Reduced loads as per hodgdon data

[aulrich]

According to the hodgdon manual you can use any load listing H4895 reduced by 60% does anyone have experience with this. What I am looking for is a quieter gopher load for my 243 and at this point I don't cast so that is not an option.

[John Traveler]

I've used reduced loads of H4895 in .30-06 and .30-30 Winchester.  They are usefull for reduced recoil and muzzle blast, and when long-range performance is not needed.

For the 150 grain .30-06, I have long used 38 grains for a "midrange load for reduced recoil.  The full load is about 50 grains.

I have not tried reduced loads for .243 Winchester, but friends have, and reported good results.

H4895/IMR4895 is one of those useful powders that is safe to use with reduced loads.  It is medium burning rate, easy to ignite, and usefull all-around.  Not so with BALL type or slow-burning propellants which have been connected with SEE incidents.  

If you really want quiet short-range gopher loads, try loading buckshot with small charges of pistol powder (Bullseye, WW 231, etc).  The give air rifle velocities and are almost silent!

[aulrich]

How is the accuracy on those reduces loads, do you have to add filler to keep the powder near the primer.  

I am in a situation of making a silk purse out of a sows ear.  I bought the gun i could afford (NEF Ultra) in the caliber available (243 It took a year for one to show up in a "varmint" type chambering in Canada).

The PD shooting I have done to date would have been perfectly suited to a 22 k-hornet or 17hmr (discounted because it is not really suitable for yotes).  My goal approximatethe ballistics of a 243 deer load  ( not hitting power just trajectory i'll use a deer load for deer) 2900-3000 ish and still effective on PD's to 250 and a side benefit of less pelt damage that is allittle cheaper and quieter

[John Traveler]

aulrich,

You DO NOT USE CASE FILLERS WITH REDUCED JACKETED BULLET LOADS!!

To do so is to ask for trouble!  The filler can become a bore obstruction behind the bullet.  Bad!  Bad!  Bad!

Accuracy can be as good as your barrel/bullet/load combination is capable of.  close to MOA is easy.

For reduced pelt damage, try finding some Speer FMJ bullets in the varmit weights.

A 75 grain FMJ 6mm slug at 2900fps is about in the .22-250 category and will take varmits cleanly at 250-300 yards.