I recently started reloading (less than 6 months) and started specifically because of the scarcity of 8.6 blackout ammunition. My interests are in short range work: to have the lowest possible shot signature, and the highest mobility and lethality I can get, the 12" Q Fix in 8.6BLK fit my use case.
I was aware of the 1:3 twist propaganda before I purchased my Fix this year; occasionally I do think I should have either waited until more barrels became available, or purchased something in 300 Blackout, but in that case I likely wouldn't have been interested in reloading and in retrospect, I would consider that a loss because reloading has turned out to be a very rewarding non-shooting shooting activity if you catch my meaning.
Anyway, I have my load development data on my website (which you can find in the About section of my profile). I actively update it from the range, shooting new loads every week or so. I would appreciate any feedback or advice about how to properly collect and analyze the data, I'm sorta just going by the ancient reloading threads I find on this forum, youtubes, and other tertiary sources.
Heres a summary of my learnings about subsonic 86 blackout at 1:3 twist rates:
Bullets:
- 300gr Sierra MatchKing HPBT (lead core) - Stopped for now, because I had one non-catastrophic baffle strike, I may return to copper jacketed bullets if I can reliably keep them subsonic. Non-catastrophic just means i took my suppressor to a gunsmith and we checked it out together, and he told me i was lucky that the jacket just barely struck the endcap and make a cosmetic dent in the exit hole. The baffles are undamaged, but will strill probably RMA it when I can, though, it shoots fine.
- 342gr Gorilla Punisher (solid copper) - Currently using, not afraid to push this to the supersonic barrier, but the bullets are expensive and scarce, i'm trying to keep these between 950fps and 1000fps.
Powder:
Vihtavuori N320 + 300gr SMK:
- 11.0-12.0gr range → 1055-1101 fps
- flew a little too close to the sun with this powder, will return to it later
CFE BLK + 300gr SMK:
- 16.5gr → 969 fps
- 17.0gr → 1035 fps
- seems to be the most promising powder for subsonic work in my environment. This powder also smells the best in the container.
Hodgdon LILGUN + 342gr Gorilla:
- 12.0-13.4gr range → 820-937 fps
- good subsonic performance, no complaints, but not sure if it's better than CFE BLK yet. and I see this powder in-stock everywhere.
I'll be testing CFE BLK loads with the 342gr bullets this week and i'll be testing the following bullets over the coming weeks:
- 285GR Barnes TSX, if these work well then they'll be thge best price at 1.16/bullet
- 250GR Fort Scott Munitions SBP1 (I hope these are safe in 1:3?? not 100% sure, but what else would fort scott munitions use in their factory ammos?)
- 250GR North Fork Solid Flat Nose, just look weird
any idea why the maker website says not to use CFE BLK for their 350gr bullets?
