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10/23/2017 6:21:48 PM EDT
I am wanting to play around with some subsonic 223 loads out of my Ruger American Ranch using a KAC NT4 can. Any suggestions for load data such as powder, COAL etc? I really plan to just use these as a way to shoot in my backyard without ticking the neighbors off running supersonic 223/5.56.
10/23/2017 6:30:25 PM EDT
[#1]
Trailboss is your powder if you want subsonic 223
10/23/2017 10:31:02 PM EDT
[#2]
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Quoted:
Trailboss is your powder if you want subsonic 223
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See Hodgdon's on line data for Trail Boss loads. Hodgdon

OAL would be mag length or shorter, should be in loading data.

These loads won't cycle an AR. Good luck
10/24/2017 6:15:12 AM EDT
[#3]
Quote History
Quoted:
See Hodgdon's on line data for Trail Boss loads. Hodgdon

OAL would be mag length or shorter, should be in loading data.

These loads won't cycle an AR. Good luck
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I found their data and plan to work with it. I didnt know how many other people had worked up their own loads or found better options. This is in a bolt gun so no worries about an action.
10/24/2017 11:28:14 AM EDT
[#4]
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Quoted:


I found their data and plan to work with it. I didnt know how many other people had worked up their own loads or found better options. This is in a bolt gun so no worries about an action.
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You will still wreck the barrel if you do not notice one became stuck and fire another shot.
10/24/2017 11:29:29 AM EDT
[#5]
Quote History
Quoted:
I found their data and plan to work with it. I didnt know how many other people had worked up their own loads or found better options. This is in a bolt gun so no worries about an action.
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View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
See Hodgdon's on line data for Trail Boss loads. Hodgdon

OAL would be mag length or shorter, should be in loading data.

These loads won't cycle an AR. Good luck
I found their data and plan to work with it. I didnt know how many other people had worked up their own loads or found better options. This is in a bolt gun so no worries about an action.
You likely know this already, but:

TEST ANY SUBSONIC LOAD WITHOUT THE CAN FIRST! (Yes, I meant to shout that part; I am trying to help you prevent a baffle strike).

At 25 yards, examine the bullet holes to make sure they are perfectly round.  If there is any evidence that they are tumbling, do not use that load in your suppressor, or you will likely have a baffle strike .
10/24/2017 12:50:13 PM EDT
[#6]
Never mind, I see you want to shoot it out of a RAR.
10/24/2017 1:24:40 PM EDT
[#7]
https://www.ar15.com/forums/armory/Blue-Dot-loads-for-your--223-bolt-action-rifles/42-478611/

borderline subs

fun regardless
10/24/2017 6:44:44 PM EDT
[#8]
I played with some in a TC Contender rifle a few years ago using the Trailboss data on Hodgdon's site. Even with a 23" barrel I had no issue with getting bullets stuck, but it's still something to be very aware of.

I also found Hornady V-Max don't do anything at subsonic speeds when shot into a milk jug. So you're not gaining anything over a traditional .22LR in bullet performance.

But it's a nice option if you want a small game load without dragging out another rifle.

For a "glorified .22LR, I keep thinking I need to work up a Trailboss load for the .221 Fireball".
10/24/2017 9:01:44 PM EDT
[#9]
Just a word of advice, but when you are dealing with reduced loads that will not take up much case volume in the case under bullet set, use a filler to hold the powder tight to the  to the primer to get reliable powder ignitions/complete powder burns.  

Push comes to shove in a pinch, TP works fine.  A better filler is dacron instead.
10/24/2017 10:15:22 PM EDT
[#10]
For subsonic, Trailboss is king. No filler needed.

For "bolt action" reduced loads (~1500fps), Red Dot is king. No filler, via C.E. Harris.

For "semi auto" reduced loads (~2200fps), H4895. Dunno about filler. Probably not.
10/25/2017 12:12:23 AM EDT
[#11]
My load is 5.7 gr of trailboss with a 70 gr speer sp.  Remington 7.5 primers.  This is right at 1050 fps out of a 16 inch barrel. it is an accurate and fun load.  Drops a lot at 100 but is consistent once you know the dope.  It is quiet.
10/25/2017 6:23:43 PM EDT
[#12]
Pull a steel cased 55gr Wolf bullet,

dump powder

put 3.2gr of 231

seat the bullet back

1050fps of fun haha
10/26/2017 9:13:49 PM EDT
[#13]
Hogdon has a Tightgroup load (3.1 grn I think) posted on their site.  I have used this in Wolf steel cases with home cast 55 grn bullets for single shot "Cat Sneeze" loads.
11/1/2017 10:33:45 PM EDT
[#14]
I put together some 55gr fmj's over 4.0gr trailboss.
Didn't have time to chrono them but they were just a tad over subsonic and hitting paper sideways at 100 yards thru a 1/9 twist 20" barrel.

I will probably pull the rest of them apart and try something different.
11/2/2017 6:59:36 AM EDT
[#15]
Quote History
Quoted:
I put together some 55gr fmj's over 4.0gr trailboss.
Didn't have time to chrono them but they were just a tad over subsonic and hitting paper sideways at 100 yards thru a 1/9 twist 20" barrel.

I will probably pull the rest of them apart and try something different.
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Thanks for the range report - especially confirmation that they were not stable at 100 out of your 1/9 barrel.
11/2/2017 8:58:49 AM EDT
[#16]
Quote History
Quoted:
I put together some 55gr fmj's over 4.0gr trailboss.
Didn't have time to chrono them but they were just a tad over subsonic and hitting paper sideways...
View Quote
Interesting. I tried 4.0 of TB at one time with a 55 gr bullet. They chronoed around 950 fps from a 23" Contender with a 23" barrel. I never tried them at distance, but they weren't tumbling at shorter distances.
11/2/2017 1:27:31 PM EDT
[#17]
Perhaps transonic instability.

I'm pretty sure 50gr VMAX at 1500fps is down to 1200fps at 100yds and occasionally one goes low with an oblong hole. Even with a 1:8.
11/2/2017 4:49:32 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote History
Quoted:

Interesting. I tried 4.0 of TB at one time with a 55 gr bullet. They chronoed around 950 fps from a 23" Contender with a 23" barrel. I never tried them at distance, but they weren't tumbling at shorter distances.
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Yeah... on paper the load looks like it should work... but in my case it's not working. Maybe a 1/7 twist would help.
11/2/2017 6:38:41 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote History
Quoted:


Yeah... on paper the load looks like it should work... but in my case it's not working. Maybe a 1/7 twist would help.
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Forgot to mention, mine is a 1:12 twist.

Brony might be onto something with the transonic instability theory.
11/2/2017 6:44:31 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote History
Quoted:

Forgot to mention, mine is a 1:12 twist.

Brony might be onto something with the transonic instability theory.
View Quote
Well... maybe they are OK for shorter distances... as I've shot several of them into a 55gal drum in my backyard at a distance of 40ft or so...
They always punch a clean entry hole but hit the back of the drum sideways.
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