When a bullet goes subsonic
I have learned from experience with 204Ruger, and 22-250 that bad things happen when you go subsonic. You can be nailing a target at 600 yards (1yard 1000 yard target), and totally miss at 700 yards. Even though you are dialing in your bullistic calc.
So that got me thinkin about slugs, and 44mag in particular. Both have the potential to go subsonic before hitting thier targets. I have seen at matches where I have been in a pit and heard bullets go subsonic, and key hole. They have a different sound hitting the target. Espeically when a reloader loads down a particular load.
But it doesn't seem to affect either slugs or 300gr 44mag. Usually the most you will get out of either is 100 yards where it usually goes subsonic at 125 yards.
One instance, is with a 44 I have, I load of unique with 240gr semiwadcutter, this thing shoots about 1200fps. It shoots awesome at 20 yards, but sucks at 100 yards. Another load I shoot is H110 with 240gr xtp and it shoots 5MOA at 100 yards, but so so at 20 yards. Obviously, the sonic boom is causing problems.
Another example is, friend has a tarhung slug gun. Shots 2MOA with hornady slugs at 100 yards, but outright sucks at 200 yards some times missing the target. Told him he ought to try the newer 1800fps slugs.
Anyone have any comments on this? Or experiences?
Last edited by bigcountry; 05-05-2010 at 06:36 AM.