30 Cal subsonic bullet performance

[Rikky Lee]

As a new thread to support the "ultimate silenced hunter" let me ask for real world experience using subsonic 30 cal bullets for hunting.

I have used:

250 grain SMK

200 grain Lapua subsonic FMJ

210 grain Berger VLD

240 grain SMK (still to try for hunting)

Off the three I found the Lapua performed the best with the animal taking a few steps then lying down (chest/lung shot) or dropping on the spot with massive blood loss (neck shot).

210 Berger was the worst performer but it was on a hare.

Average distance has been 50 - 90 yards.

Velocity has been 1050 - 1100 fps.

[LouBoyd]

So which is the "better" bullet fired at 1000 fps (subsonic) for killing deer at ranges up to 200 yards?

A 240 grain 308 Sierra Matchking (300 whisper, Rem 700)
or
A 535 grain 458 Postell cast lead (458x2" Rem 700)

I'd bet on the 458 Postell with over twice the energy and more reliable expansion.
The 240 SMK has a slightly flatter trajectory but it's still over six feet of drop at 200 yards requiring a rangefinder. The 240 SMK also has a little advantage in windy conditions. Beyond 200 yards vertical drop and dispersion will make either a tough shot in hunting conditions. Certainly the 240 SMK would be better for longer range target shooting but that's not the question.

http://media.midwayusa.com/ProductImages/Medium/1482557247.jpg
http://www.montanabulletworks.com/images/BB_45_Lyman_535_Postell.jpg

[pmc]

well considering the thread is about 30 cal bullets.....

A 240 SMK works fine for me.

Pmc

[Rikky Lee]

I have been doing some real world testing and a 240 SMK works fine for me too. The impact noise is loud but the 240 grains does what it set out to do - in a very efficient manner.

As always, correct bullet placement is key and I think we have to stop thinking that the 240 grain is a fast stepping, lightweight supersonic and starting thinking of where to put the bullet to guarantee immediate dropping - so heart shots are out.

FWIW

[dick]

If heart shots are out, try an outlaw 225gr .308. I killed a nice 8 pointer and clipped the heart it ran about 50 yards, a freind of mine use it in a .308 WIN and killed a nice doe with a heart shot that ran 30 yards. The 8 pointer was at 100 yards both projectiles:twoguns: exited the animals sideways.

[HUNTER2]

Pictures! How big of a hole?

[Alleycat]

Outlaw It's whats for dinner


http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz229/alleycat72_bucket/2009_1122outlaw00291.jpg

http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz229/alleycat72_bucket/300WhisperDeer018.jpg

[fasttwist]

Make It Happen!!

[patriot762]

I took 2 deer last season with my subsonic load. 9.6 grains wcc820. (I think that's right)

The first one was an aorta shot which broke through ribs coming and going.

The second deer I tried a neck shot, which went right through, I followed up with a shot that went through the hip and I'm not sure what else.

The key with these pointy, slow bullets, is shot placement. I was lucky that I only had to walk 20 yards to find my deer.

I've found that the 190 grain PRIVI flies as good or better than the Lapua 200 grain sub bullet.

Too bad there aren't any more available. I think I bought all of them.

[i8asquirrel]

I took a nice Forked horn blacktail at about 35yds with a 90gr Hornady XTP over 4.8 gr trailboss from my bolt gun....super quite and dropped him cold in his tracks jungshot!
I have started trying 4759 powder and last evening fired 9gr 9.5gr and 10gr all shot well and very quite.no accuracy testing yet I was just shooting pears off a board at around 50 yds!

[mak91]

i8asquirrel, you might want to take a look at TinStar powder. Its hard to find and expensive but I've found it gives much more consistent velocities than TrailBoss with light subsonic loads out of my 7.62 tok. I've not tried it yet in my 300wtf. Its a bulky powder like TrailBoss.

[i8asquirrel]

Thanks for the heads up I will look for the powder. The 4759 shows some promise It functions my semi aouto just fine with a 150gr bullet but I am really hoping for a better load for the 90gr expander!