Accuracy and reduced loads

[black lab]

Generally speaking, how does sub sonic loads compare to standard or high velocity loads as far as accuracy goes ? 

[PowPow]

I haven't had much luck with accuracy on subsonic loads, but have had reasonable accuracy on reduced recoil loads with smaller bullets at big bullet velocities.


The subsonics will hit the gong at 100 yards but thats about it.


I have a 125 grain load for my 30-06 going the same velocity as my 180 grain load and hitting the same POI at 100 with reasonable groups.
Don't know what its does after that, but so far it hasn't mattered.

[Larry L]

For me it's been a mixed bag. Modern chamberings with relatively fast twist rates seem to be no issues. The oldies where twist rates are painfully slow, it doesn't work all that good. For a 3006, out of any Springfield 03 I've put them thru, 19.0grs SR4759 under a 150gr bullet will hardly ever have a group larger than 1" at 100 yds and many will shoot a lot tighter than that. Out of a 308 bolt rifle, a similar load will just about shoot, even out of a bad bore rifle, decent enough to hunt with at 100 yds. A 35 Remington, I have loads at 1500'fps and I've won open sights hunting rifle class with it-an old Ballard rifled 336 SC. Shooting 110gr pills from a 30-30 with reduced loads has produced near match accuracy, one of the loads I actually varmint hunt with. But reduced loads for a 38-55, 40-65, 22 Hornet, 218 B, 33 Winchester and others just didn't work out. All of those would be the oldies. Like anything else, yer don't know if ya don't try. I've found SR4759 THE powder for reduced loads. It's very fast burning, like IMR4227, is extremely bulky which means it doesn't take much to fill a case, is so clean burning that you'll think the rifle has never been shot, and makes for accurate fun rounds. YMMV

[black lab]

That's interesting. I've only tried reduced loads for 45-70 mainly because heavier loads aren't much fun for me at the range. My hunting rifle is a 300 Win. Mag. and I load that near max. and it shoots well. But I don't shoot it for fun. 20 rounds later and I'm done. I have a 30-06 and a 303 British that I want to shoot with light bullets and reduced loads just for target practice at the range. Now I have to go and hit the books and get loading. Thanks for the info. 

[tacklebury]

With 30-06 and other large cases, I like Reloader7 as a load reducer.  It's very consistent, doesn't mind lowered loads down to even a little under 50% fills.  In .45-70 I use 34 gr. RL7 with a 325 gr. FTX, 350 gr. RNFP or 330 gr. gould bullet for nearly identical velocities to black powder.  They will group sub 1" at 50 yards at times in low wind.  I like that I can tailor the velocity from about 1400 to over 2000fps with the same powder.  My go to white tail load is 48 gr. RL7 over a 350 gr. FP and drops deer quickly.  Furthest one has ever run on me with this load is 30 yards.  When he stopped it looked like a red garden hose size stream of blood flew about a foot out both sides and he dropped flat.  The doe I just shot started to take a stop and dropped.  Neither one was a direct heart hit, but both were double lungers.  With the lower loads, it lets my more recoil sensitive friends and wife shoot and makes it fun for a long plinking session.   

***edit***
I remembered a chuck hawks article on these and he has a few also:
http://www.chuckhawks.com/reduced_recoil_reloads.htm

Here's another using pistol powders:
http://www.gmdr.com/lever/otraili.htm

Here's one on whisper loads from Castpics also:
http://castpics.net/subsite2/ByCaliber/Whisper%20Loads.pdf

[Dinny]

I shoot heavy bullets at subsonic velocities in my 357 Max, 45-70, 45LC, and 30-40K Handi rifles. All my loads are using Trail Boss and exhibit excellent accuracy. Just like supersonic loads, you have to find the sweet spot.

Thanks, Dinny

[black lab]

Thanks Tacklebury    Interesting read. I have the pistol powder link tucked away somewhere. I just forgot where. Some of the results looked disappointing but worth playing with. I've been shooting some starting loads with 125 gr Nosler BT in my 10" TC Contender @ 100 yd But I need a proper scope for it. I've shot the 45-70 with Unique and they are more fun than I don't know what.    Now I've got this idea floating around in my head about about a 100 gr. 30 Carbine bullet for shooting grouse with my 300 Win Mag. Just have to find a load now. I'm just a bit chicken to start experiment on my own. 

[tacklebury]

Throw 10 gr. Unique in that big ole case and shoot it with that bullet and you should have a good small gamer.  You poi will shift, but if you keep consistent scope magnification or sight picture, you can likely Kentucky windage it.  I got a ground hog with my .45-70 and a 157 gr. RB at 100 yards using 10 gr. Unique.  you don't need any fillers typically either.    You certainly won't blow up your gun, and worst case scenario is keeping a cleaning rod handy for checking for stuck bullets after each shot until you are sure you get good performance.    Safety First!

[black lab]

That sounds like a plan. Unique is a amazing powder, being so versatile and especially for it's age. So many have come and gone.