The powders on the left may cause unintended consequences, while the powders on the right are recommended for loading reduced power .308 Winchester handloads.

Last month I responded to a reader’s request for specific loading data for an old and nearly forgotten cartridge, the 7.65 Mauser. This column is in response to another reader’s inquiry about loading reduced-recoil ammo for the .308 Winchester.

Reader Ken Slusher e-mailed to ask if it was feasible and, more importantly, a safe practice to use Lyman’s load data for cast bullets and simply substitute the same weight jacketed bullet. His e-mail stated, “I realize that loading reduced charges of slow-burn-rate rifle powder is dangerous,” and continued by noting, “the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook lists shotgun and pistol propellants like Red Dot, IMR-4227, and Alliant 2400. Velocities range from 1,700 to 2,000 fps.”

Unfortunately, the answer to Mr. Slusher’s inquiry is not a simple “yes” or “no.” It’s actually “maybe, but with certain limitations.”

All of us who enjoy shooting are sensitive to recoil to some extent. For example, my limit is 10 rounds of full-bore .416 Rigby rounds fired in an 11-pound bolt rifle from the bench. Several years ago my limit was at least double the current threshold. My favorite big-bore rifle now is a Ruger Hawkeye chambered in .338 RCM.

I used to shoot 40 or so full-throttle .475 Linebaugh test loads in a custom Ruger Bisley single action before my mind lost total control of my trigger finger. Now I only shoot a cylinder full to remind myself just how much the Linebaugh can kick before I switch to much more pleasant .480 Ruger handloads.

Fortunately, I’ve had these options across the board. If a certain firearm/cartridge combination recoiled too much, I’d just go to the vault and select a less punishing rifle or handgun or, if practical, use an alternate, less powerful round in the offending gun. Although I’ve read about it, I’d never had to significantly down-load my handloads to reduce recoil.

But that’s just another opportunity hand-loaders can take advantage of—tailoring their handloads to accommodate a specific need.

I often call on Tom Griffin, Lyman’s technical services manager, to discuss reloading issues. I did again this time, and after relating the reader’s comments, I solicited his opinion. Griffin pointed out that while you could do what the reader stated, lubricated lead bullets exhibit less friction than gilding metal jacketed or all-copper bullets do. Because it takes more propellant behind a jacketed bullet to achieve equal velocities compared to the same weight cast bullet, there was a potential risk to stick a jacketed bullet in the barrel if the handloader didn’t use enough propellant.

I pointed out that the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook data for loading 150-grain lead bullets in the .308 Win. listed the faster-burn-rate propellants (Red Dot, Unique, SR 4756, etc.) with charges ranging from 12 to 16 grains. There was a definite demarcation between those and the 20- to 25-grain charge weights for medium-burning pistol propellants like IMR’s SR 4759, 4227, and Alliant 2400.

I also suggested that Accurate’s 5744 was an excellent choice for safely loading reduced-power rifle ammunition. In addition, I mentioned that another industry source had assured me that loading less than the starting charge of IMR-4895 and typically rifle propellants exhibiting the same or faster burn rates was also a safe practice.

Griffin responded by saying the most recent Lyman Reloading Handbook (the 49th edition) had steered away from listing fast-burn-rate shotgun or pistol propellants as preferred choices for reloading lead bullets in rifle cartridges.