The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Subsonic 45-70 loads

Brian Pfleuger · January 9, 2012, 10:38 PM

Yep, Trail Boss is what I was thinking when I saw the thread title.

There are two sources of noise in gunfire. Sonic boom from the bullet and muzzle blast.

Obviously, subsonic loads take care of sonic boom.

Muzzle pressure is the largest source of the noise from the barrel.

Trail Boss solves that issue because it burns so fast that the muzzle pressure is DRAMATICALLY lower than virtually any other powder. In fact, it burns 100% virtually before the bullet moves, in most cases. Really, only small charges of handgun powders can match it.

I've used Trail Boss in 204Ruger and 7mm-08. The 204 literally (I mean literally) sounds like a cap gun... and that's with a muzzle velocity of 2,200fps.
The 7-08 is still somewhat loud but this is with a 15" barrel. A rifle would be no louder than a 22, I'd bet.

With a 32" barrel it should REALLY be quiet.

January 9, 2012, 10:38 PM	#3
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	Yep, Trail Boss is what I was thinking when I saw the thread title. There are two sources of noise in gunfire. Sonic boom from the bullet and muzzle blast. Obviously, subsonic loads take care of sonic boom. Muzzle pressure is the largest source of the noise from the barrel. Trail Boss solves that issue because it burns so fast that the muzzle pressure is DRAMATICALLY lower than virtually any other powder. In fact, it burns 100% virtually before the bullet moves, in most cases. Really, only small charges of handgun powders can match it. I've used Trail Boss in 204Ruger and 7mm-08. The 204 literally (I mean literally) sounds like a cap gun... and that's with a muzzle velocity of 2,200fps. The 7-08 is still somewhat loud but this is with a 15" barrel. A rifle would be no louder than a 22, I'd bet. With a 32" barrel it should REALLY be quiet.