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Youth load- turn your 308 into a 300 BO

davis211

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I’ve been seeking a good low recoil deer round for my 9 yr old daughter. She’s a little thing and doesn’t like recoil. We used a 243 last year with the Hornady Lite ammo- it’s 87 gr SST and it did ok. She shot 2 & both ran with good shoulder shots- that’s my experience with a 243 even with full power loads. I know...the 243 guys are going to beat me up but I just honestly don’t like a 243.

Started reading a week ago on reduced 308 loads and there’s lots of good info out there. After a few tests I settled on 30.0 grains of H4198. That gave me 2246 fps (7.75 lbs recoil) out of an 18” Ruger Compact 308 (.75” group). I’m using the 120 gr Barnes Tac-TX designed for the BO. This should be a good load since they expand down to 1350 fps - max of 2600 fps I believe. Anyway, so yea- I down loaded a 308 to BO velocities. I’m sure 1000’s have done it but it just seems like the perfect youth load for deer.
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I even had help with the project- teach them while they’re young!

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I've shot subsonic 308 that was loaded to around 1100 fps. Guy said it was cowboy powder and a 220gr pill. I use a 762x39 AR and deer do not like me and recoil is very light with full power loads.
 
I've shot subsonic 308 that was loaded to around 1100 fps. Guy said it was cowboy powder and a 220gr pill. I use a 762x39 AR and deer do not like me and recoil is very light with full power loads.

That’s sounds like Trail Boss powder- it gives really low velocities.
7.62x39 is another good one like the BO- I just don’t own one in a bolt gun.
 
It may have been Trail Boss if it looks like little donuts (that's what I was told, don't reload yet). The guy said they filled the case and rounds were going trans-sonic about 100 yards or so. I know it was dropping like a rock at 200yd steel plates. Super quiet in my Ruger American Predator with can on it.
 
Lots of low power loads over at castboolits.

I use sub sonics in 30-30 with info from them. Very quiet from a suppressor, and no recoil to mention. Accurate and hits harder than a 357 magnum.

They have discussions on 308 as well..
 
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