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Posted: 5/3/2009 5:49:45 AM EDT
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I was wondering how they make subsonic ammo, if anybody knew. Do they use a slower burning powder? I know the bullet has to be slow enough not to be supersonic. But Do they use a slower burning powder to get it out the barrel. I am just wondering if Squibbs are possible with subsonic ammo.
Thanks |
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What cartridge interests you?
Subsonic handgun ammunition is common and standard for some cartridges. For high pressure bottle neck cartridges such as .223 Remington, small charges of fast gunpowders such as Blue Dot are used. Squibs are possible if trying to slow the bullet down too far. These loads will not cycle an AR action. The whole business about using fast pistol powders seems counterintutive and goes against the advice to avoid this in nearly every common loading manual. But, published loads are available and they are as safe as conventional loads if you can follow detailed directions, which is required for all reloading. |
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There isnt a particular cartridge at this time. I was just looking at maybe buying some subsonic ammo, then wondered if I could reload it myslef. I never saw in my manual about subsonic for the main cartridge I reload .40. I was thinking of buying subsonic and could use it through a suppressor safely.
I dont know, I was just trying to learn whatever anybody wanted to throw out there. Thanks |
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A word to the wise, be very careful with loading sub-sonic ammo. Too little power (under sharge) can cause devistating effects to your firearm and person...... Are sub-sonics prone to squibbs? Some people say they dont cycle well on semi-automatics. As long as you load Subsonic 9mm 147gr to meet the minor power factor of 125, that would be at least 850 fps, you should not have to worry about squibs or cycling. Subsonic 45acp in 230gr fmj loaded to major power factor of 165, at least 717 fps, shouldn't approach squib problems but could be a bit light for an 18lb spring in a 1911, if you are loading light in a 1911 spring up accordingly. Get some decent reloading manuals. |
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Quoted:
There isnt a particular cartridge at this time. I was just looking at maybe buying some subsonic ammo, then wondered if I could reload it myslef. I never saw in my manual about subsonic for the main cartridge I reload .40. I was thinking of buying subsonic and could use it through a suppressor safely. I dont know, I was just trying to learn whatever anybody wanted to throw out there. Thanks Most 180gr. .40 S&W loads are subsonic. |
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Quoted:
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A word to the wise, be very careful with loading sub-sonic ammo. Too little power (under sharge) can cause devistating effects to your firearm and person...... Are sub-sonics prone to squibbs? Some people say they dont cycle well on semi-automatics. You aren't giving enough information with your question, especially the big question... "What Caliber"? with 9mm - using 147 grain loads, "Full Power" IS subsonic, and cycles the action very well (no reason to try and load 115 gr to subsonic velocities, it's underpowererd) with 45acp - 230 grain loads are subsonic, etc. What are you wanting to accomplish (suppressed paper killing or suppressed hog killing?) |
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There isnt a particular cartridge at this time. I was just looking at maybe buying some subsonic ammo, then wondered if I could reload it myslef. I never saw in my manual about subsonic for the main cartridge I reload .40. I was thinking of buying subsonic and could use it through a suppressor safely. I dont know, I was just trying to learn whatever anybody wanted to throw out there. Thanks Most 180gr. .40 S&W loads are subsonic. +1 on that. All of my 180 gr factory ammo clocked around 950 fps |
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For some powders, small amounts in a large case volume, can be problematic.
Some powders are "position" sensitive and require some wadding to hold the powder against the primer regardless of firearm position. Trail Boss and, to some extent, Tite-Group mitigates that problem. Some powders are "ignition" sensitive and may result in overpressure or double pulse peaks if under-loaded. See the Hodgdon warning for H110 and others. |
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Quoted:
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Quoted:
There isnt a particular cartridge at this time. I was just looking at maybe buying some subsonic ammo, then wondered if I could reload it myslef. I never saw in my manual about subsonic for the main cartridge I reload .40. I was thinking of buying subsonic and could use it through a suppressor safely. I dont know, I was just trying to learn whatever anybody wanted to throw out there. Thanks Most 180gr. .40 S&W loads are subsonic. +1 on that. All of my 180 gr factory ammo clocked around 950 fps So if I got a silencer, it would be pretty quite wouldnt it? It would be silencing the boom really then right? |
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Ya but it would still be louder than a 9mm shooting 147 grain as the bore is larger. But you get the advantage of the larger caliber. I don't know how much louder it would be, but I know that people complain about 45 silencers not being really quiet unless you use the wet. Unlike the 9mm which can be use quite effectively dry.
See if you can find a dealer that will demo one for you before buying. That is the only way to be sure that you will be satisfied by the performance. 9mm 147 grain = subsoninc w/ standard load 40sw 180 grain = subsonic w/ standard load 45 acp 230 grain = subsonic w/ standard load I have read that people have used trail boss in 308 subsonic loads, as it is a large grain and you can fill the case to capacity. YMMV and when working up a subsonic rifle load you want to start a little bit high and work down with a chronograph to avoid getting a squib load. Also make sure the bullet hit the paper or remove the bolt after every shot to make sure that you did not leave one in the tube. After you have a load figured out then you don't have to worry about it as much, just remain careful especially with long barrels. |
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A silencer removes the muzzle blast from full power loads well enough to really quiet them down to a pleasant level. The .45 ACP I've shot through a silencer were about as much racket as an airgun.
The government should buy silencers for all shooters. It's for the children and the environment. Plus the whales, polar bears, and kittens. |
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