Video of my first time loading subsonic, please critique

Hello all,

This is the first time that I have ever done hand loading. I pulled out some of my fathers old hand loading books, and surferd through this long ass forum:
http://www.silencertests.com/silence...opic.php?t=169

My father reloaded about 20 years ago, and he helped me out, but I took video of the whole process, and wanted any and all critique from you guys.

I Used IMR Trail boss powder
CCI 250 Large rifle magnum primers
Used Winchester super X brass cases from walmart
RCBS Dies and Press
Speer 30 Cal 170 Gr Flat SP bullets
Speer lube and pad
RCBS scale

I own a Savage 10FP rifle, with an SRT extended shadow suppressor.

The video is 10 min long and 23Mb, (and I have a bit of a cold, cause Im sniffling) but I wanted to capture the whole process from start to finish.

Things that I have learned now are:
1) need a solid table, the one I have now moves around way too much
2) need to bolt my press on to the solid table, instead of on a board that I clamp to the desk.

Right click and save the video as target:
http://www.korgon.com/ryder/Guns/fir...mb%2010min.wmv

Please watch the whole thing and let me know if Im doing anything wrong.

I have yet to shoot these rounds, I bought a chrono, and loaded a couple of different grains. from 10.5 to 11.8gr of trail boss.

You are no Steven Spielberg I can tell you that. :P The only thing I seen that I would have done different is the re-sizing die you back it off I personally always let it hit.

Stick to making shoot videos that is much more entertaining. :mrgreen:

Couple things, first a couple questions.

Do you need Magnum primers because of the reduced subsonic load? I never tried it.

How accurate is your load?

Try RCBS "case Slick" spray. Real quick! You can "hit" multiple cases at a time.

If you want to trickle your load, try a salt/pepper shaker. Even better, save up for an electronic powder measure like the Lyman 1200. You will save a buttload of time.

Most important question I always ask new reloaders.... how did you check the Overall Length (OAL) of your loaded rounds? If you do not know the answer, then question 2 is always "Do you have a kinetic bullet puller and do you know how to use it?". Karl. [poke]

I'd look at your video, but on my computer (XP x64), windows media files are the death! (friggin M$)


you're on the right track though, take your time and ask questions! :)

When loading subsonic ammunition for shooting through a suppressor, I strongly recommend the following steps:

1. Use flat-base, soft-point bullets at the lower end of the weight range for your barrel's twist. These factors will improve bullet stability.

2. Always shoot a "new" subsonic load on paper at 25 or 50 yards to make sure you get zero keyholing, before shooting through the suppressor.

These will help to reduce the chances of getting a baffle strike.

Hunter - I really had no idea on what to set the dies at. the die that puts the bullet in, I set it to close, and it squished my case. I backed it off untill it did not squish it anymore.
And I know it was boring video, but I needed you experienced guys to tell me what I was doing wrong. and thanks by the way

Maddog- im coping the exact "recipe" that another guy on silencer test was doing with his .308 savage. I believe that since im using a slow burning pistol powder, it needs a larger magnum primer to efficiently burn the powder.
I have yet to shoot these, waiting for snow in front of my backstop to melt.
Some one else has told me about this case spray. I will check into that.
Some day I will develop a wish list of thing that I want for reloading, Im learning what I 'want' as I begin doing it. I will keep the lyman in the back of my head, thanks

Karl- no i dont know how to check overall length. I can measure it. The only thing I know of is to compare it to the wally world ammo (which is kind like comparing apples and oranges, but it would tell me if I was wayyyyy off.) or the other way is for me to chamber a round like i did in the video.
I think i have a kenitic bullet puller, it it the hammer thing, that you place the bullet in, and then start hammering for a long tim untill the bullet pops out. I have used that 2 times so far. It sucks.

Zak- just to make sure, iam using flat base, soft point bullets right? I used the same weight another guy on silencer test was using. and they recommend the same thing, use lower end weight for your twist.

I also know about the shoot at a paper target with out your suppressor at 10-20 yards and check for key holeing. where the bullet litterally goes through the paper sideways because it comes out of your barrel unstable. Then you know it is safe for suppressor use after that. but it may still keyhole at 100yards.
And thanks very much for the advice

Hi,

I normally do not recommend trying to load subsonic ammo as the first thing you load as a new reloader, but if you're copying a known recipe, you might be Ok.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by alucard

Hunter - I really had no idea on what to set the dies at. the die that puts the bullet in, I set it to close, and it squished my case. I backed it off untill it did not squish it anymore.
And I know it was boring video, but I needed you experienced guys to tell me what I was doing wrong. and thanks by the way

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I was talking about the "resizing die" as per your video" You on the other hand are talking about the seating die.

As far as my coment about the video you need to grow some skin it was a joke. I poke fun of a lot of people all the time and they poke fun of me get over yourself.

If you do not know what the Overall Length of the cartridge is, then I recommend you not try those bullets until you do. They can become little mini grenades and your barrel will be the shrapnel that hits you. :cry: We've already seen that once at one of our shoots and I've seen it numerous times in my life. The load data you are using should be giving you a overall length and you should be setting and checking that with a good quality caliper or similar measuring device.

The fact that it is similar or even exact in length to another round is totally irrelevant. The OAL can vary considerably from one manufacturer (or reload) to another. Please check those bullets before using them. BE CAREFUL!!! [poke] Karl.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HunterCO

As far as my coment about the video you need to grow some skin it was a joke. I poke fun of a lot of people all the time and they poke fun of me get over yourself.

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Oh, sorry, I was doing a lot of writing, and I knew you were joking... After reading my comment, I could see how it looked like I was offended, but I seriously was not, I laughed, and I know you joke around, It just came out wrong from my end. :cool: And thanks for clarifying on the resizing die and seating die. :oops:

Karl, Thank you for the OAL advice. I wont be shooting these until I find out what I should have the OAL as.

The problem is there is lots of info about reloading out there, but not so much for subsonic reloading.

Thanks guys

Subsonic reloading is no different, it's just that you are going outside the normal well-known and well-understood data parameters. You are using powders nobody uses for rifle reloading, and there are more complicating factors (stability, squibs, etc). Experienced reloaders can recognize signs that indicate various conditions (which may be potentially dangerous), while the newbie will not.

I agree with Zak. Unless you know what you are doing, it is best to seek advice. Don't take advice you pull up on the internet freely either, as loads differ rifle to rifle, Use them as a guide.
Regarding COAL, while not 100% fool proof, typically FACTORY mags are set way short of chamber's OAL. But follow Karl's advice and get a caliper to confirm.

I spent to much money on my rifle/can to mess with homemade. I shoot ammo from Engle Ballistic Research. It's about 25-30$ for a 20 rd. box.

here is a decent online article.

It tells more about drilling out your flash holes so that more of the primer can burn the power

http://members.shaw.ca/cronhelm/DevelopSubsonic.html

All right, in my quest to find if the over all case length is correct, I have taken detailed pictures.

My reloaded subsonic case 65.31mm or 2.571 inches

If any of you know what would be correct, or where i could look to see if these are correct:

http://www.korgon.com/ryder/Guns/sub...%20(Large).JPG
http://www.korgon.com/ryder/Guns/sub...%20(Large).JPG
http://www.korgon.com/ryder/Guns/sub...%20(Large).JPG
http://www.korgon.com/ryder/Guns/sub...%20(Large).JPG
http://www.korgon.com/ryder/Guns/sub...%20(Large).JPG
http://www.korgon.com/ryder/Guns/sub...%20(Large).JPG
http://www.korgon.com/ryder/Guns/sub...%20(Large).JPG
http://www.korgon.com/ryder/Guns/sub...%20(Large).JPG
http://www.korgon.com/ryder/Guns/sub...%20(Large).JPG

There is little we can tell by looking at these. OAL is one of those things that is load and barrel dependent. You can usually vary OAL for loads under max without issue.