At one time many moons ago I did quite a lot of rifle, shotgun and a few pistols reloading. I tried to go by the book and kept records. It has been years since I have reloaded anything in fact I got rid of my equipment long time ago. Is it possible to reload 223 amo to just be low 1250 FPS so as to reduce the sound and if so would there be enough recoil to eject the hulls also have any of you done so and what is the formula? Just wondering and please this is a legitimate question 🤔

I've seen loads with Blue Dot that were that slow and slower. I doubt they would cycle an action though. Try googling 223 blue dot loads

MAYBE, with something like trail boss. A heavy bullet would help keep gs pressures up. Take it your trying to cycle an AR? Consider a new barrel? Its fairly easy with 300 blackout and heavy bullets.

Jason

If I am not mistaken, you will have to likely drill out the gas port larger, and use an adjustable gas block, and maybe a different buffer. No doubt it can be done, just not sure how easily.

I've played with blue dot in a 221 fireball, and a bit in a 223. All I own are bolt guns, so I have no idea if it would work the action of a semi. 6.8 grs of blue dot gave me 1870 fps in the fireball. Doubt I can find the data on the 223. The report is softer.

I believe that there is a trailboss load for 223 on the hogdgon rifle loading page that's subsonic.

There is, for sure. I am not certain it will cycle the action of an AR platform rifle without some mods. Maybe?

Jason

Be cheaper and easier to buy a cheap little bolt action or single shot 223 than to try to make an AR cycle subsonic stuff I would think. Possibly if you used a big heavy 60+ grain bullet you might get it to work though.

You can set one up to run full loads or sub loads. I haven’t tried but heard it’s difficult or impossible to cycle both. I’m not advising to do this but I’ve read that you can not over pressure a 223 using trail boss. You can mark the case where the bottom of the bullet is seated and start there working down to 70% of that load. In that range you should find 1050fps.
Cycling a reduced load in the 1300-1500 range would be easier than a sub load.

I believe your correct, assuming you do NOT compress the load. Trail boss burn rate has a lot to do with the shape of the powder (little donuts) and it you crush those all bets are off. I really am not sure you can get to 1500 with trail boss and a heavy bullet tho. Maybe with a 40 vmax, possibly with a 55. I LOVE TB for reduced revolver loads. You can make mouse fart 38 specials that are a hoot to shoot and crazy accurate at short range.

Jason

Trail boss does not like being compressed. A very little amount will not be a problem, as if when seating a projectile. But if you compress it due to being in excess of formula grains, you will have a problem on your hands.