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Posted: 11/24/2011 1:52:49 PM EDT
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From what I understand, heavier bullets suppress better than lighter bullets. I dont know if that is a stead fast rule, but from what i have heard/read/experienced 147gr 9mm is quiter than 115 or 124 due to being sub-sonic, and 180gr 308 has a bettter sound reduction than 150gr, also due to the velocity. So, is this a standard rule?
The reason I ask is that I just ordered my first .223 can, a Gemtech Halo, which will fit on most of my AR-15's, all of which are zeroed/sighted in using 55gr ammo. As a result I also have a good amount (double digit cases) of 55gr ammo. So, my question is - what is the difference in the sound reduction between 55 and 62 grain ammo? Should I go even heavier, such as into the 70's? Or, since the POI will change with the addition of the suppressor, should I just keep the 55gr zeros? Is it worth stocking heavier (and more costly) ammo for use when the can is attached, or will the difference in suppression not be significan enough to notice for the price? |
Interesting question... it just so happens that I went to the range last Friday to sight in a new scope, and shot 55 gr, 62 gr, and 75 gr bullets through one of my AR's checking for POA/POI change. (About 50 rounds of each) I didn't really notice any measurable difference in sound reduction with the heavier loads.  Probably because they are all over 2800 FPS... 
What I did notice was the heavier bullets were hitting just slightly lower (maybe 3/4" @ 100yards) than the 55's and 62's which had the exact same POA/POI. The 75 gr bullets are what I have loaded for SHTF... the 55's are for plinking and I also have a couple thou of Lake City 62 gr M855 as well... In my opinion, don't waste your money on the heavier bullets unless you are handloading subsonic rounds or something... 
- Clint |
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Quoted:
From what I understand, heavier bullets suppress better than lighter bullets. I dont know if that is a stead fast rule, but from what i have heard/read/experienced 147gr 9mm is quiter than 115 or 124 due to being sub-sonic, and 180gr 308 has a bettter sound reduction than 150gr, also due to the velocity. So, is this a standard rule? There will be no appreciable sound level difference between the 55, 62, and 77 gr bullets. All will be supersonic. The bullet weight you use should be based more on the twist of the rifling. There will be slight velocity differences, which will affect the POI (both suppressed and non-suppressed). If you want subsonic, buy a Ciener .22 kit and shoot standard velocity .22LR. This is the most satisfying solution and by far the least expensive. Downloading the .223 to subsonic velocities is a recipe for serious (and expensive) problems, won't cycle the action, and is not approved by the manufacturer. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
From what I understand, heavier bullets suppress better than lighter bullets. I dont know if that is a stead fast rule, but from what i have heard/read/experienced 147gr 9mm is quiter than 115 or 124 due to being sub-sonic, and 180gr 308 has a bettter sound reduction than 150gr, also due to the velocity. So, is this a standard rule? There will be no appreciable sound level difference between the 55, 62, and 77 gr bullets. All will be supersonic. The bullet weight you use should be based more on the twist of the rifling. There will be slight velocity differences, which will affect the POI (both suppressed and non-suppressed). If you want subsonic, buy a Ciener .22 kit and shoot standard velocity .22LR. This is the most satisfying solution and by far the least expensive. Downloading the .223 to subsonic velocities is a recipe for serious (and expensive) problems, won't cycle the action, and is not approved by the manufacturer. Plus the fact that a subsonic 223/556 is basically an expensive version of the .22 subsonic |
| The reason 147gr 9mm suppresses better than 115gr is that the 147gr is subsonic and the 115gr is supersonic. With 308 they also load subsonic loads, using heavier bullets to keep as much inertia as possible and maintain terminal energy. 223 does not lend itself well to sub-sonic shooting, at least from an AR platform. Any bullet weight, shot at supersonic speeds is going to sound about the same to the naked ear. |
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