Editor’s Choice: Hornady Subsonic Ammunition

by
posted on May 6, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
hornsubson.jpg

Hornady launched its Subsonic Ammunition line (and the Sub-X projectile utilized therein) back in 2018 with a single .300 Blackout load, a cartridge already well-known for its subsonic suitability.

For 2020, the Nebraska-based company is taking the opposite tack, expanding the Subsonic family to include ammunition options for .30-30 Win., .450 Bushmaster and .45-70 Gov’t—greatly increasing the versatility of three rifle chamberings not traditionally loaded for use at speeds below the sound barrier.

The three new offerings include a 175-gr. .30-30 Win. load, a 395-gr. .450 Bushmaster load and a 410-gr. .45-70 Gov’t load, all using powders optimized for a minimal flash signature and tipped with the Sub-X bullet designed to initiate immediate expansion upon impact at velocities as low as 900 f.p.s.

In addition to the new rifle options, the Subsonic line is also growing to accommodate three new pistol cartridges, all employing heavy-for-caliber XTP bullets: a 147-gr. 9 mm Luger load; a 180-gr. .40 S&W load; and a 230-gr. .45 ACP load. For more information on this load and other new loads for 2020, visit
hornady.com.

Latest

AR on table with target
AR on table with target

Skills Check: Rifle Standard Delta 2

Carbine performance is all about maintaining control. The Rifle Standard Delta 2 is a drill that pressures recoil control, visual discipline and cadence as distance decreases and time compresses.

Gun Sales Up for the 7th Month in a Row in 2026

The National Shooting Sports Foundation’s (NSSF) estimate of last month’s gun sales was up 2.2 percent compared to August 2025.

Caring For & Feeding Your Cap-and-Ball Revolvers

Compared to pistoleros of the 19th century, today’s handgunners have it easy. It's not enough just to get an old-school, cap-and-ball revolver. You also need to acquire everything to shoot and clean it.

Lighter & Better: Savage’s Updated Ultralite Series of Rifles

Savage Arms kicked off 2026 by announcing a new generation of Model 110 bolt-action rifles, and now, the company has also introduced an updated series of Ultralite rifles.

Gun of the Week: Franchi Momentum Elite MULE

One of the latest entrants into the general-utility rifle market is Franchi with its Momentum Utility Lite Elite bolt-action rifle, also known as the MULE.

The Armed Citizen® Sept. 11, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.