the .222 Rem subsonic

Aloysius · Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 2:48 pm Post subject: the .222 Rem subsonic

Anybody ever tried to load the .222 Rem subsonic?
(or the .22 Hornet or the .223 Rem)

How did you do it?
Or: how would you approach this idea? Going for casted hard lead or still using a jacketed bullet and counting on small amount of (fast) powder?
I was thinking about +/- 10 grs magnumpowder for the .44 or the .357 RM and a bullet of 55-60 grs.
I'd like to get my .222 Rem (and/or the .22 Hornet) to subsonic .22 LR performance, a kind of rabbit load.

any ideas?

PaulS · Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 3:01 pm Post subject: Re: the .222 Rem subsonic

I would see if there was a load for H4895 and start by backing the max load down to 60%. that is likely to be sub sonic and then work it up to the best accuracy.
Note: This is recommended by Hodgdon for light loads that are accurate but only with H4895.

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 3:10 pm Post subject: Re: the .222 Rem subsonic

Would this be a good use for Trail Boss powder? I haven't looked any yet but that was the first thing to pop into my head.

Ominivision1 · Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 3:13 pm Post subject: Re: the .222 Rem subsonic

Aloy

I loaded down the 30/06 after introducing my nephew to the world of firearms, and working him up from the 22LR to bigger calibers. This past summer I used Trail Boss by IMR and used the min load supplied by Hodgdon which was 13.3grs behind a Nosler 150gr BT at a chrony speed of 1041fps.

This load was pretty darn accurate shooting at a target for him at 50 yards. Recoil was almost non existent. I looked at the pdf file that Hodgdon's has for Trail Boss and could not find any listing for the .223, however I bet if you e-mailed them they would give you a recipe. Smile

Aloysius · Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 4:04 pm Post subject: Re: the .222 Rem subsonic

Omi, where would you place Trail Boss on the chart of burning rates?

PaulS, are you sure about this H4895? That's one I might have in stock. For a .222 Rem a load for a 60 grs bullet would be minimum 20 grs for and maximum 23,5 grs. Then you would suggest to start with 13-14 grs?
I have better feelings with a faster powder, something like H110...

had to correct this because I took the data for IMR4895, almost the same, but not exactly.
And even my stock let me down: no H4895 anymore (have H110, H414, H335, H4227, H4831, H1000... even still have Clays and HS-6, but H4895 is finished and powder is hard to get nowadays here in Belgium)

tlo7mm · Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 4:04 pm Post subject: Re: the .222 Rem subsonic

Keep us posted aloy on what you find, i would be interested as I have a .222 rem.

Ominivision1 · Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 4:38 pm Post subject: Re: the .222 Rem subsonic

Aloy:

It is a fast burning powder, see here, #19, anyway the powder is very bulky (fat, stuffed) and does good.

www.imrpowder.com/burn-rate.html

Aloysius · Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 5:34 pm Post subject: Re: the .222 Rem subsonic

I loaded a few rounds for the .222 Rem, but to start I sticked with things I know (and trust a little).

So I put 9, 10 and 11,0 grs PCl512 behind a 61,5 grs FMJBT, a cheap military bullet which I placed upside down (I'm not allowed to use FMJ's for hunting here, so now it's a flat nose HP with a very long boattail Smile

remember: it's for short distance rabbit hunting)

You can compare the PCl512 with your SR4759 (which is used for reduced loads in the Speer Manual). It's a powder I use for magnum loads in a .357 and .44 RM revolver (think about N110 and H110).
I even put 8,5 grs PCl512 behind the 45 grs Sierra 1210 in the .22 Hornet as a standard load for my Anschütz.

I know I take some risks here, but what should a man do when he wants to go where no men has gone before Smile

Will try do do a quick shot tomorow and hope to end this year a little smarter (and not a little shorter Smile

)

I still want to reduce it some more for I think I 'll still get about 1600 fps, which is not subsonic. But it might be a good starter to gain some confidence.

Elvis · Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 9:19 pm Post subject: Re: the .222 Rem subsonic

I have seen this done but not done it myself, reem the primer pocket out to fit a shotgun primer and load with a .22cal air rifle pellet. good for close range and from what I saw worked fine.

slimjim · Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 9:36 pm Post subject: Re: the .222 Rem subsonic

Pumpkinslinger wrote:

Would this be a good use for Trail Boss powder? I haven't looked any yet but that was the first thing to pop into my head.

that's what I thought of first, also. I thought there was a generic recipe for Trailboss - min is 70% of maximum case capacity with the bullet seated at the proper depth. This is what I would use Aloys.

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 9:39 pm Post subject: Re: the .222 Rem subsonic

Here is the info for developing a Trail Boss load:

www.imrpowder.com/PDF/...s-data.pdf

TRBLSHTR · Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 10:07 pm Post subject: Re: the .222 Rem subsonic

I once developed some loads for a mini-14 in 223 rem for use with a "can".I copied a cast bullet load from the lymans cast bullet handbook circa 1973.As follows;40 grn sierra hornet bullet,7.0 grns of Unique pistol powder,cci sr mag primer.Shot a 5 shot group at approx 75 yds-cover with a nickel.pressures so low that the action would only open the bolt half way.Velocity similar to 22 magnums. wtf

Vince · Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 10:30 pm Post subject: Re: the .222 Rem subsonic

Aloys...H4227 (AR2205 in Australia) is the powder I used for magnum loads in my .357 and it is great. It is also a small calibre rifle powder. Other powders I would consider are H4198 and Benchmark. Both powders are recommended for the .222 Rem, so some careful load development should get you in the ball park mate.

Cheers, Vince

Aloysius · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 3:03 am Post subject: Re: the .222 Rem subsonic

That Trail Boss sure sounds good. I have to check if it's available here. I've never used IMR-powders, so this might be a good one to start.

Thanks. And I will keep you posted on the first test with the PCl512. The range is closed but I'm happy that I'm allowed to hunt in my backyard and for a few shots my neighbours won't complain, they might think I'm testing something to use this evening when the clock reaches 12 Smile

but now I'm waiting for the rain to stop. Stupid weather! Winter is almost gone and we didn't get any...

slimjim · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 3:13 am Post subject: Re: the .222 Rem subsonic

Aloysius wrote:

Winter is almost gone and we didn't get any...

Ok, Aloys, I'll bite. You're in the Northern Hemisphere and winter is only been here for a little over a week. How could it be almost gone?