Loading Calibres Down For Sound?

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nw mb

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So several years ago I got a rifled shotgun adapter for 45 ACP and was pleased with accuracy as well as that it was quiet.

Recently I started reloading for 22 Hornet and am pleased with the relative quiet of this round as well.

I use Unique in my 45-70 and 7.62x39 SKS with little more than a higher-pitched report.

I'm looking to get some Trail Boss to try on my 30-06 and 375's for quiet as well.

Anyone have a calibre/load that they like to shoot with a muffled report?
 
I recently picked up this pre-owned 338 WM Ruger Hawkeye that's equipped with a muzzle brake, and is it ever LOUD with full on loads!! Plus you can feel the concussive force of the blast.
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I resorted to using 250gr loads with about 25% less powder (IMR4064 instead of a slow burning powder) to keep the blast level at a tolerable level but lost about 250 fps MV.

I have no need for a muzzle brake so I removed the goofy thing and got a thread protector made up. Quite a nice and accurate rifle (once I replaced that awesome Ruger trigger :rolleyes:).


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I use a little bit of Blue Dot with 158gr 38 caliber pistol bullets for reduced loads in my 358 Winchester and 350 Remington Magnum SI, and get around 1800 fps MV for plinking. Not nearly as loud as full on loads -

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The volume of the report is the product of the muzzle pressure and the volume of gas.

The least amount of sound will come from the smallest volume of powder and the lowest muzzle pressure. A minimum load of Trail Boss, Bullseye, Red Dot, Unique or the like will do that.
 
Trailboss in one of my 45-70's (a Shiloh Sharps) was way quieter than the 17HMR being shot at the next bench.
385 grain cast bullets made a "plunk" sound - and stayed in the 2" black dot at 100 yards.
Finally, buddy next to me says "WHAT IS THAT???" - I showed him a loaded round... :)

Trailboss also works well for other heavy rounds, like the .458 Win Mag, again, with big (500gr) cast bullets. A friend calls his "flying sledgehammers". Velocities around 1,100fps. Very mild report.
 
...all really good info

keep it coming!

slamfire...i use 32 cal pistol bullets in my sks with the best accuracy of anything i load into it
 
I have loaded a single copper-plated 00 buckshot, ring sized to .316, over <small integer>gr of salvaged Russian blank powder (how's that for fast burning!) and a tuft of cotton wool to fill the case into .303 British for the Enfield.

Use part of a pipe-cutter on the lathe to impress a shallow ring in the neck of the cartridge, so that the ball doesn't go in too far. Pressure is not high enough to flatten the ring.

It's quiet enough that you can shoot it into the ground at your feet without interrupting the conversation, but still goes through 3/4" plywood at 50m.

It surprised me the first time I heard the "pock" sound of the projectile hitting the paper target.

At the range, the fellow spotting for me with binoculars (who was wearing hearing protection due to other shooters present) didn't notice me firing it 2' beside him.

"When are you going to shoot?"
"I already did."

A little pack of 5 3" shells costs about $7 and contains ninety 00 balls. For extra cheapness I also tried using the powder that came in the shot-shell (about 26gr of something like unique). It worked, but left more unburned residue than I like. But if you don't mind that it is $0.07 for the primer+ $0.08 for the ball and powder.
 
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I wonder if you could fire 00 Buck in an SKS, using reduced load Milsurp with pulled bullets?
I do have a Lee loader for .303 Brit, I suppose the Lee Enfield would be fine, just reprime and throw in Trail Boss. OK, I talked myself into to the Lee Enfield.
 
Juster said:
I wonder if you could fire 00 Buck in an SKS, using reduced load Milsurp with pulled bullets?
I do have a Lee loader for .303 Brit, I suppose the Lee Enfield would be fine, just reprime and throw in Trail Boss. OK, I talked myself into to the Lee Enfield.
Click to expand...

You could use 00 Buck or 0 Buck. I've done it in the Lee Enfield using 3.0 grs of Trail Boss - just size the Buckshot to 0.314" (0.310" for the SKS), flare the cartridge neck, seat it, and dab a bit of lube on the exposed surface. They only weigh +/- 50 grs, so a very light load would be required, and it's doubtful that it would cycle the SKS.
 
Andy said:
You could use 00 Buck or 0 Buck. I've done it in the Lee Enfield using 3.0 grs of Trail Boss - just size the Buckshot to 0.314" (0.310" for the SKS), flare the cartridge neck, seat it, and dab a bit of lube on the exposed surface. They only weigh +/- 50 grs, so a very light load would be required, and it's doubtful that it would cycle the SKS.
Click to expand...
Thank you! I have all the ingredients, no reason not to try it. I can stick some toilet paper in to keep the powder at the primer end. A super light load would be a lot of fun, and a cheap night out with the Lee Enfield.
Some reduced load data here:
http://www.imrpowder.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf
 
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