subsonic ammo that works
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i try to exclusively use subsonic ammo. not all of it works. products listed below let me hunt with minimal earpro and bother the neighbors less.
rimfire
.22 cb short
cci cb short
- product link: CCI CB 22 Short
- grain weight: 29 grain
- bullet type: lead round nose
- velocity: 710 fps
- energy: 32 ft-lbs
- packaging: box of 100
- application: close-range pest control, trap dispatch
- firearm compatibility: fires well from ruger super wrangler (LR/non-magnum cylinder)
- notes: perfect for dispatching in live traps or scaring off out-of-season nuisance animals
.22 long rifle
remington subsonic
- product link: Remington Subsonic Rimfire
- grain weight: 40 grain
- bullet type: copper plated hollow point
- velocity: 1,050 fps
- packaging: box of 100, case of 5000
- application: small game, target shooting
- firearm compatibility: reliable in ruger 10/22 and super wrangler revolver other than note below
- notes: hollow point seems to be fragile to re-chambering if you eject, sometimes jams the bx-25 magazines
- effective range: 75-100 yards from elevation, 50-75 yards ground level with standard 10/22
winchester super suppressed
- product link: Winchester Super Suppressed
- grain weight: 45 grain
- bullet type: black copper plated round nose
- velocity: 1,090 fps (rifle), subsonic from pistols
- energy: 119 ft-lbs
- packaging: 100 round boxes
- application: suppressed shooting, plinking
- notes: extra weight and round nose seem to be more reliable in bx-25
- features: reduced fouling, low muzzle flash, reliable cycling in semi-autos
centerfire rifle
.308 winchester / 7.62x51
still nothing iโm really happy with in 308. for under 200yd, the 450 has better availability and takedown anyway.
atomic match subsonic
- product link: Atomic Ammunition Subsonic
- grain weight: 175 grain
- bullet type: sierra matchking hollow point boat tail
- velocity: 1,050 fps
- energy: 428 ft-lbs
- manufacturer: atomic ammunition
- application: precision shooting, hunting medium game
- firearm compatibility: fine for <100yd with ruger m77 scout (16โ), less so in remington 700 (26โ) 100+
- notes: match-grade accuracy, higher grain reduces internal bounce and meat spoilage on deer
.450 bushmaster
hornady subsonic
- product link: Hornady Subsonic 450 Bushmaster
- grain weight: 395 grain
- bullet type: sub-x ftx polymer tip
- velocity: 1,050 fps
- energy: 967 ft-lbs
- manufacturer: hornady
- application: large game hunting, hog control
- firearm compatibility: fires well from ruger m77 scout (16โ) with 4+1 and 9+1 capacity
- features: expanding subsonic bullet design, effective on any deer-sized game
technical considerations
velocity thresholds
- speed of sound at sea level: ~1,125 fps
- temperature affects sound barrier (lower in cold conditions)
- barrel length impacts velocity
suppressor compatibility
- subsonic loads eliminate supersonic crack
- action noise and impact remain audible
- hearing protection still recommended
cycling reliability
- reduced gas pressure may affect semi-auto function
- manual actions typically most reliable
- some firearms require tuning for subsonic loads
applications
nuisance animal control
- reduced noise signature for populated areas
- effective for raccoons, groundhogs, coyotes
- consider local regulations on suppressor use
hunting
- close-range effectiveness (typically under 100 yards)
- heavy bullets maintain energy at subsonic speeds
- shot placement critical due to reduced velocity
target shooting
- reduced recoil and noise
- match-grade subsonic options available
- popular for precision rimfire competitions
availability notes
subsonic ammunition often experiences supply shortages. recommend stockpiling when available due to:
- limited production runs
- increased demand from suppressor owners
- seasonal hunting demand spikes
- generally poor availability compared to standard velocity rounds
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