The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

I am about to reload some 8x57IS with 225 grain gas checked cast bullets and I have the following powders in reasonable quantities, can anyone recommend one to start with please? The rifle will be used for up to 100m and then 300m so two separate loads is fine and I do not want to end up with a bruised shoulder!

Accurate 5744
Alliant 2400
Hodgdon 380
Hodgdon 777
Hodgdon H414
Hodgdon H4831
Hodgdon H4895
Hodgdon Little Gun
Hodgdon Long Shot
Hodgdon Tight Wad
Hodgdon Varget
IMR Trailboss
Ramshot X-Terminator
Reload Swiss RS50/TR140
Vectan SP9
Vectan TU5000
Viht N140
Viht N160
Viht N310
Viht N540
Viht N550
Viht N560

I believe Accurate 5744 (or Lovex D060)would be a good choice of powder for low recoil loads. I've used this powder with .303 174gr FMJ bullets and while they were not superbly accurate, they reduced recoil by a significant amount and are perfect for short ranges. However, I do not have any loading data for 8x57 IS with this powder so you may have to consult QuickLoad.

You may want to consult "the workhouse load" which is discussed in a sticky within the library, however, this might not cover >200gr bullets if memory serves:
http://full-bore.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=810

I would think a starting load of around 22gr 5744 and work up from there
Or 16gr 2400

2400

Is there a vhit equivalent for alliant 2400? I want to get started on my cast bullet experiments but I want to avoid American powders if I can to get round any supply issues. Burn chart in lyman cast bullet book puts 2400 between n110 and n350.

N110 is quite close to A400 according to my powder burn rate chart

I would use 5744.
And N120 is a very good cast bullet powder.

I use Reloader7 in preference to Lovex DO60/5744 for all my cast loads, as I find it burns cleaner.

ukrifleman.