Saubier.com  



Go Back   Saubier.com > Saubier.com Forums > Small Caliber Discussion Board

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-21-2020, 10:54 PM
rrwildlife rrwildlife is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Northern Indiana
Posts: 41
Default Subsonic 221 Fireball, any one have success?

As the title states, I'm trying to work up some reduced loads for the 221 fireball that would be subsonic. I had been working with Trailboss and 52 grain Nosler Custom Competition bullets. Below 1300 fps (4.1 grains) I start to loose stability of the bullet. My next attempt is going to be 50 grain Sierra Blitz bullets (not the Blitzking) and 45 grain Berger MEF (I think they are called match varmint now).

Anyhow if anyone has had some success and wouldn't mind sharing their load data I would be appreciative.

Ryan
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-21-2020, 11:49 PM
dungheap dungheap is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Newton, WI
Posts: 1,641
Default

Have you ever tried Unique or Red Dot in your quest for "slow-ness?" I have not, but both would probably be worth trying. Probably some data in the FB or similar cartridges in the older Lyman manuals or their cast bullet manual.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-22-2020, 12:01 AM
SEM SEM is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Sac CA
Posts: 307
Default

getting to subsonic with out a real fast twist and heavies is tough, try 35 gr v max with a light charge of Trailboss, I like Bluedot reduced burns cleaner at least for me
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-22-2020, 12:52 AM
rrwildlife rrwildlife is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Northern Indiana
Posts: 41
Default

I’m seeing a friend this weekend that will give me some Blue Dot to experiment with. If I can’t find something with TB I’ll move on to Blue Dot. Based on the cleaning rod with patch method my barrel is 1-13 twist. I’m almost positive I ordered a 1-12 but I can’t recall for sure. Probably need a 1-8 to do what I want but right now I’m working with what I got
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-22-2020, 01:55 PM
TinMan TinMan is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,800
Default

I know you can get to subsonic with a 22 Hornet, but a doubt you can get there with a 221FB. You might want to try AA5744 powder also in the FB, as it is very coarse grained, fills a case quickly, and is easy to ignite. It is made for large black powder cases. Its burning rate is similar to AA No. 9 or maybe W296/H110.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-22-2020, 01:57 PM
moorepower moorepower is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,549
Default

I think you will have to have some really short bullets with your twist rate. Possibly the 45 grain flat based hornet, or a flat based 50 grain soft point like an SX , Sierra Blitz, or a flat base dogtown. I think your on the right path. What is your intended goal, other than quiet? Varmints I would assume, or just a quiet plinker? I would expect some soot on the neck also.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-22-2020, 02:10 PM
Bill K Bill K is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: N.E. Kommie Kalifornia
Posts: 6,304
Default

Short and sweet in the 221 fireball. Hornady's 24 grain NTX. Try it, you might find you like it.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10-22-2020, 02:27 PM
Kylongrifle Kylongrifle is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Northern kentucky
Posts: 63
Default

I was shooting a 222 rem. Subsonic out of a 10" Contender barrel 1/12 twist. 50 grain Hornady SX with 3.4 grains of Titegroup. Don't know the exact fps but the were quite thru my Yankee Hill suppressor. 1/2" groups at 25 yards.

When working on reduced loads always start high and work you way down. When you get to where you want to be shoot several shot at the bench with a good cleaning rod to make sure you do stick a bullet in the barrel.

Good luck
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10-22-2020, 04:16 PM
Dean2 Dean2 is offline
Supporting Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Alberta
Posts: 2,497
Default

I shoot subsonic in my 221 all the time. 50 Grain SPSX with Trail Boss powder. Load will regularly shoot half inch at 50 yards. Load is 1000 fps, I have loaded it down as far as 800 FPS. It only takes about 3 grains of powder if you want to be subsonic, 4.0 grains gave me 1225, 4.5 grains gave me 1400 fps with the 50 SPSX. They weren't truly subsonic but they were really quiet anyhow and grouped better at 100 and 200 yards.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10-22-2020, 11:07 PM
rrwildlife rrwildlife is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Northern Indiana
Posts: 41
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dean2 View Post
I shoot subsonic in my 221 all the time. 50 Grain SPSX with Trail Boss powder. Load will regularly shoot half inch at 50 yards. Load is 1000 fps, I have loaded it down as far as 800 FPS. It only takes about 3 grains of powder if you want to be subsonic, 4.0 grains gave me 1225, 4.5 grains gave me 1400 fps with the 50 SPSX. They weren't truly subsonic but they were really quiet anyhow and grouped better at 100 and 200 yards.
I may have to try the 50 grain SPSX bullet. The 50 grain Blitz was subsonic today at 3.0 grains of TB but the accuracy was unacceptable and the target paper showed some bullet instability. The 45 Berger MEF shot well but was running 1125 fps with 3.0 grains of TB. May try 2.7 or 2.8 with the Berger and see if it gets me there.

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it!


Ryan
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 07:53 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.