223 subsonic that cycles an AR? I'm skeptical

[444]

Something that I always found interesting in these discussions (getting back to the original topic): is that in order to have the absolute quietest shot, you don't want the action to cycle.

Bolt actions for example are quieter because action noise as well as gas escaping from the breech when the action cycles does contribute to the whole sound event when a gun is fired (if the gun cycles). There have been guns and modifications to guns over the years that actually locked the breech of a gun so the action wouldn't cycle when firing with a suppressor.

Yet, it seems like every time the topic of suppressed AR15s comes up, everyone demands that the gun cycle. Some people immediately lose interest in the whole subject if the gun doesn't cycle.

 

[Ranger Roberts]

444,
That is really interesting info. I'm only about 1/2 through reading it but I'll have some time to finish it this afternoon. Now you really have got me curious. I think I might have some time for experimenting this weekend.

Thanks again for the info!

 

[Fishbed77]

If subsonic doesn't cycle an AR, does everyone (and the military) just shoot normal ammo through suppressed ARs? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of running a can on it?

No. It's still much quieter for the shooter.

 

[yugorpk]

The noise is down range and not at the shooter . I frequently shoot full power 308 comfortably without hearing protection. You can hear the crack a few hundred yards away but its pretty quiet up close , compared to a gun shot anyway . Silencers are very effective at what they do. They arent so effective at what they are imagined to be able to do.

 

[Arizona_Mike]

If subsonic doesn't cycle an AR, does everyone (and the military) just shoot normal ammo through suppressed ARs? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of running a can on it?

Still makes it much quieter at the shooter's ear, supresses flash better than a flash supressor, and observers will hear the sonic boom coming from the direction of the nearest approach of the bullet path which is usually far from the shooter's position.

 

[Berger.Fan222]

In .308 Win Trailboss will get you subsonic, but velocities are all over the map.

In .223 Rem, Blue Dot will get you subsonic, and you have a much better chance at consistent velocities. You have no chance of cycling an unmodified AR type rifle.

 

[jmorris]

I have had good luck with trailboss and cast and coated 150's in 308. Less than 20 FPS ES and accurate backyard plinkers out to 100 yds or so.

Didn't mess with .223 much because most of the .223's I have are not single shot and I didn't want to turn them into one. The only subsonic AR loads I use much of are .22lr, 300blk and 458 socom.

 

[444]

If you load a .223 round into an AR15 and the action doesn't cycle, it isn't a single shot. It is a magazine fed bolt action (straight pull).

A single shot only holds one round of ammo.