Bolt action specific subsonic loads.

[Roadrunner1969]

I know this thread is old, but I saw where someone wanted data using W231 powder, so here it is.
I had some HP38 that I use for 38 spl. I recovered some old Unique and was trying that. Can't hardly find Unique so figured I would try some HP38, same as W231.
I though Unique was the quietest and best, but my ear could not discern any difference in the report of HP38 and Unique.
The SDs were lower with HP38. My best group for the day was with HP38 but the velocities were flirting with supersonic. Otherwise, group sizes were generally better with Unique, but they stayed real close.
My HP38 load for my Ruger RAR w. 16" barrel and Nomad suppressor. All were loaded to 2.070" COAL.
6 grains, ~1000 fps.
6.2 grains, 1044 fps.
Unique load
6.2 grains, ~1000 fps
CFEBLK load
12.0 grains, 1020 fps.

[dellet]

I know this thread is old, but I saw where someone wanted data using W231 powder, so here it is.
I had some HP38 that I use for 38 spl. I recovered some old Unique and was trying that. Can't hardly find Unique so figured I would try some HP38, same as W231.
I though Unique was the quietest and best, but my ear could not discern any difference in the report of HP38 and Unique.
The SDs were lower with HP38. My best group for the day was with HP38 but the velocities were flirting with supersonic. Otherwise, group sizes were generally better with Unique, but they stayed real close.
My HP38 load for my Ruger RAR w. 16" barrel and Nomad suppressor. All were loaded to 2.070" COAL.
6 grains, ~1000 fps.
6.2 grains, 1044 fps.
Unique load
6.2 grains, ~1000 fps
CFEBLK load
12.0 grains, 1020 fps.

Is there a bullet used in there I can’t find?

[Roadrunner1969]

Oops. Hornady 190 Sub-x, 2.070" COAL, or thereabouts.

[Roadrunner1969]

By the way, I am thinking of dropping the HP38 load to 5.9 grains, which puts it at 995 fps.
Dropping the Unique load to 6.0 grains, which gives 955 fps.
Both of these still give good accuracy. The SD on the 5.9 grain HP38 load was 5 fps.
I was getting an echo when firing the 1000 fps and above loads.
May even go to 5.8 grains of HP38, SD was 4 fps, group wasn't as good but that was likely my bad.

Dropping the CFEBLK load doesn't look like a good option as groups and SDs go downhill with less powder. MV was around 1020with the 12 grains, but was getting an echo at the shot.

I have a thick wall of high timber about 200 yds from my shooting position and in that direction. I get echos back when something goes supersonic, or close.

[Roadrunner1969]

Hold your horses. I loaded some with 190 subx and 6.2 grains HP38 and seated at 2.060" OAL. Group shrank to sub moa at 100 yds, with SD of 2. Vertical dispersion of .292". This is looking real good. MV was 1020.
Going to try to inch down the MV a little while retaining the good SDs. Stay tuned if you are interested in the HP38/231 powder.

[dellet]

Hold your horses. I loaded some with 190 subx and 6.2 grains HP38 and seated at 2.060" OAL. Group shrank to sub moa at 100 yds, with SD of 2. Vertical dispersion of .292". This is looking real good. MV was 1020.
Going to try to inch down the MV a little while retaining the good SDs. Stay tuned if you are interested in the HP38/231 powder.

That sounds encouraging!

Only thoughts I have are to keep the changes small. Think percentages instead of grains when it comes to powder. 5% would be .3 grain. Many loading for precision use 2% max.

It’s crazy how big of a difference small changes make in this. Cartridge

[KB64]

I'm still trying to find a good substitute for TrailBoss with the Hornady 90 XTP for my Ruger RAR. How dirty is Unique in this application?

[Augenblick]

I just got a RAR, Hornady 90 gr xtp and a pound of unique (online powder is pricey with hazmat yike$!)

I'll let you know if it is dirty or our not when I get some loaded and shot.

I made some dummy rounds from fired brass and man are they short. Hopefully once I clean and resize the brass it will have more neck tension because just seating it in fired unsized brass had bullet set back with dummy round when cycling the bolt. A light FDC crimp seemed to solve it. I was impatient to see if the bullet would feed in the RAR being that short. Cleaning brass now.

[Roadrunner1969]

Unique shoots pretty clean in my RAR. HP38 also shoots clean.
That Unique has gotten pretty pricey. I got enough for the rest of my life when I found some.
I have found that the HP38 has better ES and SD numbers and meters much better (and is a lot easier to get).

[popper]

I've been playing with red dot and WSF in BO. 5gr RD under 145gr PB is quiet, didn't chrony. Ran the WSF hotter, ~1400, did OK. Need to try with the 170gr PB. WSF is slower than unique and burns clean. I've shot the half jacket hornady, short but cycled fine from AR. IIRC seated so it was half way into the neck, used H110.