308 subsonic trail boss projectiles and loads

Im wanting to put together a subsonic load for my 308 using trail boss.
Just want it to be able to knock over hares quietly for my dogs dinner each day while on multi day trips ( and maybe a goose for a change of diet for me ).
But don't want to make a lot of noise and scare the deer and pigs.

So weight of projectile not important as it will be just punching through and have a good GWP to find the runners.
308 has a gunworks suppressor on it and 16" barrel so should be reasonably discrete.
Have dial up Zeiss on it with zero stops so should be easy to dial in the sub load in the field when needed.

Would prefer to stick with conventional copper jacket as don't want to upset the usual full power load with different fouling.

Thoughts and experiences appreciated.

90gr xtp is made for you, will expand at sub velocity.....very quiet due to low powder load.

I was at around 5. something grains from memory(trailboss) start high and work down.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

90gr xtp is made for you, will expand at sub velocity.....very quiet due to low powder load.

I was at around 5. something grains from memory(trailboss) start high and work down.

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That was what I was thinking ... just wanted to see if anyone else had it in use.
Will get some 90 grain XTPs next time Im in town and as you stated work down.

Did you use standard or magnum primers with the trail boss in the 308 ?

I have used trail boss heaps in the 44 and it fills the case reasonably well ... but never in a big case so need to check about the primers etc.

Only need standard primers with Trail boss ignites real easy

I used mag primers but only because that was what I had.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

90gr xtp is made for you, will expand at sub velocity.....very quiet due to low powder load.

I was at around 5. something grains from memory(trailboss) start high and work down.

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what kind of accuracy can you expect at 50yds . . . and how much do you have to dial up from your full power load to get 50yrd zero . . . . cheers

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Originally Posted by rossi.45

what kind of accuracy can you expect at 50yds . . . and how much do you have to dial up from your full power load to get 50yrd zero . . . . cheers

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Two inch groups at 100yrds

Dial 15 moa for 100yrd zero

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Originally Posted by rossi.45

what kind of accuracy can you expect at 50yds . . . and how much do you have to dial up from your full power load to get 50yrd zero . . . . cheers

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

Two inch groups at 100yrds

Dial 15 moa for 100yrd zero

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I dont recall dial but an inch at 50 should be well achievable, annealing the neck is a huge help in consistent velocity's with subsonics.

I use 200gn Lapuas and they shoot under an inch at 50m. I wouldn't recommend them for what you are doing though as they ricochet terribly.
I have found that I can use the top point of the heavy post of the reticule for my 50m zero so no dialling needed. I just have to remember to have the scope on 3 power.

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Originally Posted by Shearer

I use 200gn Lapuas and they shoot under an inch at 50m. I wouldn't recommend them for what you are doing though as they ricochet terribly.
I have found that I can use the top point of the heavy post of the reticule for my 50m zero so no dialling needed. I just have to remember to have the scope on 3 power.

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How much powder are you using?


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Originally Posted by Manu

How much powder are you using?


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10.2 gns.

Finally got around to sorting this load.

308 with Hornady 90 XTP Subsonic with Trail Boss.

Worked down from 10 grains in one grain increments to 7.0 grains when it went subsonic and reasonably quiet.
Then tried 7.5 grains and plenty of noise again.
So 7.0 grains is perfect in my 16" Blaser 308 / Gunworks suppressor.
Then tested for grouping and drop at 50m on the target low vertically but well centered. Rapid fire group 25 to 30mm 5 shots.
Wound in 5moa on the elevation dial and it was absolutely perfect for dead on hold at 50m. Slow fire 25mm group.
Nice and easy to remember and with zero stops also easy to go back instantly to zero for usual full power supersonic load.

Will need to check dial up at ranges out to 100m but its pouring with rain ... hence being able to finally have time to sort this out.

Nice.
Will be interested to hear how they work on game.

I got so excited that I put on a rain coat and a target on the 100m range.
Have the luxury of shooting out of the gun room on own 100m range so very quick and easy to do load development and hold overs etc.

Took my time to dial up and confirm 16moa is perfect dial up for the sub sonic load at 100m.
And shot this 25mm 3 shot group while aiming at the small marker 'V' on the arm of the red cross.

Attachment 57636

So need to work up a chart from the known 5moa @ 50m and 16moa @ 100m and have 17moa available on the Zeiss 3-15x42 HD5.
This will be perfect to quietly shoot small game to feed my dog while away in big game / trophy hunting areas.

Now the hares around the farm are in a whole lot of trouble.
Haven't been shooting them at all for the last year so there are plenty around for a 'proof of concept' shoot up.
Also good for shooting the pesky hut possums who keep you awake at night but don't want to shoot due to the noise of using the full power ammo.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by akaroa1

I got so excited that I put on a rain coat and a target on the 100m range.
Have the luxury of shooting out of the gun room on own 100m range so very quick and easy to do load development and hold overs etc.

Took my time to dial up and confirm 16moa is perfect dial up for the sub sonic load at 100m.
And shot this 25mm 3 shot group while aiming at the small marker 'V' on the arm of the red cross.

Attachment 57636

So need to work up a chart from the known 5moa @ 50m and 16moa @ 100m and have 17moa available on the Zeiss 3-15x42 HD5.
This will be perfect to quietly shoot small game to feed my dog while away in big game / trophy hunting areas.

Now the hares around the farm are in a whole lot of trouble.
Haven't been shooting them at all for the last year so there are plenty around for a 'proof of concept' shoot up.
Also good for shooting the pesky hut possums who keep you awake at night but don't want to shoot due to the noise of using the full power ammo.

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Looking good:cool:

well done . .. . let us know how they perform on the Hares

R

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rossi.45

well done . .. . let us know how they perform on the Hares

R

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I got a rabbit this evening. Left the hares as I wanted a rabbit for paella this weekend.
Very nice solid noise from the hit.
Thats the great thing with sub sonics, you know from the sound.
Its even more quiet than the .44 suppressed rifle I have and use a lot.
Terminal performance is as you would expect with a 30 cal at 50m. Not blown to pieces just a good hole on both sides and not too much hydraulic shock.
Will give it a thorough going over with the hares next evening its not raining.

OK I did the full field test with all the gory details this evening.

So this is all with the 308 90 grain XTP subsonic's

First I head shot a rabbit at 40m. Totally munted as you would expect.
Attachment 57983

Next I shot a hare at 50m head on. Entry just behind the ear ran along the spine and crossed through spine and stopped in off side hip.
About 250mm penetration and recovered the projectile.
Attachment 57984
Projectile nose has peeled back very evenly and retained weight is 85 grains.
It had broken all the ribs and some of the spine, so had done a lot of work.
Attachment 57985

And last I shot a hare side on at 90m. Took a front of chest shot and it dropped on the spot.
Entry wound
Attachment 57986
Exit wound
Attachment 57987

Very happy with how they have gone so far in the field and accurate beyond my expectations.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by akaroa1

OK I did the full field test with all the gory details this evening.

So this is all with the 308 90 grain XTP subsonic's

First I head shot a rabbit at 40m. Totally munted as you would expect.
Attachment 57983

Next I shot a hare at 50m head on. Entry just behind the ear ran along the spine and crossed through spine and stopped in off side hip.
About 250mm penetration and recovered the projectile.
Attachment 57984
Projectile nose has peeled back very evenly and retained weight is 85 grains.
It had broken all the ribs and some of the spine, so had done a lot of work.
Attachment 57985

And last I shot a hare side on at 90m. Took a front of chest shot and it dropped on the spot.
Entry wound
Attachment 57986
Exit wound
Attachment 57987

Very happy with how they have gone so far in the field and accurate beyond my expectations.

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Excellent :thumbsup:

Nice, subsonics are fun to shoot. I've shot a couple of possums with my 708 suppressed load.

I have been wondering how fast I can boot them(the 90gr xtps) out of the 30-284 just for shits and giggles......

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

I have been wondering how fast I can boot them(the 90gr xtps) out of the 30-284 just for shits and giggles......

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Weatherby did some testing years ago firing a 308 projectile around 60 grains out of a 30-378 that I seem to recall was well over 5000 FPS.

Although the XTPs are really intended for pistols so the jackets are pretty thin. So not sure what would come out the end of your 30-284 barrel

Quote:

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Originally Posted by akaroa1

Weatherby did some testing years ago firing a 308 projectile around 60 grains out of a 30-378 that I seem to recall was well over 5000 FPS.

Although the XTPs are really intended for pistols so the jackets are pretty thin. So not sure what would come out the end of your 30-284 barrel

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Yea I am well short of that case capacity and dont really have the faster powders selection but might have a play next time at the range.