I'm not very recoil sensitive but I think the actual recoil is too much for hunting during the night or in thick bush, I don't need so much gun, so I was thinking in 165 (gslams,partitions,etc) with less powder.

How much I will reduce recoil using 165gr at for ex. 2800 fps?

For Africa or red stags in Argentina I can go up again, but for pigs and axis in my country I think this will be a much more confortable load.

I've trade this rifle for my old 308 and now I'm not so sure if I've done a good deal, I was just looking for one "do it all" rifle.
What you think about this?
Thanks
LG

Doing the math for recoil calculations, the loads you are describing shows an approximate 20% reduction in recoil. You can also think of it this way for comparison. The .308 moves a 165gr bullet at approximatly 2700fps. All things being equal the reduced load for the .300WM and the .308 load are close.

Hope this helps
CJW3

quote:

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Originally posted by cjw3:
All things being equal the reduced load for the .300WM and the .308 load are close.

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Well, actually there will be some difference because the weight of the powder charge needs to be entered into the calculation of the ejecta weight too, and the powder charge in the Winchester mag will be greater than the powder charge used in the .308 in order to reach the same velocity with a given bullet weight. This difference, however, may be small enough that you may not notice it in actual shooting.

The danger of using pistol powder, and I like Unique a lot, is no charge or a double charge.

Power is indeed good, but only if one can handle the inevitable recoil and one does not mind the additional loss of edible meat.

Still, you wanted the do-it-all rifle, and that is not wrong. Now we'll have to see if you can make it work. I agree with our Kentucky friend that in general reduced loads are a pain in the behind. However, the velocity (2800) you are looking for is really more a starting velocity for a .300 WM/165 grs load (as opposed to a reduced load). So it is not impossible that you could find a light 165 grs load that will shoot accurately in your gun. Check out data on:

http://www.vihtavuori.fi/

Other things you can do:

- on the range, wear a shoulder pad (great ones available from PAST for maybe 20-25$). They will stop most of the discomfort from the added recoil. In the field you'll probably not even be aware ot the extra recoil - adrenalin is a pretty good recoil-"reducer"... :-)

- wear extra heavy hearing protection to cut down on the muzzle blast.

I don't like muzzle breaks because they increase muzzle blast, but if you removed it when going hunting, I suppose that would be a way to go as well. A good shoulder pad works wonders too, though, and at a much lower cost!

Good luck with your pig-hunting!