I've read a lot of information about different bullets for subsonic rounds, but does anyone have a specific bullet they like for coyote hunting? I'm shooting a savage stealth with a 20" barrel, ASR break, and Omega can. This will be my first load of subsonic, but I want a bullet that will expand appropriately. Lapua's design doesn't really look like it expands and I've read I may need a flat point to keep from tumbling. Any information would be appreciated.
Subsonic 308 bullet for coyote hunting
- Thread starter rulellis
- Start date
I gave up on accurate loads for the .308 and focused on a .300 blackout which is very accurate with a slow 220gr bullet. I don't think subsonic .308 loads are good for coyote hunting as they lack consistency/accuracy and don't expand. YMMV.
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My buddy shoots the same 220 SGKs (pro hunter) RN bullets that I load sub in .300BLK. He also uses the same Trail Boss (you’re still gonna have a lot of empty space) powder. Not sure the load, but I’m sure if you google around on this you’ll find it easy.
It IS a lot easier to load it up for the 5.56 based .300BLK just in terms of case capacity, but out of the barrel it’ll give you the same damn thing...
It IS a lot easier to load it up for the 5.56 based .300BLK just in terms of case capacity, but out of the barrel it’ll give you the same damn thing...
Thank you for the responses.
I've been reading about people using red dot and cast bullets or round nose or flat point bullets, but info on good loads for the 308 seem more sparse than those for the 300 BO. If anyone else has a specific bullet to try in a 308 win, please let me know.
I've been reading about people using red dot and cast bullets or round nose or flat point bullets, but info on good loads for the 308 seem more sparse than those for the 300 BO. If anyone else has a specific bullet to try in a 308 win, please let me know.
Lehigh Defense has a 174 Controlled Fracturing and a 194 Max Expansion that work well with Trail Boss. The only caveat is you should have a 1-8 twist barrel for these to be accurate. Maker Bullets has 150, 168, and 180 gr fracturing subsonic bullets for 1-10 twist barrels.
I ass-u-me you have a 1:10 twist barrel. If so try a Hornady 220gr round nose and about 13gr +- of Trailboss powder with a large pistol primer. Note primers have a lot to do with how things turn out - you have to test.
This load shoots 1” MOA (5-shots) at 100 yards in my AI AT.
Shot a deer with this load at 95 yards and it dropped in place. Large exit wound on the far side.
Good luck!
This load shoots 1” MOA (5-shots) at 100 yards in my AI AT.
Shot a deer with this load at 95 yards and it dropped in place. Large exit wound on the far side.
Good luck!
I’m with everyone else in thinking the 308 sucks for subsonic shooting. The 7.62x39 would be better. The 308 just has to much case capacity for about anything but trail boss and trail boss is not consistent at all for me through the chrono. Trail boss also won’t come close to cycling a factory semi auto action. My advice would be buy a 300 blackout and don’t look back. It shoot 195gr cast polymer coated bullets over h110 and like them pretty well.
I built up a 7.62x39 just for subs.
How did it work you ask?
Perfect and super easy to get a load worked up.
I ran 180g round nose with the magic Trail Boss in a a 16inch barrel suppressed Savage bolt gun. It is a perfect combo size wise!
think I still have that barrel around...
Also for info
the Thompson Center 7.62x39 barrel works well for this! However, good luck finding one though...
Beware not all 7.62x39 barrel bores are alike! Please do research on the bore diameter.
Communist bloc ammo and rifles are not .308 bore!
How did it work you ask?
Perfect and super easy to get a load worked up.
I ran 180g round nose with the magic Trail Boss in a a 16inch barrel suppressed Savage bolt gun. It is a perfect combo size wise!
think I still have that barrel around...
Also for info
the Thompson Center 7.62x39 barrel works well for this! However, good luck finding one though...
Beware not all 7.62x39 barrel bores are alike! Please do research on the bore diameter.
Communist bloc ammo and rifles are not .308 bore!
Thank you for the information.
After a fair amount of research I think I am going to work up two different loads for my .308 Win. Both will be with Missouri Bullet Company cast bullets coated in Hi-Tek. After talking with them, their bullets are made of an alloy that is soft enough to expand at low speeds and the Hi-Tek coating precludes the need for lubrication and prevents leading in the barrel and suppressor. I will test the .309 diameter 165 grain "whitetail" bullet.
I think I will develop loads with both Red Dot and Trail Boss to see which yields the most consistent results. I will update as I figure it out.
After a fair amount of research I think I am going to work up two different loads for my .308 Win. Both will be with Missouri Bullet Company cast bullets coated in Hi-Tek. After talking with them, their bullets are made of an alloy that is soft enough to expand at low speeds and the Hi-Tek coating precludes the need for lubrication and prevents leading in the barrel and suppressor. I will test the .309 diameter 165 grain "whitetail" bullet.
I think I will develop loads with both Red Dot and Trail Boss to see which yields the most consistent results. I will update as I figure it out.
For a 308 I would go with a cast 220g or the Missouri 247g cast bullet that so many of the 300blk shooters use. The 165 is “light” and the 308 has so much more case capacity.
I would be interested to know if Missouri actually did expansion testing with those bullets or is it just a “claim”?
How long is the barrel on your 308?
I would be interested to know if Missouri actually did expansion testing with those bullets or is it just a “claim”?
How long is the barrel on your 308?
Any SS load is a poor coyote load. You will get poor kills and a lot of lost critters. Also the trajectory arc is so high that you will have many misses and lost opportunities. Varying ranges and fast action are best served by laser like trajectory.
But I have only killed 2500 or so coyotes so I might be wrong.
But I have only killed 2500 or so coyotes so I might be wrong.
The 1:10 twist will spin the 247gr bullets I have a Noe 247gr hollow point mold ..I roll cycling sub Sonics 308 works great in carbine gas
On the northern prairies most shots are over 400 yards on varmints. Calling also is a bit off a crapshoot depending on conditions. I find subsonics work quite well to shoot varmints after they are snared. Otherwise they are useless for me. However I can see them being very useful in an urban environment when there are pests around.
For hunting I would go with lehigh subsonic bullets. Most heavy bullets won't expand a6 subsonic velocities.
It all depends on your barrel twist for a .308. You need a 1:10 twist minimum for 200gr match bullets (longer 208, 220, 230 gr match bullets do not stabilize reliably unless you have a 1:9 or 1:8)
Shorter 220gr Round nose sub-sonic loads work really well (sub MOA accuracy) in a .308 winchester w/1:10 twist barrel as do the purpose-built Lapua sub-sonic 200gr bullet.
But subs are like slow pitch softball. Unless you really know your dope (every 20 yards) you should limit your shots to inside of 125 yards.
Shot a deer at 98 yards with sub-sonic 220gr round nose - "Click WHOP, flop" the deer died and fell where it stood, all were impressed. They were more impressed that the rest of the herd just stood there asking for more but all were MOST impressed at the 5" exit wound on the deer shot with the 220gr sub round.
Shorter 220gr Round nose sub-sonic loads work really well (sub MOA accuracy) in a .308 winchester w/1:10 twist barrel as do the purpose-built Lapua sub-sonic 200gr bullet.
But subs are like slow pitch softball. Unless you really know your dope (every 20 yards) you should limit your shots to inside of 125 yards.
Shot a deer at 98 yards with sub-sonic 220gr round nose - "Click WHOP, flop" the deer died and fell where it stood, all were impressed. They were more impressed that the rest of the herd just stood there asking for more but all were MOST impressed at the 5" exit wound on the deer shot with the 220gr sub round.
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I did a ton of testing including drilling out the flash holes, using Magnum rifle primers, fast pistol powders as well as trailboss/tinstar ... etc. The best results were with Trailboss/VV Tinstar and pistol primers.
For my AI AT Covert and 20" barrels - Both 1:10 twist I found that I could use 190 - 200 gr match bullets (Sierra) and 11.0gr - 12.3gr of Trailboss or Tinstar (depending on bullet selection). I tried the 208gr AMAX which worked but was on the ragged edge of stability and results where not as consistent. COL = 2.800"
Primer selection is CRITICAL you have to test but I found that pistol and magnum pistol primers to give the best results - I like Federal 150 and 155's. I found one load with 190 SMK bullets using the components listed above that shoots 1/2 MOA (1" 5-shots groups at 200 yards) though the suppressor. Target velocity was 1,030 - 1,050 fps.
Note the factory Lapua .308 Subsonic ammo shoots 1 MOA at 100 yards in my rifle - good stuff. This uses a dedicated bullet designed for sub-sonic loading that would be a good candidate if you can get your hands on some.
220 RN bullets work really well with 12.3-13.0gr of Trailboss.
Note I shoot at 5,000 ft density alt. YMMV - good luck!
With subsonic ammo start high and work your way low ...
For my AI AT Covert and 20" barrels - Both 1:10 twist I found that I could use 190 - 200 gr match bullets (Sierra) and 11.0gr - 12.3gr of Trailboss or Tinstar (depending on bullet selection). I tried the 208gr AMAX which worked but was on the ragged edge of stability and results where not as consistent. COL = 2.800"
Primer selection is CRITICAL you have to test but I found that pistol and magnum pistol primers to give the best results - I like Federal 150 and 155's. I found one load with 190 SMK bullets using the components listed above that shoots 1/2 MOA (1" 5-shots groups at 200 yards) though the suppressor. Target velocity was 1,030 - 1,050 fps.
Note the factory Lapua .308 Subsonic ammo shoots 1 MOA at 100 yards in my rifle - good stuff. This uses a dedicated bullet designed for sub-sonic loading that would be a good candidate if you can get your hands on some.
220 RN bullets work really well with 12.3-13.0gr of Trailboss.
Note I shoot at 5,000 ft density alt. YMMV - good luck!
With subsonic ammo start high and work your way low ...
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HAHA. Just kidding. always wanted to call in some yotes but south texas brush is not the best place.
Saw one in our neighborhood 3 days ago at dusk freaking out as the school bus stopped to drop off a bunch of kids within 30 feet of him ... the look on that yote's face was priceless ... "How in the $%^#% did I get here?"
City ordinance prohibits the discharge of firearms inside city limits ...
City ordinance prohibits the discharge of firearms inside city limits ...
I stopped using a 6.8 as my night rig for the same reason. Judging 200 yards when it’s really 260 at night on a trotting coyote with a 6-8in kill zone as its coming towards you makes you want something fast and flat.
well subs and a suppressor at night and no one will bother to notice. Also if he's that close, 22LR suppressed probably gets it done with less risk.
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