.308 Powder choice

[12gsnapcaps]

Bought n135 and have loaded up some 110g vmax rounds and some 170g soft point subsonic rounds. Going to try them tomorrow at the range! Have used the official reloading date and will 'work up' the load (or in the subsonic case, work 'down' the load - with the moderator removed!!)

 

[Foxyboy43]

Not wishing to rain on your parade but where did you get the N135 170gns subsonic load and indeed what is it? Just curious…

 

[12gsnapcaps]

Not wishing to rain on your parade but where did you get the N135 170gns subsonic load and indeed what is it? Just curious…

Just working it up myself. Done 20g, 19g - down to 12g and I'll see what fps each one does .

 

[Foxyboy43]

Just working it up myself. Done 20g, 19g - down to 12g and I'll see what fps each one does .

So it is a load developed by you or off a site somewhere? As far as I can see Viht doesn’t list N135 as a subsonic load. Just be very careful my friend, that is a small grenade 3 inches from your nose!!!
Stay safe.

 

[12gsnapcaps]

So it is a load developed by you or off a site somewhere? As far as I can see Viht doesn’t list N135 as a subsonic load. Just be very careful my friend, that is a small grenade 3 inches from your nose!!!
Stay safe.

Well if 40 something grains does 2500fps then surely 20grains will do 1250fps etc.

Don't see how a low load is dangerous? Obviously going over would be but not going under.

 

[Silvius]

If you like variety, I think it may make sense to use tailored powders. While it may be possible with great skill to get one powder to stretch to all the applications, it certainly won't be ideal for all of them and getting something as ideal as possible for the given job has to be the aim of engaging in variety at all or else just shoot the lot with a decent partition bullet and it will be fine. A fox never sent me a complaint letter because I shot him with a 165 grain 30 cal partition but I know I could be more specialist if I wanted to be and fair play to the man who enjoys the specialism but if so, get it really specialised.

Barrel length is certainly important to consider. I have used N140 in a 21 inch barrel. Its OK and a tiny bit faster than standard barrel length factory ammuniton at the optimal accuracy which had amazingly close velocities but I will use something that gives it a bit of a bigger boot next ime. Accuracy is not the be all and end all of killing deer. N140 is a wonderfully acurate powder and quite tolerant. Its not a blast.

Calculating how much powder produces how much velocity will not be linear. Its a bit too complex for the likes of me but I know its not linear just from the energy is 1/2 mass times the square of velocity equation we had to learn in school.

Those who warn about tinkering with subsonics may be wise. I would check that the powder maker says its good for the job first. There is no point being a specialist and doing things that are on the edge of safe unless you are a true master who knows the paremeters. Starting out I would start with accepted good practise, using an on label application.

Anyway good luck and have fun.

 

[saddler]

Don't even see the point in subsonic cf myself besides military applications

The point?
Well, in my experience, FUN.
Something different to use and makes for some interesting target shooting, or for use where ranges have noise restrictions, or vermin control in less rural areas, etc.
But mainly, they're fun to use

Now the ranges are back open aside from available but very pricey commercial subsonic ammo, I'm working on subsonic reloads ion 6.5 Swedish, .303 Enfield and 7.62 Mosin
This will also allow them to be used on the local indoor range for shorter range practice

 

[NP435]

Not trying to be awkward but have you studied reloading at all?
Your best bet is to buy and study a reloading manual , all the answers are contained in it, rather than rely on various members advice (mine included) which invariably cause even more confusion.
We see this at our range. Recently someone destroyed a .243 rifle by listening to the wrong people and using a load data program.

That is sound advice! I do wish more would do the reading before trusting to the unknown found in forums. Never have I used quickload or any other program. Draconian research is done with multiple manuals before start buying supplies and loading.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Well if 40 something grains does 2500fps then surely 20grains will do 1250fps etc.

Don't see how a low load is dangerous? Obviously going over would be but not going under.

Are you having a laugh? If you are into plastic surgery, Labrador guide dogs and a white stick do carry on. I strongly recommend you get that manual, study it carefully and only when you find a prescribed subsonic load try it. Your winging it with your fractions approach will at some stage end in .
Stay safe.

 

[HandB]

I get good results in my .308s with RS52. It works well for heavy bullets of180gr with a relatively light load of 40.3grains of RS52 powder, and also works well for lighter bullets (e.g., 147gr FMJs) with a larger powder load of 44.5grains of RS52. So give it a try, but always remember your rifle may differ so work up the loads gradually using the proper manuals.

 

[Woodsmoke]

Don't see how a low load is dangerous? Obviously going over would be but not going under.

There've been incidences of catastrophic results with underloaded charges in the past. Something to do with the powder load being being inconsistently ignited by the primer leading to significantly raised pressures. In fairness, Lee have tried to replicate it and have failed. Something to keep in mind though

 

[Foxyboy43]

Well if 40 something grains does 2500fps then surely 20grains will do 1250fps etc.

Don't see how a low load is dangerous? Obviously going over would be but not going under.

Tell you what - find me a manufacturer’s load data that supports your theory? Why do you think the manufacturers (who know a thing or two about powder) do not list loads such as yours? There are of course powders which are listed for subsonics and I use them BUT they are few and far between and entirely different from N100 series powders. Trust me.

 

[Steff]

Well if 40 something grains does 2500fps then surely 20grains will do 1250fps etc.

Don't see how a low load is dangerous? Obviously going over would be but not going under.

You are on your way to provoking a secondary explosion effect. PLEASE do study a realoading manual or better several.

 

[Namman]

Well if 40 something grains does 2500fps then surely 20grains will do 1250fps etc.

Don't see how a low load is dangerous? Obviously going over would be but not going under.

Please let us know which range you use and when, so that we can stay well clear of you.

 

[NullMac]

Bought n135 and have loaded up some 110g vmax rounds and some 170g soft point subsonic rounds. Going to try them tomorrow at the range! Have used the official reloading date and will 'work up' the load (or in the subsonic case, work 'down' the load - with the moderator removed!!

That sounds dangerous to me. What is your load density??

Reloading subsonic is normally done with a pistol powder. In my case I used Trailboss. It was only a few grains but the case is full so prevents flash overs.

It may be dangerous because the load can ignite in different ways randomly, some of which can be ok (if it is a short powder column in the base of the case with minimum surface area) some of which could be bloody dangerous (if the load is lying the full length of the case with maximum surface area) = powder burns much faster than anticipated + huge pressure spike aka BOOM

 

[NullMac]

Well if 40 something grains does 2500fps then surely 20grains will do 1250fps etc.

NO absolutely not. STOP

 

[bluesako]

I notice Vihtavouri is around twice the price of other powders. Is there a reason for this? Also, is there any meaning to the N prefix nomenclature?

yes coz its twice as good and the price is for a kilo not a lb

 

[20-250]

Well if 40 something grains does 2500fps then surely 20grains will do 1250fps etc.

Don't see how a low load is dangerous? Obviously going over would be but not going under.

For the love of God, STOP.
Pull those loads, you are going to kill your self.

 

[jcampbellsmith]

Well if 40 something grains does 2500fps then surely 20grains will do 1250fps etc.

Don't see how a low load is dangerous? Obviously going over would be but not going under.

Good to see your trying for the 2021 Darwin Awards.
Regards
JCS

 

[Bowland blades]

If you reduce fill you do not get half the velocity, in fact a 50% is very likely going to be a chamber detonation in the making with most powders . Bye- bye half your head perhaps?
DONT DO IT!
Read a good guide to reloading take guidance from people with real experience and knowledge but under no circumstances go off peist until you have a mass of experience and know how !