reduced loads

j3081

hi,,,what exactly does reduced loads mean,,,i recently acquired a bunch of speer 243 cal. 90 grain fmj bullets,,,my main powder i use is imr 4198,,,the manual says 19 grains reduced load,,,but says 46 grains of imr 4831,,,does this mean i should work my way up from 1900 fps to 3171 fps.i reload for 12 different calibers and have never run across this,,,any help is appreciated,,,joe[:(]

j3081

Can you use cast bullet data for jacketed bullets? I'd like to test expansion at low velocities over a chrono (below starting load speeds) at short range to guarantee a hit into my expansion box instead of shooting full power loads at 200 yds + maybe missing the mark and walking that far and back. I'm a little handicapped and can't do much walking and don't tell me to use an ATV or other crutch.My Gun Club don't allow vehicles on the range which I'm all for the rule.Thanks in advance.

perry shooter

Hello JOE reduced loads mean that some people may want to shoot light /reduced velocity loads for plinking or light recoil or even shoot lead bullets that can't be shot at as high of a velocity as jacketed bullets . Many people like to target shoot with lead loads at 100 yards and see no need to burn large amounts of powder [:0][:0][:0]BE AWARE that some slow burning powders like 4831 and slow Ball type powders shol NOT be used for reduced loads . It is hard to duplicate in lab conditions but small amounts of slow burning powder have been known to BLOW-UP guns only use the powder and the amounts that show in reloading manuals most manuals will have a starting load and a MAX load grains of powder is NOT interchangeable between different types of powder. Each powder type has a min. and max to load for each cartridge type.

JustC

those two powders are very different in their burn rates. The 4198 is rather fast and the 4831 is much slower and suited to larger volume cases. When using a fast powder that is not designed for a larger volume case, you can still only use a very little as it's burn rate will allow overpressure at a very low charge weight.

The max load of 4198 powder in the manual is where you should stop, if not before. I would find a suitable powder for that chambering MHO.

Perry Shooter,..I think you might find some info under "secondary ignition effect" . This usually presents itself when a fast powder is used and does not fill the case enough. The powder charge lays in the bottom of the case when inserted in the chamber, and the primer flash is allowed to jump across the entire powder charge rather that initiate a burn from bottom to top as it does with a slower powder that actually fills the case some 85% or better. The result is a very sharp pressure curve due to the majority of the charge, and already fast powder, being ignited acorss it's axis rather than it's dia, which can overpower the action strength and make the all feared KABOOM[V]

nononsense

j3081,

Powders each have a burn rate that is determined in the laboratory.The list below runs from the fastest powders to the very slowest powders at the bottom. Each cartridge has a range of powders that work best given the bullets selected and the maximum pressure established for the cartridge.

http://www.reloadersnest.com/burnrates.asp

A reduced load is simply that, the powder selected is used at a much smaller weight than is normally established for average loads. This is a reduced load as far as the powder weight is concerned and a reduced load as far as the pressure and velocity is concerned. IMR-4198 is a very fast powder in comparison to the standard powders used in the .243 Win. That means that we have use a smaller amount in order to control the pressure. In the example of your .243 Win. and the 90 gr. FMJ bullets, loads will run somewhere around 40 to 48 gr. of medium slow to slow powders such as 4350's and the 4831. I'm not sure which manual you're using but I have no use for IMR-4198 in the .243 Win. because it is simply too fast and the load is too low in weight and volume. I prefer Re-19, H-4350, IMR-4831 or Ramshot Hunter. These are much slower and you can get the case nearly full of powder without wasting it.

You should pick a slower powder and start with the minimum load and work your way slowly watching for signs of pressure.

Best.

j3081

ok,,,i understand so far,,,the manual is speer #10,,,and the # 12 says the same thing,,,so a reduced load is recomended for children or men or women who have a soft shoulder or can't withstand the recoil,,,thanks alot guys,,and i will be using imr 4831 in my loads,,,thanks,,,joe[:D]

gravley

If you are interested in reloading reduced loads pick up Modern Reloading by Richard Lee. He has a whole chapter on which are the best powders to use.

B17-P51

Some people will shoot Squirrels and other small game with their deer rifle using reduced loads,that way they are practicing with the same rifle. Or they may only have the one gun[V][:(]
Question for Karl... Would lead bullets in a .243 make it a Hardball gun[:0]

perry shooter

Hello B17-P51 NO-NO- That is almost like me asking you If a P51 is a high altitude Bomber or a B17 is an Interceptor /Fighter[:I].Just FYI the term HARD-BALL gun is jargon for any gun PISTOL/RIFLE that shoots Military full metal jacketed Ammo. Like used in the DCM/CMP matches shot at Camp Perry and State and Regional championships .This unlike N.R.A. matches does not have classes of shooters but is heads up with only the top 10% getting points toward a EIC /DISTINGUISHED badge[^][^]. one week from today you can watch 900+ shooters fire this match at Camp Perry.[:p][:p]