Quietest (least loud) 100-115 yard gun/ammo that isn't suppressed? Shotgun and AR15 are too loud for my yard (7 acres, neighbors aren't that close).

[Jason3270]

I'd appreciate some help figuring out which are the quietest rounds and their corresponding quietest guns, without a suppressor. I know 22lr is quiet but it sucks beyond 100 yards. 70 is realistically my max range with 22lr, and I'm a bit more comfortable around 50.

I'd like to build this gun from the ground up, starting with caliber.

 

[BLEE]

What will it be used for?

 

[Jason3270]

What will it be used for?

Pest control. Fox, raccoon, etc.

 

[B y r o n]

Sub sonic rounds will be the quietest, so my vote goes to 300 Blackout.

 

[BLEE]

I think most 22lr would not be good, beyond 50 yards for humane kills on fox and raccoon. For any humane kill on those animals, at 150 yards, you'll need a suppressed centerfire. 22 mag may do it, but they're loud as heck. You may want to look at big bore air rifles.

 

[Jason3270]

I think most 22lr would not be good, beyond 50 yards for humane kills on fox and raccoon.

Agreed, that's why I'm looking for a new caliber to shoot that distance

 

[Elite_KG]

Subsonic 300 BO will have a good bit of drop from 50 to 100 to 150 yards. You would need rangefinder and dope chart to be effective on pest sized animals. Not my recommendation. I forget the exact values and too lazy to look it up. I quit shooting subsonic for any hunting because of the ineffectiveness at varying ranges.

Anything supersonic will have a loud sonic crack. No way around that. Anything subsonic will have a quit a bit more drop at distance from zero. You could play around with MPBR calcs and see what grain/bc bullet gets you a decent MPBR for the distances and target size you are “controlling” when at subsonic velocities.

 

[BLEE]

Agreed, that's why I'm looking for a new caliber to shoot that distance

I edited my post above. I don't think much of anything in a true firearm is going to be quiet, for that distance.

 

[DocRDS]

With no suppressor--probably a 223. The supersonic round doesn't matter if ignition isn't muffled.

 

[Elite_KG]

With no suppressor--probably a 223. The supersonic round doesn't matter if ignition isn't muffled.

I think he may be worried about neighbors or non-targets hearing the sonic crack, but yeah targets won’t hear anything (assuming i understand your point correctly; I may have misinterpreted)

Ignition or muzzle blast is louder on varying cartridges and barrel lengths.

I feel like the term quiet in this context is a misnomer. Its all gonna be “loud” when pushing supersonic and/or larger cartridges. Not a good middle ground I dont believe.

 

[Chickentoast]

Take a look at some PCP's! There are some big bore air guns that will do what you want without issue @ 150yds. FX is a no brainer. RAW if you want more old school. Or AEA if you want a semi-auto. I run a Sarissa moderator, and it is easily backyard stealth. No worries about powder or other components. I bought a 50 dollar hand pump on Amazon and pump 500cc tank to 300 bar - in about 400 strokes (from 125bar).

 

[waveslayer]

FX PCP in .25 or 30 cal. I shoot out to hundred but wind is a big factor

 

[hlee]

150 is a long poke for a subsonic, especially on a small and moving critter. You are asking for two different things. A cartridge that is effective beyond typical hunting distances. A cartridge that is quiet without a suppressor. No gunshots are "quiet," and any super sonic round is going to be in the ~160 db range just due to the sonic crack.

 

[Jason3270]

I appreciate all the thoughtful responses (keep em coming). Just a point for clarity, I chose the word "quietest" specifically, because I know that nothing will actually be "quiet". I fully understand that quietest can still be quite loud, so I'm looking for the "least loud". Also, I edited the distance down to 115, since that effectively the far end of the range on my property.

Thanks again, these responses are super helpful.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Realistically, for pest control quiet is going to be a hav-a-heart trap for the foxes and raccoons and shooting them with a .22 short or air gun from 5 feet in the trap. Not sporting, but effective and quiet.

If the goal is pest control in a small yard in an area with whiney neighbors, then you need to get “long range” or “any” range out of the equation.

If the neighborhood is the problem, eliminate the pests silently. Then make all the noise you want on the range. Or hunting larger non-suburban areas.

Have-a-Harts are cheap, humane until the pest is dispatched. And way safer in a confined area than even a big air gun. And way less costly than scratch building a rifle for pest elimination in a small yard.

If your goal is predator hunting in your yard… whole different story. Suppressed Air guns and a good “hide” letting you minimize range in all directions would be a perfect choice. Bait pile would help, too.

But If pest control is the real goal: trap, shoot, dispose. Repeat.

Sirhr

 

[obx22]

Read and reread, but I’m still not getting your goal.
RWS Subsonic 40gr hollow points at 900 fps are more than accurate and powerful enough at 85yds to dispatch a whitetail deer. As in a dead-right-there, folded up like a cheap suit, dropped in his tracks and didn’t so much as quiver, dead. Before anyone gets they’re panties in a bunch- there are NO caliber restrictions in my state and all my big game hunting has been with the humble .22, and I respect it’s limitations.
Now, you could use a 9mm or .45 in a rifle to achieve .22LR ballistic like curves, and out of a 26-28” barrel it’ll be fairly quite, but are you going to shoot it enough to be completely proficient?
Any centerfire pistol slug like these is going to have a helluva ricochet factor, and with that weight- it’s gonna carry.
Why not just run the paperwork, pay the fees, and go suppressed?
I know a guy who blows up nutria out of his back pond with a surpressed 300BLK AR in a residential development. Not my first choice, but it works for him.

 

[Jason3270]

Realistically, for pest control quiet is going to be a hav-a-heart trap for the foxes and raccoons and shooting them with a .22 short or air gun from 5 feet in the trap. Not sporting, but effective and quiet.

If the goal is pest control in a small yard in an area with whiney neighbors, then you need to get “long range” or “any” range out of the equation.

If the neighborhood is the problem, eliminate the pests silently. Then make all the noise you want on the range. Or hunting larger non-suburban areas.

Have-a-Harts are cheap, humane until the pest is dispatched. And way safer in a confined area than even a big air gun. And way less costly than scratch building a rifle for pest elimination in a small yard.

If your goal is predator hunting in your yard… whole different story. Suppressed Air guns and a good “hide” letting you minimize range in all directions would be a perfect choice. Bait pile would help, too.

But If pest control is the real goal: trap, shoot, dispose. Repeat.

Sirhr

Thanks for the thoughtful response. I've already considered everything you've said here Ava already do most of it. I'm still wanting to build the quietest 100 yard gun I can, even if it means that it isn't quiet.

 

[Jason3270]

Read and reread, but I’m still not getting your goal.
RWS Subsonic 40gr hollow points at 900 fps are more than accurate and powerful enough at 85yds to dispatch a whitetail deer. As in a dead-right-there, folded up like a cheap suit, dropped in his tracks and didn’t so much as quiver, dead. Before anyone gets they’re panties in a bunch- there are NO caliber restrictions in my state and all my big game hunting has been with the humble .22, and I respect it’s limitations.
Now, you could use a 9mm or .45 in a rifle to achieve .22LR ballistic like curves, and out of a 26-28” barrel it’ll be fairly quite, but are you going to shoot it enough to be completely proficient?
Any centerfire pistol slug like these is going to have a helluva ricochet factor, and with that weight- it’s gonna carry.
Why not just run the paperwork, pay the fees, and go suppressed?
I know a guy who blows up nutria out of his back pond with a surpressed 300BLK AR in a residential development. Not my first choice, but it works for him.

I live in New York State (sad trombone sound), suppressors are banned. I wish I could have a suppressor here. Then this thread would be unnecessary.

 

[Mike Casselton]

Build a CZ 527 in 9mm. Shoot 147 subs.
There's a thread here somewhere. I think it was VJJPunisher

 

[b6graham]

22LR will kill things that far with a good shot. up to coyote and honestly deer

300BO subsonic

308 with trailboss is stupid quiet too and quite fun to shoot

admitting you'd put a cheap temp suppressor on is pretty stupid

 

[Jason3270]

22LR will kill things that far with a good shot. up to coyote and honestly deer

300BO subsonic

308 with trailboss is stupid quiet too and quite fun to shoot

admitting you'd put a cheap temp suppressor on is pretty stupid

Well I wouldn't because I don't know how to, so it's a moot point. Perhaps I should've said I wish I could.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

If you have neighbors that close I’d be far more concerned about ricocheting bullets either from a miss or over penetration than I would about my neighbors hearing the shot. If you’re using it for pest control they aren’t going to be standing in front of a berm.

17HMR with fragmenting bullets or 223 or something with the same. You don’t need to over complicate this, you need a pest control gun and that’s it. It’s not like you’ll be out there shooting for hours on end it sounds like so if the neighbors here a shot or two every so often then so be it. If they live in a rural area then the occasional gun shot should be expected and if they have a problem with that there’s plenty of cities and suburbias with ordinances that they can relocate to.

 

[Jason3270]

If you have neighbors that close I’d be far more concerned about ricocheting bullets either from a miss or over penetration than I would about my neighbors hearing the shot. If you’re using it for pest control they aren’t going to be standing in front of a berm.

17HMR with fragmenting bullets or 223 or something with the same. You don’t need to over complicate this, you need a pest control gun and that’s it. It’s not like you’ll be out there shooting for hours on end it sounds like so if the neighbors here a shot or two every so often then so be it. If they live in a rural area then the occasional gun shot should be expected and if they have a problem with that there’s plenty of cities and suburbias with ordinances that they can relocate to.

I appreciate the advice, but I don't require it. I'm aware of everything you've said. I'm asking a question which I'm unclear of the answer. I'm not asking for "quiet", I'm asking for least loud.

 

[spife7980]

I'm not asking for "quiet", I'm asking for least loud.

Which is stupid. Loud is loud.

 

[b6graham]

I appreciate the advice, but I don't require it. I'm aware of everything you've said. I'm asking a question which I'm unclear of the answer. I'm not asking for "quiet", I'm asking for least loud.

you've been given SEVERAL answers. pick one. there's no wrong answer from this list

300BO/308 subsonic
223
17HMR/22mag/22LR etc
air gun

 

[hlee]

Least loud firearm? 22lr bolt action rifle. Can run lr, short, or CB ammunition. But, the have a heart trap suggestion is the best in the thread.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

I appreciate the advice, but I don't require it. I'm aware of everything you've said. I'm asking a question which I'm unclear of the answer. I'm not asking for "quiet", I'm asking for least loud.

So you’re an expert in ricochets and over penetration, but you don’t know what guns are louder than others.

You do need to be concerned about ricochets, especially with subs.

 

[hlee]

So you’re an expert in ricochets and over penetration, but you don’t know what guns are louder than others.

You do need to be concerned about ricochets, especially with subs.

Hearing a 220 gr 30 cal projectile careening into the atmosphere after hitting a wood stump can be a bit unnerving. And, a 22lr competition is typically chock-a-block full of those whizzing sounds, as those slow movers make edge hits on targets. Ricochet would be my #1 concern.

 

[Chickentoast]

I appreciate all the thoughtful responses (keep em coming). Just a point for clarity, I chose the word "quietest" specifically, because I know that nothing will actually be "quiet". I fully understand that quietest can still be quite loud, so I'm looking for the "least loud". Also, I edited the distance down to 115, since that effectively the far end of the range on my property.

Thanks again, these responses are super helpful.

115 yds, even more reason for an airgun. Pick how much energy you want @ 115. Mine is an RTI Prophet Performance in .22. It's an 80 ft/lb gun, but is optimized with a slower twist barrel for pellets instead of slugs, which have worse BC and might not be enough energy at 115. An FX in .25 with a slug liner would probably be enough. Hatsan if you're on a budget. Just go up in caliber if you want more energy - the cost will be shots/fill and the difference in projectile cost. Here's my little .22 that shoots right with my Tikka 22lr.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Hearing a 220 gr 30 cal projectile careening into the atmosphere after hitting a wood stump can be a bit unnerving. And, a 22lr competition is typically chock-a-block full of those whizzing sounds, as those slow movers make edge hits on targets. Ricochet would be my #1 concern.

Yep, neighbors hearing your shot might get a complaint. Neighbors catching a ricochet can get you a bill or lawsuit for damage, or a charge for negligence or worse, homicide.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

I just want to get this straight...

New member joins less than 12 hours ago.

First thing he asks is about creating a quiet rifle for use in a densely populated area for pest control.

When pointed out that the whole concept is wrong... he changes story to now be about 'just creating the quietest rifle' and states that if he 'knew how to build illegal suppressors' he probably would? And that pest control in a 150 x 150 yard 7 acre lot was 'not' the goal. Building a not quiet quiet rifle is.

All this just a week after some mentally-deranged nar-nar in DC shoots up a neighborhood and all the press can talk about is the "Sniper Style" attack using tripods and sniper rifles.

I am sure it's all just an innocent set of questions by someone who does not know the community or what sorts of questions can raise red flags among our membership... But this is stuff that raises red flags among our membership. And beyond.

You asked about pest control. You got several knowledgeable and reasonable responses about how to deal with the actual problem you stated you had. And then switched your 'story' about why you want a quiet rifle. Or a not quiet rifle. But one that is not loud. In New York. And then you start going 'on the offensive' when guys like BMX'er give reasonable answers to what, in any context, are ill-thought-out questions.

Just so the OP knows... every time stuff like last week's mess happens, communities like ours get blamed. And if it turns out that the little mentally-ill deranged criminally insane shitbag who offed himself after shooting up DC had come here asking questions JUST Like the OP's... guess what community gets blamed? Or painted with the broad brush strokes of a media. Public perception does not care that we are VERY self-policing, very image-conscious and that certain questions or lines of inquiry look suspicious. And that we don't tolerate that stuff. We may be politically incorrect. We make fun of everything. We're equal opportunity Un-woke offenders. But we take this sport and hobby (and for some profession) very seriously.

Suggest to the OP that you take the advice you have gotten. Read a lot more. Don't ever post here about doing illegal things like making your own suppressors... And learn something about the real nature of this community. Or go to ARF-com. They don't care what crap you post there. But so far, in less than 12 hours, you have gotten on more radar screens than you can count. And the ones you least need to worry about are the feds who are watching 24 x 7. Because if you act like a moron newbie, the membership here will be far worse to deal with than a black suburban full of Letterbet agents.

By all means, eliminate your pests. By all means, build something custom. If it's safe, shoot in your back yard. Have a blast. But to quote the HMFWIC "Words have consequences" and the way you've made your entrance and started wording things is no bueno.

Sirhr

 

[HousePlant]

I'm just going to vote that this forum is not a place to learn how to build a "quiet rifle". There's no such thing.

 

[Dai Bando]

Buy Quiet-22 Segmented HP 22 LR Ammo 40 | 970

Shopping for the Quiet-22 Segmented HP - Learn more about the latest Quiet-22 Segmented HP and other hunting or shooting gear at CCI.

www.cci-ammunition.com

These and a long bbl will do what you’re looking to do.

 

[Jason3270]

So you’re an expert in ricochets and over penetration, but you don’t know what guns are louder than others.

You do need to be concerned about ricochets, especially with subs.

 

[fdkay]

.25 Air Arms Galahad Air Rifle Reg FAC Black w/Moderator

32 ft/lbs, 787 fps Authoritative Knock-Down Power for Animals 6 to 14 lbs.(Ferral Cats, Gray Foxes, Wild Turkeys, Opossums, Ground Hogs). Order Now!

topairgun.com

 

[huntnh]

Weird thread!

 

[Jason3270]

My apologies, I didn't mean to use a dismissive tone, I genuinely appreciable the advice, especially the ricochet advice.

My only neighbor is about one thousand feet away, at 150 degree angle from my point of aim. I'm shooting between 65-130 yards into a large hill and the point of aim is grass. It seems very unlikely there's any ricochet risk but I can't really say for certain.

I have traps, I trap. But my focus on this thread in shooting. I'm looking to build a low caliber rifle with the lowest possible report, that can shoot 100 yards, give or take. If that report is loud, so be it. Currently my 223 is insanely loud, so I'm hoping to drop some decibels.

Again, I really appreciate the thoughtful responses. There some great stuff in here, but I'd love to keep the discussion focused on shooting.

 

[Jason3270]

I just want to get this straight...

New member joins less than 12 hours ago.

First thing he asks is about creating a quiet rifle for use in a densely populated area for pest control.

When pointed out that the whole concept is wrong... he changes story to now be about 'just creating the quietest rifle' and states that if he 'knew how to build illegal suppressors' he probably would? And that pest control in a 150 x 150 yard 7 acre lot was 'not' the goal. Building a not quiet quiet rifle is.

All this just a week after some mentally-deranged nar-nar in DC shoots up a neighborhood and all the press can talk about is the "Sniper Style" attack using tripods and sniper rifles.

I am sure it's all just an innocent set of questions by someone who does not know the community or what sorts of questions can raise red flags among our membership... But this is stuff that raises red flags among our membership. And beyond.

You asked about pest control. You got several knowledgeable and reasonable responses about how to deal with the actual problem you stated you had. And then switched your 'story' about why you want a quiet rifle. Or a not quiet rifle. But one that is not loud. In New York. And then you start going 'on the offensive' when guys like BMX'er give reasonable answers to what, in any context, are ill-thought-out questions.

Just so the OP knows... every time stuff like last week's mess happens, communities like ours get blamed. And if it turns out that the little mentally-ill deranged criminally insane shitbag who offed himself after shooting up DC had come here asking questions JUST Like the OP's... guess what community gets blamed? Or painted with the broad brush strokes of a media. Public perception does not care that we are VERY self-policing, very image-conscious and that certain questions or lines of inquiry look suspicious. And that we don't tolerate that stuff. We may be politically incorrect. We make fun of everything. We're equal opportunity Un-woke offenders. But we take this sport and hobby (and for some profession) very seriously.

Suggest to the OP that you take the advice you have gotten. Read a lot more. Don't ever post here about doing illegal things like making your own suppressors... And learn something about the real nature of this community. Or go to ARF-com. They don't care what crap you post there. But so far, in less than 12 hours, you have gotten on more radar screens than you can count. And the ones you least need to worry about are the feds who are watching 24 x 7. Because if you act like a moron newbie, the membership here will be far worse to deal with than a black suburban full of Letterbet agents.

By all means, eliminate your pests. By all means, build something custom. If it's safe, shoot in your back yard. Have a blast. But to quote the HMFWIC "Words have consequences" and the way you've made your entrance and started wording things is no bueno.

Sirhr

Respectfully, I get your point but you've exaggerated and embellished what I've asked here, to fit a narrative which is not even remotely close to what I've asked.

1. I do not live in a densely populated area, I live in a rural suburban town, on seven acres. The very few neighbors I have live on twenty acres.

2. I never said "quiet", others did. I said quietest/least loud. I then repeated and specified this numerous times. I would love a quiet rifle, but this seems impossible.

3. Yes, I stupidly misspoke about wishing I could suppress a rifle -that's my bad, I'll own that. Who doesn't want that? Still that was sloppy of me and I deserve the criticism which followed THAT.

4. The airgun responses might very well be the best solution here, I'm not sure yet but I'm enjoying the responses. It's super interesting.

5. It's not illegal to build your own suppressor, if you get your paperwork straight. Not that I know how to, but I wish I did. I also wish I lived in a state that allowed me to do so. Take note how I specified "quietest gun that is not suppressed". That's hadly asking for a quiet gun.

Your analysis is flat out wrong. If you honestly assess what I've written, youll see that.

My apologies for any confusion here. I'm just an enthusiast, like everyone else. I coach five year old girls soccer and I'm a responsible gun owner.

 

[Jason3270]

Which is stupid. Loud is loud.

So 170db is the same as 130db?

 

[redneckbmxer24]

My only neighbor is about one thousand feet away, at 150 degree angle from my point of aim. I'm shooting between 65-130 yards into a large hill and the point of aim is grass. It seems very unlikely there's any ricochet risk but I can't really say for pertain.

You’re still responsible for keeping your bullets on your property. You don’t own square miles to shoot haphazardly and you don’t know who is on the property behind where you’re shooting and when. Unless that hill is at least 60 degrees then it’s not going to trap a bullet and a hill just means the higher the angle the ricochets will be thus the further they will travel. Be responsible.

 

[Jason3270]

You’re still responsible for keeping your bullets on your property. You don’t own square miles to shoot haphazardly and you don’t know who is on the property behind where you’re shooting and when. Unless that hill is at least 60 degrees then it’s not going to trap a bullet and a hill just means the higher the angle the ricochets will be thus the further they will travel. Be responsible.

Who said I'm shooting haphazardly? I know exactly who is on all the properties within a mile of my house, and I actually know their schedules. I knocked on doors, introduced myself, and told my neighbors my intentions, and shooting schedule, and we coordinated and agreed to specifics times, which I strictly adhere to. I even text them before I'm going to shoot.

Also my backdrop is a small mountain that extends at least fifty feet high and a thousand feet wide. The grass is my aim point ads I would have to shoot thirty feet high to hit the base of that fifty for mountain. I usually shoot inside of one inch groups at 100 yards.

Why are we talking about all of these things that are completely irrelevant to my question and situation? Why must everything be an accusation? What's going on here, trial by fire? I'm a perfectly decent guy.

Is it so crazy to want to keep the noise down on one's property? This is like a Twilight zone episode.

 

[hlee]

Good thing your pest problem adheres to a schedule...

 

[Jason3270]

Good thing your pest problem adheres to a schedule...

It in fact does! We have a large pond and pet ducks, which attract foxes. The foxes come out around sundown, and that's precisely when I set up shop.

Sundown, right on schedule.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

There’s no getting through to this guy. Asks questions because he’s obviously clueless, yet is a know it all too. I feel sorry for his neighbors.

 

[SWgeezer]

223, blue dot powder, 30 gr bullet, jamescalhoon.com

 

[MadDuner]

If your neighbors are a mile away - they aren't going to be upset about the noise of a longer barreled .22LR going off.

 

[Jason3270]

There’s no getting through to this guy. Asks questions because he’s obviously clueless, yet is a know it all too. I feel sorry for his neighbors.

Last thing I want is to be the jerk know it all that can't take advice from guys that know more than I do. But I'm being accused of crazy things here, which make no sense. Unfortunately, the good advice has gotten mixed with the crazy accusations and now it's pretty difficult to parse then out.

Wanting to take the db level down on my property does not make me an irresponsible, psychopathic murderer. I'm only too happy to concede that I do not know what my best options are (in response to my question), but a few guys have taken this discussion off the rails. I'm just getting to keep the focus on shooting and nose management.

 

[B y r o n]

It in fact does! We have a large pond and pet ducks, which attract foxes. The foxes come out around sundown, and that's precisely when I set up shop.

Sundown, right on schedule.

You might want to double check your local hunting reg's since it involves foxes.

 

[spife7980]

So 170db is the same as 130db?

Well technically no but if you want 130 with a centerfire rifle youre going to have to put a can on the end of the barrel.
So for your intenets and purposes, yes.

If you want quiet get a 22lr as has been mentioned most often (for good and obvious reasons).

 

[Jason3270]

If your neighbors are a mile away - they aren't going to be upset about the noise of a longer barreled .22LR going off.

I didn't say my closest neighbor was a mile away. I said 1000 yards. I said that I know all my neighbors within a mile. Also my wife and kid have ears too.