Quarterbore.Net Forums

Flewis · #1 01-13-2009, 01:28 PM

I'm looking for a little cheaper sub-sonic load for my AR15 based whisper. I currently have it running great with 220 SMKs and 11.6gn of AA1680. It is a 16" barrel with a carbine length gas system. The gas port is opened up to 0.125.

Wideners has some 168 grain match bullets that are very similar (looking) to a SMK.

http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=8439

Does anyone have any experience shooting a 168gn sub-sonic in a rifle similar to mine? Just wondering if I can expect it to cycle and what powder seems to work best.

Thanks

Colohunter · #2 01-13-2009, 04:08 PM

I haven't tried the 168gr SMKs, but I did get a load that works for 150gr Hornady FMJs with AA1680. They are quite a bit cheaper than the 220grs. I am sure that if the 150s worked you could get your 165s to work.

Flewis · #3 01-13-2009, 06:46 PM

Do you remember your load data? Just curious for comparison.

Colohunter · #4 01-13-2009, 11:16 PM

I'm at work now, I'll try to get it out when I am back at home. The AA1680 worked with both 150grs and 220grs. The only thing I didn't get was bolt lock back after the last round on the 150gr load. I decided that was adequate for my use, I didn't want to have to mess with opening up the gas port or anything like that if I didn't have to.

Colohunter · #5 01-13-2009, 11:21 PM

I actually found the info from a previous post I did, this is the info that I got from AA1690 with both 220gr SMKs and 150gr Hornady FMJs:

11.7gr of AA #1680, 220gr Sierra HPBT, 1089fps-avg
All rounds ejected, cycled and the bolt locked back after the last round.

10.5gr of AA #1680, 150gr Hornady FMJ, 1095fps-avg
All rounds ejected and cycled, but the bolt did not lock back after last round.

Flewis · #6 01-14-2009, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colohunter

I actually found the info from a previous post I did, this is the info that I got from AA1690 with both 220gr SMKs and 150gr Hornady FMJs:

11.7gr of AA #1680, 220gr Sierra HPBT, 1089fps-avg
All rounds ejected, cycled and the bolt locked back after the last round.

10.5gr of AA #1680, 150gr Hornady FMJ, 1095fps-avg
All rounds ejected and cycled, but the bolt did not lock back after last round.

Thanks for the info! I think I'll give the 168 grain bullets a try.

They also have 175 grain match bullets for the same price. They look like SMKs except they have an exposed lead base. I would try them but I'm afraid I'll wind up with lead in my suppressor and gas system... I'm assuming some amount of that exposed lead would burn off going down the barrel.