hapidogbreath
Member
Any Idea for a .223/556 load for 62 gr subsonic Rnd from an AR platform???
Does it exist and can it be done safely?
Does it exist and can it be done safely?
Sub Sonic 62 Gr.
- Thread starter hapidogbreath
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Trail Boss will probably be your friend. Realize that it isn't going to cycle the action.
I've seen a couple of articles about building subsonic .223 rounds that will cycle an AR and usually you're looking at a very heavy bullet and often tuning the rifle to run with sub-rounds.
I've seen a couple of articles about building subsonic .223 rounds that will cycle an AR and usually you're looking at a very heavy bullet and often tuning the rifle to run with sub-rounds.
OP
OP
hapidogbreath
Member
Thanks for the Info. I am thinking about getting a can and am curious as to see just how quiet I can get it and still be accurate out to 100yards.
Wolfman Bill
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Afternoon hapidogbreath
I shoot a lot of subsonic in my .223 AR. Haven’t tried the 62 gr but shoot a lot of 55 gr.
As far as I can tell from talking with other sub sonic .223 shooters you are probably going to have to come with a load for your particular barrel and rifling twist. I really had to work at it to get mine to group decently at 100 yards & even then the grouping isn’t anything to brag about.
I have tried a BUNCH of different powders and different loadings along with varying neck tensions & none have even come close to cycling my AR. Maybe with a can but with my current loads I’m sure they won’t cycle even with a can.
What I have right now is a subsonic 55 gr load that will stay within a 3” group at 100 yards. But even a little wind will really move them around.
If I really want to do a dance I can get around a 2” group at 100 yds but that takes a barrel cleaning after every shot & very constant neck tension & lubricated bullets. These subsonic rounds are really quirky when it comes to barrel friction & ignition pressures. First shot is almost always a throwaway then they get a bit more consistent.
With your 62 grain bullets you can probably push a bit harder than I can and still keep the bullet subsonic.
Right now I’m back to Trail Boss. It seems everything I try powder wise seems to be better at first but after shooting 3 or 4 days of groupings I go back to Trail Boss as so far that seems to be the most repeatable day to day.
As far as I have been able to determine consistency is the answer not the powder. A .5 grain difference in Trail Boss loads isn’t nearly as critical as .05 grain difference in Red Dot or Blue Dot.
Try everything powder wise until you get the results you want.
One thing I can tell you is at those light loads loading consistency is the holy grail. Use the same type/brand of brass, same neck sizing, same bullet diameters, same everything. Something that will move a normal load out of group ¼” will move the subsonic loads out 1” or more.
One word of advise, well maybe two; First “always” make sure you see a new hole in the target before shooting the next (these subsonic’s are getting close to sticking a bullet)
Second; always start a bit higher on the amount of powder and work your way down (kind of backwards to what most are used to doing)
I shoot a lot of subsonic in my .223 AR. Haven’t tried the 62 gr but shoot a lot of 55 gr.
As far as I can tell from talking with other sub sonic .223 shooters you are probably going to have to come with a load for your particular barrel and rifling twist. I really had to work at it to get mine to group decently at 100 yards & even then the grouping isn’t anything to brag about.
I have tried a BUNCH of different powders and different loadings along with varying neck tensions & none have even come close to cycling my AR. Maybe with a can but with my current loads I’m sure they won’t cycle even with a can.
What I have right now is a subsonic 55 gr load that will stay within a 3” group at 100 yards. But even a little wind will really move them around.
If I really want to do a dance I can get around a 2” group at 100 yds but that takes a barrel cleaning after every shot & very constant neck tension & lubricated bullets. These subsonic rounds are really quirky when it comes to barrel friction & ignition pressures. First shot is almost always a throwaway then they get a bit more consistent.
With your 62 grain bullets you can probably push a bit harder than I can and still keep the bullet subsonic.
Right now I’m back to Trail Boss. It seems everything I try powder wise seems to be better at first but after shooting 3 or 4 days of groupings I go back to Trail Boss as so far that seems to be the most repeatable day to day.
As far as I have been able to determine consistency is the answer not the powder. A .5 grain difference in Trail Boss loads isn’t nearly as critical as .05 grain difference in Red Dot or Blue Dot.
Try everything powder wise until you get the results you want.
One thing I can tell you is at those light loads loading consistency is the holy grail. Use the same type/brand of brass, same neck sizing, same bullet diameters, same everything. Something that will move a normal load out of group ¼” will move the subsonic loads out 1” or more.
One word of advise, well maybe two; First “always” make sure you see a new hole in the target before shooting the next (these subsonic’s are getting close to sticking a bullet)
Second; always start a bit higher on the amount of powder and work your way down (kind of backwards to what most are used to doing)
I don't have a AR or do I use a can but I load a few rounds of fast powder. My favorite is 10B101 but it isn't as quite. You don't have the crack but Red Dot is a little more quite.
Wolfman has already said most of what I would have told you except I don't agree with starting high & working down. Instead start a a known safe & work in the direction you want to achieve. These are not just reduced loads but reduced recoil & noise. The pressure is still very high in the cartridge. You need to pay very close attention to pressure signs. I have intentionally stuck a few bullets to find that boundary & have never heard a sound from the gun with any of them but I shoot bolt & a stuck bullet may function the bolt on a auto.
Good luck on your quest.
Wolfman has already said most of what I would have told you except I don't agree with starting high & working down. Instead start a a known safe & work in the direction you want to achieve. These are not just reduced loads but reduced recoil & noise. The pressure is still very high in the cartridge. You need to pay very close attention to pressure signs. I have intentionally stuck a few bullets to find that boundary & have never heard a sound from the gun with any of them but I shoot bolt & a stuck bullet may function the bolt on a auto.
Good luck on your quest.
Clark
Member
The rimfire has a lot less case capaicty, and so burns a lot less powder getting the bullet up to just sub sonic velocity, and so has much less gas volume and pressure to suppress.
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