Best subsonic caliber/ load for hunting???

[GlenB]

So I’ve been waiting about 5 months so far for my tax stamps to come in for my suppressors. I’ve got a 30 cal can and a 46 cal can coming in so I’m pretty open as far as caliber ranges go. My question is for 100 yards and in what is the best caliber and bullet combo to run subsonic for hunting purposes? I have a Ruger American ranch in 300 blackout now but wasn’t sure if I should go bigger caliber or not? What are y’all running in your 300 blackouts/308 for subsonic loads for hunting? I reload and/or can buy factory loads.

Right now I have some 220 grain round nose in my 300 blackout that are doing right around 1000fps (just testing to get my gun and loads down before my suppressors get in). I shot a axis doe with one at 100 yards but it basically just poked a hole going through. Not much if any expansion. Is there better bullets that are meant to expand or fragment down low at subsonic speeds or is a bigger caliber(444,44mag,450bushmaster) better for subsonic hunting? I know hornady has their FTX bullets but will those expand down at subsonic speed or is there a better option or is just going bigger the better option?

Thanks in advance for any help! Feel free to post your reload recipes if you don’t mind.


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[Johnny44]

I wouldn’t bother loading the 444 down you might as well go 44 Mag. Plenty of 44 bullets that work fine at those speeds.

I’m not a fan of sectional density at those ranges.

[xman59]

i agree no benefit from down loading the 444,,, 44 mag would be much easier and more plentiful you could even use 44 special brass if you can find it

[BLACKFINTURKEY]

The heaviest possible.

[Mike D]

Best subsonic caliber/ load for hunting???

Based on past experience just don’t even bother with the 30 caliber subsonic unless you plan head shots only and then you better know your exact dope at 100 yards because at 110 yards you could be a wound or a clean miss.

For the 444, if you keep the distances to bow ranges these may work ok.







I don’t know if they make them in 44 cal. These are .458 fired from my 450 Marlin at 1047fps. 500 grain Maker REX 458 Socom bullets.


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[bustacap]

I’ve taken every animal I’ve shot at with a 300 blk and Lehigh 194gr and Outlaw 220gr

[ShoootLow]

I haven’t found a benefit of using sub vs super in .300BO. With subs shot placement is key, anything marginal probably leads to a long track. IMO 50 yards and in subs are extremely effective, but the noise from bullet slapping pig makes enough noise to scatter the sounder, so may as well use supers.

[Take em]

I shoot .308 expanding Subs and have killed many pigs with body shots and head shots. Just need to think about bullet placement as you are shooting more of an arrow than anything.


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[Johnny44]

There are plenty of 44 projectiles that will make a mess in your application, even a good old Kieth style cast will do a great job.

I don’t shoot suppressed but when it comes to terminal performance on 44’s there really ain’t too much of an actual difference between them despite the gimmicks. I’ve used everything and on moderate size game the regular JSP, and Barnes HP work real well.

[BBReezen]

338 blackout or 8.6 creedmor. Whatever you want to call it. Watched a couple videos on it yesterday. Seemed interesting but I’m not in the suppressed game yet so not sure what all is good and not

[BLACKFINTURKEY]

I’ve killed a few using the blackout shooting 265gr hard cast. Last one was a double lung boar@ 75-100 yards blew right through him. He ran maybe 30-50 yards tops.

[trophy8]

My advice. Forget subs. They perform terribly on animals. The impact of the round hitting the animal is loud enough that they’ll run. Just shoot supers and use a hood suppressor and you’ll be happy.

[BigThicket Luke]

So I have a 16" 300 blk. I have killed 3 pigs and wounded one with 265gr Atomic subsonics. All under 100 yards 2 went strait through and one hit spine on a big boar which instantly sent him to the big corn feeder in the sky. Since Velocity is always limited should you choose to use subsonics use big ones. Remember that anything that expands at that low a velo probably will not go all the way through an animal and thus leave little if any blood. As others here have said use supersonics. Through a can they are not that much louder anyway and they do way more damage. I use the 120gr Sig Sauer solid copper hollow points and they work incredibly well on deer and pigs. Good luck my friend.

[KNP16]

My advice. Forget subs. They perform terribly on animals. The impact of the round hitting the animal is loud enough that they’ll run. Just shoot supers and use a hood suppressor and you’ll be happy.

I would follow this, subs are cool but groups of pigs and deer (assuming here as i've never shot a deer with subs) will still dart on first impact of hit animal. Supers with a good suppressor and go from there.

[scott.str]

Makers subsonic bullets are probably the best sub bullet you’ll find for the price. Just think of them as a broad head and don’t expect crazy things from them. Like
Most said they will work with proper placement and bullet choice. But when it comes to the one that matters go super sonic.