Low recoil load - where to start?

[barrycuda]

Had a 45-70 Handi Rifle converted by SMI to a ml for my 9 yr old grandson. Plan to shoot 180 or 200 gr XTP with blue sabot. Any recommendations on where to start with my powder load. Shots will be no more than 100 yds at this time. I use H4198 in my guns but have other powders I can try. He has taken 3 deer but all have been with .410 slug. Thanks.

Barry

[trooper1]

If you check the load links there is a great link to youth loads etc. I'm not sure if it has any loads with that powder but I bet you can get a good idea of how much powder to use percentage wise from a standard load. I found some great accuracy in some of the suggested loads and actually settled on one that is about 10% lower than factory recommended for hunting. I still pushes 300gr to close to 2100fps.

[pposey]

Due to a shoulder injury I'm always playing around with slow and low loads, right now 200XTP, harv light blue, and 35 grains 4759 it doing well,, have only shot it 30 times or so but it's moa or slightly more out to 150, not sure of the speed but recoil is low,,

only caution is to use non mag 209's,,, with Fed209m I was blowing the odd sabot with down to 34 grains in a dry fouled bore. The Win 209s seem to have fixed this

[pposey]

And I bet you could go on down to 30 grains 4759 just hafta try

[rybo74]

Hi Barry,
I have a contender 45/70 that SMI converted for me. It took me a while to find a good load for my son that is 7. I have got it to shoot 200gr XTP with 25 gr of 4227 @1500 fps and a tan MMP. I have only shot it with this load at 50 yards but it will shoot under and inch @50 yards. Very mild kick as well. I will repost when I try it at 100 yards. The 180gr would not group as well. Let me know if you have any more questions.

Ryan

[dans]

First reducing bullet weight will be a big factor in reducing recoil. Since I missed the rifle being 45 caliber, you can use lighter bullets and start with a 10% reduction in powder and see how much recoil you get. Also a good pad such as the Sims will help.

[tar12]

I have tried light loads of N110 and 5744.Both worked very well.

[chuck41]

Sept 16, 2010 8:04:26 GMT -5 rybo74 said:

Hi Barry,
I have a contender 45/70 that SMI converted for me. It took me a while to find a good load for my son that is 7. I have got it to shoot 200gr XTP with 25 gr of 4227 @1500 fps and a tan MMP. I have only shot it with this load at 50 yards but it will shoot under and inch @50 yards. Very mild kick as well. I will repost when I try it at 100 yards. The 180gr would not group as well. Let me know if you have any more questions.

Ryan

Rybo74's recommendation would be great for your 45 cal. A similar quantity of IMR 4759 would work with those bullets and sabots as well. It is very similar in burn rate to 4227, as is the other Savage ML10 "book powders" N-110 and AA 5744.

Stick with the 200gr XTP and one of these and you will probably find a good load in the 21 - 25gr range that will fit your need. These loads will be very similar to what you would expect from a 44Mag rifle with a similar weight bullet. Should be great for a young shooter.

If you chose to exceed 25gr with any of these powders watch your sabots very closely for indications of over pressure. They will all build pressure quickly in a 45 cal rifle and are most definitely not suitable for higher velocity loads. Stay with factory recommended loads for 44Mag and 200gr bullets with these powders and your pressures should be slightly less than those listed for the 44Mag.