Fast powders in deer cartridges

I read here about someone using Unique in a magnum. I've read about Blue Dot loads. But what are some starting loads for other fast powders that people here like? I know lots of them will turn a magnum into a .30-30, and that's the point. So let's put some safe data out there. Not much is published.

Which magnums are ya interested in…..I can only speak of the .338 WM, the .375 H&H, and the .375 AI. These were done with cast bullets, but I’m pretty sure that similar loads could be developed using jacketed bullets of similar weight! The loading principals would be the same! memtb

I'm talking about all cartridges. But magnums are a good subject too. It's fun to download any round, and some of them will still kill a deer better than you think.

If you do, please be extra careful! Seen too many rifles destroyed doing this! Still call the 1 guy shrapnel Frank after he blew up a beautiful 03/A3 doing this and he still swears he didn't double drop! I was sitting within 10 feet of him when his rifle went boom, not bang. Nothing gets your attention like a bolt shroud flying by right in front of your face. And Frank won a ride in an ambulance to a hospital that day to get all the wood and metal out of his face and chest. Now, all that being said, I know guys that have done this for years very safely. But sometimes it doesn't take much to change your day...

I've loaded up my 308win and 30-06 Springfield bolt rifles with light IMR Trail Boss loads to introduce my son to those rifles. The change in POI is significant. Especially with the -06.. I've not chronographed the loads, but I'd not use them to hunt deer or even small game. At least not before speed checking. I seriously doubt they're fast enough to be reliable.

IMR gives the load formula on-line.

Be careful in SO many ways. (double charges, complexities with ball powders at reduced loads, or with high % of unfilled case volume with respect to creating a high pressure. Try to stick with extruded ( non-ball/spherical) powder.

Internet search for "The Load" by Ed Harris. He has written articles about reduced loads with cast, and jacketed bullets-not just with pistol powders.
ed Harris reduced loads

Speer reloading manuals used to have reduced loads for rifle powders at about 60% of max load. Maybe you can find a copy.

An article from the Hensley and Gibbs site you might find interesting...

https://www.hensleygibbs.com/edharris/articles/The%20Load.htm

PM seafire, he does that.

The old IMR reloading pamphlet had reduced loads for 300Win mag and 300H&H mag and others using several powders.

You can find a PDF of the data online. If I find it, I'll post a link.

I used IMR 4198 to load reduced loads for a buddy's 300WSM. It's now performing like a 300Savage which is plenty for the local deer.

I can't get a link to function properly but you can look up IMR Handloaders Guide at Textfiles.com

Page 49 will give you some loads!

I go to the light loads in the book then load down from there till I get the FPS I think I need with that Powder and Bullet, with good performance, i have done this mostly on rifles with heavy recoil, to make them more manageable. this method has worked well form me, but it takes some test shooting to get where you want to be. Rio7

Limited testing with IMR 4227 in 2 different 30-06's with 130 grain bullets produced excellent results. 32-33 gr's should get you there based on my tests.

First 1 was a M70 at 75 yds off the hood of my truck. Tested it a couple times after at 100 off the bench. Enough to confirm it dang well shoots. Use at your own risk but now that GRT is available it shows very safe pressures when I enter all the parameters. I'm using Remington cases and CCI 200 primers.

Second rifle is a Sauer that I loaded with 130 Speer HP's at the same 3.100 OAL. That rifle liked a grain less powder compared to the M70 with the Hornady bullet. Shot just under 3/8" at 100. Didn't write the fps but was right handy 2500. That Speer is not a deer bullet, but used with a 125 BT or a 125 Sierra PH, should be a good deer load at reasonable ranges. Kicks like a baby 243.

As an addendum to my previous post…..I don’t use fast burning powders such as pistol/shotgun powders. My go to powder in larger rifle cases is IMR 4198…..such as others have mentioned! Sorry for the confusion! memtb

Many Speer manuals list a reduced load for many cartridges.

And of course, Hodgdon has published information for reduced loads of H4895 in most game cartridges for a long time.

https://imrpowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/h4895-reduced-rifle-loads.pdf

Quote

HODGDON® H4895® REDUCED RIFLE LOADS
For Youth Hunting, Informal Target, and Plinking
__________________________________________________________________________
Hodgdon Powder Company has found that H4895 can be loaded to reduced levels. H4895
was chosen because it is the slowest burning propellant that ignites uniformly in reduced
charges. To create reduced loads, the 60% formula is recommended.
Find the H4895 load in the Reloading Data Center for your caliber and bullet.
Take the maximum H4895 charge listed and multiply by 60% (.6). The load may
be adjusted up from there to achieve the desired velocity and accuracy.
This works only where H4895 is listed. DO NOT use in a cartridge where H4895
is not shown.
Example: 30-06 cartridge with 125 gr. Sierra SP bullet. Max load shown in the Reloading
Data Center with H4895 is 53.7 grains. 53.7 X .6 = 32.2 grains. The shooter begins
with this load, and may work up from there to obtain the desired velocity and
accuracy for his reduced load.
Call Hodgdon Powder Company if additional information is needed, 913-362-9455.

5744 is also supposed to be good, with a general formula applicable to most or all cartridges.

I doubt it can be found in our new reality of out of stock.

Originally Posted by DeanAnderson

If you do, please be extra careful! Seen too many rifles destroyed doing this! Still call the 1 guy shrapnel Frank after he blew up a beautiful 03/A3 doing this and he still swears he didn't double drop! I was sitting within 10 feet of him when his rifle went boom, not bang. Nothing gets your attention like a bolt shroud flying by right in front of your face. And Frank won a ride in an ambulance to a hospital that day to get all the wood and metal out of his face and chest. Now, all that being said, I know guys that have done this for years very safely. But sometimes it doesn't take much to change your day...

Thank you for that reply. You are correct that it has to be done safely. There are many loads that are safe , but you have to be careful.

IMR load data

Aa2015 works well for moderate loads in the ‘06 case. Works well in the 458wm for moderate cast loads too.

IMR4227 is my favorite for your needs. Works quite well in several cartridges. The 1990 IMR guide is invaluable.
Take care, and good shooting,
Rick

Originally Posted by gwrench

IMR load data

I actually have 2 of those. They have data for a .44 Mag. with H4831! Never seen that before.

Lyman publishes a Cast Bullet load book that has some very mild loads for a variety of bullets and cartridges.

I used quite a bit of Universal under 165 flat point cast bullets in my 308 for a few years. Its been unavailable for 2-3 years so I just stayed with heavy loads topped with 180 cast Saeco #315 clone bullets. Powders have varied from Varget, N202, H4350 and now A4350. Several deer fell into the freezer with those loads.

Originally Posted by JD45

Originally Posted by gwrench

IMR load data

I actually have 2 of those. They have data for a .44 Mag. with H4831! Never seen that before.

Holy crap, I can just imagine the powder granules left hanging between cylinder and frame.

I once knew a guy(about forty years ago) who loaded a 44 maq by just dipping the case into a bowl of IMR 3031.

Nah, I don't do that either.

I use Benchmark in 308 if that counts

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