Thread: Subsonic 308 project

Hey everyone!
I've been on a bit of a journey to create a subsonic load for my 308 Bushpig.
Mainly to protect the hearing of my indicating dog.
It's been a heap of fun with some great learning along the way.

I've made a series of videos from load development to hunting various species.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...iZXGwajUZ62Z9l

I hope you enjoy!

I have just been given a nice Remington 788 in 308 so will watch the series with interest.

Originally Posted by viper

I have just been given a nice Remington 788 in 308 so will watch the series with interest.

You would be a lucky bugger, those 788's are usually very good shooters. Had one in 222 many years back when I started culling goats and it was a tack driver.

Originally Posted by Clubbie

Hey everyone!
I've been on a bit of a journey to create a subsonic load for my 308 Bushpig.
Mainly to protect the hearing of my indicating dog.
It's been a heap of fun with some great learning along the way.

I've made a series of videos from load development to hunting various species.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...iZXGwajUZ62Z9l

I hope you enjoy!

Great videos !

What is the barrel length and twist rate of your rifle - .308 subsonic ?

Thanks

Originally Posted by KiwiinSeattle

Great videos !

What is the barrel length and twist rate of your rifle - .308 subsonic ?

Thanks

Thanks for your support!
The twist is 1:12 (so I'm rapt these short heavy projectiles stabilise)
The barrel is 15"

I'm thinking of attempting to do similar with a Baikal in 7.62x39. Need to equip the loading bench first. Also, loving the vids dude.

@Clubbie, just watched them all, awesome mate and I picked up some useful info. Cheers and keep making the odd video .

I use 7mm-08 subsonics and I've had a play with .308 too. Really fun to shoot.

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Have you managed to recover a projectile. I haves seen any recovered 200 grain subs from @shooternz. I have a bunch but thinking of trying some 194 Lehighs out as a premium subsonic round for bigger game.

Originally Posted by Stocky

Have you managed to recover a projectile. I haves seen any recovered 200 grain subs from @shooternz. I have a bunch but thinking of trying some 194 Lehighs out as a premium subsonic round for bigger game.

Not yet, they've all exited. TBH I'd be inclined to go Lehigh for big game...but on the other hand, if it's your bush gun you're shooting them at very close range anyway.
I'm yet to have the opportunity with a red at close range with this rifle.
So you have the $3 vs 40c debate, but also the ethics of a clean kill, so I'm looking forward to seeing what they do to answer the ethics question.

Originally Posted by Clubbie

Not yet, they've all exited. TBH I'd be inclined to go Lehigh for big game...but on the other hand, if it's your bush gun you're shooting them at very close range anyway.
I'm yet to have the opportunity with a red at close range with this rifle.
So you have the $3 vs 40c debate, but also the ethics of a clean kill, so I'm looking forward to seeing what they do to answer the ethics question.

An enjoyable watch.

I’d actually found you and subscribed before you pitched up here cos I was searching 308 subsonic recently, as it is my next project. A suggestion that would be helpful for me is next time would you be able to show us the wound channel, entry and exit wounds? Its a wee while since I watched the vids, don’t think you covered that?

Regarding the Lehigh question, have read up a shit load on this subsonic business and concluded that we can spend up big on components, and still very easily put the bullet in the wrong place. Won’t matter a damn whether its one bullet or the other in that situation! I love the design and reputation of the Lehigh. But I reckon with our soft deer and the use of subsonics, the “ethics” question is better answered by practice, detailed knowledge of your ballistics and deer anatomy, and then more practice, much more than it is by which bullet you use (within reason)... Just my take. I’ll be trying @shooternz’s cast bullets, and regular hunting bullets that will readily tumble.

(Basically I really don’t like the whole “ethical kill” thing, as responsible hunters I think our ethics are sound from the get go... when you look at the dictionary definition of the word. If you’re a moron being moronic as unfortunately I come across from time to time then that’s where ethics should be discussed cos those wankers dig a big whole for the rest of us to fall into whether we like it or not. Anyway I’ll shut up.)

I have a box of Belmont 220gr subs in .308 keen to try them for goats any thing I should worry about? rifle is 1:8 twist

Originally Posted by Sparrow

I have a box of Belmont 220gr subs in .308 keen to try them for goats any thing I should worry about? rifle is 1:8 twist

I think you'll be fine. They will probably exit, but they'll still expand.
Pay attention to shot placement. Goats will absolutely be no problem.

Yeh @Clubbie. But the cost of developing a load for the Lehigh I'd say is at least $60 of projectiles. Plus the casts I have I'd happily shoot a hare or rabbit for a feed while hunting which is likely the most common use id have for the subs. My "bush gun" took a chammy at 420 a few weeks ago before I came to aus. It's pretty similar a 308 Single shot. But I have the 1 in 8 twist so should stabilise the Lehighs. Expensive exercise though!

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Originally Posted by Stocky

Yeh @Clubbie. But the cost of developing a load for the Lehigh I'd say is at least $60 of projectiles. Plus the casts I have I'd happily shoot a hare or rabbit for a feed while hunting which is likely the most common use id have for the subs. My "bush gun" took a chammy at 420 a few weeks ago before I came to aus. It's pretty similar a 308 Single shot. But I have the 1 in 8 twist so should stabilise the Lehighs. Expensive exercise though!

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Yep, I hear ya! Reloading can get pretty addictive (and expensive as you tune the load). I agree with the shooting of other stuff with the casts too - I'm not even slightly worried about shooting a goat, or a hare or a rabbit, because it's not a fancy $3 projectile.
Then again, $3 for a feed is still cheap as chips too