Subsonic .308's without suppressor

Anyone shoot subsonics without a suppressor? Can you describe the sound difference between them and supersonics? Do you mind posting a video where I can hear the difference in sound?

Nonnie would be the one to ask

My .308 150's sound like a potato chip bag being poppped without a suppressor and with it sounds similar to a primer being fired out of the barrel. Have no vids, sorry.

Doc, What is your recipe, and what kinda range with these?

Paul

dieseldoc how hard are you smushing that potato chip bag?

Why subsonic if you don't have a suppressor?
scott

Doesn't break the sound barrier, so you don't get that "crack" sound you get from supersonic rounds.

Would this be just a lighter load with less powder or something else?
scott

I think it requires a different powder, but I don't know.

I picked up a free Hodgdon/IMR/Winchester Basic reloading manual at Van's the other day (on top of the shelf, out of sight unless you are 6"3"). The most intersting part of this is they give two sub-sonic loads !!! On page 20 for .308 with 168 grain bullets it lists charges of 8.0 grains of Titegroup and Clays with velocities of 1080 and 1060 fps respectively.

Thanks for the info. This is why I LOVE this site.
scott

Richard wrote:I picked up a free Hodgdon/IMR/Winchester Basic reloading manual at Van's the other day (on top of the shelf, out of sight unless you are 6"3"). The most intersting part of this is they give two sub-sonic loads !!! On page 20 for .308 with 168 grain bullets it lists charges of 8.0 grains of Titegroup and Clays with velocities of 1080 and 1060 fps respectively.

You could probably play around with Varget and come up with something, too.

Trailboss seems to come up a lot when discussing subsonics.

You can do some nice low powered loads with AA 5744, but I don't know about subsonic.

p moore wrote:Doc, What is your recipe, and what kinda range with these?

Paul

I use 7.5 grains of trailboss behind a 150 grain flat point hardcast gas checked bullet. Use them cause I have a ton of them left over from the 30-30 days. If I go to around 8 grains, it starts going supersonic. I had chronoed them some time ago, the info being in the shop and I not recalling the exact numbers.



The zero difference from a full house 168 SMK at 100 is 8 inches low. Accuracy is nothing to write home about, staying around 4 or 5 inches. I don't intend on bench shooting with them anyway so that is fine. I feel like subsonics in a .308 are a counter productive novelty at best. They are fun to play with inside 100 yds, or in the back yard, however if the need were to arise to become serious, I really do not forsee quibling with a subsonic anything, especially with a rifle that is already zeroed for the full monte. IMO.



I feel a bulky powder like trailboss is the best, (not just because I use it), since it is fluffy and fills the case area up, preventing a small charge of powder lying on the bottom of the case when held horizontal, thus preventing the possibility of detonation. I would really be hesitant about using a very light rifle powder charge. What I read anyway. That seems to be what most people are using that are more in the know on the subsonic than I am. I am just following the shepherd. As mentioned, I am not gung ho on subs anyway other than to play with.

well if the need were to arise to something serious, I don't think they would hear that cracking sound anyway.

Paul

I load a bunch of subsonics and trailboss the go to subsonic powder. It makes a dangerous thing like subsonics safer. Also 1:10 twist produces better results on 308 subs. I have a H&R setup just for subs and I average 2-3" groups at 100. I'm building a 300 blackout for subsonic use now to get better accuracy. Even with the fluffy trailboss powder ther is just too much empty case for good accuracy out of a 308 IMO.

I read somewhere about using Dacron inside the case to keep the powder from lying on the bottom of the case. Just pull some off, and lightly pack it in the case when loading. This keeps the powder down by the primer when loaded in the rifle. Has anyone tried this?

Paul

crazyace85 wrote:I load a bunch of subsonics and trailboss the go to subsonic powder. It makes a dangerous thing like subsonics safer. Also 1:10 twist produces better results on 308 subs. I have a H&R setup just for subs and I average 2-3" groups at 100. I'm building a 300 blackout for subsonic use now to get better accuracy. Even with the fluffy trailboss powder ther is just too much empty case for good accuracy out of a 308 IMO.

crazyace85, have you try using any filler in your cases?

I read on another forum where handloaders were using filler such as dacron, cotton, grits, cream of wheat, etc. to keep the Trailboss close to the primer. I plan to use various fillers on my next batch of handloads.

No fillers for me. I run mine through a suppressor and I don't want fillers filling my can. I don't believe you'll ever get MOA accuracy from a 308 subsonic unless maybe you do some extensive work to the gun. If your looking for that kind of accuracy go with a cartridge designed to be subsonic. (300 AAC Blackout)