Subsonic .22 LR Loads Compared

A suppressed .22 is the quietest thing most shooters will ever fire, but only if the bullet stays below the speed of sound. Standard high-velocity .22 LR leaves the muzzle well above it and makes a sharp crack downrange that no suppressor touches. Subsonic loads are built to stay under the line, and the four we compare here are the ones Ammunition Depot lists from CCI, Aguila and Remington.

This is a specifications comparison from manufacturer data and retailer listings. We have not chronographed these loads, and you should, because barrel length changes the answer. Our suppressed .22 guide covers the host side.

Why "subsonic" is a moving target

The speed of sound is roughly 1,125 feet per second at sea level in mild weather, and it drops as the air gets colder. Manufacturers rate subsonic .22 LR around 1,050 fps or below from a rifle barrel to leave margin. But .22 LR reaches its peak velocity in a relatively short barrel, and beyond that a longer barrel can actually slow it slightly, while a very short pistol barrel may not develop enough velocity to cycle the action at all. The label tells you the intent; a chronograph tells you the truth in your gun.

The practical rule: from a 16-inch rifle, all four of these loads should stay subsonic. From a pistol, they will be quieter still but may not cycle. Bolt actions and single-shots don't care.

CCI Subsonic 40-grain hollow point

CCI's subsonic HP is the reference load in this category and the one most shooters try first. A 40-grain lead hollow point at subsonic velocity is heavy enough to carry energy for small game and consistent enough that many bolt-action shooters use it as a quiet practice round. Expansion at subsonic speeds is modest; think of the hollow point as a bonus, not a guarantee.

Aguila subsonic: 38-grain HP and 40-grain SP

Aguila offers two subsonic loads that Ammunition Depot lists: a 38-grain hollow point and a 40-grain solid point. The lighter hollow point is the one to try if you want a bit more expansion on small game; the 40-grain solid is the choice for paper and steel, where a solid bullet is more consistent and cheaper to make. Aguila's rimfire is produced in Mexico by Industrias Tecnos and has a large following among high-volume shooters.

Remington Subsonic 40-grain hollow point

Remington's subsonic HP rounds out the field. It's a 40-grain hollow point in the same velocity class as the CCI, and in practice the two are direct competitors. Which one your rifle prefers is a matter of lot and chamber, not brand reputation, so buy a box of each and let the target decide.

Hollow point or solid at subsonic speed?

Hollow points need velocity to expand. At subsonic speeds, most .22 LR hollow points expand a little or not at all, which is why the choice matters less than it does in high-velocity loads. If you hunt, take the hollow point for the chance of expansion. If you shoot paper, the solid is the more consistent bullet. Our small-game guide covers ethical range limits with subsonic ammunition, which are shorter than you'd think.

Hosts that run subsonic well

Threaded pistols like the Kel-Tec P17 are popular suppressor hosts because they're light and cheap, but a light slide needs energy to cycle, and subsonic loads have less of it. Expect to test several. Semi-auto rifles like the Kel-Tec SU22 have more mass to work with and usually cycle subsonic ammunition once the chamber is clean. Bolt actions never argue.

Fouling and cleaning

Subsonic .22 LR is dirtier than high velocity because the powder charge burns less completely, and a suppressor traps everything the muzzle would otherwise blow away. Plan on cleaning the chamber more often than you think you need to, and read our suppressor fouling guide before your first can of subsonic ammunition.

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