Thread: Subsonic .223rem

About 15 years ago I experimented with a subsonic load in my Remmington .223 (1:12? twist). After much faffing around I gave up as I just couldn't get a load that grouped well enough to be worth persisting with.
Anyone out there using a subsonic .223rem? What's your secret?

Use some loaded with Trailboss but tend to save that for 308 subs as it’s hard to find. Have also played round with AS50N, works fine with good accuracy, just hasn’t got the bulk density of TB. Vectan AS is another one I’ve used as I had some on hand, can’t find any more. Red Dot is another I’d use if I could find any. Using with 22wmr projectiles when I can get them, otherwise Hornady V max or Sierra blitz kings. Work ok on goats, rabbits, etc.

Ok. I was using Trail Boss (which I use for my 308 subs) and from memory 55gn V Max and 55gn BTs. Just couldn't get them grouping any better than an inch at 50m.

Originally Posted by Shearer

Ok. I was using Trail Boss (which I use for my 308 subs) and from memory 55gn V Max and 55gn BTs. Just couldn't get them grouping any better than an inch at 50m.

why would you need them better than an inch at 50 yards??? you shouldnt be using them past 50 yards and thats minute of brain every day of the week....

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

why would you need them better than an inch at 50 yards??? you shouldnt be using them past 50 yards and thats minute of brain every day of the week....

Call me fussy.
My 308win subs will shoot 1/4" at 50m so I guess I am after similar accuracy.

Try flat base bullets as the different pressure curve and lower peak pressure of a sub load may not obturate boat tails so they're concentric

OK Fussy...... but i stand by comment,subs suck if you miss by tiny bit and a 50-55grn sub will suck even more so...very little shock so into brainstem or chest of small game it is... PERSONALLY there is no way I would use them past 50 yards.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

OK Fussy...... but i stand by comment,subs suck if you miss by tiny bit and a 50-55grn sub will suck even more so...very little shock so into brainstem or chest of small game it is... PERSONALLY there is no way I would use them past 50 yards.

I am only planning on using them on rabbits, possums etc.
I had best explain better. At the moment I am doing a bit of pest control on local properties. Mostly rabbits etc but do come across the occasional pig and deer.
If I take the .22lr deer and pigs are generally out. If I take the 308, I end up shooting heaps of rabbits with overkill 190gn subs. I would like to take the .223rem with the option of either subs for rabbits of 73gn ELD-Ms for bigger critters. Hence I would like the subs to have better accuracy than 1"@50m.

Originally Posted by Shearer

I am only planning on using them on rabbits, possums etc.
I had best explain better. At the moment I am doing a bit of pest control on local properties. Mostly rabbits etc but do come across the occasional pig and deer.
If I take the .22lr deer and pigs are generally out. If I take the 308, I end up shooting heaps of rabbits with overkill 190gn subs. I would like to take the .223rem with the option of either subs for rabbits of 73gn ELD-Ms for bigger critters. Hence I would like the subs to have better accuracy than 1"@50m.

Drop the bullet weight to 35 or 40 grains the heavier bullets are too long to stabilise at sub velocity, The only .22 centre fire cartridge that is viable for subsonic is the .22 Hornet
the case capacity of the .223 is too big and the powder charge would so small making it difficult to be consistent, With Red Dot 700x Trail Boss it is about 3.5 grains or less

Originally Posted by shooternz

Drop the bullet weight to 35 or 40 grains the heavier bullets are too long to stabilise at sub velocity, The only .22 centre fire cartridge that is viable for subsonic is the .22 Hornet
the case capacity of the .223 is too big and the powder charge would so small making it difficult to be consistent, With Red Dot 700x Trail Boss it is about 3.5 grains or less

When you are talking about still effective killing you would need at least 7gr's otherwise it would dribble out of the barrel. My mate has 9 baffles on his DPT can. It is very quiet.

Originally Posted by TeRei

When you are talking about still effective killing you would need at least 7gr's otherwise it would dribble out of the barrel. My mate has 9 baffles on his DPT can. It is very quiet.

With a 45 grain cast bullet and 5.2 grains of Red dot the velocity is 1795fps hardly subsonic it would be slower with a jacketed bullet but not by much

Agree with the Mr Duck and Mr Shearer here even a varmint bullet won't expand at those speeds you will only get a hole so placement is pretty important. If on the other hand you emulate a 22 sub and use a cast bullet either flat nosed or with a cavity you up the odds in your favor.
But who casts 22? Hell sometimes even 30 cal can end up being fiddly on an all thumbs day

perfect...but if shooting rabbits your 1" at 50 yards will still be good enough for rabbit out to 100 and MOST times I will not even shoot that far using a .22lr so a .223 subsonic as accurate as that would be ideal..... for really cheap up close a primer pocket drilled out to hold a shotgun primer and a light crimp to hold in an air rifle pellet has merit.... dead cheap too if can get it to work for you.possums will be under 30 yards so no problem at all there.
with luck you will find accuracy you want..what Im trying to say is it may not really be needed...

7gr trailboss. Super quiet. A mate is using this with 55gr HP Sierra. Lotsa dead deer. Use a small piece of cotton as a filler.

Might go a lot better just by virtue of having a faster twist. I imagine 1:12 would have been borderline on stability at