to something you want/more user friendly either go 130grn at mid range velocity or 150 at semi mild velocity,you dont have to drop much either projectile weight or powder charge for a large reduction in recoil...a limbsaver recoil pad makes huge difference and if suppressor not an option,double up ear protection....half the recoil battle is percieved recoil via noise....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 7.62

@Ground Control is your mate in Aussie? If so I guess that rules out a suppressor, unless he happens to be in NSW and can provide a highly compelling case to the local constabulary..

As others have said, drop down to something around 130gr (the sako 123gr would be ideal) and fit a limbsaver. Another option would be to sell it and get a 243

---

This is in QLD Australia , so suppressors are a no go .
The young fella can shoot a .223 no worries at all , his father thought he was big/old enough to handle a 308 but in hindsight it might have been a bit to soon .
I’ve sent them a few links to some lite 308 loads from Hornady etc that are available from Cleavers ( a big QLD gunshop) that they frequent when they are in Brisbane .

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

Educate them on the many benefits of a suppressor, including the ongoing reduced stress to their valued livestock as that tool is being used around the farm

Their tractors, motorbikes, cars and petrol powered tools have mufflers, they now have a new tool that needs a muffler for exactly the same reasons

---

What he said.
I just seen you are talking aussie, no cans over There!
Sent from my SM-A226B using Tapatalk

Just thinking outside the box, they could fill the forend up with an epoxy resin to make the stock heavier which would soak up some of the kick? If they are carrying the rifle alot or shooting freehand that may be a dumb idea but if its a truck/quad gun could work. Pretty cheap and easy to replace the stock later when the lads a bit more battle hardened.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Happy Jack

I was under the impression but I'm no expert far from it that a low recoiling 308 is a 7mm08.

Doesn't help though in this case.

---

I wonder what accuracy would be like. Assuming they chamber and fire... :o

Reiterate a decent recoil pad.
The 8x57 I have is quite light and after a dozen shots or so the shoulder was starting to think I will have a mark later.
Didnt have a proper screw on one but shortened for later and put the limbsaver slip-on I had on.
It's the one with the round chambers.
184grs nudging 2600fps (packet data) from a 24" barrel and mine is 22 and a bit I think so not far away
Can honestly say it is now a pussycat.
Even my mate said the same. Not very booty at all
Wouldn't hesitate to replace the hard as rocks recoil pad on the 416 with one when I do bin it.
Obviously doesnt do much for muzzle flip though.
Depends 9n your shooting but if not carrying it far maybe drill out the butt and put a heap of lead shot in there.

try the 308 subsonic rounds I used to use the Winchester super x 185 gr hollow point subsonic also fiocchi does a subsonic round

try custom cartridges in taupo, Mark would sort this for them

swap for a 243 /7M08, or are they in a part of aussie that has large critters, cattle, camels etc (Sambar)
as noted above you can get reduced load factory ammo for 308 & 7m08, however I have no idea how easy it is to ship ammo around in aussie.
No matter what people say I would suggest that a 308 Unsuppressed is too much gun for many/most under 18's to shoot consistently well unless it's a heavy target type.
Z

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ZQLewis

swap for a 243 /7M08, or are they in a part of aussie that has large critters, cattle, camels etc (Sambar)
as noted above you can get reduced load factory ammo for 308 & 7m08, however I have no idea how easy it is to ship ammo around in aussie.
No matter what people say I would suggest that a 308 Unsuppressed is too much gun for many/most under 18's to shoot consistently well unless it's a heavy target type.
Z

---

Like I mentioned in my original post , these guys are Farmers and a rifle is just permanently in the Ute and is a tool not a toy .
To them and the majority of other property owners out west cost is everything and as a result the .223 and 308 rule the roost because of cheap ammo that can be bought in bulk . The 243 does have a bit of a following in places but the price of ammo limits it’s appeal
They will buy some of the 130gn offerings when they go to Brisbane next and in the meantime the young fella will continue to use the .223 to good effect and Stevy the father has kind of adopted the new 308 for his own ( maybe it was a cunning plan all along ) to replace his old shot out Remington.
Life and work on these big property’s over here ( their place is about 180,000 acres) is very different to NZ and these guys don’t really shoot for fun or a hobby, it’s just another part of their daily world of trying to raise Beef in what compared to NZ is a hostile environment .
I agree about a light 308 without a Brake or Can being to much gun for many people . I personally have really downsized my caliber selection over the years and to be honest the .223 is my favourite for what I personally do and my “Big 6.5” hardly gets out of the safe much anymore . My place doesn’t have much large stuff to shoot , Dingoes are my nemesis and I have sworn a Vendetta against them
and the .223 is perfect for that job.

Why not 7.62 x 39 ?. Can buy bulk ammo for them. Arguably more "knock down" than .223. Bugger all recoil. Ruger ranch/howa packages around $1000?. Job done

Sent from my SM-G525F using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ground Control

Like I mentioned in my original post , these guys are Farmers and a rifle is just permanently in the Ute and is a tool not a toy .
To them and the majority of other property owners out west cost is everything and as a result the .223 and 308 rule the roost because of cheap ammo that can be bought in bulk . The 243 does have a bit of a following in places but the price of ammo limits it’s appeal
They will buy some of the 130gn offerings when they go to Brisbane next and in the meantime the young fella will continue to use the .223 to good effect and Stevy the father has kind of adopted the new 308 for his own ( maybe it was a cunning plan all along ) to replace his old shot out Remington.
Life and work on these big property’s over here ( their place is about 180,000 acres) is very different to NZ and these guys don’t really shoot for fun or a hobby, it’s just another part of their daily world of trying to raise Beef in what compared to NZ is a hostile environment .
I agree about a light 308 without a Brake or Can being to much gun for many people . I personally have really downsized my caliber selection over the years and to be honest the .223 is my favourite for what I personally do and my “Big 6.5” hardly gets out of the safe much anymore . My place doesn’t have much large stuff to shoot , Dingoes are my nemesis and I have sworn a Vendetta against them
and the .223 is perfect for that job.

---

To be quite honest, i cannot see the difference between them or anyone else who shoots a rifle, it matters not if they are shooting pest animals as a hobby or due to absolute necessity due to limited feed being eaten by feral animals rather than the stock its intended for. Same same.

What does matter, is that they are using a rifle/cartridge combo that they can actually shoot well, they will get far better results of killing stuff if they are using something that is easy and they can tolerate no problem.

If they cannot run a suppressor due to regulations, then fitting a better recoil pad will certainly help, many factory ones are shit. And a decent pad can make a bloody big difference. But you still have noise, muzzle jump and just the big shove of using a rifle/cartridge that may just be too much for the individual to tolerate (I'm referring to the young fella here).

If they cannot find reduced recoil ammo, then either they move to a smaller lower recoiling cartridge, 7.62x39, 6.5 Grendel etc or get some custom ammo maker (im sure there will be some over there, just as there is here) to make up some reduced loads for the 308 rifle they already have. This makes the most sense to me, then as the boy grows and can tollerate more recoil, then just move to normal full power loads. Ive already given you a known load receipe to get someone to make you some up.