Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers Speer 300 grain "Plinker" load for deer

Should have posted here first instead of reloading. I found some Speer 300 grain UCHP bullets I believe they are called Plinker. I am going to work up a load with H4895 powder using the 60% reduced data from Hodgdon. I am tired of recoil and want these to shoot in the 1500 fps range. Anyone using them for deer? I hunt the northeast where a shot over 75 yards is a long one.

These will be shot in a first generation 1895 Marlin I have owned for 30 years. She is an oldy , pre-safety micro grove barrel.

I don't have any experience with the 300 Speer but if I'm not mistaken Vic in Va uses and loves that bullet and swears by it. He says its a good tough bullet too.

Maybe he'll be along shortly.

Right here.

It's a very good bullet for 1900+fps loads in the .45-70, stands up well to high impact velocity. I've run them into the mid 2200s without issue.

As far as the 60% H4895 load, I'd be inclined to use H or IMR4198 at the velocity you mention.

Even at full-snort loads with heavier bullets, the 4985s don't generate high pressure and tend to burn dirty. I've got one load pushing a 435 grain LBT at 1800+ fps, and the powder is just getting to the point of a decent burn at 32 KPSI. But the case is packed full! Any slower and it's dirty as hell, and 1800 fps, 435 grain loads KICK.

36 grains of either 4198 and Starline brass ought to put you just north of 1550 fps in a Guide gun. Recoil would be about 16 to 17 ft-lbs, something like a .308 Win. There are other powders that will do the same job, but I've not used them, so won't comment on or recommend them, but there are other guys here who have good recommendations.

Starline brass may not seal up at that low of a pressure unless you anneal, and if you used WW brass, velocity and pressure would both be lower, along with recoil. The cases may still be a little sooty.

I have had great luck with IMR-sr4759 using cast bullets. I would think 30grs of 4759 and the 300 Speer would be super accurate and in that 1500fps range.

Thanks for the suggestions..

5744 is a very good powder when you use a 45/70 in the 1200-1500fps range.