Anyone hear of a suppressed rounds noise increasing as the speed of sound is approached?
I am new to owning suppressors. In my recent trips to the range, I have been surprised to find my bolt action seemed noticeably loader than my semi-auto with CCI Standard Velocity. Same suppressor, same barrel length (16”).
Doing some research, I found notes that sound generated by a projectile increases just before the speed of sound. The more margin to the speed of sound, the less noise. The recommendations I found were of making sure the suppressed round velocity is 7-8% below the current speed of sound given local conditions.
Indoor Range, 70 F = 1128 ft/sec (Speed of Sound)
Less 8%, 1038 ft/sec (Best Noise Reduction vs. Velocity Loss)
I went back to the range with a chronograph.
- 16” Bolt: 1072 ft/sec
- 16” Semi-Auto: 1033 ft/sec (I assume the velocity drop is due to energy being lost in the blow back action)
I guess I previously always thought of the speed of sound as a limit not to cross. This has me rethinking my subsonic loads for 300 Blackout and looking for another (Edit: 22LR) subsonic load. Anyone else experience this before?



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