Suppressors Subsonic .308 capabilities

[Surgeon_Shooter]

Hey fellas,

How far are some of you shooting subsonic loads out to? I'm wanting to play with them and see how far I can get and I'm wandering what to expect.

Also has anyone ever hunted with a subsonic .308 round? Would it make a clean kill on a whitetail deer at a fairly close range? Maybe 100yrds?

These may be dumb questions but I'm kinda new to the supressed .308 world.

Thanks guys!

Jay

 

[frog5215]

Re: Subsonic .308 capabilities

Suppressors are legal for hunting deer across the border?

 

[Surgeon_Shooter]

Re: Subsonic .308 capabilities

In some states I believe. I may be wrong. I'll try to find out what states it is or if any are.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Subsonic .308 capabilities

Would you consider hunting deer with a 45acp pistol, because a 180grn lead nose bullet out of a 308 going subsonic has about the same knock down power, sure it will penetrate, but shot placement is going to be critical.

 

[frog5215]

Re: Subsonic .308 capabilities

Shot placement is always critical.

Suppressors aren't legal for GAME in Texas. I know they're OK is some states.

Hogs, exotics, varmints, no problem here.

 

[xringdb]

Re: Subsonic .308 capabilities

Silencer Talk has a map with legal/not legal states on it. Scroll down to the hunting section.

It is legal here. The deer I have shot with SS .308 rounds acted like bowshots. Ran 60 to 80 yds. with double lung shots. Penetration will surprise you as there is no expansion. Bullet placement/angle is critcal.

I have not shot any past 155 yds.

 

[Surgeon_Shooter]

Re: Subsonic .308 capabilities

Ill go to silencer talk and check it out and see if it's legal or not. I don't see why it wouldn't be but it doesn't matter what I think.

 

[TORKAR]

Re: Subsonic .308 capabilities

It's legal to hunt suppressed in PA, haven't killed anything yet other than squirrels though. I'll be trying a 308 subsonic load in a 15" encore (permanently attaching the flash hider/ bi-lock to make it 16") with my Gemtech HVT.

I know there's some factors to consider with twist rate and barrel length but didn't do any research yet. I don't want to cut my custom shop barrel and I picked up the 15" for next to nothing...

 

[Surgeon_Shooter]

Re: Subsonic .308 capabilities

I tried to go to silencer talk and I'm not a member so i couldn't see the forums. Can someone please post up what states allow hunting with supressors?

It would be greatly appreciated!

Jay

 

[Surgeon_Shooter]

Re: Subsonic .308 capabilities

I just found this

The following states allow hunting with a legally owned silencer: AK, AR, KY, MS, NE OR, SC, SD, TN, VA, WI, WV.

Texas and Montana allow hunting of non-game animals only with a silencer.

It was dated two years ago so I don't know if it's up to date or even true at all. I'm mainly trying to find out if I'm legal to hunt with a can I'm Louisiana.

 

[zenbiker]

Re: Subsonic .308 capabilities

Legal to hunt with suppressors in VA, but my can is so quiet with regular ammo, I don't know that I"d bother with subsonic. All I hear is the sonic crack, about like a .22 Mag. I don't need ear protection.

Guess it depends on how important complete silence is to you. Like others have said, expect terminal ballistics of subsonic ammo to be about the same as a .357 to .44 mag pistol depending on the weight and construction of your bullet, so your "clean kill" range is going to be about 50 yards.

In Loozianna, I reckon you could put a l'il hot sauce in the hollow point; might bring'em down quicker and they'd be pre-seasoned. Mmmmmm-mmmmmmm, tasty I gar-on-teee!

 

[Surgeon_Shooter]

Re: Subsonic .308 capabilities

That's right! I caint help it we like to taste our food. Total silence is no biggy, I was just wandering if I could blast a nanny with a subsonic round and make a clean kill. The list I found that names legal states has Arkansas in it and that's where I do most of my hunting so that would be great if I can use it there. I hope LA is a legal state but my luck it's not.

 

[rlepage]

Re: Subsonic .308 capabilities

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Surgeon-Shooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I just found this

The following states allow hunting with a legally owned silencer: AK, AR, KY, MS, NE OR, SC, SD, TN, VA, WI, WV.

Texas and Montana allow hunting of non-game animals only with a silencer.

It was dated two years ago so I don't know if it's up to date or even true at all. I'm mainly trying to find out if I'm legal to hunt with a can I'm Louisiana. </div></div>

You need to recheck your sources. Get caught hunting anything in Montana with a suppressor and you will lose your can. Actually get caught possessing one while in "field or forest" and you will lose your can.

Here are the legal states: Suppressors

 

[Surgeon_Shooter]

Re: Subsonic .308 capabilities

Thanks man that helps, just wish LA was on that list! If I'm from out of state I guess it is still legal to use a supressed rifle for hunting in AR. I'll have to call the game wardens in Arkansas and ask them.

 

[rlepage]

Re: Subsonic .308 capabilities

if it's a legal suppressor, you have the required licenses and it's during legal season/area/hours you are good to go.

 

[Surgeon_Shooter]

Re: Subsonic .308 capabilities

Good because I do 90% of my hunting in Arkansas. Thanks guys

 

[deersniper]

Re: Subsonic .308 capabilities

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Surgeon-Shooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks man that helps, just wish LA was on that list! If I'm from out of state I guess it is still legal to use a supressed rifle for hunting in AR. I'll have to call the game wardens in Arkansas and ask them. </div></div>

I wouldn't put too much faith in what they tell you. I've had MD DNR try to take my rifle "because thats a silencer and thats illegal". They don't know the laws very well.

-dan

 

[Surgeon_Shooter]

Re: Subsonic .308 capabilities

I didn't really think about that, your right, I'm expecting to get pulled over one day and some rookie cop try to take me to jail for having a supressed rifle. I'll have to call the ATF and ask them. If anyone should know the weapon laws they should. Thanks for the heads up!

Jay

 

[clmayfield]

Re: Subsonic .308 capabilities

What about the original question? Given the lack of expansion, you might be better off going as heavy as you can get in .308... which would be what? 240 grains? I guess I can JBM it.

Definitely illegal in Texas, Mr.Game Warden, sir, but I'm just curious.

 

[clmayfield]

Re: Subsonic .308 capabilities

Interesting... I ran the numbers on the 240 grain Sierra Match King at a subsonic MV (I chose 1060 fps) versus a factory 175 grain Sierra Match King (running at 2600 - I know you can get it faster). At 350 yards with the subsonic, you are at 40 MOA drop, which is the same drop, incidentally, that you get with the 175gr at 1,000 yards. The interesting thing is that you get slightly less windage correction at 350 yards for a 10 mph crosswind with the heavy subsonic round than you do with the 175gr at 350. In fact, across the board, the windage correction is less for the heavy-weight.

Now this is just JBM, but I thought it was interesting. The real question is what is the OAL for such a heavy projectile? You might have a difficult time getting that loaded round into a short action if you are seating anywhere near the lands.

As for killing game with it... it is low velocity + a match bullet, so you get zero expansion. Probably not great for deer hunting, but subsonic with a suppressor, it would probably be a fun varminting round for squirrels and whatnot (especially in the wind). Of course, it is much cheaper and easier to just shoot a suppressed 22. I guess you would do it for the same reason people climb mountains... because it's there.

 

[rlepage]

Re: Subsonic .308 capabilities

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Surgeon-Shooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I didn't really think about that, your right, I'm expecting to get pulled over one day and some rookie cop try to take me to jail for having a supressed rifle. I'll have to call the ATF and ask them. If anyone should know the weapon laws they should. Thanks for the heads up!

Jay </div></div>

ATF doesn't keep track of game laws for the states. Go to the web site for the state you're hunting in and search their code for the suppressor laws. Print out a copy and carry it with you along with a copy of your NFA form.

That is how I compiled my list. I also sent emails to the enforcement division of the game departments of each state that didn't specifically prohibit suppressors asking if they were legal for hunting.

Just a little research I was doing trying to get Montana's law changed. Will be back at it when the legislature goes back into session next year.

 

[SuckitTrebek]

Re: Subsonic .308 capabilities

Gotta love TX. Can hunt hogs 24/7 with night vision and a suppressor equipped full auto if you want to.

Sureyou can't hunt deer with it, but that's why god invented fast attach suppressors.