12 Gauge Subsonic Loads ?

[megasupermagnum]

If it's a soft lead slug, I would actually expect it to penetrate MORE than at a higher velocity.

[BAGTIC]

With shot the secret to penetration is to simply use larger shot. The lower the velocity the heavier the shot load can be without increasing recoil. for example 1 1/8 oz at 1250 fps is equal to 1 3/8 at 1022 fps. Larger shot retains velocity better so at other than very short range it quickly surpasses the lighter higher velocity loads. Years ago I switched to 1 3/8 oz #5 for pheasant hunting. Larger shot also normally gives better patterns. Ballistics at the muzzle means very little. More important is ballistics at normal target range.

[Cap'n Morgan]

Larger shot retains velocity better so at other than very short range it quickly surpasses the lighter higher velocity loads.

I have been running several different loads through "Shotgun Ballistic Calculator"

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/KPY...tinfo/716KPYB/

The idea was to see how a subsonic load (900 fps)would compare to a typical 1300 fps hunting load if the shot size was increased to compensate for the slower speed.

A 1300 fps 1-1/8 ounce load of #4 shot has 150 pellets, and will penetrate deep enough til kill a goose at 43 yards.

A 900 fps 1-5/8 ounce load of #2 shot has 142 pellets and will penetrate the same at almost the same range - 40 yards - and the larger shot will probably do more damage - especially when hitting bone.

Both loads produce almost the same amount of recoil energy (the heavy load actually a little less)

Time of flight to 40 yards is 0.163 for the 900 fps load and 0.139 for the 1300 fps load. If our goose is moving at 40 mph it will require a 7.8 feet lead with the 1300 fps load, and a 9.8 feet lead for the subsonic load

The conclusion: The only obvious drawback in the subsonic load is the longer lead required - about 25% more at 40 yards.

[W.R.Buchanan]

OK Captn, that thing is cool !!! definitely thinking outside the box.

Randy