125 grain question...

[VAfarmer38]

I have a few hundred bullets lying around from a 300 blackout build I did (have since moved on from this caliber) and was wondering if this would be a viable option for a reduced recoil load for my Axis .308 HB. I currently have the Hornady 125gr SST and the Nosler 125gr BT. I have found a little data on them but wanted to know if anyone had personal experience with this type load. Thanks in advance.

[LHitchcox]

I have heard of guys using the 125 BTs at full speed in .308s and .30-06s with good results on deer. I use them in a .30-30 AI Contender and they work fine at 2600-2700 fps. The Hornady SSTs are more fragile and may grenade when they hit bone. I also use the 125 BTs in a .30 Herrett Contender pistol, but that velocity is low enough that the bullets certainly work like deer loads.

[VAfarmer38]

Thanks man, I got some load data from Nosler's site but couldn't find much on the SSTs. Planning to start low and work up. Maybe use them for hunting if they seem to group well.

[big honkin jeep]

The Hodgdon .308 youth loads use the 125gr Nosler BT with H4895. I was really shocked how accurate these loads were in my rifle. Nosler say's the BTs are good from 1800-3200fps and I have found them to be perfect for reduced loads. Pretty economical too. The Hodgdon youth "hunting loads" though reduced are a pretty good bit above minimum and still have them moving at a respectable 2500+fps
I put together a little 16" .308 carbine and it's perfect for the grand kids nieces, nephews and cousins.
Using the Hodgdon 60% of max formula (only for use with H4895) they show a max of 46 grains which is a compressed load. If you multiply 46x .6 (60%) you come up with 27.6gr of H4895 as an absolute minimum charge.
Though unsure of velocity on that absolute minimum load because I haven't gone quite that low, I'd say that is both very shoulder friendly and economical. In short Yes they are perfect for reduced .308 loads
Here are a couple of links.
https://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/H4895%20Reduced%20Rifle%20Loads.pdf
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle
(http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle)http://www.wwpowder.com/PDF/Youth%20Loads.pdf


(http://www.wwpowder.com/PDF/Youth%20Loads.pdf)

[ICPS_Joe]

Hey all, just joined today after officially adding the second Savage to my little arsenal/collection so I thought it was time. Anyway, I have had lots of good luck with 125 Noslers loading in .308 and .300 Savage. I have been able to crank them well over 3100 fps from both cases and a 24" barrel with recoil resembling that of a basic commercial 150gr soft point load and less felt recoil than typical warm 180gr. Accuracy alone being the focus I would keep it tuned to just At 3000fps, that was the sweet spot for me atleast where I was putting up 1/2" groups at 120 yards with a rifle and optic from the 50's. (Savage 99) Accuracy didn't suffer too bad with the increased velocity loads, but the groups opened to about a full inch. May be worth it in a hunting load for the extra energy but for a target load I would go 2950-3000 as the goal. As for making a strictly "low recoil" round, I found my initial work up loads that started clocking around 2500-2600fps to be very mild and in fact stated to my buddy that it was the lightest recoil .308 load I had ever shot besides some subsonic loads we cooked up for a friends supressed Rem 700. I suppose if that is what your after, go low end with them and just don't work up the load any. Accuracy seemed to be very tolerable even at 2600fps, although I haven't tested any that slow past 200 yards. Inside of that they were offering a similar point of aim to 165gr type commercial loads, again in my opinion/experience.

[VAfarmer38]

I appreciate all the info you all have provided. I have had numerous shoulder issues and am slowly approcahing a second surgery in the future so yes, a slightly lower felt recoil would be nice but isn't a deal breaker. I have read a lot of people having good luck with the Nosler BTs in .308 for deer and it got me a little intrigued. I'll plan to get a pound of H4895 and start working a load up. Thanks again. Will post results when I have them available.

[VAfarmer38]

Ok, so here's where I stand so far. I did some test loads with the Nosler 125 BT and was able to put some down range yesterday. I didn't have the chrony with me but wanted to see where they were grouping. I started at 41.5gr of IMR4895 and stopped at 43.5 getting the most consistent grouping at 100 yards with 43.5gr load (couldn't get my hands on any W748) with a COAL of 2.750". Grouping was just a smidge over 1". I saw no signs of pressure at this load and will gradually continue to work my way up and try to get some muzzle velocity data with the chrony hopefully tomorrow. Per Noslers load data this should be close to 2800 fps give or take. I'm hoping to hit that mark somewhere between 2900-3000 fps with the groups staying the same. I was not using a vice so I'm sure I can tighten that up a little. Sorry it took so long to get back on here but things have been busy. Thanks again for the input.

[JASmith]

What was your velocity from the Blackout?

You can probably get adequate terminal performance out quite a distance with that velocity. That means the reason for going higher is only if your primer / powder / bullet / rifle need a higher velocity for adequate accuracy.

Slower is better for the shoulder.

[VAfarmer38]

I kept the Nosler velocity at around 2000 fps with the Blackout and was pleased with the terminal performance but the lack of range is what led to the ultimate demise of the Blackout in my case. Super fun gun to shoot but just not practical for my use and the areas that I hunt. Several times I had a nice deer at that 200-300 yard range where I just wasn't comfortable taking the shot with the Blackout. Now I am extremely confident if that shot presents itself. I'm planning to load some more tonight at 43.5 and get a MV and see where it stands.

[Zero333]

Work up from 30gr of H-4895 with the 125grainers. ( 48gr is close to max generating 60,000psi with H-4895 and 125gr NosBalTip)

31gr of H-4895 should get around 2,000 fps from a 22" barrel.