Subsonic .308

[Wilburt]

A couple years back I had a good interst in reloading some subsonic .308 merely for fun. I read several threads all over the internet on powers and bullet choice and all the pro's and con's.

I settled on:

Traillboss
Regular .308 casings
Regular LR Primers
147 gr FMJ-BT

Rifle is 16.25 inch barrel with a 1/12 twist.

The bullet choice was only b/c it's what I had at the time. I found that to be completely subsonic, the bullet became unstable at around 50 yards. I knew I would most likely have problems with that bullet choice. However, at around 1100-1200 fps, it was very accurate and a pleasure to shoot. The most popular bullets from my research for this were:

Sierra 180 gr Pro Hunter RN (2170)
Hornady 180 gr Interlock RN (3075)

Since the Obama scare, I have not seen these in stock once. Does anyone have a line on them or something else I could try?

Some sources:
http://www.silencertalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=38804&highlight=

http://www.silencertalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=169&start=75

http://www.silencertalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=169&start=150

 

[redbullitt]

Try loading those fmjs backwards. Sometimes that nets better results.

As far as bullets there are plenty that will work just fine.

Check out the flat nosed bullets meant for the 30 30. i bet you will be able to scrounge up some of those. Sierra makes a 150 and 170 flat nose for the 30 30. I am sure the other companies make similar ones. Cast bullets are also worth a look. I have gotten very good results with those too. Hornady makes a 160 ftx bullet that I swear was easily 3/4 moa at 100 yards CONSISTENTLY out of 3 different 308s I have loaded for.

Plated 150ish bullets are worth a look as well. Decent results there too.

That 160 FTX worked well in 10 and 11 twists btw. I bet it would stabilize in yours, but if not the sierra (or equivalent) 150 flat nose will work plenty well.

 

[LAGS]

If you want truely Sub Sonic ammo for a .308, then get a chamber conversion sleeve from Gun Parts Corp, and shoot .32 S&W, .32ACP, .32 Long, or .32 H&R magnums out of your rifle.
The .32 S&W makes less noise than a 22LR out of my Tacticle rifles.
People think I have an intragal Supressor with an on off switch

 

[Wilburt]

Try loading those fmjs backwards. Sometimes that nets better results.

As far as bullets there are plenty that will work just fine.

Check out the flat nosed bullets meant for the 30 30. i bet you will be able to scrounge up some of those. Sierra makes a 150 and 170 flat nose for the 30 30. I am sure the other companies make similar ones. Cast bullets are also worth a look. I have gotten very good results with those too. Hornady makes a 160 ftx bullet that I swear was easily 3/4 moa at 100 yards CONSISTENTLY out of 3 different 308s I have loaded for.

Plated 150ish bullets are worth a look as well. Decent results there too.

That 160 FTX worked well in 10 and 11 twists btw. I bet it would stabilize in yours, but if not the sierra (or equivalent) 150 flat nose will work plenty well.

Thanks for the tips. I remember someone suggesting to turn the fmj's backwards. Just never gave it much thought. I can't find any Sierra or Hornady in stock but Midway has speer 30-30 150 gr rnfp in stock. I think I will try to get some ordered soon ...

 

[jmorris]

I have used 150g bullets I cast with Lee molds and coated with hi-tek, using 11g of trailboss. Makes for a super cheap plinker load.

 

[Wilburt]

I don't cast my own right now. Also, not too keen on cast for this application due to potential leading, both in the barrel and suppressor. Just a hassle I don't want to deal with.

If I had another .308 to play would I very well might though.

 

[jmorris]

That is why I coat them, as I use them in my suppressed .308, .458 and 9mm loads. don't have the mess of cast and lubed bullets and much cheaper to shoot than even plated rifle bullets.

 

[redbullitt]

Powderbythepound works well to coat them. I just do them with acetone in a little bucket. Aint pretty, but works just fine when I dont feel like lubing the "old" way.

Powder coating DOES leave a residue in the suppressor. It is not bad like lead, but it is there. I try to stick to jacketed through my sealed cans.

OP I think you should get decent results with those speer 150s. Those flat bullets usually are in stock somewhere since they are a good bit less tactical than 175 matchkings etc lol.