Mail Call Mondays Season 3 #32 - Loading Sub-sonic .308 Ammunition 

For shooters that have been doing this subsonic stuff for a while, this is nothing new. But if you're just getting into reloading or you are just new to subsonic shooting/loading, this video is VERY informative. I was fortunate enough to learn this info from a friend of mine years ago. This info is great for the newbies, thank you for putting your time and effort into this video John.

@20:25 There is a good reason. The loudness of subsonics even without a suppressor carries much less farther, since the only sound is the report at the muzzle. No ss bullet crack the whole way to the target. You can shoot all day and not make a racket, people don't hear it very far away so it's much less annoying to people. Similar to a 410 shotgun.

Thanks for all the work you do. Because of your vids and a lot of practice I was confident in taking my first deer this weekend at 400 yards with a clean kill. You have been a great help

Since the fucking chairborne devision of the EU banned Trail Boss in the EU, i could mention that Vihtavuori Tin Star should be suitable for subsonic Loads, a friend of mine also had good success with n110 in .308

My .308 stabilizes a 180 grain lead round nose with 10.4 trailboss and 1/12 twist.

I've been reloading subsonics for my 308 and other 30cal rifles for a couple years now, I've found that, for me, using magnum primers give me more reliable and accurate ignition. Magnum primers do add a few fps to the bullet so I have to dial the powder charge back just a tad. I've heard of other guys using filler to stuff inside the case and keep the powder on top of the primer but I've never tried that.

Ak 165 grain lee mold I think. 5 grains of titegroup won’t cycle but it’s a super quiet good load brass stays in very good shape. Otherwise 18-19 grains of cfe blk will cycle it reliably. The full power steel case sounds odd. With muffs of u can hear the bullet “kicking “? Sounds like the back of the bullet is waffling a bit. Eventually it smooths out. Anyway you’ll stArt hearing things u never did before.

Now that you know the 220 gr RN load is stable, get that Magnetospeed V3 about 1/4" from the bullet path. It'll pick them up no issue. I have a V3 and it's my absolute favorite chronograph of all time. It's cool to hear that Brian Litz sort of endorses it.

I use 180gr round nose flat base with about 8.7-9.3 grains of Trail Boss... I test on paper for stability, then run through a Thompson Machine "Thirty" suppressor... Seems to be consistent, about 2 mil drop at 70 yards... Fun to shoot, accurate enough, but no real practical purpose other than just fun shooting... I run this load out of a Remington 700 AAC SD .308 with 1:10 twist barrel... Great intermediate platform for both super and subs like you said.. Great channel, keep up the good work!...

You answered pretty much every question and concern I had on this reload. And I've never reloaded yet, great video. Definitely subscribing.

Great info. I wonder how 265gr bullets would work. There is a company that makes them

You answered some suppressor questions I had regarding subsonic ammo. I was just talking to my brother about it this afternoon. Thanks for the Thunder Beast info you had too. I just coughed up some cash for a 30CB9 in ODG. Now the long painful wait from the ATF before I can get it. Too bad they don't take e-file right now. Keep up the GREAT work and be safe out there.

good presentation on sound and supressors, thanks.

Thanks for the good info on sub sonic. I was going to load up some 168 A-max but now i think i will try the 208 A-max instead.

You may want to try changing the bullet type on the Magnetospeed, I built some subsonic rounds using coated lead bullets out of my 300BLK and it wouldn't register them either. I switched it to lead bullets and it worked perfectly. I have the V2, so it is different than the V3, but they both support several bullet types.

Great video. Back when you made this I don't think Lapua had released their 200 gr, FMJBT subsonic bullet. That's has become my preferred bullet for hogs. My next rifle project is to convert a 700 Rem VTR from .308 1:12 twist to .308 1:10 (maybe 1:9 but 1:10 works) twist.I used my .308 tactical to test my first loads I worked up to 11gr of Trail Boss but still under 1000 fps. I'm trying to get to 1050 fps -ish. No suppressor yet. Waiting... I need to make a decision on barrel length too... Load: Primer pockets drilled to 9/64" on a mini lathe. Collet chuck for the case and the drill bit is installed in chuck in the tailstock. Magnum rifle primers. 11 gr (so far) of Trail Boss. 200 gr Lapua FMJBT subsonic bullets. So far... I haven't gotten to 1000 fps yet

For those without a suppressor, there's "The Load". For 30 caliber cartridges bigger than 300 Savage, 13gr of Red Dot under 150-170gr gaschecked cast lead boolit or jacketed bullet should yield about 1600fps. Sounds like a high velocity .22LR and recoils like a .223.

hello, see comments below. this has been thoroughly researched. Called "the load" 13 gn of Red Dot has been attributed to a nationally known ballistician. I have used it 308 to 45-70. Google it and learn. you are correct about the double ignition phenomenon, though it has not to this date been completely defined.

Great video. I've been reading so much about subsonics and I've done some extensive testing in field as well. I can say you really hit the nail on the head with recommending that round nose, I have had amazing results with Beck subsonic loads with the hornady flat point which is again.. a flat bottom bullet almost exact design as the round nose. I've read in many articles that old timers like flat top and flat bottom bullets for subs. I have no problems reading magnetto speed with any sub bullet but I wasnt giving excessive space, I mounted bayonet standard way. I would just sneak it closer to standard distance and have you tried turning up the sensitivity? I imagine you tried this? Great great video. I had one question for you in response to your testing without a can...do you find validity not change much when you shoot with supressor? Im about to start a ladder test and i was wondering how supressor would affect my speed and hormonics. Also, you really need to see and try shooting the solid copper Maker REX expanding bullets. They tear stuff up. I'm just trying to get SD down on these projectiles, I think neck tension is to tight when using standatd loading procedures so we are experimenting with neck expanding dyes. If you saw how these REX projectiles performed at slow speeds, you might want a sequel to this video. Thanks for all your videos, when I see you cover topics of my interest, I stop on your videos all the time....

where's the video for that rifle as i cant find it and it looks cool and i would be interested in something like that to build and use.

A great no-nonsense video, many thanks.

Great info as always.

Fantastic place for solid info. Thanks for all you do here.

Nice shirt! Tampa Bay Precision Rifle Club..

At 8:26 or so he says Tightgroup, but he's talking about Trailboss.

John, Thanks for the plug and repping our shirt. Great episode, learned a lot. One question, what mono pod was on the rifle? I've never seen that one before.

Haven't you heard of using pillow ticking over your powder charge to compress ,lightly, the reduced volume of powder?

really like this video, content, flow. do you use a teleprompter or alternative?

I have had very consistent velocities from hp38.

Set the Mag Speed sensitivity down to 4. My 38 spl loads run about 750 gps which requires a setting of 4. Four even works okay with my rifles. Clark

Any update on your subsonic loads? What charge did you ultimately end up with? What results did you get from the magneto chrono during your work up? What are your opinions of ar uppers that have adjustable gas systems for subsonic loads?

Is that a 20 moa mount on a 20 moa rail. ? Another sweet video.

I have no problem with CCI .22 sub and the magnetospeed at sub sonic speeds..

Hello John absolutely love your show, I was wondering if you've had any experience with Tikka Tac A1 308 24inch barrel with a 1/11 twist, as I am stuck with what bullets would be best suited shooting from 100 to 1000 yards. Your help would be appreciated.

Hey john, great video, learned a lot. I have a suppressor question. Is it important for a suppressor on a high power rifle to have the ability to break down for cleaning? I have noticed that some do and some don't.

Great information. That was really informative. Thanks John!

Winchester makes 308 also in subsonic. My question is that the regular 308win ammo comparing to subsonic 308 win ammo ? would they have any precision or accuracy issues when compared apple to apple ? if not, why people go for subsonic ammo when suppressors are avaialble for the firearms ? kam...

Any news on the 10/22 build?

Have you tried the Magnetospeed on a .22LR? It might be a good control for low velocity projectiles. (I'm not sure if the low mass would be a detriment.)

Love your videos and reviews! Is there any chance of you reviewing either a Seekins Precision ATC or DH T-Brake?

did Tampa Bay Precision Rifle Club close?

Great info, thanks for posting this video. A little off topic, but I'm in the market to upgrade to a larger safe and just wanted to know if you had any recommendations? I know there is a lot out there, but any suggestions would be appreciated. I'd really like to purchase something U.S. made. Thanx

I'm fixing to start reloading 308 subs for Remington 700 AAC 1 in 10 twist, the loads will be for pig hunting out to 100 yards, what is the best accurate loads worked up so far?

What do you think would be the best 7.62x51 subsonic hand load for the Tavor 7 with its 16" and 1 in 12 twist barrel. Also, with the issue of excess headspace between the 308 brass in a 7.62x51 NATO chamber, would you recommend the use of 7.62 brass only?

For conversation sake, If u have a Remington 700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD (.308win) with a 1-10 twist rate which weight grain is the best to use to get to quiet as possible? 180gr? Do I use match grade ammo? Thanks for doing this video I have had a few questions about this subject for awhile. Big Fan!! By the way I am NOT reloading, I would be buying the ammo at a gun store or a gun show.

Good Show.

GREAT video as always ,,hey its stoneguy223 we met at IV8888 shoot ,, I'll be contacting you soon ...congrats on the promotion

great info as always.

subsonic 308. aka 300 blackout.

What color cerakote is that chassis? Looks awesome.

You mentioned in this video that you won't get much expansion or energy transfer with the 220g bullets you showed if fired subsonic. Do you have any suggestions for someone looking to load subsonic ammunition with good energy transfer onto the target? Or is that just unrealistic?

I have heard that Trail Boss is very corrosive. Is this true? I was wanting to try it, but now I am not so sure?

I use Trail Boss for my 30-30 loads its great, it will kill you at 50yards or less.,

Hey thanks for the info. What about Barrel length? Can I work up a subsonic load for my .308 in a longer barrel? Like 24" or 26" ?

What stock/chassis are you using on that rifle?

Subsonic 308???? That's basically 300 blkout...... uhhhh

Nice vid

Is that a grunt style shirt?

Hahaha!!!!! First viewer!!!! Great vid!! Thanks for sharing.

I guess you don't have to know anything about what you're making a video about if you have a pretty gun to sit behind and sell shit to people. I expected someone with experience in the area they're publishing videos about. At least invest the time to be able to fake it.