Mossberg Patriot Super Bantam .308

These are the measured velocities pushing a 125gr bullet with reduced loads of H4895.

Specs

The bare rifle weighs 6lbs 3oz. When you fill the stock with #4 steel shot, and add a Vortex Diamondback 4x12 scope - the rifle weighs 10lbs 5oz. Just some gameshow trivia.

I loaded the Nosler 125gr Ballistic Tip to 2650fps using H4895. This seemed about right for the grandkids, and the youngest took a mule deer doe at 150yds using this rifle, this load.

Once the kids had put about 30 rounds down range the weight was removed from the buttstock. They never developed a fear of recoil, so they had no issue shooting the unweighted rifle. They had to put 50 rounds down range minimum to go hunting and they didn't mind it a bit.

Now their father wants me to turn it up for elk. So I'm loading the 125gr to 3000fps. The recoil is still less than factory 150gr @2800fps. As long as they take good shots, this load will put a cow elk down nicely. I'm using Starline once-fired brass, 46gr of IMR8208XBR, WLR primers, COL=2.7" for 3030fps from the 20" barrel.

Are these light loads ideal for hunting? In my opinion - yes. Why? Because they help new shooters develop confidence and good habits. I'm old school and I believe learning to shoot is more important than bullet/cartridge worship. I can get kids to shoot 25 shots a session with these light loads without complaints about recoil.