I was looking at a 140 grain youth load with 36 grains of H4895. What would be a similar powder? I have IMR 4350, 4064, and RL 15 on hand.
Thanks.

Hodgdon's online data shows their minimum charge of H4895 (35gr) making just under 2400fps with a 140gr. The minimum charge for IMR4064 is shown as 38.1gr, making about 2500fps. I'd take a look at their website to verify, but it sounds like 38.1gr IMR4064 should get you close to the performance of a 36gr H4895 load.

Doing tons of this stuff for youth loads for decades... and use many myself... I don't need a 500 yd load to drop a deer at 100 to 150 yds or more.

First what I would use...
1. 30 grains of any of these...IMR 4198, RL 7, H 4198.
2. 22.5 to 24 grains of Blue Dot.
3. 30 to 35 grains of 3031, H 322 or Benchmark

Second thing I'd do is switch to a 120 grain bullet in 7 mm. At these kind of velocities they are going to penetrate just as well as a 139 Hornady or a 140 grain Ballistic Tip.

Third, look up any loads listed for a 7/08 in any decent cast bullet manual... 7/08 and 7 x 57 are pretty interchangeable for practical tense and purpose.

Fourth, if you are set on using the powders you listed in hand, although I am a lover of 4064, when you lower the charge its not as accurate as other powders can be, like 3031 or IMR 4895. My choice would be using RL 15 out of the three you listed. You'll find more accuracy on the lower end, than with the other two.

I NEVER use H 4895 for reduced loads. Its accuracy sucks, it gives a loud retort ( or boom ) that can intimidate new or young shooters. It is pushed by Hodgdon because they got the info and work for free from ADI ( Australian Defense Industries ). The Australian military, being small wanted to know what one powder could be useful for all of their needs, if they had to have the most available during time of war, by using just ONE powder. By military standards, it was a good choice for their military. But military standards are not all that picky, when you are putting a lot of shots down range, by a bunch of guys or equipment.
An AK 47 is a fine example of that military practice.... EVER see an AK 47 used in Benchrest Competition? Of course not and anyone with any brains knows why.

you want something minute of deer, not minute of Army Tank. There are plenty of other choices out there, even under times like these... If you are like most hunters, 30/30 speeds are more than enough. Just match the bullet choice with the game animal.. and distance. Most game is shot a 100 yds or under. I am sure that is especially true in the Maine woods. 90% of all game is taken under 100 yards anywhere in the world. 99% is taken under 200 yds.

With the right optics, I've taken game at 300 yds, using a load of 30 grains of IMR 4198 or RL 7, in cartridges from 243 to 30/06.. zeroed 3.5 inches high at 100 yds,....

MV of 2250 fps zeroed at 100 yds, 3.5 inches high, will be dead on at 200, and 3.5 inches low at 240 to 250 yds. Doesn't matter the cartridge, just use a capable bullet in the mid weight range for that caliber. For a 7mm round... 120, 130 and 140 will ALL work just fine...

With a pair of 7 x 57s... a Ruger and a Model 70.. both rifles of mine have taken game easily under 200 yds and with the right scope or a little Kentucky windage, to 300 yds... done that with 120, 130 , 139 Hornadys and `140 grain Ballistic Tips...

There is the short course in a nutshell....

I've hiked and camped all over the Maine woods when in college but never hunted there. I've hunted deer in far Northern Minnesota when I lived there... for 15 seasons.... isn't much different than Northern Maine at all....but no one could tell the difference if ya drugged them and then dropped them into either one.

I've counseled a lot of Boy Scouts over the decades, for their first deer hunt, after passing the rifle shooting merit badge. I always let them and their dad load their own ammo on my reload set up.... Locally I've ran into boys now grown up, but to this day, they hand load 30 grains of IMR 4198 or H 4198, it what ever rifle they hunt with now... just think of each of them as a bolt action 30/30 or 300 Savage Equivalent. 2250 to 2400 fps...

Best of luck for your son up there in the Maine woods Bluefish.

Cheers,
seafire.

What would be the RL15 grain weight? Bullet is the Remington 140 gr PSP.

Thanks.

48.3 H4350, 139 Hornady Interlock, 2800 FPS.

No, I want a significantly reduced load.

I loaded some loads for my son when he was a young teen shooting a 7X57. I used the minimum load recommended for IMR 4350 with a 140 grain bullet and he had no problems whatsoever. Plus, it killed deer just fine.

I use the 120 BT under RL15 in a 7-08, very mild load and accurate. I'm sure it'll work with the 7x57.
40 grains is a peach.

+1 for the 120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip. You won't find a better deer bullet for the 7x57 or 7mm08 regardless of your powder choice or target velocity.

If I had to pick a 2nd choice it would be the 120gr Sierra ProHunter with Varget or Reloder 15 or IMR 4350

Google OConnors wife’s loads

I believe Seafire gave you some excellent advice, and options. Try em.

And so has multiple load manuals!!

I agree. Lighter projectiles, especially those without thick jackets, at medium velocity not only make effective deer rounds, but are also fun to shoot: light recoil and minimal muzzle blast. Sierra Pro Hunters fit the bill fine, and are cheaper (and generally more available) that Ballistic Tips. Save the BTs for full power loads.

One thing to note: for practice and range work I don't think you can beat ear plugs and muffs. Even with lighter cartridges/loads and virtually nil recoil, a flinch can be caused by muzzle blast. Double ear protection will be their (i.e. kids) friend.

BTW, light loads of H4985 give a sort of hollow-sounding "boom" out of the 7x57. I don't know why that's the case, but it does. Again, double ear protection is their friend.

Quite true. I've seen it happen to young shooters trying short barreled 243 Winchesters in "kid size" crack barrel rifles.

The above statements about H 4895 reduced loads, and what I consider its erratic accuracy results and consistencies, is a big reason I am NO FAN
of H 4895 reduced loads. I work a lot with kids via scouts on reduced loads, and the occasional female shooters. ADI developed reduced loads and single powder use for its military, for times of war, which makes perfect sense. HOwever hunters really have no real reason for it except for economy and a single source, but must compromise on accuracy.

ADI also makes H 4198, which does a much better job for the average individual shooter, in terms of accuracy and lack of perceived recoil., aka that unneeded muzzle blast of reduced loads of H 4895. If one has to used a 4895 burn rate for reduced loads... then substitute IMR 4895... its accuracy is much more consistent, and it does not have that reduced load muzzle blast of Hodgdon's 4895.

RL 7, and IMR 4198 are also two great choices for this type of service.

Cast bullet manual loads are also a great source of other load data to try, especially since most game is taken within a 100 yds or less.... in fact with many bullets, I've found greater penetration of many standards bullets for hunting under 100 yds, than regular rifle loads. Didn't expect to find that, but with working with those a lot, those are the results I've seen...

eg: 12.5 grains of Blue Dot, will penetrate thru a steel plate at 100 yds ( 3/8s an inch diameter) with a 55 grain SP bullet, where a regular military spec load with the same bullet at a 3150 fps MV, will hit the plate and splatter at 100 yds. Results consistently observed out of 223 bolt action rifles, comparing the two loads. Didn't expect it, but that is the results I've observed over and over again.