Subsonic 30-06 loads?

[PTK]

I've been looking around for subsonic (under 1,000 FPS to be safe) loads for 180-220gr bullets for 30-06, but so far I've had little luck.

I do understand that there are FAR better options for pushing 30 cal bullets around this speed, but I have a silenced 30-06 and I'd like to see how quiet I can get it.

 

[Walkalong]

I have never tried it with anything bigger than .222 Mag, but have used 700X to download .22 Hornet, .222, .223, & .222 Mag to .22 LR & Mag levels.

I hear tell of folks using Trail Boss to download 30-30 etc. Either one may be worth a try. Hopefully someone who is doing it will chime in with some good info soon.

One of my "back burner" projects is to try Trail Boss for this in the 30-30 &.308. Not for silencing, just for a light plinking load.

 

[rc109a]

I used TB in 308 loads (bolt action only) and there was a considerable difference in noise. I thought at first it was a squib load and pulled the bolt to verify, but the round hit the paper about 24" low at 100yds. I fired two more (I reloaded a BTHP backwards for the remaining two tests) always pulling the bolt afterwards to verify the rounds actually left. They sure were quiet. When I get a can at the end of the year I might be trying them again....

 

[dakotasin]

i've use unique to download a 300 wsm to subsonic levels.

going subsonic can be tough because of bullet tumbling and sometimes ignition worries, but when you finally get the recipe down, it is a lot of fun.

 

[joneb]

Here is some interesting info;http://members.shaw.ca/cronhelm/TheLoad.html
click on the back bullet at the bottom of the page.
If I were to try Trail Boss for this I would use lead bullets in the 150gr range.

 

[Remo-99]

Do remember to use faster burning powders than you normally use for large capacity cases, because low density charges of slow burning powders can have some pretty adverse effects other than poor igniton, like detonation which can be worse than overcharging a case. From what i have learned, ya just need to find the balance between; enough charge of fast burning powder to ensure good ignition, whilst driving the bullet clear of the barrel at a reasonable speed without alot of noise, and finding a bullet that flys straight enough for the range needed. Typically the shorter bullets do this best. say around 100-130gr in .30 cal rifles, depending on twist rates etc. But load development can be enjoyable to strive towards a goal and eventually getting there.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I've heard Blue Dot will work well but I can't remember where I read it so I can't give you a link or details. You might want to do a search on the NET for data.

 

[Walkalong]

One of THR's own uses Blue Dot in the .223 and swears by it. I tried Blue Dot in the .22 Hornet and it was VERY position sensitive, at least in that particular application. I blew a primer severely. I can't remember if it was powder forward or powder back, but one way was fine and the other way blew the primer. The primer pocket would just about take a LARGE rifle primer after the small one fell out.

Blue Dot needs high pressure to work well, and maybe I was just too leery after that to work it up to where it would settle down. I don't know.

700X worked well in the Hornet case.

 

[PTK]

I may just have to see about running some numbers through QuickLoad and seeing what happens... I'd really like to have a 220gr bullet out of this, being that it'll be subsonic anyway.

 

[Remo-99]

PTK - Are you using jacketed bullets or lead? A lubed lead bullet will slide down the barrel much easier than a jacket one at low velocity, they make 'em for 30-30win around 170-190gr and no need for gaschecks at sub-sonic. Also a jacketed bullet is not gonna expand alot either. If you can find someone that developed loads for that cal. then it's a big help. Avoid ball powders, flake powders are easiest to ignite with reduced charges, and maybe even a magnum primer to give a good strong spark. I think that you may have trouble getting those long bullets to stablize at low velocities, unless you have a really fast twist rate, you might still be able to get acceptable accuracy out to 50-100yards, though. Just my giving you some input, it maybe helful to you or might not.

 

[joneb]

I have downloaded .308 Win with 16gr of Blue Dot behind Nosler 125 BT with Fed 210 primers, the load shoots very well in my 22" 1:12 bolt action giving sub MOA groups @ 100 yds, the load also burns fairly clean and the barrel stays very cool compared to normal loads. I would guess the velocity is around 17-1800 FPS. I did not need to enlarge the flash holes, and the case does seal the chamber.