Sub-sonic .30 cal options

[huntokanogan]

I bought my first suppressor a couple years back for a .22. I built a rifle with a Tactical solutions action and barrel, Volquartsen trigger, houge stock and burris 3x9 ballistic plex .22LR scope. I think it's really cool. Just last month I went and bought a Walther P22 pistol with a treaded barrel so I can switch the suppressor back and forth.
I am considering maybe a larger bore rifle to be suppressed. I have been looking into information on the 300 whisper. It sounds like it may be the best round for a suppressed mid-bore gun.
-Anybody have information on 308 sub-sonic rounds?
-Pro's and Con's of the 300 whisper vs. 308 SS.
-What powder/bullets coexist
-What kind of animal killing power can they deliver and ranges?
-Bolt gun or AR style upper?
Thanks for the help

 

[canderson]

If available I would use a bolt action or a single shot (encore or other vairaint). It will be the quietest platform to build on. A friend of mine gave me a great analogy about hunting with a subsonic weapon. It is very similar to bow hunting with a lot more range. Subsonics kill with tumbling bullets. There are a couple of companies making subsonic bullets that will supposedly expand. I killed 5 or 6 whitetail does last year from 50 to 175 yds. Aim for the lungs and let it go. As far as cartridges, a whisper will always be a whisper. A 308 or WSM can be loaded down to subsonic levels with trail boss powder. A friend shoots both full velocity 308 and WSM loads as well as subsonic when he wants it quiet. Trail boss powder for the 308 and WSM and lilgun for the whisper. I shoot 240 smks and 220 RN.

 

[SpencerSS]

300-221, 300Whisper is great suppressed w/ sub loads. My bolt gun is quieter than any pellet gun, w/ 220SMK @ ~1080fps. But it is not very versitial. It does one thing great, and that's about it. Don't get me wrong, I love shooting my baby, but if I had to do it again (and still may 'fix' this), I'd do it a little different. This boy is kinda heavy, so I'd change the stock, and cut some deep flutes it the barrel, and call it my designated nuisiance killer. Therm or NV is in it's future as well.

308Win does much more, and is only slightly less good at sub/sup. But, it just depends on what you're trying to do with it.

 

[SpencerSS]

Not to get to far off subject, but I'd like to see a Suppressed 44mag running some heavy bullets. Either an Encore/contender or a Ruger bolt. That would be a good hunter, and cool as ****. Hell I might do it; with a 45cal can that can handle it.

 

[huntokanogan]

I like the rifle. SpencerSS
The 300 W would be a bit louder in an AR upper than a bolt wouldn't it?
I am interested in either the 300 Whisper or 308. have'nt made up my mind on which one's better yet.
Thinking I like the Idea of them in a bolt gun best. but would be really cool in an AR too.
In my 22 it seems like the can hurts its accuracy a little.
What kind of ranges and ballistics is a sub-sonic load looking at?

 

[SpencerSS]

I like the rifle. SpencerSS
The 300 W would be a bit louder in an AR upper than a bolt wouldn't it?
I am interested in either the 300 Whisper or 308. have'nt made up my mind on which one's better yet.
Thinking I like the Idea of them in a bolt gun best. but would be really cool in an AR too.
In my 22 it seems like the can hurts its accuracy a little.
What kind of ranges and ballistics is a sub-sonic load looking at?

The AR will be a bit louder, with the sound of the bolt cycling. Range? I can take mine out to 500yds with the Seekins 30moa rail and Mark4 2.5-8X26; it has the adj, and the rifle is accurate enough. But if I misjudge the range by just a little there is huge differences in correction. Its really a short range rifle.

I'm planning on changing the stock and Fluting the barrel, to lose some weight.

 

[Fitch]

I like the rifle. SpencerSS
The 300 W would be a bit louder in an AR upper than a bolt wouldn't it?
I am interested in either the 300 Whisper or 308. have'nt made up my mind on which one's better yet.
Thinking I like the Idea of them in a bolt gun best. but would be really cool in an AR too.
In my 22 it seems like the can hurts its accuracy a little.
What kind of ranges and ballistics is a sub-sonic load looking at?

You can get as heavy a bullet as you can get in .30 caliber up to the max subsonic velocity with the powder that fits in a .300 Whisper case with ease. That being the case, there is no advantage to the larger .308 case for subsonic velocities, once the bullet leaves the barrel it doesn't care how big the case was, the ballastics are exactly the same. In fact it may be harder to load the .308 brass for consistant subsonic performance because of the extra volume and the powder flopping around inside it.

Fitch

 

[SpencerSS]

You can get as heavy a bullet as you can get in .30 caliber up to the max subsonic velocity with the powder that fits in a .300 Whisper case with ease. That being the case, there is no advantage to the larger .308 case for subsonic velocities, once the bullet leaves the barrel it doesn't care how big the case was, the ballastics are exactly the same. In fact it may be harder to load the .308 brass for consistant subsonic performance because of the extra volume and the powder flopping around inside it.

Fitch

If you'd read what I've written on this thread, you'd see that I didn't say anything about that. In fact I did say that the 308win is more versatile and a little less capable in subsonic/suppressed applications.

The versatility I'm refering to is the supersonic realm. Try matching 308win velocities with a 300Whisper.

 

[NZsavage]

Not to get to far off subject, but I'd like to see a Suppressed 44mag running some heavy bullets. Either an Encore/contender or a Ruger bolt. That would be a good hunter, and cool as ****. Hell I might do it; with a 45cal can that can handle it.

this is my ruger M77/44 subsonic project i'm working on at the moment.....just finished the machining and first couple of test fires......now disassembled and away for anodising before completing load development. But so far its looking great...i am currently running 300g hornady xtp's and going to try 265g leverevolutions. the 300g at 1040fps are still slightly transonic so i will be trying some at 960-980 fps to get rid of the last of the crack.

i will be running 2 loads for hunting.....300g xtp fully subsonic for up to 100 yards and some 265g leverevolution loads for supersonic full power to stretch the range.

if you want to see some 44's in action search for 'tom denall subsonic 44' or 'slient destroyer' on youtube.

i will post some more photos of the finished project once its back from anodising of the suppressor and costing of the stainless action and barrel.

 

[Rocky Mountain]

I've often thought the 500 SW would make a good sub sonic rifle with its 500grainer and .500 diameter bullet.

 

[Bravo 4]

I've been searching for info on a .510 shooting 750 Amax's subsonic/suppressed. I have been searching the internet and have found several different chamberings. .50 Alaskan, .510 Whisper, and .510 WSM so I know they're being built. The problem is that people seem to want to keep the build info to themselves, like it's GS14 Classified or something. Or have SSK industries build one on a T/C Encore frame for about $2000. I cannot see myself spending that much on a break open single shot, no matter how "special" it is.

 

[dust]

How about 7.62x39? Less powder to worry about loading up, and works pretty well supersonic. Looking to trade down to a 16" Model 1 Sales upper. I know several people have talked about doing it.