PHOENIX PHIL
AH ambassador
Gents,
As I anticipate building up my wife's recoil tolerance so that she can move up to either my .375 for .404J project that is just getting started, I want her to start with some reduced loads. In the past working with my boys in medium bore calibers, I just chose really light for caliber bullets and used starting loads. This resulted in very easy recoil for them to handle.
But even say a 250gr bullet in a .375 at starting level powder loads results in appreciable recoil. For comparison, lets say a 250gr bullet at a leisurely 2600fps is going to at least be comparable if not more than a 30-06 165gr load at 2800fps in recoil.
The simple solution is of course to slow the bullet down more via less powder. But:
1) At some point there's enough space in the case that inconsistent ignition will start to occur.
2) From what I've read going one step further, hang fires can also happen in reduced loads.
3) Worst case scenario someone once told me (though I'm not sure I'm buying it), is that there's enough air inside the case to actually make what would seem like a safe load into an explosive one.
So for those if you with more experience than me with loading down, please impart any wisdom you may have.
As I anticipate building up my wife's recoil tolerance so that she can move up to either my .375 for .404J project that is just getting started, I want her to start with some reduced loads. In the past working with my boys in medium bore calibers, I just chose really light for caliber bullets and used starting loads. This resulted in very easy recoil for them to handle.
But even say a 250gr bullet in a .375 at starting level powder loads results in appreciable recoil. For comparison, lets say a 250gr bullet at a leisurely 2600fps is going to at least be comparable if not more than a 30-06 165gr load at 2800fps in recoil.
The simple solution is of course to slow the bullet down more via less powder. But:
1) At some point there's enough space in the case that inconsistent ignition will start to occur.
2) From what I've read going one step further, hang fires can also happen in reduced loads.
3) Worst case scenario someone once told me (though I'm not sure I'm buying it), is that there's enough air inside the case to actually make what would seem like a safe load into an explosive one.
So for those if you with more experience than me with loading down, please impart any wisdom you may have.