Subsonic 308 without trail boss
- Thread starter ScottMcc
- Start date
TiteGroup and Bullseye are very similar fast pistol powders. The charge weight and case fill between these two powders are very similar. Since you already have TiteGroup, it isn't worth chasing down Bullseye.
dellet
Gold $$ Contributor
Between 4895 and Titegroup, Titegroup would be my first choice. 95% of the time the faster powder will be the quieter. A couple reasons, less is used, more is burnt. It will also be cleaner, less build up in your suppressor. That’s one thing that some people forget. Unique has a lot of good qualities, clean burning really isn’t one of them.
Velocity is a balancing act. If the truth was told, very few people actually shoot subsonic. They all most all shoot trans-sonic. If you’re chasing quiet loads, dropping down around 1000 fps makes a huge difference. Accuracy also tends to improve. The arc of trajectory really doesn’t change. The potential problem is the amount of hunting or personal defense bullets that won’t expand properly below 950 fps.
It’s not uncommon for competitive air gun velocities the be around 950 fps. Staying truly subsonic and out of the trans-sonic range is worth exploring, with light bullets it makes a difference.
Biggest problem with fast powders is the chance of a double or even triple charge. With rifle powders, a double charge often is still only a reduced load. With shot gun and pistol powders, it can be a kaboom.
It’s kind of a brave new world no matter how much loading experience you have.
Stay safe.
Velocity is a balancing act. If the truth was told, very few people actually shoot subsonic. They all most all shoot trans-sonic. If you’re chasing quiet loads, dropping down around 1000 fps makes a huge difference. Accuracy also tends to improve. The arc of trajectory really doesn’t change. The potential problem is the amount of hunting or personal defense bullets that won’t expand properly below 950 fps.
It’s not uncommon for competitive air gun velocities the be around 950 fps. Staying truly subsonic and out of the trans-sonic range is worth exploring, with light bullets it makes a difference.
Biggest problem with fast powders is the chance of a double or even triple charge. With rifle powders, a double charge often is still only a reduced load. With shot gun and pistol powders, it can be a kaboom.
It’s kind of a brave new world no matter how much loading experience you have.
Stay safe.
Hodgdon shows a load of 8g of Clays with 168g Sierra HPBT. That should give you a place to start. Also, BE-86 loads almost identically to Unique in rifle. Again, that's just a place to start looking. I shoot cast lead in 308 with BE-86, not jacketed. May want to ask over on Cast Boolits forum. They have jacketed threads too. We just agree to write "j-word" or "condom bullets" to designate jacketed bullets there.
Tested two more loads today. One was slightly reduced load of TG, average velocity was 1030 with an SD of 14. Accuracy was about an inch @ 50 yards as shown.
Other load was Hodgdon"s Benchmark as posted on their site. Velocity was only around 800 with sub par accuracy, will adjust and revisit.
Conditions weren't great at 32° and windy but will make for a good baseline for a temp sensitivity comparison.
Hornady 190gr sub-x in starline brass, cci 200s.
Other load was Hodgdon"s Benchmark as posted on their site. Velocity was only around 800 with sub par accuracy, will adjust and revisit.
Conditions weren't great at 32° and windy but will make for a good baseline for a temp sensitivity comparison.
Hornady 190gr sub-x in starline brass, cci 200s.
Last edited:
Dimner
I do believe in Captain Crunch.
When I was using those types of powders and working with cast bullets, I found that something like 1035 to 1250 fps always resulted in the bast accuracy. Regardless of powder or bullet. Meaning, it could still be a sub par combination, but the best result (even if unacceptable) were in that window. Jacketed might be different, I don't know. But just keep an eye out and it might help as a bit of a shortcut.
Oh and these were all 30 or 31 cal. Never played with other calibers at these velocities
Really just curious as I'm a relatively new shooter and hand loader with a 308, what are the advantages of subsonic loads? Just for reduced recoil and sound? Any hunting applications and for what ranges?
806guns
Silver $$ Contributor
Any ignition problems (case fill)?
Subsonic suppressed hunting is awesome! Get some appropriate subsonic hunting bullets and enjoy!
Top is 220gr Berry's bottom is 190 sub-x. Both shot at appr 1030fps with TitGroup loads well below what Hodgdon lists on their site.
Accuracy with both bullets is very good at 50 yards, haven't tried them farther yet.
Above bullets were retrieved from tightly bound newspaper soaked in water for 2 days. The 220 went in 11 inches the 190 went 9. Range was 50 yards.
Accuracy with both bullets is very good at 50 yards, haven't tried them farther yet.
Above bullets were retrieved from tightly bound newspaper soaked in water for 2 days. The 220 went in 11 inches the 190 went 9. Range was 50 yards.
Thanks for posting this !
What barrel twist are you using ?
What barrel twist are you using ?
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