Anyone Else Use Reduced Loads For Hunting "not so big" game?

[RANisbet]

I am going to try 200 grain Hornadys with 31 grqains of SR-4759 at an MV of apx. 2,050 in my model 71 Winchester - 348.
A quick calculation indicates that load should be about 90 per cent of what a 30-06, 165 grain bullet at MV of 2700.

I don't believe that the deer in Texas, typically under 200 Lbs, require anything more than what my reduced load will deliver.

Anyone else useing reduced loads when they use heavy bullet rifle calibers for "not so big" game?

Bob Nisbet

[J Miller]

Naw, if I think I need a lesser load I just get a smaller caliber rifle.

All my loads are full house for that cartridge. Never did like light loads.

Joe

[Old Ironsights]

Yep. I've got "mousephart" .357 loads that make less noise than a pellet gun and hit harder out to the same ranges.

I like keeping to the "man with one gun" theory as much as possible.

[LeverBob]

Oh Lord...don't get me started...check my older posts on small game loads. The boys have a train load of small game loads...enough to make your head spin.

LB

[Malamute]

I've long loaded small game loads for my big guns. It adds a lot of usefulness and flexibity to them. Something to consider, you can load a big gun down like a small gun, but a small gun will always be a small gun.

In 30-30 I've used 32 auto chamber adapters for small game, but a 115 gr cast bullet w/ 6 1/2 grs Unique is about what the old factory 32-20 load was. 3 grs Unique with a .315" diamter round ball makes a great small game and grouse load, and makes less noise than a high velocity 22 LR.

I also load .350" round balls for small game and grouse in the .348. I started with 3 or 4 grs Unique, but I'm going to work on a Red Dot load for it. I havent aquired a mold yet.


For deer hunting, I think you're on to a good idea, you don't need the full power 348's for deer, and your brass will last much longer.


A couple grouse shot with the 30-30 and round ball loads.

[El Chivo]

I would go for the accuracy load, it might be low or high. Doesn't make sense if you don't know where it's going to go.

[Nath]

I use to in my 30/30. 110grn Speer HP and a sniff of 231 was good for rabbits n' squirls.

I have drove the same bullet out of the 308 with h4227 that was plenty for fox to 150yds.

I use to use 4227 and 60grn 243 loads for shooting rabbits to 200yds many moons ago.

Our small woodland Roe deer don't need full medicine most the time.

nath.