.30 Cal, how far can I reduce the load for smaller pigs?

[JMcDonald]

Gcrank, the issue is really her just not being used to or comfortable with larger calibers than rimfires. Even my full-sized 9mm handgun is "intense"to her (her words), though not physically discomforting (she first told me it was a little much after running three 17rd mags though it, heh). So yeah, it isn't that it is painful, just that it isn't yet enjoyable enouh for her to want to shoot it more (she hasn't shot anything but the 22s since these experiences, simply because the higher-recoiling guns aren't as fun for her). So yeah it really is just a matter of taking her through baby steps as far as increasing recoil goes. The. 30-30 power level would still be a little much for her, given I am effectively at the max end of. 30-30 power as is, and they are a bit much for her to enjoy.

I was originally thinking of the 30Carbine because I didn't know if there were rifle bullets designed to expand at low velocities. But if I can get a 125 or 130gr bullet to expand at 1600-1700fps, that will work better I think!

[gcrank1]

Yeah, you gotta keep the fun in it, otherwise why bother! My wife is a good shot, and used to shoot some mild competition, but not with heavy kickers. If she said something about a caliber being too much, it did no good for me to talk technique or anything, just make a softer load or get a caliber suited to her perceptions.

[JMcDonald]

I haven't heard anything from Hornady, but I think I might go with their. 130gr SP bullet over probably 18gr of Unique (or as much as 20). That should give velocities of about 1900-2200fps I guesstimate. That should give mild recoil but plenty of velocity for good bullet performance at close ranges.

[BBF]

All these low recoil loads sound good IF you don't turn that rifle into a scattergun.

[necchi]

Buy your own explanation you have someone that's recoil sensitive and/or intimidated by the large cals.
 It's good to realize/know this. At this point the best bet is to load ultra low for range practice and work on just shooting.
 A part of the sensitivity is the noise, a big part of it is head game, and ya gotta work on that,, really a different topic though.
 
Load super light for practice, then while in the field use a typical hunting load for the gun. All of the flinch/jerk/fear is forgotten in the harvest, really.
 
While it's good to try to find a lighter hunting load, your dealing with something completely different.
 
After the gun is zero for her pratice rounds, you shoot the pratice rounds,, then the hunting load and adjust the scope accordingly,,Not to zero for you because her hold will be different, just change it for the differance in load.

[BBF]

I'll tell you straight out if I would slip a different load( more recoil) into the rifle my Significant Other would shoot during a hunt it would not be taken kindly regardless of what she shot or missed.

[JMcDonald]

Heh yeah even if she didn't notice the recoil during the hunt (and I have read that a bunch about it going unnoticed), I would be leary of her attitude about deceiving her  .  And telling her beforehand I worry would make her flinch. So, at least while we are only worried about the small tasty hogs, I will probably just use the same load. Little 80lb hogs have been taken with a lot less than even a 130gr expanding bullet, so I think I would rather just let her get comfortable with shot placement with this gun without any concern for recoil. I think I will let her get a good amount of trigger time with these and similar loads shooting cans and such, though.

I have had gpod luck shooting 147gr FMJs over various charges of Unique, so hopefully the lighter bullets will do okay as far as accuracy goes!

[blind ear]

She might just ear muffs, gloves and a big pile of ammo to burn up. I figure she already has the first two. ear

[JMcDonald]

Yeah she likes shooting and usually puts at least a couple hundred rounds through the rimfire rifles per range trip. But I will start her on a regimine of light loads with my. 308 as well, shooting reactive targets at probably 50 to 80 yards, from crouching and probably prone positions. I might invest in some shooting sticks as or a monopod as well, which would make good shot placement even easier.

Thanks for the advice everyone! I will be doing some more research on the minimum expansion velocities of the 130gr bullets, and probably order a box of those 130s soon.

And of course, if anyone else has experience hunting with significantly-reduced rifle loads, I would love to hear them!

[JMcDonald]

I got a reply from Hornady that said the 130gr bullets should expand down to about 1650fps impact velocity. That just means with a 2000fps MV they should be fine at least to 100 yards. This will easily be done with the Unique powder I have on hand, too!
We watched some videos of hog hunting and she is really excited to try . I will still be hunting with standard loads, but she is much more enthusiastic about using my rifle now that I've talked about the option of using the reduced-recoil loads (which she has shot before with no discomfort).

[clearwater]

I'll tell you straight out if I would slip a different load( more recoil) into the rifle my Significant Other would shoot during a hunt it would not be taken kindly regardless of what she shot or missed.

It really works to practice with light loads and then use a heavier load for the game. Shouldn't be any deception
involved, just explain how it works.

My favorite practice load for the 308 (and for grouse while deer hunting, legal in this state) is 16 grains of IMR4759 and a Lasercast 115 grain lead bullet sized to .309. No gas check, some lee Alox tuble lube added over
the factory lube if I shoot a few dozen at a time. No leading.

Accurate enough to hit grouse heads and practice golf balls at 40 yards with no re adjustment of the scope needed
when sited for  full power loads jacketed loads.

[clearwater]

The other thing I wanted to mention is that I don't know of any published data that still recommends unique
with a jacketed rifle bullet. Alliant Powder  told me they no longer do.

[gcrank1]

Old manual data is out there that does.......and has been used for years. That data is as valid now as then. Just stay away from the very top loads (since powder formulations have changed a bit over time).

[clearwater]

Rep at one of the powder companies warned against it. Use at your own risk.

[BBF]

It really works to practice with light loads and then use a heavier load for the game. Shouldn't be any deception
involved, just explain how it works.

.............................
........................................................

Accurate enough to hit grouse heads and practice golf balls at 40 yards with no re adjustment of the scope needed
when sited for  full power loads jacketed loads.

In my case the SO would insist that I stick to one load or don't bother. Your second point in regards to the Zero adjustment that is not often that you can get away with that and an 80lb"Football" isn't that big of a target. That sort of thing can result in a wounded critter and in my place the fireworks would be considerable after a trip to the Range would show why she missed or wounded the little porker My "little woman"( she is a 145 pounder) has no sense of Hah Hah in that sort of thing..

[zooly]

I'D vote for a light charge of Trailboss under an Outlaw State 220 grain 308 subsonic bullet, or a 220 HP grain pure lead bullet @ 1100 FPS.  Reduced capasity 308 cases make this quite easy to do.

[JimBoIHN]

I have touched on this generally in other threads, but I have a more specific question.
 
So, my GF and I have been invited to go hog hunting, and we presumed we would use my .308. Hunting ammo comes out around 2600-2650fps from my gun due to its short barrel, but I know that is plenty for the <<150yd ranges I expect to see. But, while the GF can *handle* the loads, she doesn't particularly enjoy shooting them and will pretty quickly start flinching. So, how far down can I load to still be effective on pigs under, say, 100lbs? I have read about people taking 75-100lbs pretty successfully at medium ranges using even .30-carbine, and I can easily duplicate those loads using the same bullets and Unique powder, for about 1/3 the recoil of my current loads. Obviously, she wouldn't try taking anything serious with it, and I'd still have the full-power loads for that. Though, from what I've read the average-sized male in Oklahoma is about 130lbs and the average sow is about 110lbs, with rare speciments getting to 300. But again, especially for her, we would only go for the ones on the smaller side.

But yes, as the title states, how light can I go for a reasonably-effective load for smaller hogs inside probably 75 yards using a .30-cal projectile? I want her to be able to hunt with the same loads used in practice because I want her to be completely comfortable with them, and have thus pretty seriously considered the ".30 carbine" approach. She is pretty good with her .22 so I think in a decently-supported position (like kneeling or even prone) she could make a good shot at these ranges, as long as she was comfortable enough with the gun to keep her mind on the basics of good shooting, rather than the muzzle blast or recoil.
 
Performance seems pretty decent for the goal:
http://www.brassfetcher.com/30carbineFed110grSP.html

 
*edit*
I will eventually try to pick up a .44mag barrel because I think that would do everything but generally with a little less muzzle blast, easier reloading, and slightly-reduced practice costs. I already have the dies, a lot of bullets left for practice loads (RNFP bullets, which I suppose could still be reasonably effective on their own), and much more loading experience with the cartridge. But, until I get around to that, the .308 will have to do!

Great question.  I was in Academy the other day and noticed ammo in .270 and 30.06 that was labeled reduced recoil, by about half.
Your situation applies to nearly everyone.   Why waste, or be abused by, a super hot (and expensive) load when it's not called for?  I am actually thinking of getting into .338 but it would be a rare occasion when I would loose a $3 round unless the situation merited it.
Matter of fact, if I can't do a cheap load with .338 I might have to carry 2 guns.  Let us know if there are cheap primers, powder, and bullets that would cut your cost by........how much?  But cost is just 1 of the benefits of cutting way back on the load.  I'm guessing 1600 ft/sec, as mentioned above, has to be very close to a minimum (my pellet gun shoots at about 700).  At low velocity probably a super soft bullet would be needed?

[Deerhunter#1]

If correct remington makes 308 reduced recoil ammo with 125 grain bullets. By 2 boxes and let her shoot them. That way you wont have to try and develop a load and waste time. I have shot them .270 and they shot well.

[JimBoIHN]

Rep at one of the powder companies warned against it. Use at your own risk.

Did it occur to you that the rep realizes that the less powder you use, the less they sell you?   Conflict of interest, perhaps?  If all their users cut back 20% on usage, guess what?  Their sales fall by .......yep.......20%.   Can't have that.  Use at your own risk?   How could it be otherwise?   Guess it sounds threatening......................to some.  I'm not that gullible.  Sounds like self interest BS to me.

[bigvarmnt]

I think about any load in a 357 mag will have enough penetration on cardboard