colin lad Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 the reloading bug has well and truly bit me and after seeing a comment on another thread i thought i would ask what could you use reduced loads for i load for my .222 a knowledgeable pw member has given a recipe for reduced load with the ballistic's what sound like they could be handy but would like to know what some of you guys use them for i was thinking out foxing if you go into the woods where you would shoot at much closer range that they could be used then, colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 I too would be interested in hearing about "Reduced Rounds", not that I will be reloading for my .222! I would be particularly interested in what advantages there might be in using a reduced power round and how effective they would be on (for instance) Foxes compared with standard "factory rounds". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beretta28g Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 Reduced rounds in .303 are common at the rifle club Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin lad Posted March 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 I too would be interested in hearing about "Reduced Rounds", not that I will be reloading for my .222! I would be particularly interested in what advantages there might be in using a reduced power round and how effective they would be on (for instance) Foxes compared with standard "factory rounds". it was seeing it on your thead that got me thinking mate colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 I use a reduced .223 target round to make the range limits. Currently I have a subsonic reciepe which puts out about 1050 fps (55gr) and I intend on developing a 2000 fps load as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 Reduced loads are a joy to use. Quieter and cheaper. A 222 can be turned into a sweet Hornet easy on about half the powder of standard but not the same powder ! 22m performance would be possible too. Cheap S&B fmj 45grn bullets make good rabbit loads on windy days or nights. Light charges of certain shotgun powders data can be found on the web easy. They ignite easily, just don't go over the top. Peak pressures are reached quickly! Under 100 yds and a nice soft point from yesteryear (read cheap) charlie won't tell the difference! U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin lad Posted March 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 Reduced loads are a joy to use. Quieter and cheaper. A 222 can be turned into a sweet Hornet easy on about half the powder of standard but not the same powder ! 22m performance would be possible too. Cheap S&B fmj 45grn bullets make good rabbit loads on windy days or nights. Light charges of certain shotgun powders data can be found on the web easy. They ignite easily, just don't go over the top. Peak pressures are reached quickly! Under 100 yds and a nice soft point from yesteryear (read cheap) charlie won't tell the difference! U. just the answer i was looking for thanks any idea of web sites for some recipes colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zx10mike Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 mmm be aware there is an interesting article explaining the dangers on saubier in the re load section Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 Personally Colin don't bother, you then have two rounds to go out with two zeros and you can guarantee you'll have the wrong rounds in when it matters most! Safety wise slow them down and the ricochet risk goes up and the trajectory gets loopy a bit like the member that usually mentions reducing loads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 (edited) http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-424462.html U. Edited March 31, 2013 by Underdog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 The main issue with these faster powders is double dosing the case. Being a bottle neck it is hard to visually check. A reduced charge with a fast rifle powder like H4227 and A2400 will fill the case more revealing an accidental double dose. Reguarding the zero my last rifle use to just shoot lower. The scope turret zero ring was indexed and a small note in the turret cap told me how much to adjust by. My Open sighted 357 is set for full power ammo. I then tuned a short range rabbit bopper load to shoot to point of aim at fifty yards. Super sonic shoots too low, slowing them down allowed the barrel to climb more with bullet still in it and thus gain some elevation with out adjusting the sights. Just 5.7grains of green dot and a 180 slug. 6.5 shoots much stronger but too low and super sonic. Be carefull, I kept creeping up once with bluedot in a Hornet and ignored the flattened primers untill one blew the primer pocket and the primer fell out! It took next t nowt to go from safe to too hot. We are talking .2 of a grain at a time in Hornet!!! U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted April 1, 2013 Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 (edited) Well, a lot of clubs have old pistol ranges that are limited to 1635fps but are now used for gallery rifle carbines. People tried to get round this regulation by downloading calibres like .308 and .303 but its not legal. This is something that was kicking around a lot a few years ago but it has been clarified now, downloading is not allowed, all calibres will only be taken as being factory velocity for range licencing purposes. We asked about it but were told no , a lot of clubs asked after the handgun ban. The MLAGB wedgenock ranges tried to get it and failed, their legal team is first class, if anybody could have swung it they should. Suprisingly, the practice still goes on, however, but the clubs must be absolutely mad to allow it knowing the consequences However, 12grns of Unique in a .308 or .303 with almost any reasonable bullet is a very accurate and cheap reload for plinking on 100yds at Bisley. Good enough for foxes Edited April 1, 2013 by Vince Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted April 1, 2013 Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 Colin, The data I gave was published data, its widely available. Just post it here ! correctly reduced rounds have a big part to play. They an make for cheaper practice (mainly in terms of barrel erosion). Are less damaging on edible quarry for instance Turkey in the USA , Capercali and even grouse in Scandinavia, Rabbits here. One should not have too low a case fill or the round can become position sensitive ie. you get a big pressure spike too soon in combustion but the normally used powders give a high fill ratio for weight. Yes the .222 rem can also become a Hornet (indeed it don't need to drop that much) or a .22 WMR. Switching ammo is no big thing many do this with .22 lr with CB's , subsonic, HV and stingers. Just keep a fixed zero on what you use most often and record the new sight settings. ricochets are only equal to a .22 wmr or .22 Hornet and one shouldn't get too wrapped up in that BS, or indeed a full power .222 round at 80- 100 or so yards further on is identical to a hornet. Less energy can negate the risk factor and running a lighter jacketed bullet designed for a .22 mag or Hornet also likewise. Subsonic gets into more dangerous territory there is good reason why the military chose the subsonic rounds it has over history. .308 win and 9mm are well trodden paths if you want a subsonic .22 use a rimfire as its safer and cheaper and not much different in weight of bullet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy H Posted April 1, 2013 Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 (edited) Here are some reduced 222 loads down the bottom of the page. www.accuratereloading.com/222rem.html Edited April 1, 2013 by Andy H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin lad Posted April 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 some good advise gents thank you colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sx3 clay breaker Posted April 1, 2013 Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 I think you have to be carful with down loading because you could ignite the front of the powder and make It unsafe so live been told Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted April 1, 2013 Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 Personally Colin don't bother, you then have two rounds to go out with two zeros and you can guarantee you'll have the wrong rounds in when it matters most! Safety wise slow them down and the ricochet risk goes up and the trajectory gets loopy a bit like the member that usually mentions reducing loads Pack the case full of 133 4198 and top off with a vmax or sp and Robert is your mother`s brother, the bullet will fragment fully in the animal in the maj of cases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houlsby Posted April 4, 2013 Report Share Posted April 4, 2013 Have a look at hodgsons website. I'm developing a sub in.223, there very loopy, and hard to stabilise. Have a 6inch drop at 40 yards I'm yet to try a light head. But at 26p a round it's nice and cheap. My hmr hasn't been out the cabinet for a lo g time now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted April 4, 2013 Report Share Posted April 4, 2013 I'm developing a sub in.223, there very loopy, and hard to stabilise. Have a 6inch drop at 40 yards What on earth is the point in that? quite possibly shows why its particularly useless, personally you might be better off buying a catapult Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houlsby Posted April 4, 2013 Report Share Posted April 4, 2013 because I can! It's absolutely silent. The most noise comes from the pin hitting the primer. Just what I'm wanting to combine with my nv as soon as its good enough to use on live stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted April 4, 2013 Report Share Posted April 4, 2013 what are you shooting with a 6" drop at 40 yards? makes no sense to me thats airgun territory not centerfire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houlsby Posted April 4, 2013 Report Share Posted April 4, 2013 Nowt yet. It's dropping 6" off my zero on my full power rounds.not dropping off 6" over the 40 yards. If I wanted your opinion Alex, I'd of asked for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted April 4, 2013 Report Share Posted April 4, 2013 cheers its a pointless exercise but crack on, colin fortunately has the right tool for the job a .22lr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted April 5, 2013 Report Share Posted April 5, 2013 I should be very careful with a subsonic .223 rem, The associated risk aint worth it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyotemaster Posted April 9, 2013 Report Share Posted April 9, 2013 On one of the forums here(Saubier.com I think) there is a chap blinded in one eye by detonation. He was building subsonic .17 Rem loads with Blue Dot as best I can remember. Ruined his rifle as well, he seems very adverse now about subsonic loads of any stripe. But to each his/her own. There are some powders better suited to subs than others. AA 5744 is often recommended for subs in their manual. It is pretty much position insensitive and has plenty of nitro in it for sure ignition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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