Thread: Subsonic .308s

Anyone tried using Sierra 165gn(2140) hollow points? These used to go well in my Tikka at supersonic speeds. About to set up for subsonic and thought these might be worth a crack?

Nz hunter had a couple of good articles on subsonic 308 loads

IMHO & from my experience the best way to hunt with a sub sonic 308 etc is to think where would I shoot this with a .22lr.

The theory is big long pills so they tumble & cut, they won't expand.

The bigger the calibre the bigger the mess.

The tragectories generally make a rainbow look straight.

Apparently there are special sub pills available that do expand, Spanners was going to be making them IIRC

Just remember a subsonic 308 etc makes a 223 look like a big magnum in performance.

FWIW my $0.02

To make a 308 sup work a good expanding heavy bullet is in order and it sounds like spanner is the man to talk to

Originally Posted by Kiwi Greg

IMHO & from my experience the best way to hunt with a sub sonic 308 etc is to think where would I shoot this with a .22lr.

The theory is big long pills so they tumble & cut, they won't expand.

The bigger the calibre the bigger the mess.

The tragectories generally make a rainbow look straight.

Apparently there are special sub pills available that do expand, Spanners was going to be making them IIRC

Just remember a subsonic 308 etc makes a 223 look like a big magnum in performance.

FWIW my $0.02

That pretty much sums it up but IIRC if you drill a already frangible bullet IE 30/30 pill it can be made to expand at sub velocitys

Mike send me a PM with an address, as ive a few lead cast projectles that you can try, ive some in a similar weight that you are after, i have a few NOE molds that i imported from the states and these have pins for that allow a flatnose or HP.

*sigh* I'm STILL waiting for a lead wire die, RBBT set and a special custom punch - almost a year now....
Glad I didnt for out for the 338 dies also.....

Spanner are you extruding / swaging your own projectiles?

yip - I have a Corbin Hydro press

[QUOTE=Spanners;7759]yip - I have a Corbin Hydro press[/QUO

Some of the best subsonic projectiles I have used in 308 rifle cartridges are intended for pistols. Most have a very large hollow front.
Stalking the edges of my uncles farms I cant remember ever having shot a deer past 100yrds with subs, most have been inside 60yrds.

Years ago I made a die that held a 150g 30 cal corelokt, you could file the front off and drill the nose, I never shot a deer in the shoulder with that modified projectile, instead I chickened out and shot them in the side of the head. Always intended to test them on goats but never did.

Large open hollow nose for good 1000fps expansion

Prob with pistol projectiles in 30 cal is you're lookin at 32 pistol - bugger all avail in that size

I'm looking to make 180-240gr EXPANDING subs

Originally Posted by Spanners

Prob with pistol projectiles in 30 cal is you're lookin at 32 pistol - bugger all avail in that size

I'm looking to make 180-240gr EXPANDING subs

Then you will be onto a winner, They can do it with a pee rifle so it must be possible.

Look sliek my RBT does are ready, just need to wait on the special coreseating punch and jacket serrater

Originally Posted by Spanners

yip - I have a Corbin Hydro press

Thats one aspect of reloading i would like to try some stage, ive merely opted for the "simple" cast loading and experimenting with variations of the Loverign design, ive one that i can HP but i think thats only just on 180 i think, could even be 160's. I need to do more work on it and the alloy mixes.

If you dont mind me asking what did the set up cost and where is a good place to start?

Originally Posted by Tertle

If you dont mind me asking what did the set up cost and where is a good place to start?

I brought the press used (just) and with some dies.

NEW price on press is over $8kUS and dies are over $1k a set - with a waiting period on dies of up to 2 years - I'm 1 year into it and still not got my punches I need