[LanceR]

Larry is right about Hodgdon no longer publishing SR-4759 data for reduced loads and they specifically withdrew any recommendations to use it for reduced loads maybe three years ago. While I was researching for an article on the subject of reduced loads about two years ago they explained that a lot of the published SR-4759 data had not been actually tested with the newer formulations so they don't recommend its use. They also caution that some reduced loads of SR-4759 can lead to excessive pressures as it changes the burn rate.

Strangely enough, even though Hodgdon markets SR-4759 and does not recommend SR-4759 for reduced loads they also told me they didn't have control over the reduced load data available online under the IMR web pages. Go figure....

While I know some bullet makers list reduced loads for other Hodgdon marketed powders I think that I would err on the side of caution here. Hodgdon knows a lot more than the bullet makers about how their powders function and if they only recommend H-4895 reduced loads since it is the only powder they have fully tested I'll follow Hodgdon's advice.

YRUpunting is also correct that for H-4895 reduced loads you take the max charge for any cartridge/bullet combo listed ON HODGDON'S WEBSITE you can reduce it down to as low as 60% of the max for reduced loads with consistent ignition and pressures that result in consistent velocities.

According to Hodgdon, listed data for jacketed bullets and gilding metal bullets such as Hornady's GMX are interchangeable with other jacketed or gilding metal bullets of the same weight. They stress that for Barnes X bullets or other copper bullets to not interchange data for jacketed or gilding metal bullets.

Hodgdon publishes H-4895 data online for bullets from 110 grains to over 200 grains in 30-06 so you have a lot of choices.

For recoil calculations I use the calculator at JBM Ballistics. You can make a rough estimation of the velocity reduction by comparing the velocity difference of the normal published minimum and maximum charge velocities and carrying that per grain of power velocity reduction out. For instance the velocity reduction for a 150 grain bullet in a 30-06 using H-4895 is about 50 FPS per grain and that will get you into the ballpark for estimating velocity so you can compute recoil and probable trajectory.

From my experience (and guessing on a 7.5 pound rifle weight) I suspect you'll be around 36-37 grains of H-4895 to get to the 2400 FPS area with a 150 grain bullet in order to hit the recoil levels you wrote about. To get a 170 down to 2200 FPS I suspect you'll be looking at about 36 grains and similar recoil levels as the 150 grain example (12-13 pounds). At 200 yards such a round nose bullet will only be going about 1600 FPS and may be below the velocity threshold needed for full functioning on target.

Lance