Is all 147 grain 9mm subsonic?

[welshrabbit]

Is all 147 grain 9mm subsonic? Our state has recently passed a silencer law and I want to enjoy it. If it is not then can someone suggest an ammo that would be subsonic?
Thank you.

[Robb Jensen]

No. Winchester Ranger SXT 147gr was doing over 1000fps out of my Glock 17 in 2005.

[ramplit]

Is all 147 grain 9mm subsonic? Our state has recently passed a silencer law and I want to enjoy it. If it is not then can someone suggest an ammo that would be subsonic?
Thank you.

from https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=22164 (https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=22164)

Ammo makes a difference. Put together a magazine alternating 115 gr and 147gr. ammo and watch the head's turn. Alabama Ammo is a great supplier/reloader for Subsonic 147gr. 9mm "Special K" (256) 974-3504 Last I knew they were selling it for $275 per 1000 rounds.

For your point, various 147gr. ammo does perform differently. John Titsworth over at silencerresearch.com has documented different levels of noise reduction with different ammo.

Best regards,

[DocGKR]

We've never seen supersonic 9mm 147 gr standard pressure.

[Robb Jensen]

At the chrono part of the 2005 NC Sectional (NC State level III USPSA match) they fired 5 rounds out of my 3rd gen Glock 17. This was with the Winchester Ranger SXT 147gr JHP and it averaged 1018fps for a power factor of 149 (I had expected it to be about 135-140pf). It also shoots very softly.

[PALADIN-hgwt]

xxxxx

[DocGKR]

1018fps--That is still subsonic...speed of sound at sea level is approximately 1125 fps.

[Robb Jensen]

Correct but I thought the ammo makers used 950fps as subsonic for suppressed guns.

[hkbf150]

Try some Fiocchi 158 gr 9mm ,it is listed as sub sonic as well as the Prvi 158 gr.I havn't had any probs out of the Fiocchi from a glock 19, but I do not have a silencer though.

[SMJayman]

A can will add some muzzle velocity, although how much is a variable and should be tested. An old SAS guy told me that they always used 1000fps as a rule of thumb. 1100fps is what I was always told as the speed of sound at sea level, but that number goes down as altitude increases. It is also a temperature dependent variable, if temperature decreases, the speed of sound changes as well. (This may be why they went with 1000 even, there's enough room there for varying conditions.)

[SMJayman]

Oh yeah, and if you reload, here's a sweet load that is pretty quiet even without a can. I've been meaning to try it through a suppressor but haven't had the chance yet:

9mm, 147gr Hornady XTP, 3.6gr Titegroup, CCI small pistol primer, 1.100" overall length, 10 shots:

968
957
980
970
981
984
972
966
979
986

SD 8
ES 26
AV 973
PF 143.031

[TY44934]

We've never seen supersonic 9mm 147 gr standard pressure.


There are non +p loadings of 147 JHPs at over 1200 FPS published in the Vihta Vouri manual.

Link:

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=74053

That velocity is not difficult to achieve in 9mm with a variety of slow burning powders, at standard pressures.

Granted, I am not aware of commercially loaded ammo at that velocity and bullet weight, although I do not use or suggest commercial ammo.

[HK_Shooter_03]

Nope, and pushing it through a 16" barrel can make it go faster.

[Beat Trash]

There are non +p loadings of 147 JHPs at over 1200 FPS published in the Vihta Vouri manual.

Link:

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=74053

That velocity is not difficult to achieve in 9mm with a variety of slow burning powders, at standard pressures.

Granted, I am not aware of commercially loaded ammo at that velocity and bullet weight, although I do not use or suggest commercial ammo.

I could be wrong, but I got the impression that he was referring to Factory loads.

Might I ask why you do not suggest commercial ammo?

[Chris Sanchez]

I really dont see the need to make typical 147gr JHP's to be supersonic.

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp146/USP9/My147grbulletssideview.jpg

Left: 147gr Win JHP
4.6gr N350 COL=1,120-in
Winchester Primed Brass

Right: 147gr XTP
4.8gr 3N37 COL=1.120-in
Winchester Primed Brass

Both of them are subsonic. Both tested on water jugs (PET-1) with 6-inches in diameter. 147gr Win JHP recovered on third jug (less than 12-in penetration on calibrated gelatin), while the 147gr XTP was recovered on fourth jug.

Years ago I tested the 147gr XTP loaded with 5.0gr N350, and it fragmented on old books. You can only do so much within the limitations these bullets.