I'm looking for a very light target load for .308W/7.62. My home range is only 50 metres and safety restrictions prohibit anything approaching factory loads. I've ordered Lyman's cast bullet handbook and I'm sure there'll be lots of suitable loads in there but in the meantime does anyone have any suggestions.

I'm already using a light load in 45-70 (11 grains of Unique behind a 405 grain cast bullet). I'm reasonably experienced handloader (20 years loading most calibres rifle and pistol) but I've never had to down-load like this before.

1. 150gr. fmjbt GW 22gr. Blue Dot 2220fps.
2. !50gr. fp(30-30 bullet) 40gr.4350b 2000fps.
3. 110gr rnfmj (carine bullet) 41gr. 2230-c 2400 fps.

These were fairly accurate in my .308 roger

Try 20 grains of IMR 4227 under any 110 grain bullet with the 110 grain Sierra HP a top choice.

I've been playing with Hornady's 90 grain XTP bullets and Blue Dot powder. Don't remember how much powder I used, but velocities were running about 2100 and the cases don't seem to be fully fireformed.

I believe most folks use the 110 grain bullets for this purpose.

Here's an article about using Unique for reduced loads in the .308.
http://www.reloadingroom.com/page46.html

150 grain bullets
AA-5744 From 27.0 grains to 33.5 grains
Remington 9-1/2 Primer
SR-4759 From 21.0 grains to 27.5 grains
Remington 9-1/2 Primer

168 grain bullets
AA-5744 From 28.0 grains to 31.5 grains
Remington 9-1/2 Primer
SR-4759 From 22.0 grains to 24.0 grains
Remington 9-1/2 Primer

Thanks for all that guys. The article for using Unique is particularly useful.