Thread: Quiet effective sub caliber for hunting, is there such a thing?

Originally Posted by Bradp

I've been thinking about the idea of a nice quiet sub gun for hunting for a while now for a number of reasons and have done lots of reading on here etc about the different options but have no experience whatsoever with subs in a centerline.
All shots will be inside 50 meters obviously which most of my hunting usually is and I currently use a 223 so placement is already considered.
I don't reload and won't be starting.

The more I've read the less viable it seems as I don't reload there is only a handful of calibres that shops stock subsonic rounds for. 308 being the most common but it seems penetration can be an issue with subs and expansion even more so, especially with factory offerings.
The other option would be 45-70, already a big hole so expansion isn't as much an issue and a 400 grain round should have better penetration. But all the videos I've seen on YouTube even with a suppressor the 45-70 is still loud , hard to tell from a video but seems not much more quiet than the 223.

So those of you with some sub experience is there actually a viable subsonic calibre that is still quiet and ammunition that is commercially available?

I keep coming back round to the opinion that to get what I want a good crossbow might actually be the best option.

Greetings @Bradp and all,
Relying on factory loads for a specific requirements is bound to be a problem. Even if you find a load that works well for you the chance of it disappearing from the dealers shelves without warning is great. I also understand your reluctance in not wanting to enter the endless rabbit warren that is handloading. You are either into it or not.
May I suggest a halfway solution? There are plenty of one time hunters that have retreated to handloading together with a little target shooting. These chaps (they are mostly chaps) are often looking for a new project and there will be plenty around Rotorua and the CNI. Some will be delighted to assist in your project.
As far as a suitable cartridge goes it would be hard to beat a .308 with an 8 inch twist. You will need plenty of projectile mass to get the penetration.
Regards Grandpamac.