Texas Hunting Forum

Sub-sonic barrel length

Posted By: CharlieCTx

Sub-sonic barrel length - 02/14/22 04:55 AM

I’ve got an extra 30.06 I think I’d like to trade for a .308 bolt to use as a dedicated sub-sonic rifle for hogs.

What’s an optimal barrel length to use for .308 sub use?

Thanks
Charlie
Posted By: Murphscout

Re: Sub-sonic barrel length - 02/14/22 05:52 PM

I have a rem 700 aac with 16.5” barrel. Is just nails with subs I build using 180g Hornady interlock RN. Kind of like old school 30-30:look. Since the effective range of suns will be limited I would not fret the barrel length. This 16.5” is really accurate out to 100 yds. Have taken some rabbits out to 125. It’s about as much fun that one could have running suppressed and sub
Posted By: J.G.

Re: Sub-sonic barrel length - 02/14/22 06:11 PM

I would run 16" plus, just to be legal. 10 twist or even more aggressive.

You could just keep your .30-06 action, screw a .308 Win barrel on it, and have the room to run some quite long bullets, over 200 gr, if you want to. .30-06 and .308 Win are the same bolt face, just one is long action, one is short action.
Posted By: Brother in-law

Re: Sub-sonic barrel length - 02/14/22 06:19 PM

Anybody making 6.5 Creed subs?
Posted By: J.G.

Re: Sub-sonic barrel length - 02/14/22 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by Brother in-law
Anybody making 6.5 Creed subs?


No time like the present to learn how. wink
Posted By: TCB

Re: Sub-sonic barrel length - 02/15/22 02:53 AM

Originally Posted by Brother in-law
Anybody making 6.5 Creed subs?


Chad makes some that grouped pretty good for me.
Posted By: George S

Re: Sub-sonic barrel length - 02/15/22 06:32 PM

There used to be adapters sold that converted .30-06 to .308; you could try one of those before spending money on a new barrel or rifle.

Found it: .30-06 to .308 sleeve

As for subsonic loads, Beck offers some.

If you're looking for an off-the-shelf subsonic killer, get a .300 Blackout bolt-action.
Posted By: J.G.

Re: Sub-sonic barrel length - 02/16/22 01:23 AM

Originally Posted by George S
There used to be adapters sold that converted .30-06 to .308; you could try one of those before spending money on a new barrel or rifle.

Found it: .30-06 to .308 sleeve


That is one of the dumbest things I have ever seen.
Posted By: 686ppp

Re: Sub-sonic barrel length - 02/16/22 02:38 PM

.479 jump at best. Think it would be fun to try with subs if i had an old 06 laying around. Not sure i feel the same about full power 308. You found a 308 shell casing at the crime scene. I don't own one just an old 06.
Posted By: George S

Re: Sub-sonic barrel length - 02/16/22 02:47 PM

It makes perfect sense if you're a military branch that wants to use the then-new NATO standard 7.62x51 in your M1Garands.
Posted By: CharlieCTx

Re: Sub-sonic barrel length - 02/16/22 02:57 PM

Thanks for the replies. My deer rifle is my father's Remy 700 .06, I have a Ruger M77 .06 he won in a raffle at the LAGCOE oil show (how many of you guys remember that?) many years ago and I have 12-15 boxes of .308 subs I picked up on the cheap as part of a larger .308 ammo buy. That's the reason for the swap.

Thanks
Charlie
Posted By: George S

Re: Sub-sonic barrel length - 02/16/22 03:00 PM

Nice. Give the $10 sleeve a try. I used one over thirty years ago, and used a broken shell extractor to remove it (mine did not have the slot in it).
Posted By: glocker17

Re: Sub-sonic barrel length - 02/18/22 03:46 PM

If you really want to shoot 30 cal subs you will find the 300 AAC case will be easier to work with. 308 Subs always had issues with cold bore flyers for me the 300 operating at higher pressures did not. You can do it with a wider variety of powders in the smaller case as well. 16" is the way to go.

30 cal subs are not ideal hog killers and proper ranging is essential, 1.1 mil drop every 25 yards makes ranging within 12 yards pretty critical.

Back on 2006-7 I went down this road myself after not being happy with 308 sub accuracy, ended up buying a Brux 1-8 blank and put it on a Howa, used remainder of the blank to make a 10" AR barrel. Only the AR remains. This was in the 300 Whisper days but it virtually identical. Rifle is very accurate still to this day, Sierra discontinued my favorite 240 Match Kings but I still have a good supply to get me a couple more years.

[Linked Image]
© 2024 Texas Hunting Forum