New reloader question about "slow" loads

K

konstan

New member
So this is a total reloading noob question:

I have surrounded myself with reloading manuals, some of them old, some newer, and am looking up stuff on 270 which is one of the calibers I want to reload. Its the rifle I have and the best rifle is the one you have right?

You all know the muzzle velocity for 270. 3000+, right?
Looking at an old Speer manual, I see this one load, with what must be a special kind of powder?

SR 4759, 20 grains, muzz vel 1915

I am new to these tables and the numbers but I can see that there is a powder and a load that is obviously way lower speed (and I guess recoil) than the normal.

I look up this powder and I see that its been discontinued about 3 years ago.

Part of the reason this peaked my interest is: I always want as little recoil as possible because, well, I like to shoot, I don't like recoil, and also, most of our deer hunting (SW IA) is done at 100 yards so trajectory "flatness" is not really an issue.

So... whats the story with those "slow" loads? What makes a powder push a bullet at 1900+ fps vs. 3000+ fps ? Can I use them as a sort of "managed recoil" loads if 1900+ fps is all I want out of my rifle? Is there a more modern way of reloading this way than what I am seeing in my 1980s Speer manual?

Sorry if the questions are kind of rambling. I think if you know what I am talking about, you have thought of this also. Let me know what you think!
 
Not rambling, making total sense. And good question. Sometimes its nice to shoot your rifle and not get beat up. I can speak to certain powder but yes, it is perfectly reasonable to load "slow" rounds. That being said the BIGGEST thing is to do it with the right powder. Do NOT load slow burning rifle powders below max.

Some folks might say just get a can of trailboss powder, load it to the bottom of the bullet and go shoot. I've no idea what kind of performance you would get but it would certainly be easy shooting.
 
The Speer #12 I have uses SR4759 onder a 100 grain bullet with 16.0 grains giving 1548 FPS and 20 grains Max load delivering 1915 FPS. They clearly state those are Reduced Loads. With that powder gone another good powder for released loads is H4895, this is what Hodgdon says about it. So if we look up 270 Win load data for H4895 under a 100 grain bullet a start of 47 grains and a max of 50 grains we can reduce by Maximum 50 * 0.6 = 30 grains. You can work up from 30 grains.

There are a few other powders this can be done with but I would try Hodgdon H4895 for starters.

Ron
 
This is great. Thanks you guys.

I figure if I am going to reload, I am not going to try to only duplicate factory loads. I want to explore the range that is possible with a cartridge...
 
I fully agree on the H4895. I keep a few lbs on hand for whenever I want to make a low-recoil round. Family members from 10 yrs old to 60 yrs have enjoyed it in 243, 260, 7-08, and 270...all shot very well with plenty enough power to kill a deer at 100 yards or farther. This powder also works well at full charges in cartridges of this class.
 
konstan said:
This is great. Thanks you guys.

I figure if I am going to reload, I am not going to try to only duplicate factory loads. I want to explore the range that is possible with a cartridge...
Click to expand...
That's a big part of the fun of reloading. Last year I had a blast playing around with H4895 and 85 gr bullets, trying to find a load that shot close enough to the same point of aim as my 140 gr load (260 REM), so that I could switch between the two loads and not adjust my scope. It didn't take too long to come up with a winner. Not exact at all ranges, of course, but close enough for minute of coyote.
 
Keep in mind that reduced loads also affect bullet performance. At 1900 fps, a bullet has only about 1/3 the energy of that at 3000 fps. So you'll probably want to choose a more lightly constructed bullet that expands well at lower velocities, such as the Speer boat tails or Nosler Ballistic Tips.
 
"I figure if I am going to reload, I am not going to try to only duplicate factory loads. I want to explore the range that is possible with a cartridge."

I'd suggest learning the normal stuff first. Otherwise "explore the range that is possible" may include wearing your rifle as a necklace.
 
SR4759 was designed as a powder for reduced rifle loads. It is perfectly safe in that capacity, as long as you continue to adhere to good reloading principals. "Start low and work up" can never be safely bypassed. According to the Speer manual, start at 16 gr. and do not exceed 20.

Accurate 5744 is a currently available powder that was designed to be used in low case fill applications, such as old black powder cartridges with large case capacity. If you are wanting a low recoil round for hunting deer sized game, I would still stick with 130 gr bullets, as the lighter ones are more frangible for use on light boned varmints. Here is data from a 2003 Accurate Powder manual for the 130 gr Nosler BT and 5744 powder:

Start 24.5 gr. for 1950 fps, to Max 36.5 for 2748 fps.
 
So... whats the story with those "slow" loads? What makes a powder push a bullet at 1900+ fps vs. 3000+ fps ? Can I use them as a sort of "managed recoil" loads if 1900+ fps is all I want out of my rifle? Is there a more modern way of reloading this way than what I am seeing in my 1980s Speer manual?
Click to expand...

Reduced loads are nothing new, been around for ages. They are intended as practice, plinking, "gallery" and small game loads in larger centerfire cartridges.
Usually with cast, or very light, for caliber jacketed bullets.

Specialty powders are often used, powders different from the ones intended for full power use.
 
"...3000+, right?..." Depends on the bullet weight. The weight of your rifle matters too though. Mind you, if the felt recoil is an issue, you should look into a semi-auto vs a bolt action.
"...makes a powder push..." The burn rate and how much powder is used.
"...1900+ fps is all I want out of my rifle..." Start with a new manual. Suggest the Lyman one.
However, Hodgdon's site shows data for a 130 grain SP using Trail Boss that'll give you 1537 FPS as the MAX load. More than enough for deer sized game. Do not just load the max load though. You must work up the load for your rifle.
 
I found a reduced load for my .30-06 by using H4895 and the 60% rule with a 125 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip. I found an easy shooting accurate combination at about 70% max and POI is only 1 inch lower than my normal 150 gr. hunting load at 100 yards.
 
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