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.223 subsonic

ganyana

Private
Minuteman
Nov 12, 2008
83
1
Zimbabwe
What powders are you using in America to produce .223 /5.56 subsonic loads that will reliably cycle in an AR 15 type rifle? The local Rifle club has approved indoor use of IPSC rifle but only with subsonic loads...Have 80, 90 and 100grn bullets available and most American brand powders and VihtaVuori pistol powders. (it is sure as heck not possible with Norma Rifle powder!)
 
Re: .223 subsonic

Finnland...el cheapo's - Lead plated with copper...but fine at subsonic velocities. They stabilise fine in 1:7 barrels, but are a bit shaky out of a 1:9! Not that for IPSC it matters. we are not talking bench rest- just got to stay in the A zone at 100m and no key holing (which they do fine).

I can get subsonic loads to shoot well, just making them cycle the action is a bit of a trouble and I don't know the US powders well.
 
Re: .223 subsonic

Trailboss works the best (5.3 gr. with 75 gr. Hornaday match bullet), but there are other issues in getting an AR to cycle with any sub load. Lightened bolt group, buffer, and recoil spring all need work. It can be done but a lot of work to get there. A 30 Wisper might be an option. Or get one of the pump AR's out of Cal.
 
Re: .223 subsonic

Unique is listed by the maker as suitable for micro load charges. I have loaded 52grSMK's with 7gr of Unique for outdoor 100yd comp. Quiet, does not heat the barrel much, and absolutely no wind bucking ability. Indoors, it could be an OK load.

While AR type rifles and the .223 chambering can be made to perform as you require, we have long time past reverted to accurized 10/22's and subsonic ammo. It just works better, and requires the fewest backflips/accommodations to make it work.

Greg
 
Re: .223 subsonic

22_CB_short_-_4.jpg


The CB short makes a sound like a BB gun, when fired from a rifle. The rifle bore volume is enough expansion to get the muzzle pressure below (1) atmosphere above ambient. [No suppressor required to make it quiet.]
One of these into the brain of a raccoon and the animal is down and bleeding out.

The trajectory will require a range finder and elevation adjustment to hit that brain at 150 feet.

aquila.jpg

The 60 gr Agulia sub sonic will not stabilize in a normal 22LR rifle with 1 in 16" twist.
 
Re: .223 subsonic

Hi No rimfire permitted...just centre fire. Have some 'extreme shock' ammo that works fine in the 416's Galilis and AR 15's I've tried it in. Bullets are subsonic but land with (just) enough punch to take down falling plates on the range. (100grn Bullet at 1100fps).

Powder looks like VihtaVuori N160 - 12,7 grns. Pressure is low but port pressure is high enough to cycle unmodified rifles
 
Re: .223 subsonic

Try Alliant's Blue Dot. I don't have the loads handy but I do remember seeing that it was cycling an AR platform with heavy bullets at subsonic speeds, but barely. There might have been a new gas block or piston system on the rifle, I forget honestly.

I think that you might be stuck moving to a piston system for the subsonic rounds to cycle well, especially if you're shooting it for a competition.