Looking for a Subsonic Carbine for pest control

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SkydiverChris

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I am in the market for a subsonic rifle but the market seems to be very limited. I saw the Ruger American or MRA Renegade in 300 BLK, could go with something in 7.62x39 or a pistol calibre (9mm.40 etc). There's the Henry Homesteader in 9mm, but I want to consider other options I may not be aware of as well. I already have a Ruger American Gen2 in .243, so I'd love if I could get another in 300BLK, but it seems that no one sells them in Canada (out of stock everywhere).

The primary requirement would be good availability of subsonic ammo, secondary requirements would be:
1) Cheap'ish & ammo (ie: 9mm)
2) Short barrel (12.5"-18")

I own a 100 acre farm and need something for pest control (skunk/porcupine/raccoon). Shots would be less than 100ft, so ultimate accuracy is not a concern. I have several large calibre rifles (.222, .243, .303, .308, shotguns (.410, 12ga) and multiple .22's, but a .22 is too small to ethically take these "medium" animals (IMO), but a large claibre is unnecessary and very loud. We have neighbours with horses and other farm animals so I'm trying to be respectful to them and I'm always happy to find a reason for another gun.

I'm interested in any recommendations on specific guns, or specific calibres that I may not have considered. If you have a used gun in a subsonic calibre...hit me up!.

Thank you!
 
A .22 WILL take any of these animals, but from experience, it's not as humane as it could be. We may disagree on that, but at the end of the day I'd prefer something a bit more substantial based on experience. Keep in mind, I want to stay subsonic...and subsonic .22 is pushing the boundary of what's ethical. Full power .22, no problem..but that's not what I'm after.
 
I'm still educating myself on this topic so here's my question- is 38spl is a good option here? ( when used from lever action pcc).
 
"Subsonic" 9mm is only subsonic out of a pistol. It's supersonic out of a carbine length barrel unless you are handloading, just FYI.

Even subsonic 300 BLK is also still pretty loud.

If noise is the issue, my vote is for supersonic .22lr hollowpoints. Throw a blast can on. Far quieter than either of the above options in my opinion. Yes there is a little supersonic crack. But it's small. Supersonic .22 can take a skunk or porcupine ethically.
 
I have found that most "cheap" factory 147 stays subsonic even from an 18.5" barrel. The gains are very, very low from the results I have seen. Has anyone tried Campro's 180grn 9mm bullet? If you are aiming for ~1000fps from a rifle I wonder if a guy could find a safe and accurate load.
 
I'd second the recommendation for a 357 Mag rifle, you can go from mousefart 38spl loads to full power 357 capable of delivering rifle energies just by changing ammo. In my experience, a 158gr 38spl from a rifle length barrel is almost as loud as a 22.

If you want absolute quietest, factory loaded 148gr wadcutter from a rifle is about the same as 22 subsonics, almost hearing safe.
 
If you reload, just load subsonic rounds for your larger caliber rifles.

Otherwise a 17hmr would be a great choice. It seems loud to the shooter, but at a short distance away it's a pretty small crack. Out on the farm if your inside the house, you can't even tell if someone is shooting it outside.
 
SkydiverChris said:
A .22 WILL take any of these animals, but from experience, it's not as humane as it could be. We may disagree on that, but at the end of the day I'd prefer something a bit more substantial based on experience. Keep in mind, I want to stay subsonic...and subsonic .22 is pushing the boundary of what's ethical. Full power .22, no problem..but that's not what I'm after.
Click to expand...
A full power 22 is quieter than a subsonic 9mm, so whats the issue exactly. Seems like 22 is absolutely perfect for what you need. Also if the reason is "i just want it subsonic" thats perfectly fine too just trying to understand why a subsonic 9mm/7 62 would be acceptable but a hv 22lr would not be.
 
SkydiverChris said:
1) Cheap'ish & ammo (ie: 9mm)
2) Short barrel (12.5"-18")
Click to expand...
For 9mm in short barrel the DYPA12 with 147gr should achieve subsonic (~1100 FPS by my calcs). The Sig Sauer JHP 147 is worth a go for slower factory ammo (less another 100 FPS). Add a linear compensator and use a tree for cover so the horses won't be disturbed.
 
I also agree that a lever like 357 mag Big Boy X with .38 loads will meet or exceed your needs. It is very quiet and if you need to dispatch something bigger, carry full load 357s with you as well. It is a short carbine and can easily accommodate red dots and lights, just know your holdovers when changing from 357 to 38 which will be several inches or more at 50 m.
 
SkydiverChris said:
A .22 WILL take any of these animals, but from experience, it's not as humane as it could be. We may disagree on that, but at the end of the day I'd prefer something a bit more substantial based on experience. Keep in mind, I want to stay subsonic...and subsonic .22 is pushing the boundary of what's ethical. Full power .22, no problem..but that's not what I'm after.
Click to expand...
Supersonic or not makes a big difference if you've got a suppressor. Otherwise it's over-rated. A subsonic 300bo without a can isn't a quiet gun.

If 22lr isn't good enough, 22 hornet is a classic "don't piss off the neighbors" pest control cartridge.
 
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