For handguns, you’re basically limited to semi-auto or single-shot actions, as almost no revolvers have a gas sealing cylinder and won’t really work well with a can. A bolt-action rifle is a superb fit while, a semi-automatic will still leak some gas and sound. If you’re looking for the quietest setup you can put together, a fixed-action is the way to go. It’s essentially the same rifle, and uses the same magazine, but provides much more flexibility when it comes to ammunition velocities.

You’re much better off going with the previously mentioned. 223 subsonic is akin to a glorified BB gun anyway). 223 or 5.56mm AR is great with a suppressor, it’s not great for shooting subsonics (a. As mentioned previously, if shooting subsonics is a high priority, be sure and pick the appropriate action and chambering. However, there are a few things to consider when making your choice beyond the basic threaded muzzle. Generally, many of the principles of selecting a gun to use with subsonic ammunition are the same as for using a suppressor. 300 magnums, which are just too over-cased to be ideal. 338 Lapua shoots a big bullet, but the case capacity is such that it’s horribly over-cased for consistent subsonic loads. Popular cartridges like the 6.5 Creedmoor could be loaded successfully to subsonic velocities, but with fairly light bullets, it’s not much more than a novelty. 22 magnum or so with little or no juice to cycle a semi-automatic action. 223 doesn’t have a huge case capacity and subsonics could be loaded for it, but you’re talking about backing it down to the equivalent of a. Poor Cartridges for SubsonicsĬartridges that you probably shouldn’t even consider for subsonic ammunition are ones that are typically of very high velocity or have a very high case capacity compared to the bullets it shoots. Although your bargain box of 9mm ammunition is typically 115 grain and supersonic, 147 grain loads are becoming much more common, and those will hush down as quiet as anything. 45 ACP which is already subsonic, and the 9mm. For handguns, your two biggest, and most common contenders are the. If you’re thinking hunting, cartridges like the. The 7.62x39mm is another that can be made to be a great subsonic cartridge (but most factory ammo is supersonic). 300 blackout, designed specifically to accommodate both subsonic and supersonic loads in the same rifle with minimal adjustments. Probably the most prolific in recent years is the. As a rule of thumb, you want to think heavy bullets and limited case capacity. This isn’t a cut and dry list, rather some common and effective options, compatible with many of the suppressors and hardware that’s out there. When you’re getting started, it pays to know some of the more ideal cartridges for utilizing subsonic loads as seamlessly as possible. 22 LR shooters have the wisest variety of subsonic options, with loads from just about every manufacturer. 308 bolt action is perfect for subsonics, but if you use them in a standard AR-10 they will be quiet, but you must cycle the action manually for every shot. Finally, understand that unless designed to function specifically with subsonics, many semi-autos will not cycle if the ammunition is simply loaded down. 460 end cap on the same suppressor with the same load and it’s much louder. For example, a 200 grain, 10mm subsonic load is very quiet with the correct end cap. An under-pressured subsonic cartridge may sometimes not quiet down well in an over-bored suppressor. 223), and they work great with supersonic loads, but a cartridge must generate enough gas pressure to pressurize the can in order to slow and quiet the gasses down. It’s common to use an over-bored suppressor (think. Another thing to consider is the suppressor itself. A few shots through paper are an easy way to verify stabilization. This can cause a baffle strike, causing serious injury and damage. Subsonic loads typically use heavier bullets that may not stabilize with some slower-twist barrels. The most important, is to verify that your gun is stabilizing the subsonic bullets before shooting them through a suppressor.

If you’re dipping your toes into the world of suppressors and subsonics for the first time, there are a few things to be aware of when selecting your gun, cartridge, and suppressor.

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