I need a light 243 win load. I purchased a NEF single shot youth rifle for my son this last fall. It has a short barrel and doesn't weigh very much. As such it has more recoil than I want him to shoot. He says that it hurts his shoulder. I've shot it, and while its not severe it does have a pretty good thud to the shoulder. Since he's young and not a very good shot I really don't need the ballistics of a full load 243. So I'm planning to work up a handload that is way down the scale, inhopes of lightening both the recoil and the muzzle blast. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm planning on simply loading the minimums in the book, but I thought someone else may have a "special brew" perfect for this.

Hodgdon recommends this. I know I have tried some of thier youth loads in 06's and they were nice comfortable loads. I bet this 243 load would definately be the ticket.

COL: 2.640"

H4895
28.5
2704 f/s

Here are some reduced loads form the "Speer Reloding Manual" #12:

Cartridge: 243 Win.
Case: Win.
Primers:CCI 200, 250
Barrel: 22"

Bullet: 85 gr. SPBT
Powder: IMR 4198 MIN: 17.0 grs. VEL: 1796 f/s MAX: 19.0 grs. VEL: 2005 f/s

Bullet: 90 gr.
Powder: IMR 4198 MIN: 17.0 grs. VEL: 1766 f/s MAX: 19.0 grs.VEL: 1990 f/s

Bullet: 100, 105 gr. GS-SP, SP
Powder: IMR 4198 MIN: 18.0 grs. VEL: 1752 f/s MAX: 20.0 grs.VEL: 1965 f/s

Good luck.

Ditto on BC's suggestion. the recoil id imagine would be like a .223 and still have plenty of power to take a deer to 100 yards.