I have a BAR in 300WSM. I would like to load up some H4895 Youth loads just for fun. Hodgdon has data for 300WSM with 130 Hornady SSP using 42.5gr of H4895.
I have a feeling this load will not cycle the action. If not, can I just increase the powder charge a bit at a time until the action cycles? Hodgdon has 58.5gr of H4895 listed as max.

Hey Steve, Yes, you should be able to do just that.

A buddy has some kind of semi-auto 223Rem and we occasionally use Reduced Loads in it. In his situation there is a HUGE advantage for it NOT to cycle the action - he doesn't have to go chasing Cases all over the ground. He just tilts the rifle a bit to the side, works the small Bolt Stub, the spent Case falls on the Bench and when he lets it go another Cartridge is chambered.

So, he prefers that kind of Load for casual plinking at the Range. But the nice thing about Reloading is you should be able to make it do just what "you" want it to do.

Best of luck to you.

I think if you look on the Hodgdons website they tell you what percentage of the full power load to use for a reduced load and that you can go up from there to the published full load if using 4895 powder. Check out their website under Youth and reduced loads, very informative.