"The Load" by C.E. Harris

[kynardsj]

A friend recently asked me to research some reduced loads for a 308. After some web surfing I ran across "The Load" by C.E. Harris. It was interesting enough that I decided to try it out in my 15 inch 308 Encore. It calls for 13.0 grains of Red Dot in a strong action 30 caliber gun. Red Dot is bulkier than most other powders so you're able to fill up a 308 case approximately 50 % with the 13.0 grains. I put a 125 grain JHP over it and according to him I'm in the neighborhood of 1600 fps. I was very impressed today at the range. Groups at 50 yards can be covered with a dime while those at 100 yards are in the 1 1/2 inch range. I shoot a 2-6 power scope and the groups could be smaller at the longer ranges if I could hold it steadier. Recoil is milder than my 4 inch 357 mag. I came back home and loaded up more of them. The next test will be a whitetail if one presents itself in the next few weeks. I'll add to this then with the terminal performance.

[SHOOTALL]

How loud are they ?

[kynardsj]

Had my muffs on but they weren't as loud as my 357. According to the article The Load works with heavier cast bullets for sub sonic shooting also. Interesting read if you can pull it up.

[chutesnreloads]

I read that couple years ago.Did a little research and tried the red dot in a .223 with 45 grain hornet bullets.Was fun seeing the holes appear in the target but there was an occaisional wild flyer and I quit messing with it.I remember trying it without the ear covers and learning the report was sharp enough to hurt the ears.

[mbopp]

I tried it only because I had Red Dot already and had some 110gr M1 carbine bullets to shoot in my .308. It worked OK, nothing to write home about though. It was cheap offhand practice.

[Tom W.]

Now I gotta buy a can of Red Dot, as well as some Unique.....

[nova71]

I have the red dot and some 110gr bullets, I wonder how that will work in a 30-30 case

[kynardsj]

According to the write up the case must be larger than a 300 Savage or a 35 Remington. I'll try to post the link. http://members.shaw.ca/cronhelm/TheLoad.html

[res45]

I use "THE LOAD" in my M44 7.62 x 54r all the time shooting the Lee 160 gr. .312 TL cast bullet,accuracy is better than I can hold it,I also use the "UNIVERSAL LOAD" 16.0 grs. of Alliant 2400 in the same rifle as well as my 300 Sav.

13 grs. of RED DOT is a bit much in a 30-30 however Lyman cast bullet manual list load data for Red Dot and the 30-30 I use 8 grs. with either of the Lee 150 or 170 gr. RNFP cast bullets,I don't even apply the gas check on the 30-30 load just two coats of Alox load and shoot MV runs just a tad over 1200 fps.

[nova71]

I'm gonna be using the 30 carbine 110 gr bullet in the 30-30 so I should be able to go over the 8gr of red dot with the lighter bullet. I was thinking of about 10 gr for a start.

[Troyboy]

I am gonna try his formula with some cast boolits. If it works I will keep on. More shooting for less money is what i am talking about!!!!

[zoner]

i've used fast burning powders in a couple rifles for cast loads. No recoil etc. and a lot of fun. Take care developing loads. Half a grain increase can be the difference between everything normal to primers flattened like pancakes.....Mike

[McDerry]

I'm gonna be using the 30 carbine 110 gr bullet in the 30-30 so I should be able to go over the 8gr of red dot with the lighter bullet. I was thinking of about 10 gr for a start.

Stick with the 8 grains to start.  Red Dot is a very quick burning powder and inturn produces a lot of pressure real fast.  Jacketed bullets will increase the pressure over cast aswell. 

[kynardsj]

No deer to report on yet but got curious about the difference in POI with Winchester and Remington brass in this Encore with this load. Went to the range this morning and set this target up at 75 yards. The bottom right is the Remington, other two are Winchester. Don't think I'm gonna fret about which one I load in it.

[woodchukhntr]

I've been using "The Load" for a long time in .308, .30-06, .45-70, 7.62x54 Russian, and lately 7.5x55 Swiss with great success.  Accuracy has always been good, including a 3/4" 5-shot group at 100 yd. with my '03-A3 with RCBS 150 FP's.

I'm using 9.0 gr. of Blue Dot in both my 16-1/4" .223 Contender carbine and .222/20 Ga. Savage 24.  The .223 shoots Hornady 40 gr. V-Max's under 1" at about Hornet velocities. and the .222 shoots Sierra 45 gr. bullets in a 1-1/2" group.

[kynardsj]

Walked outside this morning about 7:30 to have a cup of coffee and my first smoke of the day and about a 75-85 pound doe was in the shooting lane by the house. I came back in and grabbed the 15 inch Encore. I had been wondering about the terminal performance of these rounds. Neck shot at 75-80 yards. Thru and thru with an exit hole almost the size of a quarter. Going to a friends hunting club on Friday to finish out the last weekend here in Alabama. Was thinking of which rifle to take but after this morning I'm only taking this pistol.