Subsonic Ammo Sucks for Hunting.

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Jeff Johnston

Jeff Johnston

Member
I get it; the idea of sniping 15 pigs before any run off is lovely. But here's a reality check: It doesn't happen. I know because I've tried. Subsonics with suppressors are quiet but they're far from silent. Really, all subsonic bullets (300 blackout, 223, whatever) do is give you a ballistically inferior round that is incapable of penetrating a big boars shoulder shield at 75 yards, often less. Can you shoot them in the head? Yes, but the others will still run off. I just don't get the infatuation. The round was meant for headshots on enemy combatants (humans) from point blank range while they are sleeping without waking the neighbors up---not for hunting. Fight me.
 
Jeff Johnston said:
I get it; the idea of sniping 15 pigs before any run off is lovely. But here's a reality check: It doesn't happen. I know because I've tried. Subsonics with suppressors are quiet but they're far from silent. Really, all subsonic bullets (300 blackout, 223, whatever) do is give you a ballistically inferior round that is incapable of penetrating a big boars shoulder shield at 75 yards, often less. Can you shoot them in the head? Yes, but the others will still run off. I just don't get the infatuation. The round was meant for headshots on enemy combatants (humans) from point blank range while they are sleeping without waking the neighbors up---not for hunting. Fight me.
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I guess it just depends on the hunting! Armadillos behind the house at midnight…..awesome. Anything bigger than a big barn cat, I agree with you 😂
 
Jeff Johnston said:
I get it; the idea of sniping 15 pigs before any run off is lovely. But here's a reality check: It doesn't happen. I know because I've tried. Subsonics with suppressors are quiet but they're far from silent. Really, all subsonic bullets (300 blackout, 223, whatever) do is give you a ballistically inferior round that is incapable of penetrating a big boars shoulder shield at 75 yards, often less. Can you shoot them in the head? Yes, but the others will still run off. I just don't get the infatuation. The round was meant for headshots on enemy combatants (humans) from point blank range while they are sleeping without waking the neighbors up---not for hunting. Fight me.
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The 8.6 Subs will definitely penetrate a pigs shoulder. I’m still in the supersonic camp though.
 
I like to think that hunting with subs is just more challenging since it requires surgical precision and shorter ranges just slightly farther than compound bow capabilities. It has its place as a yard deer killing machine, but it also doesn't blow up the woods after a kill in high pressured hunting areas. I'm not saying you're going to shoot multiple critters in one sitting but I think you'll have more opportunities sooner when hunting with subs.
 
clifton said:
I like to think that hunting with subs is just more challenging since it requires surgical precision and shorter ranges just slightly farther than compound bow capabilities. It has its place as a yard deer killing machine, but it also doesn't blow up the woods after a kill in high pressured hunting areas. I'm not saying you're going to shoot multiple critters in one sitting but I think you'll have more opportunities sooner when hunting with subs.
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Evan Hafer (Black Rifle Coffee CEO) shot a deer with my 8” 8.6 using sub expanders at around 100yds when we were hunting in TX a few weeks ago.

I have an Aimpoint on it and I have it set up for close range stalking/killing. Bow range, just like you said. I love that it forces me to get closer and hunt with more thought. I think I have around 8 big game kills with it now.

I never hunt with a silencer to not spook game. I do it because my hearing prefers it.
 
Jason Vincent said:
Evan Hafer (Black Rifle Coffee CEO) shot a deer with my 8” 8.6 using sub expanders at around 100yds when we were hunting in TX a few weeks ago.

I have an Aimpoint on it and I have it set up for close range stalking/killing. Bow range, just like you said. I love that it forces me to get closer and hunt with more thought. I think I have around 8 big game kills with it now.

I never hunt with a silencer to not spook game. I do it because my hearing prefers it.
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This year for the Oklahoma rifle season I killed a nice buck and a doe.

Saw the buck from where I was sitting under a tree. He was at 375. Killed him from there. One shot, laying dead in the open.

The doe I killed later with a Howa 300 Blk I had put together and shooting the 190 Sub X ammo. Saw her at 300 moving past my spot at an angle. I dropped into the creek and moved to cut her off. Came out of the creek in a draw, then crawled behind some brush another 20 yds. Was laid down right there waiting on her to cross in front of me. Hit her at 80 yds through the lungs. Full pass through with plenty of damage.

Both hunts went perfect. Was happy with my tools and shooting. Although I bet I’m going to remember that doe hunt a lot longer.

The one thing I wouldn’t do, is take my subsonic 300 if it was a hunt that was important to me. I do enjoy it for certain things, but it’s not the most effective tool.
 
Jeff Johnston said:
I get it; the idea of sniping 15 pigs before any run off is lovely. But here's a reality check: It doesn't happen. I know because I've tried. Subsonics with suppressors are quiet but they're far from silent. Really, all subsonic bullets (300 blackout, 223, whatever) do is give you a ballistically inferior round that is incapable of penetrating a big boars shoulder shield at 75 yards, often less. Can you shoot them in the head? Yes, but the others will still run off. I just don't get the infatuation. The round was meant for headshots on enemy combatants (humans) from point blank range while they are sleeping without waking the neighbors up---not for hunting. Fight me.
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I'll fight you Jeff!

Its all about the right cartridge/round for the job at hand. Yes 300BO subs are fun for up close smaller game but when your ready for legit Subsonic experience put your purse down and pick up the 8.6BO.

What I love about subsonic hunting is the challenge of getting closer to animals and hunting them. Layer onto that experience the challenge of a longer time of flight shot, think time of flight vice distance.

I've made it a point this year to learn subs and it was the funnest new challenge I've had shooting rifles in a long time.
 
Yup, get a chrono and do the math on your kit's TKO. Caliber, barrel length, bullet weight, barrel twist are all variables in the recipe. Then, there's the hunter's preferences: Me, for hogs, as I have an ample supply of x51 I'd put the old ArmaLite to work and be working on my full-bore boar running WTFO kill shot skills. IIRC, you are correct, the 300BO Subs were initially designed for 10-12" barrels for CQB matters and the SureFire mufflers. We're in the true GoldenAge of access for caliber and tools selections, Drive on Brother!
 
I have a Fix and a Boombox, both 8.6 blackout. Neither have failed to put down what I was aiming at. Wild boar here in Oklahoma don’t stand a chance.
 

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Haven't played in the subsonic world other than just shooting them. While not movie silent its still a lot of fun to shoot them at the range.

Shooting animals suppressed does help. My daughter killed a decent buck a few weeks back with a 350 legend suppressed. She shot it with a 165 FTX. There were 5 bucks in the plot, they had started to filter out when she finally had a shot at the one she killed. At that point he was in the plot by himself. After the shot we saw deer scattered everywhere but they all went about 50-70 yards, stopped looked around and went back to doing deer shit.

I like being able to hear the round hit the deer.

My son killed a hog suppressed, it was the first kill I was around with it. We were in a redneck blind, the casing bounced around the blind a few times it kind of scared the shit out of me. It was loud and I didn't realize what the hell it was.
 
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