Any info and help in reproducing a "managed recoil" 308 round--

[gary0529]

I am assisting an elderly (80 y.o.) friend in putting together a reduced recoil round for his bolt 308. Rem carbine with 20" barrel.
Looking to get near the Rem. Managed Recoil round -I know they use a 125 gr. bullet, since he is not a hunter and will only use it on paper the terminal performance is not an issue. Really looking for a good choice of powder to go with.
I have a large selection to choose from so any suggestions are appreciated.
Many thanks in advance.

Gary

 

['Freak]

Shoot only the lighter weight bullets in front of middling powder charges, and add some more weight to the rifle stock.

 

[hogpatrol]

Put a brake on it.

 

[RonAKA]

Here are a few links that you might find useful:

Youth Loads
Trail Boss Reduced Loads
Hodgdon H4895 Reduced Loads

 

[SheepDog]

TrailBoss and H4895 are my goto powders for "light" loads with light bullets. TrailBoss will give lighter loads if that is the main function but you can reduce the maximum charge of H4895 to 60% of max and still retain consistent ignition.
You can also experiment with the old lead bullet loads of 10 to 15 grains of unique powder but these require some special care with jacketed bullets.

 

[Shynloco]

Put a brake on it.

Do like the "hog" says. That way you won't be restricted to the bullet you load. I know several older fellas (and younger) who have shoulder issues and found the brake/suppressor took away the sting. Hell, I recently had the pleasure of shooting a custom built 300 Win Mag belonging to a Gunsmith I know. He put a brake/suppressor/brake on her and I HATE heavy kickers. But when I fired this baby, she kicked more like a mellow 6mmbr. SO put on the suppressor with a stout butt pad and that should take care of the "kick" issue.

Alex

 

[savagedasher]

TrailBoss and H4895 are my goto powders for "light" loads with light bullets. TrailBoss will give lighter loads if that is the main function but you can reduce the maximum charge of H4895 to 60% of max and still retain consistent ignition.
You can also experiment with the old

lead bullet loads of 10 to 15 grains of unique powder but these require some special care with jacketed bullets.

Have used 4895 and light bullets for years.
Savage had the answer loved their off and on brake . Larry

 

[Homerange]

Just load 130 grain pills at pretty much any velocity, recoil is substantially less than the 150's or heavier that is commonly used in 308's. Mine are a compressed load of ADI-2208 (Varget)
I now use these all the time now for the lighter framed deer and if you restrict shots to broadside only you won't notice any difference.
110's can be fun too, virtually no recoil but I wouldn't use them on anything bigger than a goat.

 

[jsthntn247]

40gr of 4895 and a 155 Berger Hybrid

 

[savagedasher]

4895 has the recomended load for reduce recoil on their site . Their great go all game in Florida . The trouble I find they sure can ruen a lot of meat . Larry

 

[Delfuego]

Put a brake on it.

Yes! APA Little Bastard will make it much, much nicer to shoot.

 

[Twoboxer]

"Only" 70 here, but I can relay some of my own experiences shooting only from the bench at paper or steel.

A 13-lb rifle-scope-et al with an appropriate brake and recoil pad works very well for me in 308/30-06 firing 167/175gr bullets at 2700/2900fps. A couple of elderly female novice shooters in the 110-120lb weight range had no problem with the 308's felt recoil either.

I can manage shoulder pain from a similarly equipped 10-lb 338LM rig, but it generates so much shock to my body that 8-10 shots produced neck pain the next day. So I add a Past Super Mag Plus recoil pad for that caliber. Honestly, I can now shoot that rifle "all day" with no shoulder pain and no residual spinal effect.

While light bullets and finding low-power nodes can sure help some, IMO it can't do enough to offset a light rifle. If he has a specific issue(s) maybe nothing will be perfect. But some combination of the above is the best chance he has.

 

[savagedasher]

I like it when someone tells me he can handle recoil.
I set my phone up on the bench in slow motion. Very seldom do I see someone not fliching . Another simple test is to put a fired case in the chamber and watch them.
4895 works Larry

 

[Ned Ludd]

Even with a light bullet and reduced charge, felt recoil on a .308 load will still be noticeably more than almost any .223 load, even one with heavy bullets. It may not solve the immediate problem, but it might be worth considering a change in caliber.

 

[savagedasher]

Even with a light bullet and reduced charge, felt recoil on a .308 load will still be noticeably more than almost any .223 load, even one with heavy bullets. It may not solve the immediate problem, but it might be worth considering a change in caliber.

All 5 of my grand kids started hunting at 8 years old they shoot a 308 with a brake and reduced load .
They burned alot of 22 RF
And plenty of 223 with a brake . None of them flinch because of their training.
Larry

 

[zanemoseley]

Or do what I did and sell your 308 and buy a 6br, I'm a happy camper. Superior in every way except hunting and cheap brass.

 

[pete1955]

And the people sitting next to you at the range will love your break and ask why your rifle is so loud and blowing things of their bench.

 

[Ned Ludd]

All 5 of my grand kids started hunting at 8 years old they shoot a 308 with a brake and reduced load .
They burned alot of 22 RF
And plenty of 223 with a brake . None of them flinch because of their training.
Larry

80 yr old bones, tendons, and ligaments may not be the same as an 8 yr olds', regardless of form behind the rifle and training. Sometimes a reduction in caliber is the only way to go.

 

[oldhoward]

If you want a reduced load try some cast bullets. The Lyman manuals list loads for almost any cartridge. Generally very little recoil and they can be very accurate. Cast bullets are less expensive then most brands of jacketed bullets.
Oldhoward

 

[savagedasher]

And the people sitting next to you at the range will love your break and ask why your rifle is so loud and blowing things of their bench.

That is the reaso our range requires hearing ptot

80 yr old bones, tendons, and ligaments may not be the same as an 8 yr olds', regardless of form behind the rifle and training. Sometimes a reduction in caliber is the only way to go.

that the reasonI shoot a 22# dasher with a brake on it . And I'm only 77 Larry