Favourite Reduced Loads

[in2anity]

I use reduced loads in my lever-guns ( Winchester 1892 and 1894's ) when shooting Metallic Silhouette. I do this for a number of reasons, a few of which are:

1. Reducing loads down to original black-powder velocities in these rifles gives better accuracy. Consistency when shooting multiple shots off-hand is better with less recoil. Also when firing more than 100 shots per day reduced loads = less fatigue = better accuracy.
2. The rifles are more reliable and I don't get any failures. Even the modern versions of these rifles are mostly built to original specs and perform better at the lower pressures in my experience. Yes, I know that they are quite able to handle modern "high" pressure loads safely.
3. Reduced costs. I cast my own bullets for these out of salvaged lead from the range. It don't get much cheaper than that. Powder supplies last a lot longer when you use 10gr or less per shot.
I use reduced loads in .32-20, .44 mag, ,45 long colt, .30-30, .35 Winchester, .38-55 and .45-70.

Best load.
10gr of AP-70 behind a 250gr cast bullet in .38-55. This load is very accurate and takes down the 200m Ram targets every time. I have also hunted with this load and it is very effective on feral goats. It will go straight through a large billy, shoulder to shoulder, at anything less than 100m. Texas heart shots work very well with it also.

I really want to try AP-70 under lead through my 30/30 - I've been told you can achieve very good accuracy with this combo. I'm a little nervous about a double load is all...

[happyhunter]

I use reduced loads in my lever-guns ( Winchester 1892 and 1894's ) when shooting Metallic Silhouette. I do this for a number of reasons, a few of which are:

1. Reducing loads down to original black-powder velocities in these rifles gives better accuracy. Consistency when shooting multiple shots off-hand is better with less recoil. Also when firing more than 100 shots per day reduced loads = less fatigue = better accuracy.
2. The rifles are more reliable and I don't get any failures. Even the modern versions of these rifles are mostly built to original specs and perform better at the lower pressures in my experience. Yes, I know that they are quite able to handle modern "high" pressure loads safely.
3. Reduced costs. I cast my own bullets for these out of salvaged lead from the range. It don't get much cheaper than that. Powder supplies last a lot longer when you use 10gr or less per shot.
I use reduced loads in .32-20, .44 mag, ,45 long colt, .30-30, .35 Winchester, .38-55 and .45-70.

Best load.
10gr of AP-70 behind a 250gr cast bullet in .38-55. This load is very accurate and takes down the 200m Ram targets every time. I have also hunted with this load and it is very effective on feral goats. It will go straight through a large billy, shoulder to shoulder, at anything less than 100m. Texas heart shots work very well with it also.

I really want to try AP-70 under lead through my 30/30 - I've been told you can achieve very good accuracy with this combo. I'm a little nervous about a double load is all...

Just go for it! What's the worst thing that could happen besides blow up the gun and loose a few fingers? They'll grow back

[Gamerancher]

Yes, there is a risk of double loads of fast burning powder when using reduced loads at less than half of the case capacity. It requires due diligence and attention to detail when loading. Check and double check cases after adding powder. I have seen a couple of guns ruined by shooters due to careless reloading.

In2anity, I don't use AP-70 in the 30-30, try 10 gr Trail-boss behind 150-170 gr cast RNFP. Another load that works well in a couple of my '94's is 17gr of 2207 behind a 170 gr gas-checked bullet. That load knocks over our 200m rams and should work well as a hunting load if using cast bullets.

[in2anity]

In2anity, I don't use AP-70 in the 30-30, try 10 gr Trail-boss behind 150-170 gr cast RNFP. Another load that works well in a couple of my '94's is 17gr of 2207 behind a 170 gr gas-checked bullet. That load knocks over our 200m rams and should work well as a hunting load if using cast bullets.

Hehe, Gamerancher have a look at my post four above this one I'm not the biggest fan of TB; it's O-K but never worked great for me. Although I've never cast myself, nor have I ever used soft lead - I think maybe TB might be more suited to classical, lubed lead loads. Like you suggested AR2207 is my go-to these days, although my rifle likes 16gr instead of 17gr.

[Gamerancher]

Yeah mate, saw that, just sayin' what works for me.
I lube all cast bullets, even store bought coated ones, although for some years now I have cast all of my own.
I also size them to .309 for the 30-30.
I've never tried AP-70 in the "dirty thirty" as it got real hard to get there for a while and I was getting good results with the loads suggested. Also, I don't use those rifles personally, they were for my wife and son. Saved that powder for my .45 Long Colt and .38-55. Selfish I know.

[Cooper]

I'm interested in trying some reduced loads in my .223. Couple of questions. Is it necessary to use small rifle magnum primers? Is smallest bottle of trail boss 1.5kg? Thanks

[bladeracer]

I'm interested in trying some reduced loads in my .223. Couple of questions. Is it necessary to use small rifle magnum primers? Is smallest bottle of trail boss 1.5kg? Thanks

Yep, 1.5kg is the smallest.
Happy to give you some if you just want to try it, but I'm two hours out of Melbourne.

[Oldbloke]

Bladeracer, Some info here that may help.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4991

[Gwion]

Cooper, you can use standard small rifle primers but I have personally had more consistent velocities out of the magnum primers.

[Cooper]

Thanks for the kind offer Bladeracer. I'm going to the gun shop this week. I'll probably just grab a bottle. If it doesn't work out. I know somebody that can use it!

Thanks for posting the link Oldbloke.
Thanks Gwion for clearing up the magnum primer thing. I found the thread on your Trailboss loads for .223. I'll grab some small rifle Magnum primers to try with the Trailboss. Cheers

[Cooper]

I have started working up some reduced loads in my .223. After reading ADI manual it list maximum trail boss load at 4gr. I read a fair bit about not exceeding 70% case capacity and not compressing trail boss...
Anyway I worked my way up to 8gr of trailboss using 55gr Roo max projectiles. For 1800fps 24inch barrel shooting 1inch approx group at 63metres. I need to check group size and bullet drop at 100metres(plus). However I finally cracked the s**ts with my trigger and pulled it out and sent it to Glen the trigger guy.

But so far quite impressed with Trailboss! I wasn't quite expecting the 1.5kg bottle to be the size of a normal 4kg bottle. At $115 dollars for Trailboss it makes for really cheap shooting. It makes the 223 feel like a 22mag.

[Gwion]

......................
But so far quite impressed with Trailboss! I wasn't quite expecting the 1.5kg bottle to be the size of a normal 4kg bottle. At $115 dollars for Trailboss it makes for really cheap shooting. It makes the 223 feel like a 22mag.

Original ballistics for the .22WRM state a 50gn bullet travelling at 1650fps. My 18" barrel .223rem with Trailboss is moving the 50gn Vmax at 1850fps, so 200fps faster than a WRM and grouping on or just under 1" (5 rounds) at 100yd zero. Very effective point and shoot out to around 140yd. Makes the 223rem quite versitile with a quieter, lower velocity option that still carries plenty of punch for light bodied small-medium game.

[Gwion]

I'm thinking that for a joke id love to load some trail boss, cast loads to shoot out of a BMG.

And shoot it offhand. Maybe Brett will let you try it in his new rifel! (somehow i doubt it! )
It'd probably still take down a camel at 100yds!

[Gamerancher]

Loaded up some .270win with trailboss behind 130gr bullets as a reduced loading for my then 13y/o son to shoot silhouette with. They were so mild we maxed out the scope to get 200m. Shot a bit over an inch at 100m, f-all recoil, but the bullet drop was too much to be any good for our purposes.
Built him a 7mm TCU instead.

[Oldbloke]

Loaded up some .270win with trailboss behind 130gr bullets as a reduced loading for my then 13y/o son to shoot silhouette with. They were so mild we maxed out the scope to get 200m. Shot a bit over an inch at 100m, f-all recoil, but the bullet drop was too much to be any good for our purposes.
Built him a 7mm TCU instead.

Try about 15grains of red or green dot with cast 130 gr projectile

[Gamerancher]

Got rid of that rifle, only bought it because it was real cheap and had done no work. .270win not a round that interested me. Was going to rebarrel to something more useful but a mate fell in love with it so passed it on.

[Cooper]

image.jpeg (776.42 KiB) Viewed 5901 times

Well I finally got around to checking the my Trailboss loads at 100 metres.
I forgot my rear bag so was just off bipod and gun bag and jumper. The 4th was shoot was all me. I paused after the 3rd shoot and wasn't in my usual comfortable position.

Squares are 1 inch. Shooting nearly 3inchs low(aiming for top black dot)below my normal 223 loads which are doing 2900fps. My Trailboss loads doing between 1940-1970fps.

Thinking about trying some light Vmax 40 or 45gr or maybe even some Barnes varmint gernades in 36gr. If the don't work in my 1in12 twist 223 I can try them my 1in14 twist 222 mag.

[<<Genesis93>>]

My favorite 300WinMag reduced load....

....is a 308Win

[bigpete]

.308,170 Sierra flat nose 30/30 projectiles,9.5gn trailboss,1070fps,1" group at 100m out of my old Remington model 7
.44 mag,225gn coated lead rnfp projectiles,7.3gn trailboss, ~900fps?,<20c a shot,~3" at 50m with iron sights.

[boingk]

I'll chip in to this 3 year old thread. There's some great info here! I'm having a hoot with 13gn of Trailboss behind a 400gn round nose in my 45-70 Marlin levergun, it delivers sub-MOA at 100m and is pretty easy on the shoulder as well. They're trundling out the barrel about 1000fps.

I find that my point of impact at 100m with this load lets me be pretty much dead-on at 200m when I change to 300gn projectiles @ 1800fps so that's handy, too.

- boingk

[Jakethefake]

I'm having fun with trail boss loads in my 303. I'm running Hawkesbury River 180gn cast projectiles with 11gn of trail boss, and getting around 1250-1300 fps. I haven't put it on the bench to see how accurate they are. But I just really enjoy plinking with the old girl, and enjoy it all the more without the cost or noise of standard loads.
I want to load it down further to drop the speed to subsonic levels, as there's still quite a crack from a 180gn projectile doing 1300 fps.