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190gr SubX bullets at supersonic velocities for hunting??
Hornady designed their 30cal, 190gr SubX bullet to expand at 1050fps muzzle velocity.
I've seen quite a few gel tests with the subsonic loading, and while they do expand, it's not terribly impressive.
As we all know, velocity is a MAJOR player in expansion, along with bullet construction. Not much I can do about a given bullet's construction, but I CAN change its velocity. Hence this question.
Through quickload, and published data for other 190gr bullets, 13.0gr of my preferred BO powder (Not going to list it until after I know the load works) SHOULD launch them from my 16" hunting carbine in the neighborhood of 1500fps
I should be roughly 50% faster than the factory loads with this bullet
The state extended the predation permits for hogs for an additional 2 months, so IF they function and are accurate enough, there's a good chance one or 2 might find its way into a hog, that I don't mind losing, since I won't eat them and am just trying to reduce their numbers. If they work well on them, then I'll try them on deer later this fall.
Thoughts about using it for hogs and possibly deer?
I've seen quite a few gel tests with the subsonic loading, and while they do expand, it's not terribly impressive.
As we all know, velocity is a MAJOR player in expansion, along with bullet construction. Not much I can do about a given bullet's construction, but I CAN change its velocity. Hence this question.
Through quickload, and published data for other 190gr bullets, 13.0gr of my preferred BO powder (Not going to list it until after I know the load works) SHOULD launch them from my 16" hunting carbine in the neighborhood of 1500fps
I should be roughly 50% faster than the factory loads with this bullet
The state extended the predation permits for hogs for an additional 2 months, so IF they function and are accurate enough, there's a good chance one or 2 might find its way into a hog, that I don't mind losing, since I won't eat them and am just trying to reduce their numbers. If they work well on them, then I'll try them on deer later this fall.
Thoughts about using it for hogs and possibly deer?
Seven Habits of Highly Effective Pirates, Rule #37: There is no “overkill”. There is only “open fire” and “I need to reload”.
Replies
I don't begrudge anyone their science experiment but I do sometimes scratch my head as to the why of it.
Speed kills. Some situations may find that load and some subsonic loads lacking. Even with good bullets designed for slow speed.
How easy it is to make people believe a lie, and [how] hard it is to undo that work again! -- Mark Twain
Heavy and slow did millions of buffalo for years. In fact, you may have stumbled upon the fix to the early NBT's (since corrected) penchant to self destruct on contact at close range.
And while all lives matter.....it's just a feral pig.
Mike
N454casull
As Zee has shown with Amaxes, rapid expansion at the expense of a little penetration isn't necessarily a bad thing
Up close against the "normal" North American big game....they still have enough mass to penetrate "far enough", yet provide enough smack to anchor stuff dead right there. No complaints.
At long range, (quarter mile or so) they shine...."conventional" bullet close range expansion and complete pass through when a tougher projectile would normally not expand much more than caliber. At 400 yards you'll usually get a 1" or greater exit wound.
The debate about expansion vs. penetration is timeless and endless. While I have no scientific data to back up my preference.....I'll take something that violently expands almost every time.
Mike
N454casull