Loading .223 Subsonic Ammo: A Step-by-Step Guide

When it comes to loading subsonic ammo for your .223 rifle, there are a few key factors to consider to ensure you're getting the best possible performance. In this article, we'll walk you through the process of creating a 55-grain projectile that delivers 123 ft-lbs of energy at 1005 FT/s.

The first step is to prepare your brass cases by trimming them to 1.743 inches and then seating the bullet using your normal crimping procedure. Next, take a black sharpie and mark the tip of the round so you can easily identify it as subsonic ammo in the future.

To create the wispy cotton plug, use your punch tool to gently push the cotton into the case. Stretch out the cotton to resemble a spider web, making sure it's very airy and not too dense.

After that, charge your primed case with 3.8 grains of IMR Trail Boss powder. This is the key to achieving the subsonic velocity we're aiming for. Once the powder is in place, take a small piece of cotton from a cotton ball (about the size of a quarter) and push it into the case.

The result should be a round that delivers 123 ft-lbs of energy at 1005 FT/s. To achieve this velocity, you'll need to fine-tune your load using different powders and loads until you find the perfect combination for your weapon platform.

For this recipe, I used a Speer 55-grain HPBT projectile with an over-all length of 2.220 inches after seating the bullet. The cases were trimmed to 1.743 inches, and I found that using 3.8 grains of IMR Trail Boss powder gave me the desired velocity.

It's important to note that everyone's weapon is different, so don't expect the same results as me without fine-tuning your load for your specific rifle. This recipe is designed for Cowboy Action-type firearms, but it can also be used to create subsonic ammo for other platforms.

To recap, here are the materials you'll need:

* .223 casings

* 55-grain projectile

* Scale

* Sharpie

* Cotton balls

* Punch tool

* Trail Boss powder

And here's a general step-by-step guide to making subsonic ammo:

1. Trim your brass cases to 1.743 inches.

2. Seat the bullet using your normal crimping procedure.

3. Mark the tip of the round with black sharpie.

4. Create a wispy cotton plug by gently pushing the cotton into the case and stretching it out to resemble a spider web.

5. Charge your primed case with 3.8 grains of IMR Trail Boss powder.

6. Take a small piece of cotton from a cotton ball and push it into the case.

7. Fine-tune your load using different powders and loads until you find the perfect combination for your weapon platform.

By following these steps, you should be able to create subsonic .223 ammo that delivers 123 ft-lbs of energy at 1005 FT/s. Happy reloading!

Loading .223 subsonic ammo