Subsonic reliablity??

[xdeano]

Anyone know how a subsonic 178 amax open up on game? do they just pencil through or do they reliabily open at slow velocities. Muzzle velocity is 1087fps.

Game: Coyotes, deer size.

Thanks guys.

Deano

 

[K_4c]

Re: Subsonic reliablity??

Refer to bullet manufacture specs... I would assume no. Alot of the projectiles on the market require a certain velocity to properly expand.

 

[xdeano]

Re: Subsonic reliablity??

Right and that is what the mfg wants you to think? I've shot several deer with the 178g amax at supersonic velocities and they've all done great. Anyone actually had any real world experience with an subsonic 178g amax on flesh and bone? The MFG can give you all kinds of stats and stitistics, doesn't tell me shit, except they have a lawyer who is a bunny hugger.

xdeano

 

[K_4c]

Re: Subsonic reliablity??

Just trying to help brother... If you don't want to listen to the manufactures.... Then it's trial and error.

I have taken game out to 475 with 168 amax's... My ballistic table says it was still cruising @1720 fps... The bullet did its job and created a nice wound cavity.

Heads shots are always an option high speed.

 

[sawgunner2001]

Re: Subsonic reliablity??

The point the OP is getting at (I think) is that Hornady has this "<span style="color: #FF0000">*Match bullets are not recommended for hunting</span>" posted on their website referring specifically to the 168gr Amax, but people (K_4c for example) have used it successfully despite the warning. And is wondering that even though subsonic bullets aren't "recommended" for hunting, has anyone done so and what was their rate of success.

 

[xdeano]

Re: Subsonic reliablity??

Thank you sawgunner! That's what i want to know. Just looking for a testimonial. Yea or nay.
Thanks guys.
xdeano

 

[50APIT]

Re: Subsonic reliablity??

I haven't tried 178 amax, but I did try it using subsonic 75 gr amax out of an ar-15 shooting water jugs with disappointing results. The bullets were almost intact other than he plastic tip breaking off.

Edit:
I found this picture in a silencertalk.com thread, that looks very similar to my 556 results, though the tip on this one is still intact:

 

[RTodd]

Re: Subsonic reliablity??

I'll bite. My experience is with 200gr SMK into red clay subsonic through transonic and slightly above. Absent hitting a rock the recovered bullets are engrave and sand blasted. The only recovered rock strike had a flattened but not expanded nose. None have opened up. I expect many or most bullets built to handle 3000 fps will act similarly. I'd think some wet phone books could rule out expansion, even if the cannot guarantee it.

If the question were "Can you kill a deer size animal with a pencil hole?" I'd say "SURE!" Lots of white tail fall to the .22RF.

I wouldn't choose subs in my whisper to hunt deer, because I have much better "deer" rifles, but I'm not gonna judge you (generic you) for doing so.

I am interested in your findings. A suicidal coyote has been known to wander into the pasture in front of the bench. Come to think of it, the coyote wouldn't get any consideration regardless of what was laying on the sand bags. . .

Randy

 

[Force_Multiplier]

Re: Subsonic reliablity??

I know a guy that swears by the Hornady GMX @ subsonic out of a 300blk for whitetail... I haven't tried it yet, but I will

 

[xdeano]

Re: Subsonic reliablity??

Force Multiplier- i'll have to give the GMX a stare down. thanks.

Rtodd - I hadn't really planned on using the subs on deer, more so on coyotes. Fur friendly my guess.

As well i have a much more effective weapon to choose from for deer. But a suicidal coyote is not off the table.

50APIT - I'll have to shoot through some jugs and see what I can recover. Thanks. Will post with what i recover.

Thanks guys,

Deano