Looking for a subsonic 308 load

[daschnoz]

I have a few 110gr M1 carbine bullets loaded over 10gr of unique, but I expect 1400-1600 fps from that load. I would like a load that's around 900-1000 fps. Does anyone have a recipe?

[MAINER]

My plinking load for 308s is 13.0gr Red Dot with cast bullets, but probably doing 1300 to 1500 fps.

Have not tried these loads, but Ken Waters is "the nutz" for reloading. Cast bullets, but maybe some data you can use.

I don't much like real low powered loads in rifles. Leary bout sticking a bullet in the bore I guess.

.308 Win

90gr Hornady SWC 3.3gr---Red Dot = 918 fps
" " " 3.8gr---AAC-2 = 888 fps
" " " 4.5gr---Unique = 999 fps Most accurate

All loads = 2.40 OAL

Ken calls these "Gallery Loads"

FWIW, G'luck

[daschnoz]

Thanks. I was thinking of down-loading the 110gr with Unique till I got into the range I was looking for.

Doing a bit more searching, I did find - 9.2gr of Unique with a 180gr bullet. So, it looks like I can adjust the powder charge a small amount and increase the bullet weight to get the same subsonic result. I may go the heavier bullet route.

I will check the bore after each shot to verify that the bullet does, in fact, clear the muzzle.

[akabaron]

I thought the casing off the bullet traveling that slow would come loose and lodge in the barrel? Thats why most people use lead. Is that correct?

[MAINER]

Have never heard of bullets shedding their jackets except where folks have cut tips off of full mil jacketed trying to make hollow points. These were mil bullets with exposed lead at the base. Have had problems with "half-jacket" pistol bullets in rifle barrels also.

[Artful]

Originally posted by akabaron
I thought the casing off the bullet traveling that slow would come loose and lodge in the barrel? Thats why most people use lead. Is that correct?

Lead bullets come lubricated and have lower frictional coefficents without the jacket so they are much easier to make into subsonic loads - I've been experimenting with trailboss powder as it was recommended for lower velocity loads but I want to use pulled surplus military FMJ. It's been more interesting than I had thought look for experiment 1 that ended in stuck bullet and yesterdays experiment 2 thread.