150 grain subsonic .308

Bull915 · July 12, 2012, 10:37

A buddy of a buddy gave me "the best subsonic 308 recipe EVER!" He recommends using 150 grain bullets.

My question is what kind of bullet would you guys use? Would a hollow point even open at the lower speeds? Would a ballistic tip make a difference? I've never loaded/tested subsonic rounds, so I'm kind of behind the learning curve.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Bull

**LAFAL** · July 12, 2012, 11:07

I'm playing with subsonic .308 loads now. So far all the info I've been able to gather says use heavy bullets- 180s up to 220 grain. Use Trail Boss cause it will fill up more case. Deburr the flash hole and uniform the primer pockets just like it's match ammo. If the powder in the case is too low you will get inconsistent, or even worse, a double ignition causing the round to explode in the chamber. Usually doesn't bode well for the firearm or shooter in some cases. At lower volumes the powder will lie on the side of the case when the bbl is parallel to the ground, right? If the powder volume is low the flash through the hole will ignite across the top of the powder. If it's clumped in one spot it will burn differently than if it's consistently along the length of the cartridge. If there is some at the flash hole and then another pile up near the bullet base that pile will ignite a fraction of a second after the first one. BOOOOOM. There are some really good threads on silencertalk.com about subsonics as well as snipershide. Pros and cons and pitfalls to loading them. Do some research before shooting a buddy's best subsonic recipe EVER, please.

**Hot Diggity** · July 12, 2012, 11:45

I've seen three rifles damaged at the range shooting subsonic loads, one was .308 the other was 7.62x39, same guy, twice in the same rifle! Second time he got a brass powder tattoo around his shooting glasses.

I've loaded lead bullet .308 and .32 Remington loads that were nearly silent without a silencer, but after reading up on Secondary Explosive Effect I only shot one or two before cleaning the bore....and it still made me nervous.

http://reloadammo.com/liteload.htm

If this link doesn't work (it looks funny) try a Bing search for Secondary Explosive Effect. It's well covered. Serious stuff. Gunwriters International did an article called Develop Subsonic several years ago that would be worth looking for. IIRC it was .308 based.

HD

juanni · July 12, 2012, 14:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bull915

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Bull

Get a cartridge and a barrel 1:8 twist designed for subsonic.....300 blackout.

Why risk your gun, face and fingers?

...........juanni

Bull915 · July 12, 2012, 15:02

Wow, I didn't know subsonic 308 ammo was that distrusted! Looks like I may have to rethink the whole plan. Thanks for providing the food for thought.

**Seaweed** · July 13, 2012, 00:08

I picked up a stainless Ruger 77/357 and a stainless Ruger 77/44mag and expect that I'll have no further desire for another subsonic rifle.

July 12, 2012, 10:37	#1
Bull915 Registered FALaholic #: 52424 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: VA Posts: 116	150 grain subsonic .308 A buddy of a buddy gave me "the best subsonic 308 recipe EVER!" He recommends using 150 grain bullets. My question is what kind of bullet would you guys use? Would a hollow point even open at the lower speeds? Would a ballistic tip make a difference? I've never loaded/tested subsonic rounds, so I'm kind of behind the learning curve. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks, Bull __________________ I have the ability to break an infinitely higher number of things than I can fix.

July 12, 2012, 11:07	#2
LAFAL Veteran Member Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 85 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 1,856	I'm playing with subsonic .308 loads now. So far all the info I've been able to gather says use heavy bullets- 180s up to 220 grain. Use Trail Boss cause it will fill up more case. Deburr the flash hole and uniform the primer pockets just like it's match ammo. If the powder in the case is too low you will get inconsistent, or even worse, a double ignition causing the round to explode in the chamber. Usually doesn't bode well for the firearm or shooter in some cases. At lower volumes the powder will lie on the side of the case when the bbl is parallel to the ground, right? If the powder volume is low the flash through the hole will ignite across the top of the powder. If it's clumped in one spot it will burn differently than if it's consistently along the length of the cartridge. If there is some at the flash hole and then another pile up near the bullet base that pile will ignite a fraction of a second after the first one. BOOOOOM. There are some really good threads on silencertalk.com about subsonics as well as snipershide. Pros and cons and pitfalls to loading them. Do some research before shooting a buddy's best subsonic recipe EVER, please. __________________ -to AR is human. to FAL is divine!

July 12, 2012, 15:02	#5
Bull915 Registered FALaholic #: 52424 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: VA Posts: 116	Wow, I didn't know subsonic 308 ammo was that distrusted! Looks like I may have to rethink the whole plan. Thanks for providing the food for thought. __________________ I have the ability to break an infinitely higher number of things than I can fix.

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July 12, 2012, 11:45	#3
Hot Diggity Senior Member Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 12470 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Pole Cat Hollow, NC Posts: 807	I've seen three rifles damaged at the range shooting subsonic loads, one was .308 the other was 7.62x39, same guy, twice in the same rifle! Second time he got a brass powder tattoo around his shooting glasses. I've loaded lead bullet .308 and .32 Remington loads that were nearly silent without a silencer, but after reading up on Secondary Explosive Effect I only shot one or two before cleaning the bore....and it still made me nervous. http://reloadammo.com/liteload.htm If this link doesn't work (it looks funny) try a Bing search for Secondary Explosive Effect. It's well covered. Serious stuff. Gunwriters International did an article called Develop Subsonic several years ago that would be worth looking for. IIRC it was .308 based. HD

July 13, 2012, 00:08	#6
Seaweed Veteran Member Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 2736 Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Newport, OR Posts: 1,288	I picked up a stainless Ruger 77/357 and a stainless Ruger 77/44mag and expect that I'll have no further desire for another subsonic rifle.