White-tail load... Is a Nosler BT .308 bullet at 1200 fps "enough gun" at 100 yards...

[KMart]

Dale, is there any reason you are specifically tied to the 30-06 for this venture? If you are looking at recoil reduction alone, there are a lot of 6mm's out there that would be a great choice. Any 6mm using the 85 gr Sierra HPBT Gameking, is an absolute killer on deer inside 100 yards. Any cartridge between a 243 Win and 6BR would get you there, and recoil would not be an issue.

If the 03 has been sporterized,even a clamp on muzzle brake can get you some needed recoil reduction.

 

[2506]

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

125 Sierra or Nosler Ballistic Tip between 2100 and 2600 fps IMPACT is a awesome deer killer.

 

[284winner]

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

125 Sierra or Nosler Ballistic Tip between 2100 and 2600 fps IMPACT is a awesome deer killer.

Remington also makes reduced loaded ammo. I think in the 30 cal, it's 125 grain. Not positive. Definitely no issue with recoil. Hornady and Remington I think both on 125 gr

 

[K22]

I have spinal issues so I had to reduce recoil. I love the 308 too and didn't want to give up on it.

My solution was to develop a reduced load of 40.0 grains H4895 and 125 Nosler BT's. With a heavy hunting jacket or strap on recoil shoulder pad the recoil is mild and manageable. I did the calculations and if my memory is correct the free recoil was about 11.5 ft-lbs with my rifle.

This load clocked at around 2,600 f/s which converts to more than enough energy to take deer at 200 yards. The 125 Nosler BT is not a varmint bullet.

I haven't taken a deer with it yet so I can't back my claim up with an actual field results but the numbers support the assertion.

 

[dolek]

I am amazed at all the help and guidance,much appreciated . I tried the Hornady 160 grain FTX (30-30) bullet . I did the math and the 60 percent H4895 formula brought me to the normal range for the 30-30...so I tried 28 grains .I loaded up 9 rounds at 3 different jumps just to get an idea where to start with this bullet...long tapered boat tail . I am at 30 out working my way towards touch . 2 of the 3 groups are at 1.25" and the other has 2 touching and one out 2 inches out...it's a start. It has an old Timney on it,got that at a crisp 2.5 pounds...it was at a creepy 4 pound pull. I plan to dial this one in and then work on other loads once I feel I can start the season with confidence .Heading to the range in the morning for more testing.

I could pick another gun but this one means a lot to me . My Wife and Son just bought it for me after they saw me fall in love . I had no clue they noticed I went back to it 5 times while in the shop. Sporterized Rock Island 1903 w/ a beautiful birdseye maple stock,looks like new... Thanks to the help of this forum I found one they looks like the same build in a 1951 Herter's catalog,mine has a Herter's recoil pad which helps narrow it down.

Thanks again for all the help,I have a ton of info to go through now .

 

[KMart]

I could pick another gun but this one means a lot to me . My Wife and Son just bought it for me after they saw me fall in love . I had no clue they noticed I went back to it 5 times while in the shop. Sporterized Rock Island 1903 w/ a beautiful birdseye maple stock,looks like new... Thanks to the help of this forum I found one they looks like the same build in a 1951 Herter's catalog,mine has a Herter's recoil pad which helps narrow it down.

Thanks again for all the help,I have a ton of info to go through now .

If it was me in your shoes, I would do exactly as you are. I would bet that you will find something that works.

 

[snert]

Sierra has a new bullet for slower speeds. 135hp. It specifically says not to shoot over a particular speed, cannot remember what speed it was. Thin jacket. Sounds like it would work well for you

I use this bullet in a 308, and I run it faster than a BLK but slower than a 308. Sierra can guide you. It shoots exceptionally accurately. I wouldn't hesitate to put one in the ribs of a buck.

 

[snakepit]

I could pick another gun but this one means a lot to me . My Wife and Son just bought it for me after they saw me fall in love . I had no clue they noticed I went back to it 5 times while in the shop. Sporterized Rock Island 1903 w/ a beautiful birdseye maple stock,looks like new.

How about posting a picture of the rifle.

 

[Flouncer]

How about posting a picture of the rifle.

Second that !! Yer helpers helped, now feed the rest of us

 

[dolek]

Heading to the range, I like watching the sun come up there . Will get a pic or two of the rifle,my photography skills are lacking but I will give it a try. Those Sierra 135s mentioned above have me interested,so much to check into...great info folks.

 

[Depart123]

It's pretty interesting that, even when launching handgun weight bullets at what amounts to little more than magnum handgun speeds, shooters still want thier bullets pointy and sexy looking.

No love for the round nose.

 

[dellet]

It's pretty interesting that, even when launching handgun weight bullets at what amounts to little more than magnum handgun speeds, shooters still want thier bullets pointy and sexy looking.

No love for the round nose.

A round nose bullet at these speeds, as you know makes perfect sense. The FTX in this case or a solid copper is just a bit better. Best might be a solid copper round nose.

A bullet with a long bearing surface, short round tip, long for weight class and in this application, medium wieght to keep down recoil, does a few things. Mainly it allows you to get the bullet close or in the lands, while putting maximum bullet on the case to take up volume.

Plenty of room for adjustment to maximize accuracy at the front end, load density as high as possible at the back end.

Soiled copper can be 10% longer than jacketed for the same weight class, or in this case jacketed with a hollow, round front end with a plastic tip.

The photo Dale posted of the the rounds side by side has both bullets loaded to jam, the FTX probably has close to .750” more bullet in the case.that’s a huge advantage in a reduced load.

 

[rcparker1]

Look at maker bullets. They make some amazing bullets for subsonic. I was having problems with .308 bullets at 1100fps making good kills on hogs until finding makers. They are amazing.

 

[Drop Port]

It's pretty interesting that, even when launching handgun weight bullets at what amounts to little more than magnum handgun speeds, shooters still want thier bullets pointy and sexy looking.

No love for the round nose.

Little love, even more love for FN.

 

[dolek]

Made it to the range,turns out a jump of 25 is what it likes best with the FTXs . Any closer to the lands and it opens just a bit,,maybe half inch max . At 25 jump
vertical is flat and just a tick of paper between holes . Now I will tweak the charge some and see if I find any magic ,if not I will live with 1" at 100 yards ...plenty fine for hunting. Recoil was fine,now to try some new bullets and jazz up the charge a little to find what the old shoulder feels comfortable with . I will be getting a good pad for it also,that old Herters pad is hard as a rock. I found my old PAST pad which helped quite a bit. Scope and rings will be replaced soon with something better,would love period correct but these old eyes need bigger/brighter . I have tried my target scopes at dusk and just can't see the fine hairs/dots.

Pics,best I can do...it looks better in person in good light.

Thanks again folks, looks like many loads to come . Reduced loads are allowing me to enjoy another deer season . I have not hunted in about 15 years ,this rifle literally brought me out of retirement...My wife and Son are tickled to see me so obsessed over this new gem. They saw me fondling it and called the shop as soon as we got home to buy it,it was to be for xmas...but deer season starts way before that...actually one month from today,but who is counting.

 

[Knotwild]

That is a beautiful rifle. I will be watching in the hunting section for pictures of it leaning on a nice buck.

 

[Nature Boy]

Sporterized Rock Island 1903 w/ a beautiful birdseye maple stock,looks like new...

We need to see a pic of that!

(Nevermind, I fired too quick. I see it now. Very nice)

 

[snakepit]

Recoil was fine,now to try some new bullets and jazz up the charge a little to find what the old shoulder feels comfortable with . I will be getting a good pad for it also,that old Herters pad is hard as a rock. I found my old PAST pad which helped quite a bit.

Your rifle is beautiful. I have a Remington Model M1917 Enfield that was sporterized and has a stock similiar to yours. I also have a shoulder problem similar to yours that made shooting it and also my 300 Mag painful. I did the same thing that KMART mentioned to you in his post and that was to use a clamp on muzzle brake which significantly reduced the recoil. The 300 Mag now has the recoil of a .308 and I can now enjoy shooting both rifles again. No need to shoot those real light loads you talked about. With the PAST pad and the muzzle brake you might need to be careful and not fall asleep while shooting.

 

[ImBIllT]

Yeah, it might work, but I’d definitely look into a more fragile bullet. Those 150gr BT Hunting bullets are reasonably tough and in my experience don’t expand that well without hitting bone or shooting them in excess of 3000fps. Before they began distinguishing between BT Varmint and BT Hunting, they were all constructed as today’s BT Varmints are and they blew up quite nicely. I’d consider an A-Max or V-max, as well as other options discussed. Some of the extreme long range hunters have found that going to varmint type bullets is proper route because at the low impact velocities they get, the bullets penetrate and expand very similarly to the way much tougher “hunting” type bullets do at higher velocities. I’d also consider going lighter. 125gr is plenty for a whitetail. I whacked a pair of big bodied muleys last season with 130 and 140 VLD’s.

 

[P1ZombieKiller]

soooo...… how did you do in deer season?