Subsonic Hunting Ammo: Go Bigger, Heavier and Closer

The short version: With the $200 suppressor tax gone, more hunters are trying subsonic loads, but Athlon Outdoors' breakdown shows slow bullets lose so much energy and expansion that you need heavier calibers and bow-range shots to hunt with them.

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The numbers explain the problem. A 77-grain .223 Remington subsonic at 1,050 fps, safely under the roughly 1,125 fps sound barrier at sea level, makes just 364 ft-lbs at the muzzle, about what a 9mm from a 4-inch barrel delivers. That works on small vermin up close, not hogs or deer. The fix is more bullet weight, which usually means a wider bullet, so .30-caliber and 8.6mm cartridges have become popular subsonic hunting picks.

Texas hog hunter Troy Fowler, known as the Ranch Fairy on YouTube, runs a 188-grain subsonic load in .300 Blackout for about 100 more ft-lbs than the .223. He still caps shots at 50 to 75 yards, handles the rifle much as he would a bow, aims low, just above the elbow, on big hogs, and says to skip varmint bullets.

Expansion is the other catch, since most hunting bullets aren't designed to open at subsonic speed. Hornady and Federal now sell factory subsonic hunting loads, and handloaders can choose low-velocity bullets. Long, heavy bullets often need a faster-twist barrel: an easy upper swap on an AR, usually a rebarrel on a bolt gun.

Key takeaways

• .223 Rem subsonic (77 gr at 1,050 fps): about 364 ft-lbs at the muzzle
• Factory subsonic hunting loads from Hornady and Federal include .30-30, .300 Blackout, .338 ARC, .450 Bushmaster and .45-70 Government
• Suggested shot limit: 50 to 75 yards
• Fowler favors interlock-type bullets such as Remington Core-Lokt or Barnes, if your rifle shoots them well
• Cutting Edge Bullets makes .30 and 8.6 caliber subsonic bullets designed to expand down to 800 fps
• Heavy subsonic bullets often require a faster twist rate

Summary by GunWinner based on reporting by Athlon Outdoors. Deal links are affiliate links; GunWinner may earn a commission. Prices change quickly, so confirm at checkout.