Reduced Loads in Rifle cartridges for small game Hunting

[JohnKielly]

I used to use IMR4198 & .32 caliber lead pistol bullets in the .303, the same in the 30.30 with the bullets sized down a tad.

In the end, I found this cute little caliber called .22 long rifle.......

 

[Tom Thomson]

I recently tried some case filler over both Trail Boss and 4895. Cotton balls ruined the group size with both powders.
tommyt

 

[grovey]

I bought some H4895 awhile back to load my 223 down to squirrel hunting speeds. 2000-2200 FPS with the 45 or 55 sp's I have on hand is where I think I should be. Does anyone have a reduced H4895 223 load they tested for speed to give me an idea of where to start? I know the 60% rule, but haven't seen any actual speeds. Also, what SR primers are best for these reduced loads?

 

[JarheadAZ]

Personally, I doubt the logic of trying to emulate .22LR performance with anything but a .22LR . It sounds to me like trying to retard the swing of a sledge when dispatching ants.

Use the real thing.

This http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/22100 is my recommendation for an affordable means to bring .22LR performance onto a target within .22LR range.

..And yes, I have tried the Unique with .223 and .22-250 solution. Total waste of time, especially when the winds blows, which is pretty much always...

Coincidentally, it is also a pretty good solution to providing subsonic performance at about the same distances.

Honestly, I think it's a no-brainer.

'Nuff said.

Greg

 

[Webster]

I don't think smokeless powder can detonate, it is not an explosive it's classified as a propellant. Of course it can quickly reach very high pressures because it's confined. I would keep away from Blue Dot and use Hodgden's data for reduced loads. This should keep you out of trouble. Based on Hodgden's data I think the use of any pistol powder is out of date. Since pistol powder charges are so small it's easy to double charge a case. Their recommended powers fill the case better and they are tested by people that know what they are doing. No quess work. Sounds dangerous shooting any rifle into tree tops for squirrels. No telling where the bullet will land. Many years ago I shot cast bullets from a 7MM Rem mag. with pistol powder.

http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/H4895%20Reduced%20Rifle%20Loads.pdf

http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-Reduced-Loads%20R_P.pdf

 

[Frankr]

Personally, I doubt the logic of trying to emulate .22LR performance with anything but a .22LR . It sounds to me like trying to retard the swing of a sledge when dispatching ants.

Use the real thing.

This http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/22100 is my recommendation for an affordable means to bring .22LR performance onto a target within .22LR range.

..And yes, I have tried the Unique with .223 and .22-250 solution. Total waste of time, especially when the winds blows, which is pretty much always...

Coincidentally, it is also a pretty good solution to providing subsonic performance at about the same distances.

Honestly, I think it's a no-brainer.

'Nuff said.

Greg

Wow that may be the ugliest rifle I ever seen. semi's are illegal for hunting in PA. Don't worry I secured a rem 541T just haven't been able to get out to the guy and get it. What I have done is working and working well..That 65 V max at 1,550 FPS is accurate in my 8 twist. absolutely works..I just don't know how safe it is..I talked to a guy who says he had shot it for years,One guy tested in a 243 and a 6mm rem and must have shot 200 test rounds with out issue. from my side of it. I don't worry about double charges. I could double charge and still be under max pressure now triple charge and I could be in trouble. But I don't and the way I load I cant double charge. But the rifle I am shooting is not ideal for close range and yes every time I pull the trigger in the back of my mind is this going to be bad but so far every time I get a pop/crack slightly louder than a 22LR not much and a bullet on target. When you think about it the case is short,the primer flash is enough to reach the powder even if it's in the front of the case then it's a quick flash, instant pressure,case seals the chamber, cases look good no soot. I even tapped one bullet nose down then loaded it real easy so all the powder was in the front against the bullet and I fired it. no issue. I tried H4895 and I got sooted cases. had to up the charge or up the bullet weight to seal off. H4895 would work in the 2,500 to 3,000 FPS area with the 65 gr. It's just too fast. now I did have a few real nice groups with a 87 gr V max and H4895 at 1,900 FPS..but still too much Horsepower. It's been FUN but after I shoot up the 17 rounds I have loaded i'm going to abandon this in favor of a 22LR . Like I said secured the 541T and plans have been laid to special order a new 22LR...Don't think I don't have a 22LR I have a really old marlin don't know what model has a BSA air rifle scope on it..The magazine is duct taped in and I have to hold forward on the trigger and close the bolt slow to get it to cock and it's not real accurate ANYMORE BUT at one time that cheep marlin would shoot 5 shots at 50 yards that measured by benchrest standards .250 that is right it would shoot 1/4 groups at 50 yards..but it is shot out..and in poor cond..

I bet that old 169.00 dollar marlin micro groove is 25 years old..what did it in is a lot of shooting. I had perfected the fed gold metal ultra match 1/4" five shot group with it at 50 yards by cleaning the barrel sweeky clean fire one fouler then the five shot group. Then I shot some or a lot of the fasted 22LR shells you could buy I think they are ELEY PRIME SUPERMAXIMUM HYPER VELOCITY at 1750 FPS.. and that kind of finished it off. shot a lot of stuff trough it.

 

[JarheadAZ]

Yes, I agree completely, it could be a prettier rifle. But sighting one in for a friend has kinda astonished me with its accuracy at 100yd

As for PA and Semi's, try this http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/73/products_id/411549055. Mine has provided several youth shooters with Rimfire Distinguished status.

I'm not arguing with you; these rifles are simply being suggested as an indication that 22LR accuracy doesn't need to be expensive. A 541T is obviously a better solution.

I just admire the 22LR's ability to do things better at challenges that are most suitable for 22LR performance, rather than reinventing the 22LR on the basis of hand reloading another, larger centerfire chambering.

BTW, if you of anybody has noticed that the 'brand new accuracy' your 22LR goes away after awhile, there is a solution. 22LRs tends to get leaded up in the very front of their chambers, and this leading can contribute to degraded accuracy. Periodically chasing this lead out gently with a 22LR chamber reamer can restore that original accuracy.

Best fortune in your quest, Pilgrim.

Greg

 

[Frankr]

Thanks.. Not that I cant fire a 22LR in my back yard I could. But I do have neighbor's. and I respect their privacy and they respect mine..I do have a 100 box of cci CB longs. I have used in the yard for ground hogs and other pest and I miss being able to shoot them accurately . I did shoot one hog early this year with the old marlin and a CB long..There I am using down loads again. lol...CB longs are like a pellet rifle. My neighbors know they here me shooting something loud it's a snake or a monster buck..I seen a buck at 1:30 am several time that must have been close to 30" wide just a monster whitetail...I told the neighbor if I see him where I could i'm shooting him..just don't care..They said yea good..I have not seen him since..Humm..dang gone poachers...lol...I never have but I knew a few boys who were shooting a few big ones after dark and have a few large mounts but they did get caught one night and the only thing that saved them was they were smart enough to only have one shell and the game warden could not find it..So they had to pay a fine and that was it but if he found the shell and could prove intent they would have been in deep Sh*T..

 

[snert]

don't give up on the reduced load idea....you might really like the 223 reduced. I love my 222 reduced. nearly perfect for lots of short shooting, with a real bullet.

 

[mmcu]

Go to James Calhoon's website (http://jamescalhoon.com/) and check out his articles on reduced loads in the 222 / 223.

 

[AP2020]

Trail Boss is what I use for my subsonic loads

https://youtu.be/lRMLMGUOkko