Subsonic 240gr field results

[Murmur]

Took my 300-221 out for it's first hunting trip yesterday and came back feeling like the grim reaper. 8 feral goats later and the rest of the mob only the wiser because of a wind direction change.
I learn't quite a few things. After a string of misses found that a gorilla grip & follow through important if you want to hit your target. I guess because the bullet is subsonic barrel time is considerable.
Once I sorted that I discovered that shoulder shots are a waste of time. Kinda like a flying drill bit. A goat hit through the lungs at 100 yards just kept on walking and required a second shot to the neck to put it down.
From then on only elected to take head or neck shots with ranges from 25 yards to my longest of 150 yards. Each shot was a one shot kill to these areas. Hardly an entrance wound but with a very bloody exit. Judging by the exit wound (knife like) size the bullets must have tumbled when meeting solid thick bone. I kick myself for not having taken a camera to document it for you.
My thoughts.....wow this is one amazing piece of kit. By hiding in a patch of thistles none of the game new any wiser with the report almost non existant because of the silencer. I'm going to put on a bipod to make accurate shooting at the longer ranges easier. I think a super steady, gorilla grip & range finder are the only humane way to hunt if your planning on using subsonic ammo. I would love to hear from any one with their hunting experiences.
Next time out goes the camera.

[John3]

I'm getting set-up to hand load sub-sonic rounds, trying to decide on a bullet. Most likely will be the 220gr SMK, but the 240gr. is tempting. What powder/load do you use, and what accuracy do you get?

[Murmur]

My gunsmith supplied me some ammo until all my reloading gear turns up so not sure on the load. He's going to be supplying the the developed load data though. 100y groups were as small as 3/4" for five shot groups from my Contender carbine. I'll get my hands on the data and post it here when I can. We went straight to the 240gr Mk as I wanted as much energy as possible as the rifle was built with subsonic hunting in mind.
I still find it quite unconceivable just how quiet the rifle really is. Not much noiser than my CZ 22LR with subsonics & suppressor. The scariest thing was riccohets though. One bullet bounced of a rock and dissapeared somewhere. Makes you go diving for cover in case it heads back your way!
I think an AR with suppressor & subsonics would be way cool....but until I can afford one of those the single shot seems to do just fine. After all it makes your real sure about your aim cause you only might get one chance.

[KillJoy149]

Murmur, what part of the world are you in? I ask because around here, you cannot hunt, even varmints, w/ a suppressor.

KillJoy

[Murmur]

Way over in little old New Zealand. Suppressors are perfectly legal and widely used. Fantastic for pest control & for keeping our hearing intact. We can still go hunting for free on public land where still plently of game reside in the beautiful outdoors. How much longer that will last is anybodys guess. I hope one day little johnny will be able to experience the same thing.

[ranger dave]

i have a great load for the 30/ 221 ( to keep mr jones happy) 147g fmj with 8g of 2400 comes out at 900fps of my 14 inch ar i love to shoot and its a good round with out breaking the bank

[ranger dave]

hay murmur would u like to adopt a 40 year old ret army ranger

[d-mon]

Hello murmur,

I plan on migrating to your country next year.(I hope you do not mind, I make very good french bread)
What are the gun laws like over there? Any system of licensing like here in the Uk, or is there a bit more freedom like in US, france or switzerland?

ND