My father-in-law is looking to get something lighter recoiling in his older age. His 270 is a bit much for him these days and he's bought a 308 with the intent of getting some lighter loads for it.

So 2 questions…

A: his rifle is a 1:10 twist rate so 150-180 is kind of the sweet spot… does he look for a light (slow) load in that bullet range and hope the recoil isn't too bad or does he look for 125gr loads and hope they perform well out of that barrel?

B: are there any factory loads he should try? Ideally we don't want to engage custom loaders.

DiskoTroop said:

---

My father-in-law is looking to get something lighter recoiling in his older age. His 270 is a bit much for him these days and he's bought a 308 with the intent of getting some lighter loads for it.

So 2 questions…

A: his rifle is a 1:10 twist rate so 150-180 is kind of the sweet spot… does he look for a light (slow) load in that bullet range and hope the recoil isn't too bad or does he look for 125gr loads and hope they perform well out of that barrel?

B: are there any factory loads he should try? Ideally we don't want to engage custom loaders.

---

Edited to add- Oops, misread the OP as a possible reloader

That twist rate will play well with lighter bullets...look at what has been learned with 1:7 / 1:8 twist 5.56 barrels, go for it. And if choosing a monolithic (copper) bullet, they are quite long, for weight.

The 130gr Barnes TTSX or TSX could be a great option...I know my 7mm-08, with 120 gr TTSX, is THE load, I quit trying to top it, no need!

Hornady Custom Lite Reduced Recoil Loads

My small wife shoots the above in 270.
My small daughter shoots the above in 7mm-08.

Can usually find some on Gun Broker.

Its usually about 120gr SST at 2650-2700 fps. Devastating on deer. They have killed a train car loads of deer with them. Great great loads with significantly less recoil.

Son shot his first deer with a Custom light.

That would be my suggestion as well.

Glad to hear the custom lite Hornady offering is good. I did find that but immediately saw a few bad reviews of performance testing in ballistic gelatin. I will take the word of someone who has killed many deer with them over a single test in ballistic gel.

I may have seen the same testing. He got inconsistent expansion in clear ballistics but that doesn't bother me. He also got well below advertised velocity. But at the velocities he was getting it was still as fast or faster than a 30-30 with a more advanced bullet(SST). And nobody would doubt the abilities of a 30-30 at appropriate distances.

He also could have just had bad chronograph readings or even just a weird box of ammo. It happens.

Just keep in mind that it will limit his range. I would probably treat it like a 30-30, sight it in at 150 yards, limit shots to 200 and in and call it a day.


Funny story-my son shot his first deer with a Custom Ligjt out of a .243. I felt like it was a little too underpowered in that cartridges and meant to change out the ammo to a full powered load. It grouped close enough to whatever soft point I had so it was a great plan until I forgot to do it. He is in a blind about 80 yards from me with my dad and I hear the bang immediately knowing that was reduced recoil. He hit an older buck broadside from about 60 yards. Deer ran but left a blood trail and we found him not far away. Bullet worked just fine.

Barnes also makes one if you want to look into a mono.

Happy hunting.

SGrem said:

---

Hornady Custom Lite Reduced Recoil Loads

My small wife shoots the above in 270.
My small daughter shoots the above in 7mm-08.

Can usually find some on Gun Broker.

Its usually about 120gr SST at 2650-2700 fps. Devastating on deer. They have killed a train car loads of deer with them. Great great loads with significantly less recoil.

---

This

My old ass choots em in .306 and it is a world of difference...

You're good to go with the hornady custom lite factory loads. My son shoots them in his 7-08. Have taken a good number of deer with them within 200 yards.

Thanks for all the info yall!

Exit wound today from 140 yards. Custom Light .30-06. It was devastating.

Heck yea! I like that ammo....

Very nicely done.

Another vote for Hornady Custom Lite. Son has shot a bunch of deer and couple bobcats with his 7mm-08. No problem tracking with the exit wound it leaves. Several have been DRT. Its a pleasure to shoot.

I have a nephew that has killed a ton of deer with the reduced recoil 125 sst. On our smallish deer, the lighter 125 sst is often going to outperform a lot of the heavier/ thicker jacketed bullets that most of us are shooting.

I cull deer with the 110 grain TTSX in 30-06. It is a laser beam. Very little recoil.