I found myself with a few minutes to spare this evening and have been listening to the distant and not so distant booms of the holiday firecrackers. I got to thinking, yes dangerous, about a relatively quiet plinking 9mm round out of the only 9mm rifle I have; the Hi-Point Carbine.
Parameters:
Airgun quiet
Doesn't have to cycle gun but bullet MUST exit barrel
Accuracy at 25 yards approx. 2 inch groups if possible
Available powders: Bullseye, CFE Pistol, Trail Boss, RedDot, 700X and BE-86.
Available Bullets: 124gr lead round nose
1st experiment was 2gr of Bullseye, cycled action but still pretty loud. 1.5gr of Bullseye began to get more audibly comfortable but still a little crack in the sound and the action became sporadic (which was okay). Charge almost disappeared in the case which was a bother to see.
2nd experiment was 1.5gr Trail Boss which had the same sound as 2gr Bullseye and still cycled the action. 1gr Trail Boss began to be quiet and more enjoyable. Action would need to be hand-cycled. Will need to load up 15 or 20 to see how accuracy holds up.
I'm wondering if going to a 147gr bullet might mute the sound a little better?
Has anyone ever chased a rabbit down this particular hole? What did you find?
thanks