Thread: 7.62x39 subsonic handloads Sub-X or other? Goats

Hi guys, anyone using 7.62x39 with any hand loads? I’m thinking of trying the 255 SubX, but am open to suggestions

I was using factory Sub-X in 300BLK (190gr). Performance for anything outside well placed CNS shots was poor. I've posted a few times about this.

re the viability of sub loads:

https://youtu.be/E4qTP-NIiGA

Wow that answers the question! Thanks STC

The Video and MBs claim are not contradicting themselves by the way.

In the video the guy mostly does headshots and a few neck shots. Good shot placement certainly does play an important role!

Yep agree, subs have their place and it's not snap shots where you are relying on a follow up. The best way to think of it is reaching out with a skewer and trying to anchor something that way. You need to get it right, first time but with it right it is a very effective tool in the circumstances that suit it.

Up close as a finishing shot, culling operations where the adjacent animals are not yet trained up in what's going on and won't get the fright of their lives due to the 'BANG' or in killing domestic animals for slaughter where you have a safe backdrop and don't want issues with the neighbour's million $ breedstock stallion trying to gift itself to the insurance company by means of fence - subs are a good option.

Originally Posted by Scott Cowan

Hi guys, anyone using 7.62x39 with any hand loads? I’m thinking of trying the 255 SubX, but am open to suggestions

First step is check your barrel - is it the original 7.62x39 or a Western version running a .308 sized tube, or even one of the hybrid taper barrels that were an attempt to get good performance with both types?

It kind of matters for subs in 7.62x39, as it is the difference between good grouping and reliable performance or not (or worse a pill stuck in the tube).

One of the things to look for is the twist of the barrel as well, as most 7.62x39 from Soviet sources or maybe China tended to run a faster twist rifling as the barrels were made of Mosin-spec tooling. Later ones built for the usual lighter x39 pills might have a slower more "normal" twist rate as you'd find with a Western firearm running a set range of bullet weights at a supersonic velocity.

In the case of the Sub-X pill it might mean the difference between stabilising it at subsonic speed or not.

Before the cops gave that ozzie idiot a license to run amuck i had a Windom 7.62x39 ar15 that shot .75 moa with any supersonic load. Many goats and deer hated it.
I tried the 168gr and 198gr leihigh subsonic bullets but they wouldn't shoot in the 1-9.5" twist barrel. Crazy quiet and surprising they cycled fine but would hit sideways.
The .312 180gr speer 303 bullet shot well but wouldnt expand so gave up on subs before the crusher came to town.
1-8 or faster twist will probably be needed

Originally Posted by No.3

Yep agree, subs have their place and it's not snap shots where you are relying on a follow up. The best way to think of it is reaching out with a skewer and trying to anchor something that way. You need to get it right, first time but with it right it is a very effective tool in the circumstances that suit it.

Up close as a finishing shot, culling operations where the adjacent animals are not yet trained up in what's going on and won't get the fright of their lives due to the 'BANG' or in killing domestic animals for slaughter where you have a safe backdrop and don't want issues with the neighbour's million $ breedstock stallion trying to gift itself to the insurance company by means of fence - subs are a good option.

Anchor with a skewer....I like that discrimination VERY much...