.308 Short Range Ammo

[paintballdude902]

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?p=WX2&i=149884

anyone used this ammo? i was thinking about buying a bunch to use for plinking in my ishy 2a and fr-8

 

[Robert]

Wait since when is 300 yards close quarters? Dang. And how does it have a muzzle velocity of 4,400 fps with only 472 lbs feet of energy? I love these ads. Makes me think of DRT Ammo ads. If you get a couple of boxes by all means let us know how it works.

 

[jakemccoy]

The muzzle energy is only 472 ft-lbs because the bullet is only 11 grains. E = 0.5mv^2.

The numbers in that ad are unusual. However, I don't see any blatant false advertising.

 

[Robert]

E = 0.5mv^2

Ahhh math... the reason I have a degree in Geography. Not saying they are false, just odd.

 

[jakemccoy]

OK, but you literally asked, "how does it have a muzzle velocity of 4,400 fps with only 472 lbs feet of energy?"

 

[nipprdog]

because the bullet is only 11 grains

And plastic.

 

[LemmyCaution]

Wait since when is 300 yards close quarters?

Short range and close quarters are two different things. This stuff is plastic training ammunition. It is acceptable for CQB training, but not long range practice, as the BC is too low to make a long range shot. As advertised elsewhere, it's good for training COM shots to 300m.

 

[Robert]

Sorry Jake I was a bit sleepy last night. I did ask how it was possible and you gave me to correct answer. Thank you sir.

 

[a-sheepdog]

I would not shoot that through any of my rifles.

 

[HankC]

I shoot those at 50 yds, no change of point of impact and accurate. Will not cycle semi-auto bolt of course. Excellent for bolt guns. As loud but no recoil! You can use it to do initial sight in to save ammo too.

 

[Bill_Rights]

So, is this akin to a Sabot round?

I agree that the bullet is light, therefore high speed and low kinetic energy (KE).

Here is another kind like that, except metallic:


In case you can't read the fine print next to the "SKU" label, it says
"RA308WinSABOT-20"

This is a stock number for Wisconsin Cartridge LLC. See web page.

This one looks to have a metal 55 grain bullet. Maybe has a plastic sabot sleeve?

This one ain't cheap - about $1/round.

 

[noob_shooter]

is it even safe to shoot a round with such a light bullet like that in 308win form?

 

[Bill_Rights]

Absolutely safe! (Except I have seen that you should not shoot sabots through a rifle with a muzzle brake - some chance of the "fingers" or "wings" of the plastic sabot sleeve catching in the brake vent groove, hanging up and .... who knows after that? Probably not KaBoom, but not good.)

But backing up, here are some basics on sabots:

From Sabot Reloading Pro:

A sabot is a sleeve used in a firearm that partially envelopes a projectile or bullet that is smaller than the bore diameter, which in turn gives higher velocities and flatter trajectories. Now you can reload your handgun or rifle ammunition a variety of calibers to shoot hyper-velocity .224 caliber bullets. Both the beginner as well as the experienced reloader will be pleased at the ease of sabot ammunition reloading. Reloaded sabot ammunition is great for target shooting, small game, or varmint hunting.

Sabot Reloading Pro offers sabots that deliver accurate reloading and performance that is sure to impress any one who tries them. If you are looking for unsurpassed accuracy, with velocities up to 4,000 fps, greatly reduced recoil, flatter bullet trajectory, no barrel fouling and clean release, Sabot Reloading Pro's low prices and high quality sabots are available for a variety of different rifle casings.

High quality sabots are currently available for rifle reloading in:
.`30 carbine, .30-30 Win, .308 Win, .30 Herrett, .30-06, .300 Savage, .30 Krag, .300 H&H Mag, .308 Norma Mag, .300 Win, .300 Weatherby Mag and 7.62x39mm

We also offer special a reloading die called a "sabot seater" which enables you to load soft tipped bullets into the plastic sabots correctly to prevent damage to the bullet point. This accurate reloading tool insures accuracy when the sabot ammunition is fired. Free sabot reloading data included with every sabot order.

And from a hand-loading site I never heard of:

Remington has been producing sporting ammunition loaded with .30 caliber sabots (containing .224, 55-gr. bullets) for the .30-06, .308 Winchester and .30-30 for several years. They named this sabot-loaded ammunition "Accelerators." This was an appropriate name, since this ammunition produced velocities two to three times the normal velocity obtained from bullet-loaded ammunition for these calibers. Remington reported a muzzle velocity of 4,080 fps for the .30-06, 3,770 fps for the .308 and 3,400 fps for the .30-30. The idea behind the "Accelerator" was to provide the hunter a practical means of taking small game with a large caliber rifle, without destroying all the eatable meat. In effect, the hunter was using high-speed .22 caliber bullets, fired from a standard .30 caliber rifle. This worked particularly well when the hunter wanted to carry just one rifle. By carrying both .30 caliber ammunition and sabot-loaded ammunition, the hunter had the equivalent of two guns-in-one.

Apparently muzzle-loader folks have used sabots for many, many years, too.