Thread: subsonic 44 for hunting pigs, the realities?

Originally Posted by sixtus

Another plan, loading down a 357 lever with 24" barrel to 1200-1300fps with jacketed bullets. Can get there with 5-6 grains of the right powders, so same or less than above, similar pressure 18,000 PSI, "BUT" the extra supersonic crack. Would it be a f***** shedload louder than the top 2, I wonder? ( id assume louder than the 22WMR)

It's a whole lot louder @sixtus. The supersonic crack is seriously unpleasant in tight bush in the bail, and that's what the dogs don't like.

When I did the load development for the .44 Magnum, it was specifically to find a way to get rid of the sonic crack without compromising killing power. The new dogs were really struggling with it, and shooting over someone else's dogs that weren't used to a rifle was a non-starter. And not just the dog's ears, but the guys' ears too.

I tried low velocity but still supersonic jacketed bullets - nope.
Then subsonic jacketed bullets - ok but pretty ordinary expansion.
Then Robert's subsonic cast lead hollow points with a good crimp - bingo.

The guys I load for and occasionally hunt with are as hard case pig hunters as you'll meet, at it 2-3 times a week minimum, farm work allowing, and all three of them will never go back to full power factory ammo. I've seen myself the difference in dog reaction when the rifle is loaded and shouldered, they're no longer backing off the bail and nervously looking back to the shooter. This was a real problem with a couple of good staunch dogs - gun shy. Hardly surprising considering.

One of the main considerations when building a good pig gun is what sight are you going to use? In our type of conditions, frequently nighttime, we've found a laser plus a red dot reflex sight is the best. Sometimes it's just not possible to get a good aim with the rifle shouldered, and a laser and shot from the hip is what's required. Works very well.

Thanks for the post mate. Just wondering though regards all that and your buddies are they using supressors for the 44's? I cant use one here. I just had to clarify ,being you guys have better freedoms with guns than we do, you might assume I can use one.

if its a choice between equal powder loads in a "44 subsonic bang" and a 357 "low speed but supersonic crack-bang" not making much difference to a bare barrel, I would probably choose the latter just for the jacketed bullet expansion and trajectory.

A 44 subsonic is still not hearing safe but even if bare barrel its less disruptive than anything else for dogs, it will certainly get the nod.

As to sights, yes current 22mag , which is my mates rifle has a lazer with scope at present. Also Gen 1 NVG for a while( which was pretty piss poor performance)