I am going to load some reduced loads for my son to shoot. Although he is ok with shooting my 243 with standard loads in 243W and he does not complain of recoil. But he is not on paper and the same load is accurate for me. So I want to use reduce loads so he can practice his stance/posture and learn to shoot accurately (and possibly not flinch). I read on Hodgdon's site that using a 243W max load of H4895 and reduce by 60% as starting with a 100gr bullet (I have the Hornady 100gr BTSP and Nosler 95NBT) to develop a reduced load. However I cannot find a max charge of H4895 with 100gr bullet on Hornady's website. Does anyone have a max charge of H4895 for Hornady 100gr bullet? Could I even find/use a reduce load for 95gr NBT with H4895?
reduced loads with H4895
- Thread starter logstove
- Start date
ninehorses
New member
The best way to reduce recoil, would be to load some 55 grain bullets with around 35.7 grains of your H4895. That's the starting load off their website.
Hodgdon reloading
Hodgdon reloading
muskrat30
New member
The Hodgdon site lists 33 grains max of H4895 with a 100 grain bullet. The '60% rule' allows a reduction to as low as 60% of the listed max. So 33 X .60 equals 19.8 as the lowest you could go. I have done reduced loads in various rifles with H4895. I never go right to the lowest limit. I would start out in the 22-25 grain area.
Yes, if you had them available I would also look to a lighter bullet with the 243, but your 95-100 grn bullets are workable. These types of reduced loads are very easy on the brass too, an added benefit.
Just to be clear, the reduction allowed is a charge equal to 60% of the listed max NOT a 60% reduction.
Yes, if you had them available I would also look to a lighter bullet with the 243, but your 95-100 grn bullets are workable. These types of reduced loads are very easy on the brass too, an added benefit.
Just to be clear, the reduction allowed is a charge equal to 60% of the listed max NOT a 60% reduction.
Hidalgo
Well-known member
Be EXTREMELY CAREFUL loading drastically reduced loads. They can (and do) result in dangerous pressure spikes that can destroy a rifle in short order. Hodgdon warns about this in their reloading manual in the .243 section, and I've actually witnessed it personally at our local club. Stay away from powders in the burn range of H4350 as they are NOT suited for this application.
Here's the link for H4895 reduced loads: https://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Hodgdon%20H4895%20reduced%20rifle%20load.pdf
Make sure it's H4895 and not IMR 4895.
You can safely load down to 60% of the maximum charge for that caliber with that bullet weight. They have pressure tested it and are comfortable with it. 33.0 gr is their listed maximum charge of H4895 for a 100 gr. bullet in a 243 Win., so .60 x 33.0 = 19.8 gr minimum for the 100 gr. bullet. Double check it up yourself please so you're not just accepting my info off the blithernet.
Make sure it's H4895 and not IMR 4895.
You can safely load down to 60% of the maximum charge for that caliber with that bullet weight. They have pressure tested it and are comfortable with it. 33.0 gr is their listed maximum charge of H4895 for a 100 gr. bullet in a 243 Win., so .60 x 33.0 = 19.8 gr minimum for the 100 gr. bullet. Double check it up yourself please so you're not just accepting my info off the blithernet.
Yeah I know I need to use H4895 and not the IMR version. This is going to be a deer bullet/rifle so I want to stick with deer bullets. Note that the IMR4895 load with 34.5gr does not bother my son but he is not on paper so I am going to reduce it and let him learn how to properly load a rifle. I have a 223R that I am loading for so he has two to shoot while a barrel cools off.
I am curious if I can find a 243W load with 95 NBT with H4895 I presume I can used the 60% to get reduced loads too right...not just with Hornady bullets. The reason why I asked this is because Hornady has TESTED 60% reduced loads with their bullets but Nosler probably has not. Do you guys take chance with these reduced loads? I know we do not want to get a bullet stuck in the barrel...
I am curious if I can find a 243W load with 95 NBT with H4895 I presume I can used the 60% to get reduced loads too right...not just with Hornady bullets. The reason why I asked this is because Hornady has TESTED 60% reduced loads with their bullets but Nosler probably has not. Do you guys take chance with these reduced loads? I know we do not want to get a bullet stuck in the barrel...
Squeeze
New member
I am loading H4895 loads for my 8 year old grandson. I gave him a Tikka T-3 308 Win, that I won, and he won't wait until he can handle full power loads. So I have been loading 28.0 gr loads under 125 gr. Sierra SPs. No issues with these loads, but I read somewhere about adding a light crimp to increase neck tension, for better powder combustion. I don't know if it matters, but the loads perform well, albeit a bit more of a rainbow trajectory.
Squeeze
Squeeze,
Is the H4895 28.0gr a 60% reduced load for the 125gr Sierra?
I am well aware of the possible rainbow trajectory if I load 60% of the max H4895 to get reduced loads in 243W. But I honestly think for 100 yards it is going to be right on but just a bit slower. I figure if I can get him set up and we go hunting the month of Dec I will bring my 270W for the longer shots so we both will be covered. This will be mainly to get him practiced.
I stopped at the LGS on way home and they did not have many powders. I want to pick up some and load tonight and go shooting. Guy said we are still in shortage? That is BS as many gunshops have powder. So I will have to get H4895 at another show south of me where we shoot.
Is the H4895 28.0gr a 60% reduced load for the 125gr Sierra?
I am well aware of the possible rainbow trajectory if I load 60% of the max H4895 to get reduced loads in 243W. But I honestly think for 100 yards it is going to be right on but just a bit slower. I figure if I can get him set up and we go hunting the month of Dec I will bring my 270W for the longer shots so we both will be covered. This will be mainly to get him practiced.
I stopped at the LGS on way home and they did not have many powders. I want to pick up some and load tonight and go shooting. Guy said we are still in shortage? That is BS as many gunshops have powder. So I will have to get H4895 at another show south of me where we shoot.
Squeeze
New member
Originally Posted By: logstoveSqueeze,
Is the H4895 28.0gr a 60% reduced load for the 125gr Sierra?
I stopped at the LGS on way home and they did not have many powders. I want to pick up some and load tonight and go shooting. Guy said we are still in shortage? That is BS as many gunshops have powder. So I will have to get H4895 at another show south of me where we shoot.
That is 60% of the max load for 125 gr. bullet published on Hodgdon's Load Data site...Well rounded up to the next whole grain weight. Like I said, lightly crimped, it has been a nice soft recoil load, with decent consistency. When it gets time for him to hunt, we will work the load up to where he is comfortable, and an accuracy node happens. He is a big kid, so he may be up to full power loads in two years, when he can participate in WI mentored hunting(min. 10 years old).
As for powder availability, it is still hit and miss. I saw some H4895 at a big powder dealer in southern WI a few weeks back, but it is out of stock now. I have enough for my needs now, but later this winter, I will start getting more serious about some powder purchases. I saw this mess coming, and stocked up on powder, primers, and .22 RF ammo.
This current situation is tough for guys that are looking to try new powders, or don't keep a year or so stock on hand.
Squeeze
Is the H4895 28.0gr a 60% reduced load for the 125gr Sierra?
I stopped at the LGS on way home and they did not have many powders. I want to pick up some and load tonight and go shooting. Guy said we are still in shortage? That is BS as many gunshops have powder. So I will have to get H4895 at another show south of me where we shoot.
That is 60% of the max load for 125 gr. bullet published on Hodgdon's Load Data site...Well rounded up to the next whole grain weight. Like I said, lightly crimped, it has been a nice soft recoil load, with decent consistency. When it gets time for him to hunt, we will work the load up to where he is comfortable, and an accuracy node happens. He is a big kid, so he may be up to full power loads in two years, when he can participate in WI mentored hunting(min. 10 years old).
As for powder availability, it is still hit and miss. I saw some H4895 at a big powder dealer in southern WI a few weeks back, but it is out of stock now. I have enough for my needs now, but later this winter, I will start getting more serious about some powder purchases. I saw this mess coming, and stocked up on powder, primers, and .22 RF ammo.
Squeeze
I bought some recently. They had a ton of powders.
I want to reiterate the 60% rule. Not sure some get it. These loads are not necessarily reducing recoil by 60%. Rather, you use 60% of the max powder charge for the caliber and bullet you're using.
Find a max load for your caliber and bullet and multiply it by .6 to find your starting load. This is ONLY with H4895. I'd personally step it up a grain or two from the min charge you get after your multiplication.
I want to reiterate the 60% rule. Not sure some get it. These loads are not necessarily reducing recoil by 60%. Rather, you use 60% of the max powder charge for the caliber and bullet you're using.
Find a max load for your caliber and bullet and multiply it by .6 to find your starting load. This is ONLY with H4895. I'd personally step it up a grain or two from the min charge you get after your multiplication.
Stopped at my two LGS to check on H4895 powders and none to be found. I swear they had a full shelve last Sat but maybe I was dreaming. So my son's shooting of his Ruger American Compace 243W is on hold for now...so I note the IMR4895 that gave good accuracy and move on to working with his new LVSF 223Rem. This rifle had the J-lock and ordered and received a Gre-Tan Firing pin assembly and will install tmw and get some loads round up for him to enjoy his shooting. I guess I will have to wait on the H4895 and probably have to go to a gun show to buy some UGHH...
To the recent poster...yeah I know the 60% load does not necessarily "reduce" loads that much but should reduce load recoil below the load I set up of 95gr with IMR4895 34.5gr.
I still have a question though. With making loads of H4895 of 60% of the max charge with Hornady bullets, can this be used with Nosler 95gr NBT? I would think so if I can find the max charge of H4895 with 95NBT.
To the recent poster...yeah I know the 60% load does not necessarily "reduce" loads that much but should reduce load recoil below the load I set up of 95gr with IMR4895 34.5gr.
I still have a question though. With making loads of H4895 of 60% of the max charge with Hornady bullets, can this be used with Nosler 95gr NBT? I would think so if I can find the max charge of H4895 with 95NBT.
willy1947
Active member
Originally Posted By: HidalgoBe EXTREMELY CAREFUL loading drastically reduced loads. They can (and do) result in dangerous pressure spikes that can destroy a rifle in short order. Hodgdon warns about this in their reloading manual in the .243 section, and I've actually witnessed it personally at our local club. Stay away from powders in the burn range of H4350 as they are NOT suited for this application.
I hope everyone reads this. This posting is 100% correct.
I hope everyone reads this. This posting is 100% correct.
Originally Posted By: logstove
To the recent poster...yeah I know the 60% load does not necessarily "reduce" loads that much but should reduce load recoil below the load I set up of 95gr with IMR4895 34.5gr.
I still have a question though. With making loads of H4895 of 60% of the max charge with Hornady bullets, can this be used with Nosler 95gr NBT? I would think so if I can find the max charge of H4895 with 95NBT.
Don't use IMR 4895 with the 60% rule. The rule is specifically for H4895. That said, 34.5 gr of IMR 4895 is 1.5 gr above Nosler's min load with a 95 gr NBT.
Yes, there is a max load posted on Hodgdon's site for a 95 NBT and H4895.
To the recent poster...yeah I know the 60% load does not necessarily "reduce" loads that much but should reduce load recoil below the load I set up of 95gr with IMR4895 34.5gr.
I still have a question though. With making loads of H4895 of 60% of the max charge with Hornady bullets, can this be used with Nosler 95gr NBT? I would think so if I can find the max charge of H4895 with 95NBT.
Don't use IMR 4895 with the 60% rule. The rule is specifically for H4895. That said, 34.5 gr of IMR 4895 is 1.5 gr above Nosler's min load with a 95 gr NBT.
Yes, there is a max load posted on Hodgdon's site for a 95 NBT and H4895.
Originally Posted By: logstoveI am going to load some reduced loads for my son to shoot. Although he is ok with shooting my 243 with standard loads in 243W and he does not complain of recoil. But he is not on paper and the same load is accurate for me. So I want to use reduce loads so he can practice his stance/posture and learn to shoot accurately (and possibly not flinch). I read on Hodgdon's site that using a 243W max load of H4895 and reduce by 60% as starting with a 100gr bullet (I have the Hornady 100gr BTSP and Nosler 95NBT) to develop a reduced load. However I cannot find a max charge of H4895 with 100gr bullet on Hornady's website. Does anyone have a max charge of H4895 for Hornady 100gr bullet? Could I even find/use a reduce load for 95gr NBT with H4895?
The best way to practice/learn shooting without flinching would be to shoot a 22 rimfire.
The best way to practice/learn shooting without flinching would be to shoot a 22 rimfire.
muskrat30
New member
Just to answer an above question, yes you could use a slightly different bullet with the data, Nosler 95 grn in place of a Hornady, or whatever. We are talking reduced loads anyway, not the upper end of max. One may not want to use a Barnes, or similar copper bullet with 'cup and core' data with reduced loads.
As was mentioned above, the '60% rule' sets a lower limit. One has the whole range from that lower limit to max to develop a load. I usually would never load at that lowest charge level, somewhere up in in envelope is where I'd be. It would still be plenty of reduction.
As was mentioned above, the '60% rule' sets a lower limit. One has the whole range from that lower limit to max to develop a load. I usually would never load at that lowest charge level, somewhere up in in envelope is where I'd be. It would still be plenty of reduction.