Best subsonic caliber?

[jlg]

Anyone have any opinions as to which caliber has the best subsonic offerings?

The three variables I'm trying to weigh are...
1) quietness
2) effectiveness on a live target
3) range

I have a suppressed 308 bolt gun that is extremely quite with subsonics. However, I've yet to shoot anything with it to see how well the subsonics will work. It's also dropping like a rock out past about 50 yards.

Obviously bolt guns are going to be quieter than semi-automatics. I'm still waiting on the ATF paperwork to come back on my 5.56 suppressor to see just how quiet it is compared to my 308.

 

[indoorsoccerfrea]

.22 is pretty neat with subsonics, but that may not be what you were looking for. i havent noticed any substantial accuracy decrease with a .22 rifle using subsonics, out to around 80 yards...

 

[Funderb]

300 whisper, i believe is what it was, is a very fun round to shoot, and makes no noise at all.

 

[jlg]

I have a suppressed 10/22 as well and it is very quiet but 30gr subsonic .22lr ammo is definitely not the ideal "killing" round. Although maybe the Aquila Snipers, maybe? I think they're 60gr.

As far as quietness goes, I would think the smaller the caliber the quieter the shot. My thinking is that as the bore diameter gets larger more gas (noise) will escape out of the bore rather than being trapped by the baffles. Using that thinking the quietness ranking (all being subsonics) would look something like...
.22LR
5.56
300 Whisper
308WIN
300WM
338Lapua

For effectiveness, since they're all traveling at basically the same speed, I would think the heavier the bullet the better. Are there any flaws to that thinking?

Effectiveness will also depend on the bullet make-up. How well does the bullet expand at low velocities, etc.

For range, again since they're all traveling at the same speed, I would think the lighter bullets would have less bullet drop?

 

[jlg]

I know the 300 Whisper has a pretty big following in the suppressed/subsonic community. What is it about this particular round that makes it so great?

I would prefer ammo that I can purchase rather than have to reload. One day I'll get into reloading but I've got too many hobbies as it is right now, I don't need to add yet another one.

 

[jlg]

I guess I shouldn't rule out pistol calibers as well...
9mm
45ACP (already subsonic)

 

[1858rem]

As far as quietness goes, I would think the smaller the caliber the quieter the shot. My thinking is that as the bore diameter gets larger more gas (noise) will escape out of the bore rather than being trapped by the baffles

but being a larger bore diameter, it would give more room for the expanding gas to loose pressure before it exits the barrel wouldnt it?


i think low pressure, large caliber should be quietest, how about a subsonic 45-70 with a suppressor and long barrel


mostly my thinking is that the large barrel volume acts on its own as sort of a supressor...maybe

 

[Spyvie]

Don't know what the heck I'm talking about here, but off the top of my head I would think that if you are limited to subsonic speeds then you want the heaviest projectile you can get.

Wouldn't a 200gr bullet gonig 900fps have more effectiveness on a live target than a 60gr bullet going the same speed?

just stating the obvious...

 

[1858rem]

and a 500g in a 45-70........

actually id look for high BC to have the least drop if going subsonic

 

[MT GUNNY]

.45 ACP W/ Suppressor

 

[freakshow10mm]

.300 Whisper. A 8 inch twist is just enough to stabilize a subsonic round and when it hits it's target the bullet tumbles. It kills a lot better than the paper suggests. Inside 250y, the .300 Whisper has no equal.

 

[jlg]

Is anyone mass producing ammo for the Whisper or do you pretty much need to purchase reloading equipment when you build one?

 

[Lazuris]

Try Here 1st http://www.quarterbore.com/300whisper/index.html

 

[deacon8]

In my opinion, the .45 ACP is the best subsonic round. For what it is, it is an extremely effective round. And you don't lose any effectivness trying to make it subsonic, because it already is.

A silenced pistol in .45 ACP is a wonderfully quite and potent weapon. With a good setup, you can hear the "slap" of the slide after firing.

 

[MGshaggy]

A silenced pistol in .45 ACP is a wonderfully quite and potent weapon.

And significantly less quiet than a suppressed 9mm in 147 or 158 gr.

 

[crushbup]

.45 ACP is not quiet suppressed.

 

[Mike U.]

.22 LR wins this contest.

 

[jlg]

The 300 Whisper would probably be my choice if it weren't for the "no factory ammo" thing. Can you buy already loaded ammo anywhere?

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

1) quietness
2) effectiveness on a live target
3) range

The .500 Phantom is unbeatable in that area:

http://www.feistyrooster.com/500phantom/index.html

But since .50 cal suppressors are VERY expensive, the .338 spectre is the next best thing, and reasonable to get into to with a 9mm suppressor:

http://www.reedsammo.com/Page4.html

.300 Whisper comes in 3rd place.

 

[rangerruck]

I am going to say the Whisper as well; I am thinking over all availability, reloading, cost, quietness, the can you will need, etc.

 

[freakshow10mm]

CorBon now loads factory .300 Whisper subsonic ammunition.

 

[jlg]

.45 ACP is not quiet suppressed.

I've heard that before as well. Why is that?

Also, I've seen some people that have built 44mag rifles - suppressed using subsonic ammo. Anyone know how effective they are?

 

[Gordon]

I have a 788 Remington 22" barrel in .44 Mag that I load 320 grain LBT WFP bullets over enough Winchester 231 to get 900 fps at the muzzle. A big pop at the muzzle doesn't seem to disturb the neighbors. The big WHACK on the deer nibbling on my apple trees seems almost as loud. None have run off in the last 10 years .

 

[jlg]

I have a 788 Remington 22" barrel in .44 Mag that I load 320 grain LBT WFP bullets over enough Winchester 231 to get 900 fps at the muzzle. A big pop at the muzzle doesn't seem to disturb the neighbors. The big WHACK on the deer nibbling on my apple trees seems almost as loud. None have run off in the last 10 years .

What kind of range do you get with it?

 

[jerkface11]

.38 special is quiet out of a rifle without a can on it. So with one you probably won't be able to tell it went off.