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Range Report Seeking Trans-Sonic Performance Reports

Grump

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Oct 23, 2008
1,216
12
So. Utah
My sources from years ago defined the trans-sonic zone as from Mach 1.2 to Mach 0.8.

It explained rather nicely a reported "mystery" of less wind drift with 1100 fps heavy bullet loads as published by some handgun silhouette shooter (IHMSA, IIRC). Based on the loads being compared, this old Highpower shooter was muttering "I coulda told you that before you fired a single shot" while I was reading the article.

Anyway, seems like most of our discussions here treat Mach 1.0 as some sort of bugaboo point. But our beyond 1,000 people are quite often lobbing bullets which are quite subsonic on target impact.

And the worst time I ever had pulling targets was for some dude and his wife shooting club M1 Garands with M2 Ball ammo at 500 yards. Quite subsonic, keyholing and at least twice the MOA extreme spread as their 300-yard targets.

So, what bullets keep their accuracy through the trans-sonic zone? Yes, wind drift will increase dramatically, but there must be some experience on which ones go sideways and which ones don't...

Any reports would be appreciated.
 
Re: Seeking Trans-Sonic Performance Reports

I have had my 208 A Max out to 2K yds several times with good results. They would be trans sonic @ about 1500 yd. I have also had Hornady's new 225's out to 2K yds with similar results, only better. Never actually had the 210 VLD out that far. Don't pay for them any more.
BTW the A Max were launched @ 2950 @ about 1800'ASL, & the 225's are launched @ 2840 @ same. Some times the DA was only about 2500' when firing @ that range, so higher elevations should be even better.