Reloading Subsonic Ammo

B-Guy

B-Guy

Recycles dryer sheets
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Nov 30, 2021
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I have enjoyed target shooting and reloading as a hobby for 30+ years. I have been using Hodgdon's Trail Boss for my cowboy action shooting and subsonic loads. You reloaders know ALL powders have been hard to come by. I have been using Trail Boss for a long time, and haven't been able to find it for at least +/- 3 years. Currently Trail boss is "Temporarily Unavailable" everywhere I've looked.

Have anyone of you found a good substitute, giving a good fill and fairly fast burn rate, that is available?
 
Bullseye and HP-38. I've got plenty so I'm unsure of local/current availability
 
Car-Guy said:
Bullseye and HP-38. I've got plenty so I'm unsure of local/current availability
Click to expand...

I haven't used either but heard good things about Bullseye. Did you need to use filler to keep the powder against the primer or is it fluffy enough to give a good case fill?
 
B-Guy said:
I haven't used either but heard good things about Bullseye. Did you need to use filler to keep the powder against the primer or is it fluffy enough to give a good case fill?
Click to expand...
I've used it in 38spl's, 44 spl's and 45 ACP's. All with light subsonic/target loads and never had any issues. YMMV
 
I don't do Cowboy Action shooting so don't have experience with Trail Boss powder. I do however make a lot of light loads in 38 Special with double ended wadcutters so DGF and some young ones can try them without recoil fear. I use mostly HP-38 for that as it's a time tested load. I started off with Bullseye but that powder horribly stained my powder measures to the point I had great difficulty seeing the remaining powder level through the no longer clear plexiglass.

I share your pain on the unavailability of powder and other reloading supplies (primers) but having learned over many cycles of shortages, I keep ample supplies even if sometimes not the brand of choice.

I have never loaded for 45 Colt so no experience there is using that caliber for Cowboy Action.
 
I'm trying to minimize the number of different powders on hand which allows me to stock up. If I’m shooting more Cowboy action or 300BLK / 308 Winchester subsonic I’m still pulling from the same inventory. If I can find one that does both well like Trail Boss has, I wouldn’t have to keep as many different powders on hand. Lately I’m shooting a lot more subsonic in 300BLK / 308 Win.

Long distance shooting is a whole different ballgame. I buy in bulk use the same lot numbers of primers, cases, bullets and powder. This helps tremendously dialing in at distance.
 
It's been a long time, but I used a lot of VihtaVuori N320 for a trailboss alternative.
 
Can't add to the conversation except to say hello to my fellow shooters and reloaders in the forum. :wave:

I load pistol rounds, all 9mm, for USPSA and Speed on Steel. I haven't been shooting much and have an ample supply, but my son, who just started loading rifle rounds has been into my supply of primers. :facepalm:

He confirms the lack of supply.
 
As I mention earlier, I have plenty of powder. Plenty of primers too. And more brass than I'll ever possibly need. But with all the factory ammo I have too, I may never need to re-load again, especially now that my shooting days have become fewer and fewer.

I even have some powder (original H-4831) said to be surplus from WWII that's still goes bang. Also have several hundred 12ga shotgun shells (lead) that I reloaded over 40 years ago and they work as well today as any of new stuff. I'll shoot a few once in a while to be sure they still have their snap.
 
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Have any of you used any of the above-mentioned powders for subsonic rifle rounds?
 
^^^^
Not me, I never saw any reason to load sub sonic rifle rounds. Honestly, never even thought about it. But then I did lean towards shooting a 300 Weatherby. Doesn't take long to go through a pound of powder. But even it will "eventually" go sub sonic. :LOL:
 
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Car-Guy said:
^^^^
Not me, I never saw any reason to load sub sonic rifle rounds. Honestly, never even thought about it. But then I did lean towards shooting a 300 Weatherby. Doesn't take long to go through a pound of powder. But even it will "eventually" go sub sonic. :LOL:
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I really enjoy shooting suppressed subsonic for many reasons. Mostly because I had extensive shoulder surgery and now, I can shoot all-day without aggravating my shoulder. I can also shoot with minimal or no hearing protection.
 
^^^^^That makes sense... Why not just shoot 22's? Cheap, no recoil, not loud and no reloading required.
 
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Car-Guy said:
^^^^^That makes sense... Why not just shoot 22's? Cheap, no recoil and no reloading required.
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I do shoot .22, but I prefer the accuracy of the larger calibers and the kinetic energy if I'm hunting with it.
 
I've never hunted with a sub sonic rife round. The bullet drop and remaining energy must be huge, especially after 100 yards.
 
Not to shift the topic here, but it is related to less noise and recoil. I believe flinching is caused as much by noise as it is recoil.

I just purchased a suppressor for my centerfire rifle (expensive and a long wait) because I don't need the noise and recoil in my ER years.

Suppressors are very common on smaller calibers and even .22 rimfires. I shot a .22 hand gun with a suppressor on it and I could here the firing pin strike the cartridge. I know people who put suppressors on their rimfires out of respect to their neighbors.

To me excessive recoil is like a hangover. I can still participate, but I don't need either one to have a good time.
 
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Stormy Kromer said:
Not to shift the topic here, but it is related to less noise and recoil. I believe flinching is caused as much by noise as it is recoil.
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Maybe true but for me it's recoil (I think)... And regarding accuracy, the most accurate firearm I've ever owned is a 22 target pistol. (High Standard) With quality ammo (e.g, Eley) I can shoot a entire box of 50 rounds @ 25 yards and keep it inside the size of a ~quarter. And I'm not a great target shooter. Now that's fun.
 
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B-Guy said:
What were you loading Trail Boss in?
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IIRC .38 special and some 45 acp. For 45 .y favorite was another VV powder n-310. See Bill Wilson's loads for the 45.
 
Car-Guy said:
I've never hunted with a sub sonic rife round. The bullet drop and remaining energy must be huge, especially after 100 yards.
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You are correct, there is a huge drop in comparison. There is enough kinetic energy to get the job done at 200 yards, but I seldom hunt past 100 yards. If I remember correctly at 200 yards there is 27” drop when zeroed at 100 yards.
 
Are you loading to shoot suppressed? I have grabbed about anything available the last few years so have a collection of powders to play with. For subsonic pistol I have use Green Dot for nearly 25 years. Can be a little dirty, but they need cleaning anyway. Makarov, Luger 9MM and 380, plus it works fine in 12 and 20 Ga shotgun. It also make a fairly quiet 223 out to nearly 100 yards, but wont cycle the bolt.
I LOVE my 300 BLK... and shooting suppressed just makes it worse.
 
A1680 and imr4227 behind a 220gr in 300bo gives consistent subsonic w/ 16" barrel. Twist rate is important on the heavys so you don't tumble out the barrel and ruin the can.
I found the suppressed ar action cycling very loud from the gas so bought a bolt action 300bo ruger and it's a quiet setup.

Sent from my moto g power using Early Retirement Forum mobile app
 
old medic said:
Are you loading to shoot suppressed? I have grabbed about anything available the last few years so have a collection of powders to play with. For subsonic pistol I have use Green Dot for nearly 25 years. Can be a little dirty, but they need cleaning anyway. Makarov, Luger 9MM and 380, plus it works fine in 12 and 20 Ga shotgun. It also make a fairly quiet 223 out to nearly 100 yards, but wont cycle the bolt.
I LOVE my 300 BLK... and shooting suppressed just makes it worse.
Click to expand...

Yes, I am loading to shoot suppressed. What powder are you using for your 300 BLK suppressed?
 
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