Reduced load questions

[Flingarrows]

i have been reloading for about a year now and use the Lee Anneversary kit. i have been sticking to the starting loads for every powder. im using load data from the book "modern reloading by richard lee"

the 2 powders i have been using are reloader 22 and imr 4320 with 130 grain hornadt sst's

they explain that when calculating a reduced load: divide the desired velocity by the listed velocity to get your percentace of reduction. then Multiply the results by the fourth root of that number.

i have calculated a load of 29.4 grains of imr4320 with 130 grain bullet. this is down from the original 46.0 grains.

here is my question: can i use this calculation to reduce a load for any powder, and how far can i safely reduce a load.

go easy on me, im new at this!

[Mac11700]

What you can do..is call the powder manufacture and ask the techs there...that way you'll know for sure...it's better to get the data that way (if any) and their recomendations...they may have a better load for you...you never know...


Mac

[Flash]

I've used the same formula in Richard Lee's book and I recomend that you follow his instructions and use a suitable powder on the fast side of the burn rate. The reason being is that when you reduce a load with slow burning powder, you can create a bomb in your barrel. The slow burning powders generate the pressure needed to launch your bullet while the bullet is traveling down the barrel. When you reduce their charge weight, the bullet might not leave the barrel in time for the pressure to peak and BOOM!!!! You have your gun potentially flying into pieces and possibly taking your hand or face with it. Follow his instructions until you gain more knowledge about how powder acts and what applications to use it in.

[Robert]

Get the Accurate Powder manual that has excellent reduced load data.  Do NOT deviate from listed loads until you have had  Considerable EXPERIENCE with reduced loads.  Another thing that can happen with reduced loads is when the primer flash goes the entire length of a cartridge that is loaded with slow burning powder, they coat the grains of powder to retard quick ignition....the flash just partially ignites the powder, just enough to kick the bullet into the rifling...then the rest of the powder kicks off with an obstuction in the bore...KaBoom!  Pipe Bomb!
  I use AA's XMP 5744 exclusively for reduced loads with only published data from the Accurate book.  It has worked safely with everything incuding a 300 Ultra-Mag with cast bullet loads.
  Smaller cases can be loaded with small charges of pistol powders like Red Dot and Bullseye.  I have not used the bullseye much for these type loads, but have used the Red-Dot with things like .357 and 7.62x39 with heavy for caliber cast bullets.  4-6 grs usually works well for me for fooling around.
  Also....reduced loads can put your brass through a lot of grief.  It is recommended to keep the brass separate from what you would use with normal loads.
  ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOUR BULLET HITS THE TARGET WITH ANY REDUCED LOADS!  If you have ANY doubt whatsoever that your bullet did not leave the barrel, remove the bolt and LOOK down the bore.  If you have a rifle that you cannot look down the bore....use a cleaning rod to make sure it is clear.
  Also...with reduced load experiments...the is always the chance that you will stick one in the bore....Cast bullets are far more easy to drive out with a rod than HARD JACKETED BULLETS, and a bolt action or break barrel single-shot are highly recommended in case you DO stick one.  That way you can pound the bullet out whichever direction is the shortest distance to get it out.
  BE VERY CAREFUL.

[Iowegan]

I would recommend you use a powder specifically designed for reduced loads. SR 4759 is probably the best one. You can find reduced loads for most cartridges in the Speer #13 reloading manual.

[Flingarrows]

Thanks for the replys.

Mac, i got on IMR's site and got some load data

Flash, is IMR4320 considered too slow of a powder? in the Lee book it looks like it is below halfway on the list, the top being the fastest

Robert, i ordered their load book from their website, thanks. i'm shooting a NEF handirifle, so it will be easy to check the barrel

Iowegan, i looked on IMR's site and they have listings for .270, using SR4759. they look like lower velocity loads. do you reduce them farther than this? http://www.imrpowder.com/data/rifle/270win.php

i will definitly gather more info before cooking up a reduced load. any more input is welcome

[JBMauser]

Flingarrows, previous posts are all correct.  Only certain powders should be used for reduced loads.  My question to you is what are you trying to do here?  I only ask because I have seen on the Net where guys are looking to load gallery loads or subsonic loads and go at it using the reduced load method and jacketed bullets, rather than going with a lead bullet with cast loads.  What is your goal? plinking, small game, low recoil, shooting 30/06 in the basement (some do) ?  JB

[Vern Humphrey]

Get the Accurate Powder manual that has excellent reduced load data.  Do NOT deviate from listed loads until you have had  Considerable EXPERIENCE with reduced loads.  Another thing that can happen with reduced loads is when the primer flash goes the entire length of a cartridge that is loaded with slow burning powder, they coat the grains of powder to retard quick ignition....the flash just partially ignites the powder, just enough to kick the bullet into the rifling...then the rest of the powder kicks off with an obstuction in the bore...KaBoom!  Pipe Bomb!

A very good explanation of the "detonation" phenominon associated with reduced loads of slow-buring (and some fast burning) powders.  It isn't a "detonation," it's a pressure spike caused by a bore obstruction.  In this case, the obstruction is the bullet itself, pushed into the throat by either the primer or by partial combustion of the powder -- followed by full combustion and a pressure peak with a bullet stuck in the rifling.

[Leftoverdj]

Lead bullets are a lot more forgiving than jacketed working with reduced loads. The "stuck in the bore, then KABOOM!" syndrome mentioned by other posters is a much lesser problem, if a problem at all, with lead.

Hodgdon's states that 60% of the book max load for H4895 is a safe reduced load. That's the easy way. 5744 and 4759 have been mentioned and they are both superb for this work. Both of the 4198s do well and have data available.

[Flash]

Flingarrows, IMR-4320 isn't too slow providing you don't choose a velocity that's too slow. I wouldn't go too far below 2,000 fps with a jacketed bullet and but by using the same bullet grain weight in LEAD, I wouldn't hesitate to go down below 1,500 fps. With a powder as slow as 4320, you might be blasting unburnt powder out the barrel with a cast bullet load and get poor uniformity. This will dance your groups wildly and won't be worth the effort. I wouldn't go any slower than  IMR-4320 and perhaps stay above IMR-4064 to be on the safe side.

[Flingarrows]

What is your goal? plinking, small game, low recoil, shooting 30/06 in the basement (some do) ? JB

jb, im looking to work up a light recoil load, so  that i can shoot more at the bench (and enjoy it)

Hodgdon's states that 60% of the book max load for H4895 is a safe reduced load

cool, i will need to get some cast bullets, im using hornady jacketed right now

Flingarrows, IMR-4320 isn't too slow providing you don't choose a velocity that's too slow. I wouldn't go too far below 2,000 fps with a jacketed bullet and but by using the same bullet grain weight in LEAD, I wouldn't hesitate to go down below 1,500 fps

one load i calculated with imr4320, was 2000fps using the Lee math, coming up with 29.4 grain charge. i may try to calculate a bit faster load with the jacketed, or just eait toget some cast lead bullets

[raynor]

For those interested, here's some info for Hodgdons H4895 with reduced loads.

http://www.hodgdon.com/data/youth/index.php

It's what I use in my 7mm WSM when using it for a varmint gun. Works real well, dead on at 100 with the reduced loads and dead on at 300 with a max load of the same powder for big game.

From one load to the other there is no sight adjustment at all, at least in my gun.

[warf73]

The H4895 is a nice reduced load powder. Great powder for .308 also.

I called Hodgon for a reduced load for my 7.62x54R. The tec told me (this was for a LEAD bullet load in my rifle) to fill the case with H4895 weigh it. Take that number divide it by 2 and there was my starting load.

The starting load was the most accurate. So I've stuck with it.

Give Hodgons, Alliant, hehe or even IMR (which is owned by Hodgons). See what they tell ya.

Warf