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I figured I'd ask, as I'm researching this and it'd be nice to be able to ping pong things off someone who's already gone there (or is going there, too).
The added pressure from running suppressed should, in theory, allow an autoloader to operate with (at least some) lighter loads. Running suppressed is, of course, the only reason I believe one would likely want subsonics to begin with.That is if you need total subsonic, and are using a bolt gun; if using an autoloader, you will need a 200-240 ,etc,, as lighter loads will not operate the gun, and expansion is a crap shoot.
In this case, I mind hypersonic -- specifically because I tend to zero a firearm for one specific load … and then only use it for that load (since it would have to be re-zero'd for a different load). My .300 AAC build is, of course, intended for ultra quiet (i.e. suppressed, subsonic) running since .300 AAC is so well-suited to it … so there won't be any supersonic cracks coming from this pistol if I can help it.Now if you don't mind hypersonic, and the accompanying crack, Nosler's or Hornady's 125gr. Ballistic Tip type bullets at 2100-2200fps will do a nice job, and have been extremely accurate even out of 1-8" twist barrels. Also, the 170gr bullets can be loaded to 1650-1700fps, making hypersonic, but likely to expand and give maximum energy and penetration with expansion.
After awhile, hunting becomes hunting, and adequately anchoring the animal may take precedence over the most quiet suppressed shot you can make. Also, a suppressor may add enough pressure to operate the gun with subsonic "reduced pressure" loads, but it is no guarantee. Good luck.The added pressure from running suppressed should, in theory, allow an autoloader to operate with (at least some) lighter loads. Running suppressed is, of course, the only reason I believe one would likely want subsonics to begin with.
The theory may be correct, if you are lucky, but a suppressor is no guarantee for functioning with "reduced" pressure loads. Good luck.
In this case, I mind hypersonic -- specifically because I tend to zero a firearm for one specific load … and then only use it for that load (since it would have to be re-zero'd for a different load). My .300 AAC build is, of course, intended for ultra quiet (i.e. suppressed, subsonic) running since .300 AAC is so well-suited to it … so there won't be any supersonic cracks coming from this pistol if I can help it.![]()
As a hunter, anchoring the animal with a single, ethical shot is my highest priority. The reason I hunt with a suppressor is so that I do not need hearing protection -- specifically to allow me to better use my natural hearing while hunting.After awhile, hunting becomes hunting, and adequately anchoring the animal may take precedence over the most quiet suppressed shot you can make.
I'm not sure why there seems to be this propensity to believe that subsonic .300 AAC rounds don't have enough bullet or energy to do the job. Plainly put, it's more than up to the task. If more people would simply do the math to compare subsonic .300 AAC rounds to arrows released from compound bows and/or bolts fired from crossbows (with draw weights appropriate to hunting, of course), it would readily become clear to them that subsonic .300 AAC rounds deliver far more energy than archery equipment already approved and in use for ethical kills.The .300 may be the wrong caliber for best suppressed, medium-large game hunting. Why not go .45 or .50, as both are available in AR variations, and delivering a heavier, larger caliber bullet at the same subsonic velocities will most assuredly kick the animal's butt a lot harder. You just need a bigger can.![]()