subsonic 22lr, worth it?

[P95loser]

I would like to know if the subsonic 22lr makes a big difference in sound compared to high velocity 22lr. What would be the advantage of subsonic ammo vs. high velocity.

I am also seeing that it is only like 200 fps slower, would that make a big difference in penetration etc.?

 

[Ohen Cepel]

It's a little less noisy. However, unless you're shooting it through a suppressor they don't seem to make much sense to me.

I have shot them a good bit. Nice round but still rather loud.

Not sure about your penetration question. I'm sure it would impact it but haven't done any testing to compare the two.

 

[fisherman66]

The difference is between a pop and a sonic rip. Buy a box of subs and a box of stingers for max effect. I'd hesitate to use a 22 for anything other than rabbitt size varmint and smaller. I'd feel comfortable using a sub 22 for those chores.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

I think there's a big difference in noise. The high-speed stuff makes a good sonic boom (or crack). I shoot Wolf match target (the "cheaper" wolf) quite a bit and it's relatively quiet.

The wolf ammo is pretty weak stuff. Very accurate, but sometimes won't cycle the semi-auto action enough, causing jams (ruger 22/45). It works great in bolt guns.

Regards.

 

[jefnvk]

I've decided that I am using subsonic for hunting from now on. PMC Moderators out of my 452 sound like my airgun. I can hear the firing pin strike, it is quiet enough.

 

[Spinnerblade]

I have 4 bricks of the PMC moderator subsonic. I like it alot, and it is very quiet out of my long barreled CZ 452 bolt action. Out of a 10-22 it is a little louder than the CZ. It also doesn't feed as well in my match barrel 10-22s.

The CZ with subsonic is the only firearm I can shoot without ear protection.

I've read that some of the different brands of subsonic perform slightly different in regards to feeding and expansion. I use the Paco tool on mine and it makes a big difference in clean kills on large jackrabbits.

I would buy a box of each and see how you and your gun like 'em.Patrick

 

[Red Tornado]

Is there a big difference in the subsonics and .22 shorts? Some of my guns shoot shorts, and they're quiter than LR. They're subsonic, too, aren't they?
RT

 

[Joe Mamma]

My experience has been that out of a long barrel rifle it makes a big difference. But, out of a pistol, there is very little difference.

Joe Mamma

 

[JohnBT]

FWIW, standard LR ammo is subsonic out of most guns under most temp/humidity conditions.

Yeah, I know you're talking about the way-under-the-speed-of-sound stuff, but I thought I'd mention it.

John

 

[Bigfoot]

Remington 38 gr Subsonic funtions well in my 10/22. I shot one into 3 gallon jugs of water to test it. It went through 2 and stopped in the third, the diameter was about .35, not bad.

 

[cracked butt]

I use CB caps in a bolt rifle for shooting backyard varmints. The report soundls like a quiet "plop" and is quieter than an air rifle. The bullets have a rainbow shaped trajectory beyond 20 yards though.

 

[cracked butt]

My experience has been that out of a long barrel rifle it makes a big difference. But, out of a pistol, there is very little difference.

Yup, I've tried CB caps in a Ruger Bearcat- about as loud as standard velocity .22s out of a rifle.

 

[mete]

I use RWS subsonic HP. Out of a rifle it's very quiet and effective on game.

 

[MechAg94]

Pistols have lot more noise at the gun. I have a Savage 70 single shot. .22 LR high velocities are not as loud, but the report downrange seems to reverberate a lot more. I bought a box of shorts that I am planning to play with. I will have to look for subsonic also.

I also have a bunch of "primer only" .22 shells. They sound like light caps. They are extremely low velocity and won't cycle an auto. You could probably kill very small game at 20 yards or less. Has a rainbow trajectory also. I have never tried to hunt with it. I guess I need to play with it some more.

 

[KarlG]

Good subsonic ammo is more accurate than good standard velocity ammo. Crossing the sound barrier somehow fusses with the accuracy.

 

[rockstar.esq]

Don't forget the utterly awesome Aguila SSS meaning sniper sub sonic! 60 grain projectile! Whoo Hoo! Actually, I have found that they hit like nothing else out of short handguns however out of a rifle there is something to be desired. From what I understand transitioning from super sonic to sub sonic speeds causes turbulence. My guess is the shock wave following the bullet catches up causing the aforementioned turbulence.
Additionally, the high velocity .22LR rounds seldom group as well as standard velocity do. The coolest part of all of this is you can try nearly all the availible options for a measly $20.00!

 

[cracked butt]

On the other end of the spectrum, I shot some Velocitors out of a Bearcat at the range one day and a guy came up to me and asked about what the heck was making such a barking noise over by me.

 

[JohnBT]

I've had the same question asked when I'm shooting WMR in my 5.5" Single-Six. I think it's the size of the fireball that confuses them.

John

 

[dfaugh]

The only ones I've tried

are the Aguila SSSs...Out of my Marlin 60 they aren't noticibly quieter than standard velocity .22s..but I think that'sbecauseof the semi-auto action(which they will operate)....Haven't tried them in a bolt gun...FWIW, they are almost as accurate in that gun as low-end target ammo, but they drop like a rock...The POI at 50 yards is 6" lower than standard ammo...

 

[Davo]

You loose the sonic crack, though its not a suppressor or anything. Accuracy is usually ok, though match ammo (which is also subsonic) will beat it. Sometimes good HV ammo will outshoot it also.
You do loose some killing power and range, though most game that is typically taken with hv ammo will be ok with the sv stuff.

 

[sumpnz]

The ultimate in quiet shooting would be a non-semi .22 shooting sub-sonic ammo through a suppressor. That and if you had the action slicked up to where working the it made very little sound. Even the 10/22's with the bolt buffer make some noise, though they are still very quiet.

In some of the war torn areas (e.g. Sarajevo) it's fairly common for snipers to use a scoped, suppressed .22 with subsonic ammo for neck shots. By the time anyone knows what's happened they victim has already half bled to death or been paralyzed. Rather effective within 100 yards or so. Escape is pretty easy too, especially if the shot is taken from inside a building. What little noise there might have been is mostly absorbed before getting out the window and makes pinpointing the source of the shot nearly impossible.