Realistic hunting with subsonic 308 handloads

[sdupontjr]

I have a few places on my 120 acres that is really thick. So, I cut a few lanes for the kids where shot are 70 yards and in, mostly 50 yards 95% of the time. I've been working on a load with my 308 using Hornady 170g flat nose with 9.5g Trailboss with Nomad TiXc. Stupid quiet and actually groups well. So, I loaded up 50, plan on going to the range soon and set a dope so i can dial for the 50 - 70-yard shots. I usually shoot my 130ttsx out of this gun and the 50 yard shot with the subs was approx 3 - 3.5" low at 50 so that would about 2 mils if my math is correct. I want to dial this in so the younger kids can shoot it. Virtually no recoil, hardly any sound.

But.... the big but question. What are the realistic outcomes of hunting with subs? I know I can head shoot a doe with it easy and drop it, but a 170 traveling 1057 (I believe that's what it was) at 50 yards should do some damage, but I've never hunted deer with them.

 

[Formidilosus]

I have a few places on my 120 acres that is really thick. So, I cut a few lanes for the kids where shot are 70 yards and in, mostly 50 yards 95% of the time. I've been working on a load with my 308 using Hornady 170g flat nose with 9.5g Trailboss with Nomad TiXc. Stupid quiet and actually groups well. So, I loaded up 50, plan on going to the range soon and set a dope so i can dial for the 50 - 70-yard shots. I usually shoot my 130ttsx out of this gun and the 50 yard shot with the subs was approx 3 - 3.5" low at 50 so that would about 2 mils if my math is correct. I want to dial this in so the younger kids can shoot it. Virtually no recoil, hardly any sound.

But.... the big but question. What are the realistic outcomes of hunting with subs? I know I can head shoot a doe with it easy and drop it, but a 170 traveling 1057 (I believe that's what it was) at 50 yards should do some damage, but I've never hunted deer with them.

View attachment 1078148

Subs work fine, but I would suggest a bullet designed for subsonic use- Sierra 205gr HPBT Gameking, Hornady Sub-X, etc.

 

[waspocrew]

Add Maker or Lehigh to the list as well

 

[JRMiller]

Like Formidilosus said, for deer you really want a bullet that will expand (or a controlled fracture) at subsonic speeds. I use Lehigh on my 300blk subs, they may have one for .308

 

[sdupontjr]

Looked at the Maker 180's. My problem is the 11 twist in my tikka. I tried the Sub-x 190's and they were marginal in stability on the Berger site and did indeed keyhole when shot at 1050 fps. To be on safe side, I shot it without my Nomad Tixc on for just in case. Dropped to the 170 fn from hornady and shoot very well. The maker 180's, given the specs below, claim to be stable in my 11 twist according to Berger, but not by much, but they recommend a 10 twist. I guess the only way to tell is get them and see.