birdiepar

[birdiepar]

BULLET WEIGHTS
I notice that most everyone shoots heavy bullets(200gr +) subsonic. How do the 150-165grainer shoot? I even see threads about the lighter bullets but never the 150-165 class.

[Rikky Lee]

See http://quarterbore.com/300whisper/supersonic.html as a starting point and some of the other references in the reloading threads.

They work and work well but the split you see is related as much to our desire to run fast (and conventional) loads versus finding the ideal subsonic hunting bullet/powder combination.

Try some 155 grain loads in your rifle and keep us posted on your results.

[LouBoyd]

The only problem with light bullets is their lower energy and lower BC's. Unlike when shooting them supersonic the lighter bullets don't have the 1/2 MV^ 2 energy advantage of their high velocity. That's not to say you shouldn't shoot the lighter bullets subsonic.

Here is a comparison of shooting 155 and 240 grain Sierra Matchkings at 1000 fps.

155 grain SMK
yard fps ft-lbs
muz 1000 344
200 917 289
400 852 250
600 797 219

240 grain SMK
yard fps ft-lbs
muz 1000 533
200 946 477
400 400 433
600 862 396

[birdiepar]

I will be honest folks I am a gunsmith by trade(20 years) here in central North Carolina, but the subsonics have not caught on. I have acumulated the parts to build me a bolt gun and I just think that the subsonics sounds neat. Eventually I want ot put a can on mine(and yes I am going to buy legally not build my own). Plenty of deer and almost all shots in the my area are under 200 yds, so sounds like a natural choice. Typical of what I see is rebarrel job and I rebarrel a 7mm and rechamber the new barrel to a 7mm stw so the owner can add some fps to be bullet. My base is going to be a Remington 722 action and have not decided on barrel length or twist rate at this time. Thus my reason for asking about the midrange wt bullets. Any info that yall can give me would be appreciated.

[Fritzcat]

Most of the light weight bullets loaded here are at high velocities and when someone loads Sub-sonic (( 1100fps or less )) they shoot as heavy a bullet that they can stabalize (( reason for fast twist )) to get as much energy and BC as they can for long range or hunting. You can make your own Suppressor, but you have to file a form 1 and recieve stamp before you even start.

[Rikky Lee]

Heavier the better for subs. Remember that you are using a 1/8 twist and should take advantage of this.

For me, the cross over point is at the 180 grain mark. I have have some really good accuracy out to 300 plus with 180s going about 1650fs and some good hunting with 180s at subsonic velocities.

But then I tried the 240s.

I have settled with 125 BTs/130 Barnes for supersonic hunting and 240 grain SMK for subsonic use. I will still use the 180s at supersonic for annoying people in tactical competitions tho.

Hope this helps...

[birdiepar]

i think I will get a Douglas 1/8 heavy premium air gauged barrel.
Any ideas on optium lenght for a bolt gun? I was thinking maybe around 18-20 inches.