Subsonic expandable bullet ideas
One of the challenges I often hear about is the challenge to get desirable results with accuracy and expansion from the new trend in shooting heavy rifle caliber bullets at subsonic speeds in calibers like the AAC 300 BLK (a 30 cal using the 223rem case) and the 338 Spectre (using the 10mm case necked down to 338). These calibers will shoot the heaviest bullets offered in their respective calibers at desired speeds just short of the speed of sound. I imagine the problem comes from the tough construction of the 240 grain 30 cal bullets and the 300 grain 338 bullets that where designed to hold together at speeds in the 2500-3000 FPS range so the chance for any expansion at less then 1100 FPS is rather slim.
So lets make a heavy bullet that will deliver a good thump and expand from these specialized cartridges.
How about some highly expandable 338s for the subsonic shooters? Make any weight you wish with a soft lead nose that should expand very well at subsonic velocities! Here I used some simple sized down .355 jackets, these jackets where pretty thin compared to traditional 338 jackets and should also aid in better expansion at the slower FPS in calibers like the 338.
Here is some varrious 338s I was experimenting with. The .338 Sierra 300 grain match king on the left.
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps4239d26b.jpg
here is a 30 cal 220ish grain short jacketed bullet next to a 180 grain Nosler
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/u...70634take2.jpg
Imagine the expansion one should get from bullets like this!
We shall see I guess.
Good shooting and swage on!
BT