Subsonic ammunition is ammunition designed to operate at speeds below the speed of sound, which at standard conditions is. This avoids the supersonic shockwave or "crack" of a supersonic bullet, which, particularly for suppressed firearms, influences the loudness of the shot. Subsonic ammunition usually uses heavier bullets to retain as much energy as possible at the lower velocities. Some subsonic ammunition is used in non-suppressed firearms to gain the advantages of heavier bullet weights.
In this instance, heavier bullets are loaded in standard ammunition, which reduces muzzle velocity below the speed of sound. As an example, the very common 9×19mm Parabellum standard military round is a bullet at velocities typically around. Subsonic loads for 9mm commonly use bullets at velocities of. For these ammunition loads, balancing bullet weight and velocity are required to ensure that the ammunition will still reliably cycle semi-automatic firearms. Subsonic ammunition with normal bullet weights often fails to properly function in such firearms.
Inherently subsonic calibers
Some ammunition types were inherently designed with heavier, slower standard bullet weights and velocities. For example, the traditional military standard.45 ACP ammunition load, of a 230 grain bullet, is subsonic.
Combined with firearm sound suppressors, subsonic ammunition may significantly reduce sound levels compared to normal ammunition. Specific reductions depend on the ammunition and suppressor. The peaksound pressure levels of a Remington 700.223 caliber bolt action rifle firing high-velocity ammunition using a GEMTECH G5-5.56 suppressor.
The peak sound pressure levels of a Remington 700.223 caliber bolt action rifle firing low-velocity ammunition using a GEMTECH G5-5.56 suppressor.
Suppressor Condition
Muzzle
Left Ear
Right Ear
Behind Shooter
Unsuppressed
157
140
140
127
Suppressed
131
122
120
100
Reduction
26
18
20
27
Compared to the high-velocity unsuppressed condition, the combination of subsonic low-velocity ammunition and a firearm suppressor provided a reductions of 45, 38, 40, and 48 dB, peak sound pressure level at the muzzle, left, right ears and behind the shooter, respectively.
