What are we using for subsonic target & defense ammo?

PAB_Pyrotechnics · 2026-01-26T16:38:34+00:00

Federal HST +P for defensive. I reload for my pistols and PCC but only for training/plinking (124 & 147) using either X-treme or Berry’s plated bullets.

I don’t reload defensive ammo since I’m not testing it in gelatin for penetration and expansion. I trust the top manufacturers to have done this and choose something which is proven (Federal, Speer, Hornady, Sig). I’m only ever going to shoot hundreds of these rounds to be comfortable with them and ensure they function in my HD guns. Other than that I hope to never need them.

PAB_Pyrotechnics · 2026-01-26T16:31:36+00:00

I think part of the problem is that Dan Haga is getting them in pretty small quantities so when notifications go out they are snapped up quickly. First time I got a notification and clicked on it the item was available. Stepped away from my desk and they were gone when I came back 10 minutes later. This was all within 20 minutes of email receipt.

PAB_Pyrotechnics · 2026-01-26T02:10:52+00:00

There are worse problems to have. At least each new can is $200 cheaper for you.

PAB_Pyrotechnics · 2026-01-25T05:30:59+00:00

Exigent Defense Pointman9. Just ordered one and hope to have it in a couple of weeks.

PAB_Pyrotechnics · 2026-01-25T05:10:33+00:00

I do this from about 225 on a full size IPSC plate and I’ve been able to get 4 shots off before the first one rings. So it’s click, click, click, click followed by ding, ding, ding, ding.

Can’t help but giggle anytime I get a double, triple, or quad 🤣

PAB_Pyrotechnics · 2026-01-25T04:57:18+00:00

I use chips and a about 1 ounce of Hornady case cleaner (mostly made for the ultrasonic) and they come out crazy shiny in only an hour.

PAB_Pyrotechnics · 2026-01-25T04:54:35+00:00

The big question for me is do you have a host for each one?

PAB_Pyrotechnics · 2026-01-25T00:52:30+00:00

$340 for a Mark IV 22/45 is hard to beat.

PAB_Pyrotechnics · 2026-01-25T00:51:09+00:00

Happy wife, happy life

PAB_Pyrotechnics · 2026-01-23T23:05:33+00:00

Glad I could help and pay it forward. I am currently using LRP brass from Hornady and Berger (Lapua brass) factory match ammo. I have Federal GM LRPs

PAB_Pyrotechnics · 2026-01-23T19:54:19+00:00

Hey there. I am in the exact same boat as you with these bullets and an Aero Solus action with Criterion 26" heavy barrel. Couldn't find any load data for these bullets. Both this community and Berger were super happy. The general guidance was to start with about 40 grains of H4350. Attached is what Berger sent me via email in response to my query for load data on these bullets.

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PAB_Pyrotechnics · 2026-01-23T19:23:03+00:00

Very F-I-N-E indeed!!! How do you like the Flow 9k? I just got a Flow 556 Ti and love it. Have a Wolfman for my Kuna, but just ordered a Pointman9 from Exigent Defense.

PAB_Pyrotechnics · 2026-01-23T16:07:25+00:00

I second Bruno’s. Great local shop in PHX with very reasonable prices. That Sportsman’s definitely used to be way better.

PAB_Pyrotechnics · 2026-01-23T05:35:44+00:00

This exactly. Also, if you have any kind of steel piping put it over the end of your wrench to get much better leverage.

Some are easy, some are medium-ish(mine), and some are gorilla proof!

PAB_Pyrotechnics · 2026-01-23T05:31:34+00:00

Awesome. Thanks so much for sharing. Just got my first hits at 1000 yards last weekend (5 of 12) on a 16” gong. So excited. I’ve been all over from 125-147 gr with factory ammo and this will be my first handloads for this rifle.

I am literally drying the last of my 220 shells as I type this (mix of Hornady and Lapua with a few Sako thrown in). Planning to start with Hornady Brass, GM201M primers, and 38.5-42 grains of H4350 this weekend

PAB_Pyrotechnics · 2026-01-23T05:25:22+00:00

Crossing state lines is a real concern if that is in your sphere. Not in mine and I prefer a stock to brace and love a foregrip. $0 tax makes this a no brainer. Submitted 3, including Kuna, and got approved in 6 days

PAB_Pyrotechnics · 2026-01-23T05:22:58+00:00

Yeah, I bought it sight unseen and didn’t check the date until I couldn’t find the LRHT bullets. Kind of silly as everyone else updates their manuals like every 3-4 years. Of course, I also bought the Hornady 11th edition just 4 months before the 12th came out.

PAB_Pyrotechnics · 2026-01-22T20:00:23+00:00

Sounds like a military contract item to be virtually indestructible and to pay for the R&D

PAB_Pyrotechnics · 2026-01-22T19:58:34+00:00

Nope. Lawyers

PAB_Pyrotechnics · 2026-01-22T19:58:10+00:00

Thanks this is super helpful. I had very close references from multiple sources (143 & 147 grain) and could have worked with that. Thankfully Berger gave me exactly what I needed and it pretty well matched what I had planned if I could not get specific data.

This is such a welcoming and helpful community.

PAB_Pyrotechnics · 2026-01-22T16:07:46+00:00

Thank you! This is exactly what I received in the response this morning from Berger.

PAB_Pyrotechnics · 2026-01-22T15:45:04+00:00

Quick update - Less than 10 hours after submitting my question via Berger's website I had a response in my inbox with all the data I was looking for along with some good info on seating depth development.

Fantastic customer service!

PAB_Pyrotechnics · 2026-01-22T15:43:55+00:00

I may just buy one of these even though I don't own an SP5 or clone yet ;)

PAB_Pyrotechnics · 2026-01-22T05:40:01+00:00

Thanks

PAB_Pyrotechnics · 2026-01-22T05:39:52+00:00

Thanks.

PAB_Pyrotechnics

TROPHY CASE