Subsonic Blackout load

[menhaden_man]

Does anyone have a recipe they could share? Never thought I’d get into the AAC but my LMX can is in and it’s pretty slick with the bulk S&B. Wouldn’t mind hand loading since it’d probably pay off with this round. Thanks.

 

[clint6760]

Ar-15 or bolt action?

 

[menhaden_man]

Ar-15 or bolt action?

AR15 pistol 10.5”, 1:8 twist.

 

[Axlrod]

I have had good luck with CFE Black and 220 gr bullets . My barrel is 16" so data won't help you. Bullets of the same weight from different manufacturers will run different velocity, in mine Berry's run faster than Sierra with the same powder charge. Work your loads down to get to sub velocity. Hodgdon lists 12.1 Gr CFE Black w/ 220 Sie. Hpbt to get 1060 fps in a 16" this is a max load. I always shoot a new load at 25 yards through a paper target a few times without the can on, to make sure they are not keyholing

 

[elkeaterco]

8.7 gr of 5744
220 BTHP
1000 fps 16" barrel

 

[menhaden_man]

Someone else recommended Kings Shooter supply - they've got 215 gr spire point, 250 bullets for $45. I had to buy some just for the price (plus I wanted some more 357 plinking bullets anyhow - they have 158 gr wadcutters for $39/500). I've got accurate 1680 powder so will try first , but may give that CFE Black or 5744 a whirl too.

 

[menhaden_man]

I have had good luck with CFE Black and 220 gr bullets . My barrel is 16" so data won't help you. Bullets of the same weight from different manufacturers will run different velocity, in mine Berry's run faster than Sierra with the same powder charge. Work your loads down to get to sub velocity. Hodgdon lists 12.1 Gr CFE Black w/ 220 Sie. Hpbt to get 1060 fps in a 16" this is a max load. I always shoot a new load at 25 yards through a paper target a few times without the can on, to make sure they are not keyholing

What bullets do you buy?

 

[menhaden_man]

Someone else recommended Kings Shooter supply - they've got 215 gr spire point, 250 bullets for $45. I had to buy some just for the price (plus I wanted some more 357 plinking bullets anyhow - they have 158 gr wadcutters for $39/500). I've got accurate 1680 powder so will try first , but may give that CFE Black or 5744 a whirl too.

By the way, here are the ones I mentioned above. Heard they were cheap and accurate.

King Shooters Supply

 

[BuckSnort]

H110/Wincherster 296 (same powder) works good..

 

[menhaden_man]

H110/Wincherster 296 (same powder) works good..

Thanks, heard another guy say 296 is crazy quiet suppressed too

 

[menhaden_man]

Thought I’d follow up here in case it’s of any use to someone else. Had trouble with the coated bullets at first but after using a Lee case expanding die followed by a light crimp, the rounds came out to be pretty accurate. Tried a series of charges from 9.5 to 11.5 g and landed on 10.0 g of A1680. Also found that going to 2.100” (started at 2.250”) really helped. Overall I’m pretty happy with this for a cheap plinking reload and nary a problem with cycling. I will say that it’s not as quiet as the S&B subsonic loads so maybe I’ll try another powder and lower charges sometime later. I really like the Hornady dies - the seating die is really slick and comes with two stems that work well with my bullets.

A few pics for reference. The target was only 25 yards but still great 5 shot group.

 

[edg1967]

I've been doing load development for an SBR with a 10.5" barrel as well. I've been having good luck with SMKs and 12.1 grains of 1680. 1020 fps and bolt locks. Also hade good luck with 12.4 of CFE but it runs a little slower at around 980 fps., but still locks back. I'm running a JP standard weight SCS.

I should have some Hornady 190 gr. Sub Xs here by the middle of next week that I'll start with the 1680 at 12.5 gr and CFE at 12.8 gr and work down.

 

[Rich M]

Shot with a guy who was casting and coating his own. Could not hear the shot from 15 feet away. Very Kool.

Made me look at cans diff for sure.

 

[Pgohil]

Looking at the above kingshooters.com bullets. It works out to about 24 and 1/2 cents per round including shipping. Is there anything cheaper just for plinking subsonic?

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[menhaden_man]

I've been doing load development for an SBR with a 10.5" barrel as well. I've been having good luck with SMKs and 12.1 grains of 1680. 1020 fps and bolt locks. Also hade good luck with 12.4 of CFE but it runs a little slower at around 980 fps., but still locks back. I'm running a JP standard weight SCS.

I should have some Hornady 190 gr. Sub Xs here by the middle of next week that I'll start with the 1680 at 12.5 gr and CFE at 12.8 gr and work down.

How is the accuracy and the sound? Reloading shelves are picked clean here, seems like the SMK is a spendy round?

 

[menhaden_man]

Shot with a guy who was casting and coating his own. Could not hear the shot from 15 feet away. Very Kool.

Made me look at cans diff for sure.

Any idea on what powder he was running?

Asking because the W296 is popular.

 

[menhaden_man]

Looking at the above kingshooters.com bullets. It works out to about 24 and 1/2 cents per round including shipping. Is there anything cheaper just for plinking subsonic?

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

I’ll tell you, their customer service is top notch too. I ordered the 250 bullets for my AAC and 500 semi wad cutter 357... they were out of stock and called to let me know they’d send the coated 357 rounds in kind, no fee.

 

[edg1967]

How is the accuracy and the sound? Reloading shelves are picked clean here, seems like the SMK is a spendy round?

MOA for accuracy and quiet as anything else. I got a good deal on the SMKs so I built a load around them. At $.17 each it was worth it.

 

[Rich M]

Any idea on what powder he was running?

Asking because the W296 is popular.

Sorry, we did talk about reloading and how he coated them. But not powders.

He said he has a dedicated toaster oven he uses to coat the bullets. Put em in a plastic bag, pour in x amount of powder, bake, cool, whack the container to separate bullets and go. He said it really helps w leading.

 

[Oldffemt]

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