Subsonics..and reducing noise level

[Pickle Rick]

I was shooting some suppressed handload subs this weekend 220gr Berrys, 12.7gr CFE BLK, 1000 fp/s. My buddy handed me some Hornady factory 208gr subs to try and they were quieter than mine. Everything was shot over a chrono. The Hornady was right around 1020 fps as well.

I’m thinking that a lighter bullet would require less powder to reach the same velocity as a heavier bullet, therefore quieter. It could have been just gas in the supressor during some and not the others which I know can affect noise level.

Has anyone fooled around with testing subs to get a more quiet combo? I would assume the difference between subsonics would be minuscule. But it sure sounded quieter.

 

[Broncovan]

I was shooting some suppressed handload subs this weekend 220gr Berrys, 12.7gr CFE BLK, 1000 fp/s. My buddy handed me some Hornady factory 208gr subs to try and they were quieter than mine. Everything was shot over a chrono. The Hornady was right around 1020 fps as well.

I’m thinking that a lighter bullet would require less powder to reach the same velocity as a heavier bullet, therefore quieter. It could have been just gas in the supressor during some and not the others which I know can affect noise level.

Has anyone fooled around with testing subs to get a more quiet combo? I would assume the difference between subsonics would be minuscule. But it sure sounded quieter.

I "feel" like cfeblk is louder than h110.
Same bullets, same velocity. It just seems louder.

 

[Hoser]

Use the fastest burning powder that you can. N110 and H110 are ok. 1680 is pretty loud. I have never tried CFE BLK.

For gas guns you dont have many options. Bolt guns are awesome with subs. Hollywood quiet is a thing.

 

[Pickle Rick]

Use the fastest burning powder that you can. N110 and H110 are ok. 1680 is pretty loud. I have never tried CFE BLK.

For gas guns you dont have many options. Bolt guns are awesome with subs. Hollywood quiet is a thing.

Yes, I have my eyes on a bolt gun that I really want.

 

[Slickmtrs]

I have messed around with a few. Factory loaded and hand loaded. Some are just quieter than others. The 200+GR projectiles are def more quiet. Surprisingly the load data for 220gr Sierra was the same as 208gr Hornady with H110 (9.2gr). Of the other testing I’ve done anything sub 1000ft/sec is definitely more quiet.
This is all on a CZ600 trail in 300blk with a Silencerco Scythe.

 

[kindabitey]

If you want stupid quiet, try some 150-155 gr. and some VV N320. A1680, Lil Gun, and most of the go to powders that will cycle an AR
are going to louder than a med. weight bullet and a fast pistol powder.

 

[Stugots]

If you want stupid quiet, try some 150-155 gr. and some VV N320. A1680, Lil Gun, and most of the go to powders that will cycle an AR
are going to louder than a med. weight bullet and a fast pistol powder.

What are your charge weights with those 3 powders?

 

[kindabitey]

What are your charge weights with those 3 powders?

That’s gonna take some digging to find. It’s been a while since I messed with it. I’ll see if I can find what the loading was and let you know.

 

[tekmann2377]

If you want the ultimate in quiet - use a very fast burning pistol powder and a light bullet. A great load is a 110 Vmax with 3.8-4.0 gr of Red Dot. If you think your friends loads are quiet, this will blow your mind. Like BB gun or suppressed subsonic 22 quiet.

And no it won't even come close to cycling an AR.

 

[Stugots]

If you want the ultimate in quiet - use a very fast burning pistol powder and a light bullet. A great load is a 110 Vmax with 3.8-4.0 gr of Red Dot. If you think your friends loads are quiet, this will blow your mind. Like BB gun or suppressed subsonic 22 quiet.

And no it won't even come close to cycling an AR.

I will give that a in my bolt gun if I can find some Red Dot. Thx

 

[tekmann2377]

There are other alternatives that can work well too... Bullseye is an example, or some of the shotgun powders. Red Dot has worked so well though I havent had to go looking for anything else (and 1 lb of powder lasts incredibly long!)

I will caution you do not double charge, or drastically overcharge - these powders can pressure spike very easily! But the reason they are so quiet is they are incredibly fast burning.

 

[Stugots]

There are other alternatives that can work well too... Bullseye is an example, or some of the shotgun powders. Red Dot has worked so well though I havent had to go looking for anything else (and 1 lb of powder lasts incredibly long!)

I will caution you do not double charge, or drastically overcharge - these powders can pressure spike very easily! But the reason they are so quiet is they are incredibly fast burning.

Would you please recommend a charge weight for both Bullseye and Red Dot powders shooting 150gr bullets? TIA!

 

[KYAggie]

There are other alternatives that can work well too... Bullseye is an example, or some of the shotgun powders. Red Dot has worked so well though I havent had to go looking for anything else (and 1 lb of powder lasts incredibly long!)

I will caution you do not double charge, or drastically overcharge - these powders can pressure spike very easily! But the reason they are so quiet is they are incredibly fast burning.

I’ve got the powders below to work with including 6# of TrailBoss not pictured. Any known loads would be appreciated. Don’t look too close at the price tags, you might throw up.

Looks like Hodgdon’s has TrailBoss load data for several bullets on their website.

 

[wvfarrier]

Lil Gun and H110 seem to be the quietest for me

 

[tekmann2377]

For Red Dot and 150 gr bullets I settled on around 4.9-5.2 gr after starting at around 6-6.5 gr depending on the bullet. It was reduced until a velocity of 1000 fps was achieved. With other powders including Bullseye and N340 the charges have turned out to be surprisingly similar.

I have found the 110 gr loads to be slightly quieter than the 150 gr loads even with the same powders, and the same velocities.

There is no way Lil Gun or H110 will be as quiet as these.

Use this data with caution given the low case fill percentages and lack of published data! Some powders such as H110 can dangerous in these scenarios!

 

[redbullitt]

Lots to play with here.

Cfeblk and 1680 are loud. Simple as that. More gas means more loud.

If you don't need to cycle action or can open and close gas you have tons of options.

A faster powder, lighter bullet, longer barrel, lower velocity etc will all mean less muzzle pressure which will make less noise.

I really like coated cast bullets here. Won't get stuck in bore even at like 650 fps. Jacketed can get weird there at reduced speeds without much warning.

Try running around 950fps or so. That usually gives a great noise reduction if you don't mind dropping some speed.

 

[roostercogburn98]

@KYAggie

6.0 grains of trail boss and a 150g bullet. Will not cycle semi autos, but they have been dubbed the “mouse fart”

 

[Hoser]

When downloading the 300 Whisper with pistol powders, 45 ACP data is a good place to start.