low recoil 308

[jimbires]

Guys I know a new shooter / hunter . she is 13 years old and weighs about 75 or 80 pounds . her dad bought her a 308 for deer hunting , and it's to much for her . I was kind of asked if there is anything I could do to help . so I'm doing a little research, and wanted other opinions just in case this does happen . I have a few reduced recoil load recipes in a book I would try . I have a load for 125 - 130 grain bullets using IMR4198 powder min is 25.0 grains @ 1969FPS to a max of 29.0 @ 2185 FPS . I think I would use a 125 ballistic tip in this . then I thought about using a bullet designed for 30-30 velocities , but most of these are heavier bullets and that should increase recoil a little . does this 125 B-tip sound like a winner to you ? do you have any other ideas for this ? I seen the 125B-tip in the bullet testing thread and it did very good at 30.06 velocities , so I'm not sure if it might be a little to well constructed at under 2000 FPS velocity . thanks for your opinions guys . Jim

 

[1Shot]

I have use the 125 BT in my 30-30AI pistol at 2670 fps with 33 grs IMR 4198 to take deer out to 100 yards so far and it hammers deer. I know of people that use it in 30-30 Win pistols around 2300 fps or so and they kill deer just fine with it. The 125 Sierra is a bit softer bullet and other makers have 125/30 gr bullets made for 30-30 velocities. I would make sure that the rifle fits the girl properly and put a LimbSaver recoil pad on it. As long as you keep your shots for deer under 100 yards 2200 ish fps should work OK.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

I bought some Rem reduced recoil loads for my nephew's 7mm-08 and they were very accurate and definitely soft. They make a 125gr CL load for the .308Win which may be the easy road.

 

[jimbires]

it sounds like the B-tip should be ok . most shots are 100 yards max around here . I wasn't aware of the reduced recoil factory loads for the 308 , I'll mention this to her . thanks guys Jim

 

[CatskillCrawler]

I think Hornady makes a reduced recoil load too for some cartridges.

 

[Guy Miner]

And here I thought the .308 was a low recoil cartridge! :grin: Just kidding!

Hodgdon has published some great "youth loads" for several rifle cartridges including the .308 Win. These are good loads:

http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Youth%20Loads.pdf

Nosler's 125 gr Ballistic Tip at 2592 fps using 38 grains of H4895 catches my eye. I haven't used it, but it comes highly recommended.

Earlier this year I loaded up some Nosler 125's to about 3100 fps for a petite friend who is just getting into shooting and hunting. Those loads are very low recoil, and have very good accuracy. I'd use them on any deer, near or far.

Regards, Guy

 

[FOTIS]

125 BT and reduced loads of H4895 will work.

 

[JD338]

I agree with the others.
A 125 gr BT with a starting load of IMR 4895 would be a good starting point.

JD338

 

[normo]

I did a similar thing with 30-06 for my son when he started shooting and hunting, 15gr of Unique with either 125gr BT or 130 or 135 gr Single Shot pistol bullets from Hornady or Sierra all shot same POI at 100 yards and are great training loads and would work well on deer to 100 yards. this same load looks like it would work in 308, based on the Lyman 49th edition book.

Good luck, what a great opportunity to share shooting and hunting with a young lady.

 

[jimbires]

thanks for the info . I sure appreciate another opinion on this . thanks again boys Jim