Accurate 5744 for low recoil?

[wasa43]

Hi Folks:

I have been trying to develop a reduced recoil load (chickens and pigs only) for my 7 mm 08. I hit upon the rather strange idea of using Accurate 5744. The load that I have come up with is a 150 grain Sierra Match King over 24.8 grains of 5744. For a 10 round string, these were the numbers from my chronograph:

Average velocity: 1983 ft./s
extreme spread: 51 ft./s
standard deviation: 15

This compares to my standard load of a 150 grain match King over 38 grains of RL-15:
average velocity: 2467 ft./s
extreme spread: 60 ft./s
standard deviation: 20

As far as accuracy goes group sizes at 100 yards with 5744 (all measured edge to edge) have run between .563 and .716.

The best this rifle (an old model 700 with a takeoff 7 mm 08 Remington barrel) has ever done is groups of right around half an inch with a load consisting of the 130 grain match King over 35.6 grains of RL-15 . I have been using this load for chickens and pigs, but the 5744 load has much less recoil.

The load with 5744 has much less recoil than any other load I have tried, and at least at 100 yards the accuracy is there. 5744 is not a clean burning power, and I was concerned that powder fouling would destroy accuracy when I switched to my heavier loads for the turkeys and Rams. That appears not to be happening. After firing about 50 rounds of the 5744 loads my last three shot group with that powder measured .563. I then switched to the 150 grain match King over 38 grains of RL-15 , and three shots went in to .849.

So I am thinking that the 5744 load will certainly work for chickens, what do you folks think about its chances on pigs?

Thanks

[yankee]

The bottom line is that you need to check the accuracy at the distance you will be shooting. The chickens at 200M and pigs at 300M. Your spread and deviation numbers seem a bit high but if it shoots it shoots. Also the slower moving bullet will move around in the wind a bit more. If recoil really bothers you you may consider switching to another caliber such as the 260 , 7 br, 6.5 br or others. Yes your new 150 load should knock over a pig but you will have to hit a bunch just to make sure.

[wasa43]

Hi Yankee

That's pretty much what I thought, the proof will be in the pudding, I'll find out at the end of the month, at the State Match!

Thanks for the reply.