The 187 Gemtech only expands when shooting concrete or steel, it probably tumbles since it is very back heavy. Not available as a component as far as I know. Would not be my choice for a hunting bullet, too many good ones out there.19dsniper wrote:Im not familiar with the 187 enough to comment on its effectiveness. I do know that on their website they state: "GEMTECH's subsonic 187gr 300 Blackout ammunition was created to give the quiet shooter an affordable and dependable training round and just like our .22lr, outperforms other training rounds with consistent dependability and accuracy. Our subsonic ammunition features a 187 grain polymer tipped projectile that provides excellent stopping power making it an excellent deer or hog hunting round and perfect for home defense use."springvalleyarms wrote:Thanks for all of this discussion.. I will be re-reading a few times and seeing what is out there there is affordable to get started with.
Two followup questions:
1. I see that Gemtech makes a popular 187GR subsonic that many on the forums have commented is a good hunting round. Is that true, and, if so, what bullet is used in its contruction? It is already one of the cheaper rounds I see, so I would only assume it could be handloaded quite affordably, if it really works as an expanding subsonic load.
2. My barrel is a 10.3 inch 1:7 twist. Would I run into any issues with loads as light as 110 grain with this fast of a twist? Don't want to increase the likelihood of bullets shredding in flight or baffle strikes and such...
I don't see anything that says it is an expanding projectile at subsonic velocity. It states that it is "an affordable and dependable training round". If others are getting them to expand at subsonic velocities, i may have to look into it myself! Looks interesting.
As far as using the 7 twist and 110 grain projectiles, I have used a 7 twist RARR with excellent results. I didn't have any issues running a 7 twist 16" at high rpm.
This is my group before bedding:
This is my group after bedding:
Both 5 shot groups at 100 yards.
Let me do this real time and lets figure it out together: MV X 720/Twist Rate = RPM
My figures/load/rifle: 2,334x720/=1680480/7= 240,068 RPM
That same load is moving at 2,200 out of my 10.5" so lets ASSUME that is approximately the same velocity you will get with your barrel.
2,200x720=1584000/7=226,285
So as you can see, this same load is moving at 13,783 RPM SLOWER than the 16" gun.
As far as a baffle strike, if your not already familiar with how to check, just make sure that you set a target out in front of you at short range and after shooting the target WITHOUT your suppressor attached, check the holes in the target to make sure that they are round. Any "tail" and the bullet is not stable and i would not shoot them thru a suppressor.
I had a similar question to yours as far as bullet stability and asked another forum member a very similar question just the other day. You may have to take your estimated velocity and figure out the RPM and then contact Hornady, Nosler, or some of the other companies and see if they have any information on Max RPM, but in my experience, it hasn't been an issue with 7 twist and 110 grain projectiles.
Both the 110 V-max and Varmegeddon hold MOA to 200 yards at 340,000 RPM. Have never had one come apart as far as 300 yards.
The Barnes Blacktip comes apart around 275,000 rpm. 2600 in 1/7
Nice shooting sniper, guessing you possibly earned the title.