308 NORMA MAG

[birddog1]

DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY LIGHT RECOIL LOADS FOR 308 NORMA MAG
THANKS

 

[BlackKnight755]

birddog1,

I didn't know there was such an animal (light recoil loads for the 308 norma mag) . On a more serious side, what weight bullet are you shooting and how much does your rifle weigh? If the rate of twist is so that you can shoot a light bullet without it blowing up, I would think that you could come up with an accurate load with a lighter bullet and just keep testing different powders until you find one that your rifle will allow you to shoot a moderate load and maintain accuracy. I can load for my 300 RUM where it can be shot comfortably by a small framed person (my son) without any recoil problems.

I am sorry that I don't have any data that you requested but maybe someone else does. Good luck taming your magnum, BK

 

[birddog1]

Still need some info guys

 

[wapiti25]

explain what you are trying to do, light wight bullets such as 125-150 gr at mild powder charges (starting loads) should reduce the recoil. Put weight in the stock.

 

[birddog1]

I am trying to get the lightest recoil load so my father can shoot for deer I will get the twist of the barrel tomorrow

 

[wapiti25]

You should be able to shoot light bullets in any std twist's, you start getting into trouble when going to heavy bullets that need more twist. I looked at the hodgdon list of loads for your 308 Norma Mag, I would try the 4350 and 4895 starting loads using a 150gr bullet. They should recoil about like a 30-06.

 

[wapiti25]

Look for a starting load using IMR 4064 it is a powder similar to 4895. Your 308 Norma is very close to the 30-338. You should be able to interchange that loading data. I just looked at a Hornady manual and they list IMR 4064 at 59.6 gr with their 150 bullet. Bullet weight and powder wt. go into the calc. for recoil as it all goes out the barrel. Think about light bullets and low powder charge. A 125-130gr bullet may be less recoil.

 

[Glenn Powell]

Not sure about charge weight but Trail Boss is supposed to be great for reduced loads. Might want to try some bullets designed for the 30/30 to make sure they expand proper like. The 160 flex tip GMX hornady would be my first choice. Good luck, good hunting, and good times.

 

[Kingfisher]

Was thinking about Trailboss too, but I think TB might be too slow velocity wise. Like sub 2000 fps. You're probably going to be better off with the slowest powder normally used in the 308 NM/30-338 and then load it way down. A quick check of my old Barnes #3 manual shows H-1000 and RL-25 data for the 150 grain bullets. RL-25 and H-1000 would both be at the slowest end for 150 gr bullets and will tolerate being reduced considerably without any drama. Probably something in the 70 grain range.