Subsonic Ammo vs. hyper-velocity

January 28, 2001, 12:22 AM

Some say it is the only way to go, and some claim hyper-velocity is what you need for accuracy. Whats the skinny?

WESHOOT2 · January 28, 2001, 08:28 AM

Depends on the actual performance from your specific gun.

Best advice: start at the BOTTOM of the price ladder and work UP until you reach your desired performance from YOUR gun.

Scooter2 · January 28, 2001, 05:38 PM

Hyper velocity can be more inaccurate than subsonic rounds. Just look at the ammo used for Olympic rimfire competition, all subsonic. The idea is if you are firing at a target at x distance, you want to bullet to stay supersonic or subsonic all the way out. If it transistions from supersonic to subsonic, it can be destabilize. I've talk with high power rifle shooters that say the 308 is not ideal for 1000 yards competition because after about 800 yards, the bullet becomes subsonic and often hit the target sideways.

woodyjr · January 29, 2001, 09:35 PM

How far can that distance "X" be with subsonic ammo b4 it starts to drop alot. I love to fire my 22 marlin bolt action rifle. I love the accuracy I can get from 50 to 70 yards, every once in a blue moon I can eek out those 100 Yard shots, which is tough with a 22 rimefire. If I switch to subsonic rounds will the drop excesively?

Scooter2 · January 29, 2001, 10:55 PM

The problem with accuracy has little to do with how much the bullet drops. A high velocity 22 rimfire transistions to subsonic speeds between 50 to 75 yards. So you might get great accuracy at 50 yards, but at 100 yards under ideal conditions, accuracy can suffer.

If you are concern with how much a bullet drops, don't try to shoot past 125 yards with a 22 rimfire. My accurized 10/22T will group 0.20" at 50 yards with target grade ammo, it hates match grade. I usually use Winchester Dynapoints, which are standard velocity. I'll get 0.40" groups at 50 and sub 1" at 100 yards under ideal conditions. The bullet generally drops about 5-6" at 100 yards. I've shot out to 200 yards and hit what I was aiming at, ie. squirrels and rabbits. Unless you know how to use target turrets on a scope, I wouldn't try to shoot past 100 yards.

woodyjr · January 30, 2001, 10:03 AM

Thanx much Scooter2

RWK · January 30, 2001, 12:10 PM

FYI and just to keep things accurate, the following are accepted velocity definitions:
> 0 to .999M is subsonic
> 1.0 to 4.999M is supersonic
> 5.0 and above M is hypersonic
So, unless you really mean 5M velocities or greater, I respectfully suggest the applicable term is supersonic.

woodyjr · January 30, 2001, 09:45 PM

What is the unit on that?

woodyjr · January 30, 2001, 09:48 PM

duh you mean Mach, Brain fart...sorry, danke Shon

January 28, 2001, 08:28 AM	#2
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Depends on the actual performance from your specific gun. Best advice: start at the BOTTOM of the price ladder and work UP until you reach your desired performance from YOUR gun. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

January 29, 2001, 09:35 PM	#4
woodyjr Member Join Date: January 29, 2001 Posts: 17	Distance How far can that distance "X" be with subsonic ammo b4 it starts to drop alot. I love to fire my 22 marlin bolt action rifle. I love the accuracy I can get from 50 to 70 yards, every once in a blue moon I can eek out those 100 Yard shots, which is tough with a 22 rimefire. If I switch to subsonic rounds will the drop excesively?

January 30, 2001, 12:10 PM	#7
RWK Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 1999 Location: Occupied Virginia Posts: 2,777	Correct Terminology FYI and just to keep things accurate, the following are accepted velocity definitions: > 0 to .999M is subsonic > 1.0 to 4.999M is supersonic > 5.0 and above M is hypersonic So, unless you really mean 5M velocities or greater, I respectfully suggest the applicable term is supersonic.

January 30, 2001, 09:45 PM	#8
woodyjr Member Join Date: January 29, 2001 Posts: 17	Terminology What is the unit on that?

January 28, 2001, 12:22 AM	#1
woodyjr Guest Posts: n/a	Some say it is the only way to go, and some claim hyper-velocity is what you need for accuracy. Whats the skinny?

January 28, 2001, 05:38 PM	#3
Scooter2 Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2001 Posts: 115	Hyper velocity can be more inaccurate than subsonic rounds. Just look at the ammo used for Olympic rimfire competition, all subsonic. The idea is if you are firing at a target at x distance, you want to bullet to stay supersonic or subsonic all the way out. If it transistions from supersonic to subsonic, it can be destabilize. I've talk with high power rifle shooters that say the 308 is not ideal for 1000 yards competition because after about 800 yards, the bullet becomes subsonic and often hit the target sideways.

January 29, 2001, 10:55 PM	#5
Scooter2 Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2001 Posts: 115	The problem with accuracy has little to do with how much the bullet drops. A high velocity 22 rimfire transistions to subsonic speeds between 50 to 75 yards. So you might get great accuracy at 50 yards, but at 100 yards under ideal conditions, accuracy can suffer. If you are concern with how much a bullet drops, don't try to shoot past 125 yards with a 22 rimfire. My accurized 10/22T will group 0.20" at 50 yards with target grade ammo, it hates match grade. I usually use Winchester Dynapoints, which are standard velocity. I'll get 0.40" groups at 50 and sub 1" at 100 yards under ideal conditions. The bullet generally drops about 5-6" at 100 yards. I've shot out to 200 yards and hit what I was aiming at, ie. squirrels and rabbits. Unless you know how to use target turrets on a scope, I wouldn't try to shoot past 100 yards.

January 30, 2001, 10:03 AM	#6
woodyjr Member Join Date: January 29, 2001 Posts: 17	Thanx much Scooter2

January 30, 2001, 09:48 PM	#9
woodyjr Member Join Date: January 29, 2001 Posts: 17	duh you mean Mach, Brain fart...sorry, danke Shon