Subsonic 22LR

[AndreusMaximus]

So, I own a Savage MKII bolt action rifle chambered in 22lr. It's not suppressed, and doesn't even have a threaded barrel, but due to the long barrel length and being a bolt action, it's a pretty quiet gun. The other day I shot some subsonic 22lr 60 grain Aguila ammo through it, and it was dummy quiet. I had no idea a firearm could propel a 60 grain bullet to just below the sound barrier, and be not much louder than a pellet gun (okay, maybe a bit of an exaggeration) all without even having so much as a flash can on it!

Anyways, I loved the idea of being able to hunt squirrels/rabbits with such a quiet round, but the problem was that the ammo wouldn't shoot worth a darn. I was shooting at a paper-size target with a 3-inch circle at 25 yards from a bench, and I was lucky to even hit the circle. I switched to shooting my regular 22 ammo just to make sure I wasn't doing something stupid, and I was easily able to keep my groups less than half an inch, like normal. It wasn't just a shift in impact, either, the ammo was hitting all different sides of the target.

Anyways, all this just got me to want to ask; does anyone have experience with any subsonic 22lr that will shoot with decent accuracy and be suitable for squirrel/rabbit hunting, that they can recommend? My instinct keeps telling me that I should look for something with a heavier bullet, so I don't sacrifice too much energy in shooting a slower round, but is that actually even a concern for small game? Or should I just shoot 22 shorts? Or is this even a worthwhile pursuit?

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[snorko]

CCI makes a variety of subsonic ammo designed for small game. I have found most to be reasonably accurate.

The Aguila SSS 60 gr ammo is cool but technically you need a faster twist barrel to stabilize the heavier rounds. Think AR: generally 1:9 or 1:12 barrels are more accurate with lighter 55 gr bullets. the faster 1:7 barrels like the 62-70 gr rounds. Most rimfire barrels are 1:16 twist.

Some companies like CMMG and Tacsol have made runs of faster twist barrels in the past. Ironically, I have a Henry AR-7 that groups great with the SSS ammo.

 

[jrh84]

Snorko nailed it, though I've had good luck with the 60 gr ammo in my rifles. Surprised it was that bad.

CCI makes their "quiet" ammo that is a normal 40 gr bullet, but only 750 fps or so. Enough for squirrels and birds, but you'd better make a decent shot. Theyre suppressor quiet without a suppressor, and just plain silly with a can. It might be more accurate out of your Savage.

 

[AndreusMaximus]

CCI makes a variety of subsonic ammo designed for small game. I have found most to be reasonably accurate.

The Aguila SSS 60 gr ammo is cool but technically you need a faster twist barrel to stabilize the heavier rounds. Think AR: generally 1:9 or 1:12 barrels are more accurate with lighter 55 gr bullets. the faster 1:7 barrels like the 62-70 gr rounds. Most rimfire barrels are 1:16 twist.

Some companies like CMMG and Tacsol have made runs of faster twist barrels in the past. Ironically, I have a Henry AR-7 that groups great with the SSS ammo.

Ah, of course, twist rate! I was wondering what on earth could have cause the level of inaccuracy I was seeing, and my silly brain forgot to even consider that as a factor. Yes, my rifle has a 1:16 twist barrel, so that's most likely my problem.

I guess I'll have to see if I can get my hands on some CCI subs with a lighter bullet.

 

[cosermann]

CCI and Winchester also have a .22 CB long (not LR) that's quiet. Great for short range quiet pest control.

.22 Long CB: Quiet and Effective

 

[BE Mike]

All standard velocity ammo is subsonic. Anything that clocks under around 1140 fps is subsonic, so you don't hear the crack. I like CCI Small Game Bullet for hunting. I use it in a bolt action. Not sure how well it would feed through a semi-auto.

 

[AndreusMaximus]

All standard velocity ammo is subsonic. Anything that clocks under around 1140 fps is subsonic, so you don't hear the crack. I like CCI Small Game Bullet for hunting. I use it in a bolt action. Not sure how well it would feed through a semi-auto.

This actually relates to another question I had; a lot of 22LR ammo has a velocity printed on the box, but they never seem to tell you what barrel they used. My Savage rifle has a 21 inch barrel, which is much longer than most 22LR barrels, so I expect I'll typically get a higher velocity than the box says, but I never know by how much. I just know that I've always heard the supersonic crack with any ammo I've shot through it other than the 60 grain Aguila.

I guess this isn't so much a question as just a slight frustration of mine...

 

[Tyler-The-Piker]

 

[edwea]

In regard to your question of subsonic accuracy, most match grade .22 is subsonic. I've never had the accuracy out of supers that I do with subs. In terms of use for hunting, I prefer a wicked accurate round that has no problem finding a squirrel's head at a bit lower speed than a faster bullet that is less accurate.

And I think they typically use a 24" barrel in their velocity testing.

 

[AndreusMaximus]

In regard to your question of subsonic accuracy, most match grade .22 is subsonic. I've never had the accuracy out of supers that I do with subs. In terms of use for hunting, I prefer a wicked accurate round that has no problem finding a squirrel's head at a bit lower speed than a faster bullet that is less accurate.

And I think they typically use a 24" barrel in their velocity testing.

A 24" barrel? That surprises me, but I guess in that case my search for subsonic ammo isn't as narrow as I thought it was.

 

[snorko]

This actually relates to another question I had; a lot of 22LR ammo has a velocity printed on the box, but they never seem to tell you what barrel they used. My Savage rifle has a 21 inch barrel, which is much longer than most 22LR barrels, so I expect I'll typically get a higher velocity than the box says, but I never know by how much. I just know that I've always heard the supersonic crack with any ammo I've shot through it other than the 60 grain Aguila.

I guess this isn't so much a question as just a slight frustration of mine...

I think standard .22LR velocity peaks around 14".

 

[1nderbeard]

I bought several boxes of Eley subsonic HP hunting ammo. I have noticed some body shots on squirrel, but it's very quiet.

I hunt with a gemtech gm22 can and a 10/22 tacsol threaded barrel.

 

[AndreusMaximus]

I think standard .22LR velocity peaks around 14".

Really? Well, that's good to know. I guess the stuff I've been shooting must be higher than standard velocity, then, even though I'm pretty sure it's not marked as such on the box; I'll have to re-look at it.

 

[patience0830]

I think standard .22LR velocity peaks around 14".

This. Any .22 lr bbls over 16" are actually slowing velocity. 24" bbl gives you a great sight radius for peep sight bench rest but it's useless increasing velocity. I use CCI, SK, and Eley subsonic HP to hunt with. Movie quiet with a suppressor. CBs and the 60 grain Sniper Sub Sonics don't shoot well enough past about 15 yds out of my guns to keep me happy. I did own a Volquartsen 1 in 9 twist bbl for a 10/22 that shot the 60 gr a little better but still not to my liking.

 

[Butch627]

I hope this isn't too much of a tangent from the subject but I have a Wrangler revolver and am looking for super quiet for dispatching caged raccoons. I have not looked in over a year but then nothing was in stock.

 

[AndreusMaximus]

This. Any .22 lr bbls over 16" are actually slowing velocity.

Does this still apply for high velocity rounds?

 

[patience0830]

Does this still apply for high velocity rounds?

As far as I know the burn is finished by 16". I'm sure there are Googl-able test results available.

 

[BE Mike]

I shoot mostly CCI Standard Velocity in my DPMS .22 LR upper with a 16" bbl. With a can, the groups are better and I hear no supersonic crack.

 

[natdscott]

I hope this isn't too much of a tangent from the subject but I have a Wrangler revolver and am looking for super quiet for dispatching caged raccoons. I have not looked in over a year but then nothing was in stock.

That's basically impossible in that weapon, even if you managed to suppress it.

CCI CB Long is the best option.

 

[Flytj]

If you are looking for quiet in 22LR, I have used the Aguila Colibri 20gr rounds... they are kind of more like a pellet round if you ask me, but its VERY quiet if you need to pop a varmint and dont want to make a scene