Which rounds are subsonic

Which is better? Which should I use? Common questions with fairly simple answers that we will cover in this article. In very simple terms, subsonic means the bullet is moving slower than the speed of sound. Supersonic means the projectile breaks the sound barrier, which produces a mini sonic boom, or a sonic crack. The speed of sound is a variable thing that is affected by temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure.

However, the generally accepted answer for the speed of sound at sea level, is about feet per second. Anything above that risks entering the trans sonic barrier. Subsonic ammunition is loaded specifically for the projectile to maintain a speed that does not break the sound barrier and create a sonic crack. However, by using a heavier bullet — such as a gr or gr — and changing the load, the 9mm round can successfully be made subsonic. Obviously, subsonic ammunition is ideal for use in a firearm equipped with a suppressor.

Generally, many of the principles of selecting a gun to use with subsonic ammunition are the same as for using a suppressor. However, there are a few things to consider when making your choice beyond the basic threaded muzzle.

As mentioned previously, if shooting subsonics is a high priority, be sure and pick the appropriate action and chambering. Although a. A bolt-action rifle is a superb fit while, a semi-automatic will still leak some gas and sound. With any gun you plan to use subsonics in, make sure the twist rate of the barrel is rated to stabilize the bullets you intend to shoot, and verify on paper before using through a suppressor. Although some subsonic cartridge loads are totally suitable for hunting, they are typically underwhelming.

If you plan on hunting big game with subsonic ammunition, be aware of this fact, and if you can, select bullets that are designed to expand at low velocities. Also keep in mind the more dramatic trajectory and faster drop than with supersonic loads and that you will have a much shorter effective and lethal range.

In recent years, the offerings of factory-loaded subsonic ammunition have increased greatly for hunting, target, and self-defense applications. In addition to the cartridge offerings that were already subsonic by nature, the purpose-built ammunition for suppressors has increased enough that it is very well worth considering. Many shooters have been rolling their own subsonics since before it was cool, and there is a lot of load data out there for all but the very newest cartidges and applications.

Your standard load manual may not have subsonic loads listed, so use caution and good judgement with your sources, and always start low and work up. He has lived in Alaska since , where he worked in the construction industry and earned a degree in mechanical engineering. But the outdoors has always been his passion. He is a seasoned Alaskan hunter with the most expertise in hunting Dall sheep, moose, and bears, as well as trapping furbearers, fur handling, and taxidermy prep. He has earned the Distinguished Rifleman Badge in Service Rifle, and a reputation for wrangling social media trolls.

The advancement of non-toxic shot has brought the gauge back to the duck blind. Big bore cartridges like the. If you're going to be burning a heck of a lot of brass at the range, it's fantastic.

Another use worth mentioning is small game hunting, as 22 subsonic loads can drop below dB, with some even below dB. Someone starts breaking into your home while you and your family are clearly there.

The intruder is armed, and has made clear their intentions of coming in. You retrieve a pistol or rifle that you keep for home defense purposes and - when the target presents themselves - shoot them.

Besides the trauma of a home invasion, they also suffer hearing damage and a joyful spot of tinnitus. Every time their ears ring, they're subconsciously reminded of the trauma, which means the implement that you used to save their lives is also worsening their post traumatic stress disorder.

Granted, that isn't an argument to not have a gun for defense. If you asked just about anyone if they'd take a bit of hearing loss over being murdered by a lunatic, no one in their right mind isn't going to sign up for a bit of hearing damage. Also, the odds that such an event will ever take place are pretty low.

Odds that it would happen a second time? With that said, some people prefer to never have to worry about it and such keep a home defense gun with a suppressor or will employ low-velocity subsonic ammunition in their home defense guns just in case. Both handgun AND rifle rounds are available in this configuration; at home defense distances it will be effective if properly placed.

Granted, such ammunition will still be quite loud if unsuppressed, typically in the dB to dB range. Bigfoot Gun Belts. Apr 23, Subsonic Ammunition: What It Is, Why It's Useful Ammunition that's loaded so that the projectile travels under a certain velocity threshold is subsonic in that the bullet doesn't break the sound barrier. There's Subsonic Ammunition And Then There's Subsonic Ammunition The word "subsonic" is much like other things in the gun community where there's a technical meaning and then there's a colloquial meaning, and you had better know the difference between them or else you might get yourself in trouble.