Low recoil reloading advice

[Stein]

I am looking to load up some target ammo for my son's first time behind a .243.  He is recoil sensitive, long story there, but willing to start moving up.  He's been on the .22 for some time, next week will be 7.62 and then later I want to start .243.  I was going to buy the Hornady Custom Lite, but it's out of stock pretty much everywhere except one place that wants over $40 for a box.

He likes reloading, so this will be an added benefit as I think he will be more into trying it and enjoying it the more he is involved and less mystery.

I did some research and Hodgdon has a pdf on reduced recoil loading using H4895.  This PDF says to find load data for H4895 and multiply the max load by 60%.

I also read that bullet weight is more important for low recoil than powder or velocity, so for a starting point I pulled up the data for the Hornady 55 grain (pick your favorite flavor, or probably what is in stock).

From Hornady, the load data for H4895 is 39-43 grains and from Hodgdon it is 40-44.5. 

So, taking the more conservative, I would take 44.5 * .6 = 26.7 grains.  I would round up to 27 and load up 5 to see how it works.  I have a chrono so I can pull the muzzle velocity.

I am an experienced reloader, but I haven't pushed any book values, I pretty much stay in my lanes.

Has anyone tried this or have any recommendations?  What could go wrong other than the bullet being stuck in the barrel?  I can deal with that but don't know if there are other things to consider.



Reference data from these websites:

https://imrpowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/h4895-reduced-rifle-loads.pdf
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle
https://load-data.nosler.com/nosler-load-data/pdf/243-winchester/243-Winchester-55gr.pdf

[Magnum_Willys]

https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-education/tips-and-tricks/low-recoil-loads

Need to use some caution as low loads can be dangerous if you just start throwing stuff together.   Note the pressure curve in barrels is designed to handle 60,000+ psi down towards the action but anticipates pressure dropping rapidly after a few inches.   Now if a reduced load is slow to ignite then even though only 60% of the pressure it may occur later where the barrel is not built to handle that pressure.  Not to scare you just saying research like you are doing. 

[kselkhunter]

Speer actually publishes reduced loads.  Bottom of the chart. 
https://reloading-data.speer-ammo.com/downloads/speer/reloading-pdfs/Rifle/24_caliber-6mm_243_dia/243_Winchester_90.pdf

[theleo]

Here's in easier way to go about this. With 55's just turn that rifle into a 22-250. What I mean by that is if you look at the data you'll notice upper end 55gr 22-250 loads tend to over lap with lower 243 win loads. Just pick some loads on that lower end and go shooting. You'll note the only complaint people have about 22-250 recoil is that it's just enough you don't get to see the splat on varmints.

[Karl Blanchard]

Been doing it for years for my youth hunters. 58gr vmax and 38gr of imr4350.  Purely trigger time ammo though. Balloons, water jugs, 6" steel plate etc. Anything reactionary gives them instant feed back and builds confidence.

[Jonathan_S]

9-10 grains of TrailBoss and a 80-90 gr projectile (load data available online). In three rifles this worked and shoots around 1.5 MOA. Will probably impact about 18" lower at 100 yards. It's like shooting a 22 WMR.

Clay pigeons, flipper targets, water balloons...they love it.

[Stein]

Thanks guys, off to the store to fill some gaps and hope I can find some workable combo in stock.

[Karl Blanchard]

9-10 grains of TrailBoss and a 80-90 gr projectile (load data available online). In three rifles this worked and shoots around 1.5 MOA. Will probably impact about 18" lower at 100 yards. It's like shooting a 22 WMR.

Clay pigeons, flipper targets, water balloons...they love it.

i still need to get some boss and try this

Thanks guys, off to the store to fill some gaps and hope I can find some workable combo in stock.

don't be too picky either. Imr4831, h4831, h4350, etc, etc, will all work fine. As you stated, projectile weight makes more of a difference.

[Stein]

Great, I have H4350 on hand so worst case I'll use that.

[bobcat]

I'm using IMR 4227 and IMR 3031 for my daughter's 7/08 with 120 grain bullets. Without looking at my notes, I think I'm using 25 grains of 4227 for practice loads, and for hunting I'm using 35 grains of 3031. The 4227 load has almost no recoil but would actually work for deer hunting if shots weren't too far. I think velocity is just over 2000 fps. Another good powder for low recoil loads is 4198. I've heard that's the powder Remington, and maybe others, use for their reduced recoil loads. Here's a good article:

https://www.handloadermagazine.com/reduced-rifle-loads

[spookgus]

4198 is a good reduced load option.  I used it behind 125 gr slugs in 3006 after my fathers shoulder surgery. Obviously limited to deer inside 200 yards.

[Bill W]

I think it was Speer that used to have reduced loads in their older manuals.

[jasnt]

If you need I got a bunch of Berger 64gr column bullets in 6mm.   They shoot great with every barrel I’ve tried.  Shoot me an addy I’ll send ya a 100 ct.   get that kid shooting!!!

[Bushcraft]

Another vote for Trail Boss.  Good stuff!

[CaNINE]

I've had good luck using slow burning powders and bullets that expand reliably at low velocities.  For my daughters 7mm-08 I stuffed the case with US869 and a Accubond LR.  MV around 2200 fps and negligible recoil.  Super accurate and dumps whitetails in their tracks out to 200 yards. 

[birdshooter1189]

A guy who goes by Seafire online has posted quite a bit of data for 243 (and other calibers) using reduced charges of Blue Dot powder.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/2232327/page/1

I did some experimenting based on his data in my 223.  I loaded up some 50 gr v-max bullets with 11.0 grains of bluedot which gave me about 2400 fps and very low pressure signs.  Using a suppressor, the muzzle blast report was much less than regular full power 223 loads.

In my experience, trailboss powder works best for lowest velocity/recoil rounds.  It is very bulky and very fast burning.  It will give near-subsonic velocity with many calibers at a full case charge.

Blue dot is a good option (in my experience) for filling the gap if you want something between subsonic velocity and full power rifle loads.

[Stein]

OK, finally got my hands on some 55 grain bullets and Trail Boss, now I just need to clean the huge mess off my workbench and get to reloading.

[yorketransport]

I've had good luck using slow burning powders and bullets that expand reliably at low velocities.  For my daughters 7mm-08 I stuffed the case with US869 and a Accubond LR.  MV around 2200 fps and negligible recoil.  Super accurate and dumps whitetails in their tracks out to 200 yards.

I’d rather go with a light bullet and an extremely slow powder than trying to use any of the pistol/shotgun powders. Loads with very low load density can give unpredictable pressure spikes caused by inconsistent ignition. That’s the whole logic behind Trailboss, a fast powder that will still give good case fill.

Since you found Trailboss though, load it up and have fun. I have a keg of it that will last me a lifetime even though I use it in all kinds of different chamberings.