The Accurate Reloading Forums
Bolt Trash Sub Sonic Bullet of the Future!
18 September 2012, 02:01
RustyBolt Trash Sub Sonic Bullet of the Future!
Sorry! I couldn't resist!
What do these two bullets have in common?
30 caliber
Lehigh Bullets 148 grain Sub Sonic hollow point bullet and 20 grain .17 caliber Dogtown hollow point bullets?
Why this of course. . .A 168 grain projectile with a 20 grain "spreader" included in that weight.
Looking forward to trying these in my suppressed 308 Savage!
Rusty
We Band of Brothers!
DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member
"I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends."
----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836
"I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841
"for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”
18 September 2012, 03:58
Antelope Sniper
I sure wouldn't want to be standing in front of that combination!
18 September 2012, 04:28
MickinColoWhat is the practical application of that combination? It doesn't look like a cheap load.
18 September 2012, 04:50
RustyYou get better bullet expansion at Sub Sonic velocity. Most bullets just punch a hole at low velocity.
Rusty
We Band of Brothers!
DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member
"I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends."
----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836
"I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841
"for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”
18 September 2012, 05:12
BigNateInteresting? but would it do anything better than say an "old fashioned" cup and core bullet at 1/5 cost?
Not bagging on you or anyone. Just curious.
18 September 2012, 06:26
MickinColoWhat do you need sub-sonic loads for? Those look a little expensive for shooting rats in the hen house.
18 September 2012, 15:12
RustyAll I can say is I wanted to try them! Suppressed and hogs sound like FUN!
Rusty
We Band of Brothers!
DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member
"I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends."
----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836
"I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841
"for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”
18 September 2012, 16:52
tiggertateI was looking at those too, Rusty. I'm anxious to see what you think after plugging a hog! I was worried about concentricity and that much weight forward in the nose.
"Experience" is the only class you take where the exam comes before the lesson.
19 September 2012, 01:16
MickinColoquote:
Originally posted by Rusty:
All I can say is I wanted to try them! Suppressed and hogs sound like FUN!
Hogs,,, I didn't even think about hogs. Very interesting. Suppressed, I would think it would be pretty quiet.
20 September 2012, 01:45
gabRusty,
You will really like what those Lehigh bullets do to deer.
I have used about 200 of them since discovering them a couple of years back for my suppressed 300Whisper.
To answer a prior question, "regular" bullets will not expand, I have tried filing off the soft point on a Sierra 220-nope! soft lead-nope.
These Lehigh open up great and shed their petals-at most I recover one petal still attached.
For no other reason but I can, I have purchased some Outlaw State subsonic 308 bullets to reload.
They got great reviews and will have to test them out this upcoming deer season.
Given that we are overrun with deer here and my limit is 6 but damage stamps are given out like Halloween candy so more is not a problem.
If you are using a 300-221/Whisper in a bolt subsonic suppressed and have problems finding a good powder drop me a line. I am currently using Lil'Gun with great success-keeping velocity to 1050.
For those who never shoot suppressed let me say give it a try if you are in any kind of even lightly populated area. The loudest sound is the firing pin falling and a soft wooosh.
I have had deer fall and the surrounding ones never look up.
Great for culling the herds.
Gary
20 September 2012, 06:56
TX NimrodCurrently the best results on game with subsonic rifle bullets are usually with long bullets which do not drill a hole straight through the animal. I have used the Sierra 220 RN for a couple years on small Texas deer and hogs with excellent results. These bullets launched at around 1000-1100 fps in a 1:10" barrel will turn broadside in an animal and create an awesome wound. They kill as well or better than a .44 Magnum round with far less recoil or noise. For those who want to use a suppressed round or a low-noise cartridge (I use a .32-20) an expanding bullet isn't needed. That does not mean that an expanding bullet is not a good idea.
.20 September 2012, 12:33
John ChalmersIm jealous,we have a minimum of 2,450fps.jc

20 September 2012, 16:00
Rustygab, TX,
Thanks for the input. I have loaded these for my suppressed Savage 308 Win. 10 grain of trail boss.
Hopefully I can get to the range this weekend and "experiment" with these.
What would consider the best working "range" for these subsonic loads?
Rusty
We Band of Brothers!
DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member
"I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends."
----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836
"I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841
"for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”
20 September 2012, 17:04
gabI keep my shots to 150 yards.
If you run a ballistic table on them at subsonic speed you will see they drop like a rock and getting an accurate range is critical.
For example, using a sierra 240 hpbt(a very efficient projectile with high BC) with a MV of 1050 fps and sighted in for 100 yards you get a 11.76 inch drop at 150 yards, 21" at 175 and 32.5" at 200 yards.
Just miscalculating 25 yards from 125 instead of 150 will put you off by 8 inches.
Gary
21 September 2012, 00:38
TX NimrodMy longest shots are under 100 yards so drop isn't an issue for me. But there are plenty of folks in AR forums shooting sub-sonic over 200 yards with great success. With modern range finders, you shouldn't be 5 yards off in your range extimate, and mil-dot reticles solve the drop issue. Think of it as akin to shooting at 600-800 yards with an ultramagnum, same process.....
.21 September 2012, 17:36
gabTx,
Not to be cantankerous but where I live the deer are so numerous and troublesome that my limit without any damage stamps to add in is 6 deer.
I have no reason to stretch my shots. If it is not within 125 I just wait and like the proverbial bus or subway train, another will be along shortly.
As most of us are, I am more concerned with a quick clean kill and not so much in how far I can shoot it.
Also, I am not getting any younger and dragging out a dead deer more than a couple of hundred yards has certainly lost it's appeal to me. :-))
Gary
24 September 2012, 04:27
N E 450 No2Rusty, if I wanted some expansion at subsonic velocities I would take a look at the Hawk 200gr., 30 cal bullet with the .025jacket.
If any 30 cal bullet will give expansion at subsonic velocities this one might.
I would test it for stability before shooting it through my suppressor for sure.
Just a couple of weeks ago I saw a fella have a baffle strike with a 308 and blast the "guts" out of his suppressor. I was sitting right next to him, spotting for him when it happened...
DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY
24 September 2012, 20:25
gabNE 450,
Not meaning to hijack this thread but could you give more details on baffle strike--I would like to avoid this at all cost and am interested to find out what happened, ie, load and bullet combo, etc.
Thanks,
Gary
25 September 2012, 20:20
John ChalmersHave seen moderators destroyed because the mod got loose on the thread(crawling through heather when stalking for example)or the thread was not cut concentric to the rifling. A bullet would have to be way off a safe load to de-stabilize so quick to strike the baffles.jmo.jc
26 September 2012, 05:15
N E 450 No2gab
I think this is how it happened.
I fired a few rounds out of the rifle. It was an AR in 308. I was shooting and hitting 16" steel gongs at 400 and 500 yards.
After I fired my last shot, we let the gun cool, and I reached up and gave the suppresser a quick twist. It was a little loose and I tightened it up.
It was a direct thread to the barrel.
The other fella fired several rounds trying to hit the plates, and then BOING, parts went 75 yards or so down range.
I think the suppressor loosened up and sagged enough to cause a baffle strike...
DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY
28 September 2012, 01:14
John Chalmersquote:
Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
gab
I think this is how it happened.
I fired a few rounds out of the rifle. It was an AR in 308. I was shooting and hitting 16" steel gongs at 400 and 500 yards
After I fired my last shot, we let the gun cool, and I reached up and gave the suppresser a quick twist. It was a little loose and I tightened it up.
It was a direct thread to the barrel.
The other fella fired several rounds trying to hit the plates, and then BOING, parts went 75 yards or so down range.
I think the suppressor loosened up and sagged enough to cause a baffle strike...
+1 jc
28 September 2012, 16:31
michael458quote:
Sorry! I couldn't resist!

Funny how you would be interested in those "NonCons"! LOL.........
I know a little bit about those! JD is working close with David to develop many of these for the Sub-Sonic Whispers.
Michael
http://www.b-mriflesandcartridges.com/default.htmlThe New Word is "Non-Conventional", add "Conventional" to the Endangered Species List!
Live Outside The Box of "Conventional Wisdom"
I do Not Own Any Part of Any Bullet Company, I am not in the Employ Of Any Bullet Company. I do not represent, own stock, nor do I receive any proceeds, or monies from ANY BULLET COMPANY. I am not in the bullet business, and have no Bullets to sell to you, nor anyone else.
28 September 2012, 17:48
RustyMichael,
How many bullet companies do you have an interest in?
Rusty
We Band of Brothers!
DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member
"I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends."
----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836
"I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841
"for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”
28 September 2012, 21:43
michael458Rusty
I love bullets, I am always "interested" in bullets! LOL....... So therefore always interested in all bullet companies!
You know, the Bullet does All The heavy Lifting!
Lehigh was making my bullets before for the various .500s. Problem was I just did not have enough communications with Lehigh to be able to get better bullets made. In fact, there was no communications at all! So it was hard to get things done. Last special order of bullets I got took over 6 months, that was just not acceptable to me.
Dan at CEB and John at North Fork, far different story.
All my rifles are built by SSK Industries, JD Jones and Company. JD is the driving force behind these Sub Sonic bullets, for the various Whispers. Many of the Whispers are used in Ohio and Pennsylvania for "Deer Control" in urban type settings. As you guys have already mentioned and we all know, conventional bullets at Sub Sonic do not do anything, no expansion, nothing. Even very soft bullets. Therefore you see the slits cut in the sides of the brass HPs that David has been working on, for JD. So I know a little bit about these, why, what and how because of JD. In fact, spoke with JD just this morning. Not about bullets, about some other things he and I are working on. Always a project.
Michael
http://www.b-mriflesandcartridges.com/default.htmlThe New Word is "Non-Conventional", add "Conventional" to the Endangered Species List!
Live Outside The Box of "Conventional Wisdom"
I do Not Own Any Part of Any Bullet Company, I am not in the Employ Of Any Bullet Company. I do not represent, own stock, nor do I receive any proceeds, or monies from ANY BULLET COMPANY. I am not in the bullet business, and have no Bullets to sell to you, nor anyone else.
28 September 2012, 22:49
RustyInteresting.
So, which companies making bullets or groups do you own an interest in or have an advisory capacity or board position.
Rusty
We Band of Brothers!
DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member
"I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends."
----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836
"I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841
"for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”
29 September 2012, 03:31
huffmaniteGent I shoot with on a regular basis at range we are members, showed me a bullet he'd altered one day. He owns an 1885 Winchester action rifle chambered in 348 Win. Odd ball O.D. on its bullets and only available in flat nose, since it was originally chambered only in a tube fed lever action rifle.
He'd always wanted to shoot a pointed bullet in his .348 1885, so he'd drilled out the lead part of his flat nosed bullet and inserted a .22 cal bullet, such as you'd use in a 22-250 or .223, in the hole. Odd shape to the oglive of his bullet creation. However, at 100 yards he shot some pretty decent groups with his creation. Guess this deer season, he may try out this bullet. This reminds me to ask him about it next time I see him.
30 September 2012, 16:52
michael458quote:
Originally posted by Rusty:
Interesting.
So, which companies making bullets or groups do you own an interest in or have an advisory capacity or board position.
Rusty
I sure hate to disappoint you, but I do not own, have no $$ interest, own ZERO stock in any sort of bullet company. Have never owned, have never had a $$ interest, and have never owned any stock in any bullet company ever. And do not intend to do so, and have no plan of any future in the bullet business and don't want to be in the bullet business.
I am not on the "Board" of ANY bullet company, serve in no advisory capacity to ANY bullet company, and have no position, on the Board, or even sweeping the floor of any bullet company.
But I can tell you this, when I speak about Bullets--Most Listen!
Michael
http://www.b-mriflesandcartridges.com/default.htmlThe New Word is "Non-Conventional", add "Conventional" to the Endangered Species List!
Live Outside The Box of "Conventional Wisdom"
I do Not Own Any Part of Any Bullet Company, I am not in the Employ Of Any Bullet Company. I do not represent, own stock, nor do I receive any proceeds, or monies from ANY BULLET COMPANY. I am not in the bullet business, and have no Bullets to sell to you, nor anyone else.
30 September 2012, 17:42
Rustyquote:
But I can tell you this, when I speak about Bullets--Most Listen!
Glad you have a following!
Rusty
We Band of Brothers!
DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member
"I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends."
----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836
"I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841
"for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”
01 October 2012, 04:08
michael458Without a doubt Rusty, I am in damn fine company, the best, the brightest, and most experienced, that I keep company with, it is I who am honored. I am not one for keeping company with idiots! I find it a waste of time.
I am sorry to bust your bubble on my alleged ties to some bullet company, I know you must be disappointed, just when you thought you had it figured! Too bad!
Michael
http://www.b-mriflesandcartridges.com/default.htmlThe New Word is "Non-Conventional", add "Conventional" to the Endangered Species List!
Live Outside The Box of "Conventional Wisdom"
I do Not Own Any Part of Any Bullet Company, I am not in the Employ Of Any Bullet Company. I do not represent, own stock, nor do I receive any proceeds, or monies from ANY BULLET COMPANY. I am not in the bullet business, and have no Bullets to sell to you, nor anyone else.
01 October 2012, 19:45
RustyYou haven't burst any bubbles here.
Rusty
We Band of Brothers!
DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member
"I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends."
----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836
"I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841
"for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”
02 October 2012, 00:33
John Chalmers

jc
02 October 2012, 08:54
Antelope SniperRusty,
To me, it's a facinating design, and I appreciate you sharing it with us.
I'm really looking forward to your field results, both on paper, and on some of those Texas pigs.