.223 subs, first tested batch..

[houlsby]

So, as per my last thread Iv now made some (non fmj) sub loads and test fired them.

 

With good results!

 

I still have my eyes and fingers!

 

60g vmax

4.2g trail boss

Winchester fire formed cases

CCI small rifle primer.

 

Kneck sized only.

 

Here are the results.. There ALLOVER the place as I was trying to hold off at first like a pillock. And there's 3 hv rounds there for comparison.

 

Concerned they may be doing a barrel roll type of trajectory tho lol.

 

All were fired at 40m off a bale and beanbag.

 

Gun is a tikka m55

 

One thing I was interested in, was I made 2 batches, the grouping in the bottom were a batch I did last night. Then the 2 bottom right and the other 3 randomly scattered around the target are another batch I was holding off on. But.. That set were quieter than an airgun.. I.e the pin striking was louder than anything else.

 

The first batch were pretty loud really for subs.. I'd say just hanging on to subsonic..

 

Time to make some more! Is it worth trying more powder?

Edited February 16, 2013 by houlsby

[deershooter]

The problem with such light loads is the powder is unevenly distributed in the case, hold the rifle up to place powder in the rear of the case before each shot the boys at our local range used to use 1/4 square of bog roll to hold the powder in place with downloaded .303 not sure if this is a good idea I have no experience with that it might get left in the barrel use with care

 

Not sure there is a real need for subsonic ..223 ,Aguilla do a 60 grain subsonic .22 rim-fire round

 

Deershooter

[houlsby]

It's because I'm too tight to buy a .22lr and I like ******* about. The idea behind it was to keep the noise down enough to stop the bobbies harassing me.. But they've got a lot better now (the bellend calling them just lamps me now)

 

I do fancy a whisper but I can't even get a .243 so don't think they'll allow it lol

[houlsby]

Yes the case is half full. 8g fills it.

 

Not convinced there any cop tho, going to try another 2 batches and see if I can get them to stabilise without breaking the sound barrier and if not I'm going to start making some nice accurate rounds as this nite force blitz I'm using goes A LONG WAY! (Will be upgrading scope too)

[deershooter]

Not that i can see the point in the project but check out your facts before slating the guy as trailboss is a very bulky powder purposely designed for roles such as this and will fill a good portion of the case. I used it in 308 and 12-13 grains was a full case.

 

Fister I am not slating the guy just giving an opinion is this not what forums are for

 

Deershooter

[fortune]

What twist is your barrel? I did some subs a few years ago but the trajectory is a real problem. From memory I used blue dot and another fast type powder. Cant remember what i did or used but I didn't continue production because I didn't think that there was any real advantage to using them. instead I developed a powerful hot round for my 223 which is not all that far behind a 22-250 and uses a Sierra 1390 55gn bthp gameking. Although not a sub by any means it works by it's sheer impact. it has never failed to take a target that has been hit

[houlsby]

Far as I'm aware it's 1-9 twist. (Hence why I'm using bigger loads as Appleseed to the 1-12 twist which would be better with 40grainers

[casts_by_fly]

But given the slow speed you might want to consider a shorter bullet. The nine twist is helping you, but at this speed you still aren't getting much bullet rotation. Ae you looking for rabbits or fox? If the latter, then carry on, but if for rabbits and the like i would try 40's.

 

Rick

[Livefast123]

I'm using 3.1 grains of Titegroup under a 55gr FMJ for my target rounds. V.quiet and I think it would work well with a 1:9 twist. Obviously this load is safe in my gun but may not be in yours!

 

Looks like your rounds are keyholing by the shape of the entry hole, I tend to get this when the weather is cold so keep the rounds in my trouser pocket to keep them warm....

Edited February 17, 2013 by Livefast123

[sepulchre]

If I remember rightly, and it was a good few years ago when I use to do lots of reloading in the handgun era. I use to down load .44 magnum loads for the wife, the biggest problem I found was inconsistent muzzle velocities and tumbling rounds I put this down to the volume of powder in the case, or lack of it as the case may be.

 

If your cartridges are half full your creating a problem with the primer igniting the powder inconsistently, or not as they are supposed to, you need to wad the cartridge before you seat the and crimp the bullet to take up the void in the case, it may sound a bit daft but it worked for me, got .44 Mags at sub 1000 fps consistently.

Edited February 17, 2013 by sepulchre

[phaedra1106]

Trail Boss like TiteGroup is nowhere near as sensitive to case position as the older powders were, there should be no problems with varying pressures/velocities loading that much trail Boss in a .223.

 

The more probable cause is using the V-Max bullet which is designed for supersonic velocities, try a round nose or round nose flat point cast bullet and it will eliminate the tumbling.

 

For .44mag I use 5.4gr of TiteGroup, it only fills about 17% of the case and produces an extremely consistent 930fps using a cast 200gr round nose flat point bullet. For my subsonic .308 loads I use either 9.5gr of Trail Boss or 8gr of TiteGroup and using a cast round nose bullets there is no tumbling.

Edited February 17, 2013 by phaedra1106