Cartridges that work well super AND subsonic

[snowplow]

Hey guys, my last thread was about best cartridge for subsonic lethality. The one before that was supersonic cartridges that pair well with short barrels. So if you have a short barrel bolt action in mind, that gave us an idea of some of the best supersonic and separately subsonic cartridge choices for hunting.

Now I ask, is there any particular cartridges that do a good job at both? They may not be the best at one or the other but have the best balance. They make one gun a 0-200 or even 300 supersonic hunter AND a 0-100 subsonic hunter.

I have no idea if this exists, that's why I'm asking. Maybe the answer has to be two guns.

Let's have your ideas and scenarios fellas. Here's to a good discussion

 

[steve101610]

350 legend with a 10 twist barrel or a 450 bushmaster with a 16 twist barrel. Both are very capable of taking game at 200 yards and both are excellent with the right subsonic loads inside of 100 yards.

 

[TimK]

I've been contemplating the same thing. Haven't done anything yet, but in casual conversation with my circle of nerds I'm going to give good old .308 a look.

 

[snowplow]

I've been contemplating the same thing. Haven't done anything yet, but in casual conversation with my circle of nerds I'm going to give good old .308 a look.

That's what l keep thinking. It sounds like some have no prob with subsonic consistency with .308.

I keep thinking a .358 win would be even more perfect for a hand loader. Better supersonic than a .308 and better potentially subsonic due to 250 gr bullets and needing more powder.

Also I don't know anything about it, but isn't the 338 Arc supposed to be really good of both?

 

[JaredC]

375 raptor fits this fairly well for me.

Up to 400 grain subs from maker bullets.

And i shoot the 190 or 250 grain t rex from them also and they work fantastic on deer. Working on building a 700 cp similar to this one. Simple rebarrel from xcaliber and you have a braced pistol

 

[wvfarrier]

358 Win
338 Federal
308 Win
450 Bushmaster
458 Socom
300 AAC (my fav)

 

[ShadowAviator]

Another vote for the 375 raptor.

I'm playing around with copper subs 265-400gr in weight. My barrel is 18" 10 twist.

Supers can go to 300yds pretty easily, I think. Within 300yds, it hits like a big bore; beyond 300 to maybe 400, it hits more like a 308.

My calculator says my 270gr speer soft points are still going 1750fps and dropping 22 inches at 300yds.

Different bullets get a little faster and drop a little less as you get lighter. My 190gr copper makers are still going 1927fps and dropping 16 inches at 300yds.

Brass isn't too hard to make. I buy starline 358 win brass for $0.50 a piece. Cut the neck back, expand neck, final trim, then through a sizing die.

The neat thing about the raptor is that it works fairly well with common 375 bullets.

I feel the raptor balances between super and subsonic better than most. The one drawback with subs is the low case fill. There are ways of dealing with that, but it is something to be aware of.

 

[ShadowAviator]

That's what l keep thinking. It sounds like some have no prob with subsonic consistency with .308.

I keep thinking a .358 win would be even more perfect for a hand loader. Better supersonic than a .308 and better potentially subsonic due to 250 gr bullets and needing more powder.

Also I don't know anything about it, but isn't the 338 Arc supposed to be really good of both?

The 338ARC will probably work well subsonic, but will struggle with supers due to its small case.

Muzzle velocity from a 16" barrel is 2075fps with hornady's 175gr bullet.

It will work okay, but range will be limited. It'll be a fun ar15 cartridge. I might build one someday.

 

[snowplow]

The 375 raptor sounds awesome. l can only shoot up to 35 cal or I'd be all over that. Still having a hard time figuring out why the .358 isn't more popular. Aside from that it seems to me the lowly .308 is the best of both worlds. Not spectacular sub or super but entirely adequate.

 

[ShadowAviator]

The 375 raptor sounds awesome. l can only shoot up to 35 cal or I'd be all over that. Still having a hard time figuring out why the .358 isn't more popular. Aside from that it seems to me the lowly .308 is the best of both worlds. Not spectacular sub or super but entirely adequate.

I see. Why are you limited to 35 cal? Is that a local regulation?

 

[snowplow]

Suppressor dia. (9mm)

 

[FuhQ]

358 Win
338 Federal
308 Win
450 Bushmaster
458 Socom
300 AAC (my fav)

This is a pretty comprehensive list. My favorites for supers and subs are also .300 BLK and .308 Win.

 

[Aftermath]

22LR isn't on that list.
I guess it depends on the quarry.

 

[ShadowAviator]

Suppressor dia. (9mm)

Hmm. Bummer.

Guess you'll just need to get a bigger suppressor.

 

[snowplow]

Hmm. Bummer.

Guess you'll just need to get a bigger suppressor.

Tell me about it