school me on the difference between supersonic (high velocity) vs subsonic ammo

[Hornet_RN]

besides the obvious definition of supersonic ammo traveling beyond the speed of sound, is there a bigger difference in accuracy between ammo? i've been trying to find articles about this debate, but wasn't really satisfied with the results.

talking to some guys at the range explained to me that if i wanted to shoot a little straighter, i should step away from the bulk high velocity stuff and try to subsonic ammo. they tried to explain that once a .22 reaches supersonic speeds, the trajectory of bullet starts arch in a different pattern and starts to get unpredictable. but if a bullet is subsonic throughout its entire flight, it's more likely to hit where you put your crosshairs on target since it doesn't have to break the sound barrier?

if this is true, should i start shelling out the bucks for subsonic ammo then? what brands are the "best"?

i want to be a little bit better in competitive benchrest shooting...so any info would be great!

hornet_rn

[ojisan]

You heard right.
Air turbulence is created when the bullet breaks the sound barrier, and again, when it slows down to below the speed of sound.
The trajectory does not change, just the direction of travel.
When going for pure accuracy, this deviation in path can be significant.

[ar15barrels]

Subsonic does not guarantee accuracy, but all match grade 22 IS subsonic if that tells you anything.
Start out with Wolf Match Target.
It's made by Lapua and quite affordable at about $50 a brick.

[gmbrdilos]

thanks, I was interested in this as well.

[CSDGuy]

This is also one reason why you'd want your long range ammo to be able to remain supersonic until AFTER it goes the distance to target. If it goes subsonic before it reaches your target, the flight path can get a bit squirrelly, from what I understand.

[Touchdown456]

This is also one reason why you'd want your long range ammo to be able to remain supersonic until AFTER it goes the distance to target. If it goes subsonic before it reaches your target, the flight path can get a bit squirrelly, from what I understand.

So what kind of ammo would do just that? And how can you calculate when it goes from super to sub in order to most accurately shoot from a distance?

[ar15barrels]

So what kind of ammo would do just that?
And how can you calculate when it goes from super to sub in order to most accurately shoot from a distance?

All supersonic ammo goes subsonic eventually unless you fire it in space.
Ballistic calculators tell you the speed of the bullet at different ranges.

[5150bronco]

besides the obvious definition of supersonic ammo traveling beyond the speed of sound, is there a bigger difference in accuracy between ammo? i've been trying to find articles about this debate, but wasn't really satisfied with the results.

talking to some guys at the range explained to me that if i wanted to shoot a little straighter, i should step away from the bulk high velocity stuff and try to subsonic ammo. they tried to explain that once a .22 reaches supersonic speeds, the trajectory of bullet starts arch in a different pattern and starts to get unpredictable. but if a bullet is subsonic throughout its entire flight, it's more likely to hit where you put your crosshairs on target since it doesn't have to break the sound barrier?

if this is true, should i start shelling out the bucks for subsonic ammo then? what brands are the "best"?

i want to be a little bit better in competitive benchrest shooting...so any info would be great!

hornet_rn

awesome! where did you get your avatar? Jack is the president.

[Hornet_RN]

awesome! where did you get your avatar? Jack is the president.

heh...i just googled images for "jack bauer"!!!







so guys what's the best subsonic ammo then? Eley???

[DaveInOroValley]

If I'm not mistaken as well if you do not use sub sonic ammo with a supressor it will "crack" when it breaks the sound barrier thus making a silenced weapon not silenced.

[ar15barrels]

so guys what's the best subsonic ammo then? Eley???

Lapua X-Act for around $24 per box or Eley Tenex red for around $19 a box are probably regarded as some of the best.
Those are 50 round boxes by the way.

[5150bronco]

ah. okay. thanks. will google.

[Hornet_RN]

Lapua X-Act for around $24 per box or Eley Tenex red for around $19 a box are probably regarded as some of the best.
Those are 50 round boxes by the way.

you know, i actually do want to get competitive in silhouette shooting at my local gun club...BUT...paying over $19-$24 for rimfire ammunition is INSANE!?!?!? price of ammunition is one of the reasons why i started shooting rimfires...hah.

I found some CCI, Remington, Winchester, and Wolf subsonic ammo and they are half or less than the Eley and Lapua prices...how do those brands do then?

[ar15barrels]

you know, i actually do want to get competitive in silhouette shooting at my local gun club...BUT...paying over $19-$24 for rimfire ammunition is INSANE!?!?!? price of ammunition is one of the reasons why i started shooting rimfires...hah.

I found some CCI, Remington, Winchester, and Wolf subsonic ammo and they are half or less than the Eley and Lapua prices...how do those brands do then?

I shoot wolf match target for about $4 a box.
It's made by lapua.
Works great for me.

[olhunter]

If I'm not mistaken as well if you do not use sub sonic ammo with a supressor it will "crack" when it breaks the sound barrier thus making a silenced weapon not silenced.

Yup. Subsonic is the round of choice for taking out 'targets' silently.