Supersonic or subsonic for hunting?

[Chameleon]

I am looking at the .300 whisper and some other options for a hunting rifle that is quiet enough to shoot without hearing protection. I will be shooting mostly at hogs, exotics and goats. Ranges will typically be inside 100 yards, but I'd like to be able to shoot out to 200 or more yards as well.

I want a gun that I can shoot from the truck without ear protection. Quieter is better, but I don't really care so long as I can shoot without fear of ear damage to myself or anyone else around me who isn't wearing ear protection.

It seems like a suppressed .300 Whisper would have ballistics similar to a 30-30 with supersonic ammo, which is about perfect for my needs...But would this be quiet enough to shoot without ear protection in an AR platform?

What is the trajectory like on the subsonic rounds? Where do you usually sight them in and then how high is the hold at different distances?

Thanks!

[Alleycat]

I hunt without hearing protection with a SSK AR15. The trajectory is close to a .22 long rifle. Supersonic sounds like a .22 lr going off. Subsonic with the gas cut off sounds like squeezing a 2 liter coke bottle with the cap half off. With the gas turned on there is a pop from the ejection port. I shoot from a bench inside my house. This is the loudest configuration and it sounds like someone clapping. When you get ready to ask what bullet to use take what every one tells you and test them for your self. There are three schools of thought. One-never hunt with supersonics. Two-Use 240 MKs. Three-Use heavy expanding bullets. All have merit. Do your homework.

[Rikky Lee]

And that, I think, is the best piece of advice anyone can give. Try everything people suggest then use what works for you.

Subsonic hunting IS different to supersonic hunting as the bullet is doing a different job - it is the difference between bow hunting and varmint hunting in many ways. So make your range card and practise on each load you like.

[Pnutz]

If you were to put a can on the end of a 300 whisper and shoot a supersonic round it will sound very close to a 22LR which I would consider loud but hearing safe.

Shooting Heavy Subonic rounds (200+ grain bullets at less than 1000fps) will be similiar to a 45acp. I would think anything inside a 100 yards on Goat / Hog sized game should work. Out 200... I dunno

Damn sounds like fun though, I wanna shoot some hogs with my 300... :uzi2:

[Rikky Lee]

I have long been of the view that the only way to find out is to try so I will be chasing a 100 yard type shot first and see how that works out with 240s.