I like to have reduced loads with me when I hunt because I'm always taking shots at rabbits or grouse or something, and I'd just as soon not wake up the whole world when I do. I usually use cast bullets but have reciently resolved not to mix cast and jacketed bullets. Anybody have a good jacketed bullet load that doesn't make all so much noise?

I am fond of 6mm Rem, I use IMR 4198 a lot. 22 to 30 grains, will work with any bullet weight you choose.

It is more than accurate enough in my 6mm Rem.

cheers and good shooting
seafire

What I look for in reduced loads is something that shoots to an aiming point in my scope that I don't have to sight in for. Usually, my reduced loads shoot way low, but most of my rifles have variable power scopes that have multiplex reticals. I have found that usually you can aim with the lower point of the multiplex and by adjusting the power ring you can make a low shooting load hit on at 25 yds. I sometimes have to fool around with loads, usually to get them to shoot right or left.

The problem with my 6mm is that the loads I have tried so far with 4198 and 4227 are very accurate nice shooting loads but they shoot about 1" right. Yesterday, though I shot 8gr of Unique behind an 80 gr FMJ bullet that was on the dot at 25 without any special ways of holding. Not as accurate as the other loads, but I'm headed in the right direction. I think I'll try some blue dot now.

This whole realm of jacketed reduced loads is new to me, I have been making them with lead bullets. That's why I started this thread, thought I would at least get an idea about powders and velocities ect. I guess if you don't live in a place like Wyo where there are so many possibilities during the whole of hunting season, most people aren't interested in reduced loads. Sure not much response here anyhow, maybe I should have posted in the general reloading catagory.

I am very interested in reduced loads. I made up a formula for a "Hornet" load for most small calibers. If you take 1/2 of the charge weight of a normal load of IMR SR 4759 and say a 40 gr bullet for any .224 cartridge it will make about 2800 fps. Thus a 223 holds about 28 grs of powder so the load would be 14 grs of # 4759.

The problem with the above loads is that they are not all that light!

I am working on much lighter loads now. I think 2000 fps is about what I want. This has already been done. I tried Herc. 2400 and it's too fast. Now it's to Blue Dot. The thing is the pressure has to be up there or the case does not seal well.

The idea with the plex aiming point is a good one.