Subsonic Ammo vs Supersonic Ammo

Subsonic Ammo vs Supersonic Ammo

When it comes to choosing ammunition, you'll likely encounter the terms "subsonic" and "supersonic." While they may sound technical, understanding these concepts can make a real difference in your shooting experience. In this blog post, we'll explain what subsonic and supersonic ammunition are, their uses, pros and cons, and much more. Without further ado, let’s compare and contrast subsonic and supersonic ammo.

What is Subsonic Ammo?

Subsonic ammunition is designed to operate at speeds below the speed of sound, which is approximately 1,100 FPS. These rounds are often favored for their reduced noise and minimal sonic boom. Shooters with suppressors seek out loadings of this type as they are conducive to achieving optimal suppression. Due to the lack of a supersonic crack, these loadings have the potential to reach near “Hollywood quiet” levels of suppression.

What is Supersonic Ammo?

Supersonic ammunition, on the other hand, exceeds the speed of sound. Velocities of supersonic loadings exceed 1,100 FPS and produce a notable “crack” as they break the sound barrier. Loadings of this type are incredibly common and make up a majority of standard loadings for many calibers. This is to say that one will not need to go out of their way to find supersonic ammo for conventional calibers. Supersonic ammo can be found for general purpose use, defense, and hunting. Purchase Ammo

Advantages of Subsonic Ammo

Reduced Noise Subsonic ammo produces less noise, making it ideal for shooting in noise-sensitive environments. Subsonic ammunition is also ideal for shooting with a suppressor which will further reduce decibel levels when compared to shooting supersonic ammunition through a suppressor or non-suppressed. Lower Recoil The slower speed often results in less recoil, allowing for better control during rapid fire. Lower velocities and heavier projectiles are conducive to flatter recoil impulses and are less snappy than supersonic loadings are.

Disadvantages of Subsonic Ammo

Limited Range Due to lower speeds, subsonic ammo has limited effective range. Put plainly, there is less pushing a subsonic loading’s projectile than there is pushing a supersonic projectile. Loadings with higher velocities tend to have better effective ranges and flatter trajectories than slower loadings do. Reduce Effect on Target Subsonic ammo generally has less kinetic energy than supersonic loadings. This is due to the fact that these loadings are traveling slower than their supersonic counterparts are. Lower velocities means that projectiles leave the muzzle with less energy and have a reduced effect on target than supersonic loadings do. In short, subsonic loadings do not hit as hard as supersonic loadings do.

Advantages of Supersonic Ammo

Greater Range Supersonic ammo offers is capable of reaching out to further ranges than subsonic loadings are. Faster loadings have more energy behind them which translates to flatter trajectories and viability at longer ranges. These traits also lend themselves to higher accuracy potentials. Better Effect on Target Due to their supersonic nature, loadings of this type will have a better effect on target. This is to say that they hit harder than subsonic loadings do. High velocities allow for better barrier penetration and expansion of hollow point and soft point projectiles. Due to this fact, most defensive and hunting loadings are supersonic in nature.

Disadvantages of Supersonic Ammo

Not Optimal for Suppression Due to the supersonic nature of these loadings, they are not optimal for use with suppressors. Of course, one can still utilize supersonic loadings with a suppressor, though one cannot reasonably expect noticeable noise reduction. The suppressor alone will not eliminate the supersonic crack from supersonic ammo. In short, subsonic loadings are better for suppression. Increased Recoil The faster speeds translate to increased recoil. With some calibers, this increased recoil may be negligible while being more noticeable with other calibers. At the end of the day, a shooter will encounter higher levels of recoil with a supersonic loading than they will with a subsonic loading. Purchase Ammo

Grain Weights for Subsonic Ammo

Subsonic loadings can easily be identified by their heavy for caliber grain weights. This is to say that subsonic loadings tend to feature projectiles which can be much heavier than their standard counterparts. For example, 9mm standard velocity loadings tend to feature 115 grain projectiles while subsonic loadings feature 147 gr – 150 gr weights generally. This also holds true for .300 Blackout ammo as subsonic loadings tend to feature grain weights of 200 gr and higher. In short, one can usually tell a loading is subsonic by its grain weight.

Is Supersonic Ammo Better Than Subsonic Ammo?

The term "better" is subjective and depends on your specific needs. Supersonic ammo is more versatile and effective at longer ranges, while subsonic ammo offers the advantage of reduced noise and recoil. Shooters will generally encounter a wider variety of supersonic ammo than they will subsonic ammo. In some cases, shooters may need to seek out subsonic loadings while supersonic loadings are common and easily found. Of course, some loadings are naturally subsonic such as standard velocity .38 Special and .45 ACP loadings. One will not need to look far for subsonic performance with these types of loadings.

Conclusion

All in all, subsonic and supersonic ammunition are commonly available on the market and it is important for shooters to understand the difference. Both ammunition types have their own optimal use cases and pros and cons to consider. For general purpose shooting and defense, common supersonic loadings will serve you well. For suppressed shooting, one should seek out subsonic loadings for optimal suppression and noise reduction. We here at True Shot Ammo carry a wide range of ammunition for sale. Our inventory encompasses popular calibers and gauges such as 9mm, .223, 12 gauge, and .22 LR to name a few. Whether you want subsonic ammo or want to buy bulk ammo, we have you covered.