There are times (usually when on holiday) I start thinking about making novel and unusual reloads. I noticed some posts about subsonic loads for 308 and wondered is it possible or practicable to create a subsonic load for 243 - for pure interest? If so, has anyone any possible loads to try?

Regards..

..Titan

I should be able to set you up....

however, what bullet weight are you desiring to use? there is everything from 105 grains down to 55 grains.....

so I need to know your desired bullet weight or the game you are shooting it at...

are you speaking of jacketed bullets or cast bullets...

Seafire...hello again..

I would like to use jacketed bullets and have 58,68,70,75,80,87,95 and 100gr to choose from.

Regards...

..Titan

subsonic loads in a fairly large case with jacketed bullets is a dangerous proposition.if you get a load that doesn't ignite well, goes pfffft instead of bang, you will stick the bullet in the barrel. this will happen sooner or later. if it does push the bullet out from the muzzle toward the chamber. that said you can load 5 grs. of bullseye behind a light weight bullet, vel. should be sub-sonic. you will get better ignition with a magnum primer. a light load that i like better is 12gr. of red dot, also with a magnum primer for about 1300 -1500fps. i have shot both loads extensively but normally shot cast bullets with the bullseye load. i liked the red dot load better because when zeroed for a hunting bullet i could use the top of the duplex for an aiming point. i've used 12 grs. in 243 and 7x57 and 308 and 13 grs in .270 and 30/06. always check your barrel though if a load doesn't sound right.

i should have said to use the top of the lower duplex for an aiming point.

also make sure you start at about 9 grs. and work your way up as i have seen 12 grs. produce over 2000 fps. in some rifles with some bullets. accuracy with this load is normally excellant , all bullets cutting together at 25 yds.

when 12 grs. produces 2000fps or so pressures are starting to get high , so be cautious. sorry about all the ps's i'm having trouble with my computer.

quote:

Originally posted by swampshooter:
when 12 grs. produces 2000fps or so pressures are starting to get high , so be cautious. sorry about all the ps's i'm having trouble with my computer.

Thank you...

...Titan

ps. again. i should have told you to reduce that 5 gr. load to 4 grs. to start if you want to try it.

quote:

Originally posted by swampshooter:
ps. again. i should have told you to reduce that 5 gr. load to 4 grs. to start if you want to try it.

Did you use a dacron type filler for this low volume load?

...Titan

quote:

Originally posted by Titan:
...Did you use a dacron type filler for this low volume load?...

Hey Titan, You may already be aware that 40-60 years ago there was a good bit of research and articles done by the NRA concerning "Fillers". The conclusion was that Fillers have the potential to create a Ring in the Chamber or Bore. It seemed to be much more common in Bottle Neck Cases than in Straight Wall Cases, as well as I can remember.

I know a lot of folks use Fillers and never have a problem, but I just never wanted to try them. If you do get a Ring, at least you will know what did it.

Best of luck to you.

Could trail boss be used in bottleneck cases?

on second thought i don't think you should try to use that bullseye load. it can be a real juggling act to find the right load, that will always exit the barrel and will not escalate pressures to a dangerous level. the .243 is not the right case for bullseye and you could get in trouble rapidly. it is also possible to damage your barrel trying to drive out a stuck bullet. i would not use a filler in the .243. a fairly large case with a small caliber doesn't do well with fillers. i have used 1/2 grain of kapok to hold the powder next to the primer when loading 30/06 with 13 grains or red dot. if you work up a load in your gun and you know pressures are mild you could try it, but you're on your own on that one. fillers will raise pressures at least 2000 psi and possibly more.

quote:

Originally posted by Tyler Kemp:
Could trail boss be used in bottleneck cases?

Haven't got back on this thread... but That would be my first recommendation...

Trail Boss is very bulky.. I've played with it in a 30/30, 30/06 and a few other cartridges...

like 10 grains fills a 30/30 case...
15 grains fills and 06 case...

The manufacturer recommends not going past the shoulder in loading the cartridge...

take any case you want, and then load it to the base of the neck... then with your chrony, shoot loads across the chrony, while going DOWN in charge weight, until you reach your desired velocity...

a charge up to the neck of a case with Trail Boss will yield about 1200 fps with any bullet weights.. at least in an 06 sized case or down..

also tried it with a 444 and 200 thru 300 grain bullets ( XTPs)... is that a nice home defense load!

quote:

31 on the ACT and I get my 338 Edge* (1st try-29)

Good luck Tyler...

back when I took my ACT in the Fall of 1969.. I managed to score 34 on my ACT... only took it once..

that trail boss sounds great to me. much better than those loads i developed 30 or 40 years ago. i'm going to town tomorrow and get a can. good info thanks

Reduced loads have a history of producing "explosions" instead of ignitions inside the brass, which in turn causes catostrophic damage to gun and shooter. Studies suggested that with too much loose space in the case, powder gets positioned such that it ignites in two separate piles and the shock waves collide (or something like that) causing the explosion.

One solution is to buy special "reduced load" powders and follow loading manual recommendations. My Speer Reloading Manual #11 lists IMR 4198 as a reduced load powder for .243, on page 128 & 129 for 90 and 105 gr. bullets. I should add I've not tried it yet.