Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Reduced recoil for a 308?

oh, and by the way, Remington uses IMR 4198 for their Managed Recoil Loads...

I'm not so sure about the difference between H and IMR 4198 any more. Every package of IMR4198 I've seen for a few years had Made in Australia on it.

Here are the loads I developed for my son's .308 when he was 10 YO. Velocities are chronographed. Rifle was a Ruger MKII compact w/16.5" barrel.

130 gr Hornady SSP
26.o gr SR4759
Fed 210
v = 2,145

130 gr Hornady SSP
37.o gr IMR4895
Fed 210
v = 2,115

130 gr Hornady SSP
31.o gr IMR4198
Fed 210
v = 2,245

130 gr Speer FP
26.o gr SR4759
Fed 210
v = 2,105

130 gr Speer FP
31.0 gr IMR4198
Fed 210
v = 2,215

Fellas, I am serious when I say I don't come here to argue and I am not trying to provoke any. The OP said, "Keep in mind I know nothing about reloading YET.I have just bought a press and will soon have the other necessary equipment." I would think that a beginning reloader would be most comfortable with manual loads. I know for sure that I would. There are others besides the one's from Hodgdon's site for youth loads, but the one listed sure looks like it would meet his needs. It would be helpful to him, I believe, to provide manual references to other loads and powders. He does not have years of experience and thousands of reloaded rounds behind him like many members.

Bullet: Nosler .308 125 gr Ballistic Tip
Brass: Winchester
Primer: CCI 200 or Federal 210
Powder: 29gr IMR 4198
(This load is deadly accurate to 100yds and kicks very little in my rifle).
(This is from Speer Manual #14, I used a different bullet and brass combo with no signs of excess pressure, this is a very mild load).

Here's a link to a PDF showing Trail Boss info. Trail Boss is simple, fill the case and shoot, no room for an over charge.

Depending on the shooter's size and experience at 8yrs old, some of the reduced 308 loads recommended above may be a bit much initially.

Just my opinion, but a 223 or 243 would be a better choice than a 308. I started out with a 22-250 and think it a great choice as well.


http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Trail%20Boss%20Reduced%20Loads%20R&P.pdf

I've found AA 5744 with 125 grain bullets works well in my 308s. Stick to 35 grains or less and you should be fine with any 125/130 grain bullet/brass/primer combo. Low recoil, low noise, and more than enough velocity for a decent hunting load.