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+--- Thread: Subsonic 5.56? (/Thread-Subsonic-5-56)
Subsonic 5.56? - olfart - 09-29-2026
I don't understand all I know about suppressors and suitable ammo. If a suppressor doesn't actually suppress supersonic bullets, wouldn't loading 5.56 down to subsonic make it about the same as using a .22? Aside from an extra 15 grains and ballistic coefficient anyway.
RE: Subsonic 5.56? - specops56 - 09-30-2026
(Yesterday, 11:33 PM)olfart Wrote: I don't understand all I know about suppressors and suitable ammo. If a suppressor doesn't actually suppress supersonic bullets, wouldn't loading 5.56 down to subsonic make it about the same as using a .22? Aside from an extra 15 grains and ballistic coefficient anyway.
That's a good question I never thought of! I don't own a suppressor because I can't afford them. Ear muffs are much cheaper,
Terry
RE: Subsonic 5.56? - speedy - 09-30-2026
With the larger grain weight, it still produces about double the kinetic energy of a decent .22lr round. Even comparing a basic 5.56 55 gr. round to a 40 gr. .22lr, the 55 is roughly 140 lbs vs 100 for the .22. That's still a 40% jump just with that. But it really jumps with grain weight increase. With all that said, that's why the .300 blk came to be. Specifically, for a supressed, SBR.
RE: Subsonic 5.56? - olfart - 09-30-2026
Yes, I'm beginning to understand the fascination with .300 blackout. And of course, that would require another set of dies, another batch of .30 bullets because they're somewhat bigger than my .30-'06 bullets already in stock, and brass.
RE: Subsonic 5.56? - tommag - 09-30-2026
You don't necessarily have to go subsonic, a suppressor will muffle the blast but the crack of the bullet going down range would still be there.