4 ms·
Only at great cost to penetrative power. The muzzle energy of the oft-cited subsonic .22 is a whopping 120-140 J. And that energy bleeds very fast with distance
by 10000truths 1y ago
Only at great cost to penetrative power. The muzzle energy of the oft-cited subsonic .22 is a whopping 120-140 J. And that energy bleeds very fast with distance, since most of the kinetic energy comes from the velocity, and aerodynamic drag is proportional to velocity squared. A real-life Agent 47 may genuinely be better off with a crossbow.
- tstrimple 1y agoSure, then ignore then .45 example and ignore the 300 blackout or countless other calibers that perform well subsonic. Cherry pick all you like, it's possible to have a Hollywood quiet firearm. Stating otherwise is disingenuous at best.
- 10000truths 1y agoI never stated that it is impossible to have a Hollywood quiet firearm, nor did I cherry pick anything. I merely highlighted a tradeoff that calls the efficacy of "Hollywood quiet" firearms into question. For subsonic ammo, quietness is not affected by bullet size, it's affected by the amount of exploded powder. And it just so happens that your muzzle energy is also affected by the same thing. Your subsonic .45 and 7.62x35 will be louder than your subsonic .22 by roughly the same proportion that they are deadlier.
- rascul 1y agoI've fired a .22 semi auto rifle with a sound suppressor and subsonic ammo in the past. It was maybe just a little bit louder than the Welrod in the video in the article. The noisiest part was the bolt cycling. I'm not sure how practical it was for anything more than paper targets or beer cans at near to mid range.
- cobrabyte 1y agoMany 9mm self-defense rounds are subsonic (e.g., 147-grain), so the practicality depends on the bullet design for the application.
- AStonesThrow 1y ago[dead]