I am going to try and come up with a lighter load for my Ruger M77 so my grandson can shoot comfortably. He is tall but rather slight of build. About what I was at same age, (skinny) not a lot of padding on his shoulders as of yet. I recall reading somewhere that a guy said to start at 60% or maximum and then slowly work up from there. All my reloading books recommend starting at 10% off max and work up. Anything to the 60% story????

Limpy, you didn't mention what your grandson will be using the rifle for. If not hunting, use cast bullets and you can get very mild loads.

Search for .. light loads with hodgden h 4895 you can load down to 60 present of max loads if it is listed for your caliber.

You might want to put your post on the Big Bores forum, yes that's right, the Big Bores forum. There is more knowledge on reloading on Big Bores than any other forum on AccurateReloading and doubly so for reduced loads. Also, include what calibre/cartridge you are reloading.

What cartridge?

Thanks for the replys. I am using a .243 with 87 grain ballistic tips and 38 grains of 4895 currently. I myself am struggling with shoulder problems so am looking for a lighter load. I like the suggestion about Big bore section. Will check that out, even though my 243 is not even close to what I consider a big bore!

For Hodgdon 4895, here's the explanation for using 60% of maximum charge, straight from the manufacturer:

https://imrpowder.com/wp-conte...uced-rifle-loads.pdf

Here is the answer to my shoulder problem to reduce recoil.
You/ him could also wear a pad under you hunting clothes.
Keep the standard load.
You can barley feel and recoil. With the 270 or 25/06.
The 243 will be less.

https://www.caldwellshooting.c...ing-rests/lead-sled/

quote:

You can barley feel and recoil...

Not sure what cereal has to do with the OP’s question, but no “recoil pad” will help a slightly built 12-year-old very much, it’s simple physics. What works for an adult may not for the small and recoil shy. Add muzzle blast and reduced loads are the way to go. The OP got better answers in his other, “identical” thread.


.

Sir
I would want to tell you that muzzle blast and recoil speed are probably what will bother the boy the most. Solve both with a 100 grain round nose and 2100-2200 FPS using pistol powder or one 4759 if you can find some. Excellent blue dot loads from others posted here over the years. Less powder makes quiet loads and slows down the recoil. Let me know if you need more specific help.

They were made popular by Seafire starting ~2003.
https://www.24hourcampfire.com...umber/2232327/page/1
He is on lots of forums and will respond to email or private message.

If I were loading 243 with Blue Dot it would be based on Quickload:
55 gr 17 gr 25kpsi 2700 fps
55 gr 21 gr 35kpsi 3000 fps

105 gr 14 gr 24kpsi 1900 fps
105 gr 17.5 gr 35kpsi 2150 fps

All in between bullet weight loads could be interpolated.
For those of you in Rio Linda, that means 17 gr Blue Dot will work with any 243 bullet weight.
Copied from another website.

BULLET WEIGHT100 GR. SPR BTSP
ManufacturerHodgdon
PowderTrail Boss
Bullet Diameter0.243"
C.O.L.2.650"
Starting Load
Grains8.0
Velocity (ft/s)1,045
Pressure27,300 CUP
Maximum Load
Grains15.3
Velocity (ft/s)1,603
Pressure39,100 CUP
Buy Now

Thanks for all the replies and hints/help. I have been down with the 'beer' or 'china' virus for the past week. Have not even gone out deer hunting with either rifle or bow this past week. Kind of like a bad cold for me.

With AA5744 the rule of thumb is 40% of the case capacity in grains of powder. I found it terrific for reduced loads.

I use the 5744 powder for almost all of my cast rifle loads these days. Also when I have had a question on any loads I just called their ballistician on their 1 800 #, told him caliber + bullet weight + he gave me immediate data. Great customer service.