Norma Subsonic-22 LHP Ammunition Test and Review

Subsonic-22, from Norma USA, is a 40 grain lead hollow point load intended for small game hunting and varmint control.  Subsonic velocity makes this round a lower noise option over high velocity ammunition.  This load is also a good choice for use with suppressors.

Norma USA ammunition is produced by RUAG.  RUAG also produces RWS rimfire ammunition.  For those with a keen eye, you can see that the Norma brass cases share the same headstamp as RWS ammunition.  I purchased the ammunition used in this test from Graf's earlier this year.  I believe it was fresh ammunition and should represent inventory currently available at retail locations throughout the US.

Velocity, accuracy, function, and terminal performance testing were all done in a Ruger 10/22 Carbine with 18.5 inch barrel at a distance of 25 yards.  The testing results are documented in the video and data sheet immediately below.  You may need to click on the data sheet image to enlarge it for better visibility.

Direct Link to Video on YouTube

Wrap Up:

Norma Subsonic-22 performed great in this test.  I was well on my way to a one ragged hole 25 yard accuracy test, but blew it on the last shot.  Even with the flier, the group still fits under a dime.

Functionally, this subsonic load had no difficulty cycling the action of my semi-auto rifle. That's good news because not all subsonic rimfire ammunition will function reliably in semi-auto firearms.

Terminal performance was very consistent across all 5 test shots.  Each bullet expanded fully and penetrated to a depth of at least 8.75 inches.

At current prices, expect to pay around 16 cents per round for this ammunition when purchased by the 50 count box.  It's a little cheaper if you buy it by the 10 box brick.  If you are looking for reduced noise small game hunting ammunition, Norma Subsonic-22 should be on your list of ammunition to try in your rifle.  You may get even better results than I did.

          

Fiocchi Subsonic Hollow Point 22LR Ammunition Test and Review

The next stop in my search for 22 LR subsonic small game hunting ammunition brings me to Fiocchi Shooting Dynamics 40 grain lead hollow point.  You can currently find this ammunition for about 10 cents per round at various on-line ammunition retailers.  This ammunition is made in the USA by Fiocchi of America in Ozark, Missouri.

While very familiar with Fiocchi centerfire ammunition, this was my first opportunity to gel test their rimfire ammunition.  The ammunition tested was purchased in 2017 so it should represent current production ammunition available on retailer shelves as of the date of this test publication.

Velocity, accuracy, function, and terminal performance testing were all done in a Ruger 10/22 Carbine with 18.5 inch barrel at a distance of 25 yards.  The testing results are documented in the video and data sheet immediately below.

Direct Link to Video on Youtube

Wrap Up:
In the video I just couldn't keep myself from using the word "consistent" as I described the performance of this ammunition.  25 yard velocity was right on target with the 1050 feet per second muzzle velocity published for this load.  Across all test shots, the ammunition reliably fed, fired, extracted, and cycled the action of the semi-auto test rifle. The terminal performance was very good with all bullets expanding to at least 1.5 times starting diameter and penetrating between 9 and 10 inches.

Practical accuracy is what sold me on this load.  The 25 yard ten shot test group measured .439" and can be easily covered with a dime.  Accuracy performance may be different from other rifles, but the field-grade Ruger 10/22 used for this test seems to like it very much.

 
I recently completed building and reviewing my ultimate lightweight small game hunting rifle.  I was a little disappointed in the accuracy results I achieved with this rifle when testing various subsonic ammunition during the review.  I had to chance to run this load through the rifle several weeks later and was very pleased with the performance. Shooting standing off hand from 25 and 50 yards, I ran a 10 round magazine through the rifle at both distances.  All 20 bullets found their mark on the steel plate, so the 16.5" Tactical Solutions X-Ring barrel also seems to like this load.  I think I have found my new small game hunting ammunition.

If you are looking for a subsonic small game hunting load, you should definitely check out the Fiocchi Shooting Dynamics 40 Grain Subsonic LHP.  

22 LR Ammo Test - CCI Subsonic 40 Grain HP

This CCI load is intended for small game hunting.  Running at subsonic velocity from rifle length barrels, this load eliminates the supersonic "crack" that comes with bullets traveling at higher velocities.  This make it an ideal ammunition to use when you wish to minimize your noise footprint in the woods.

Occasionally, subsonic ammunition doesn't generate enough recoil energy to operate a semi-auto rifle.  In my testing, I had no issues with the ammunition failing to cycle the actions on two different semi-auto rifles. 

For my evaluation, I performed accuracy and velocity testing at 25 yards using a basic Ruger 10/22 rifle with 3-9 power scope.  Gel testing was done at 25 yards with the Ruger 10/22 and also another semi-auto rifle with a short barrel and suppressor. 

Direct link to video on YouTube

Overall test results were good.  It would have been nice to see a tighter group on our test target, but not all rifles like all ammunition brands equally.  Luckily for us there are many different ammunition options available so we can find what works best in our specific rifle.

Velocity was right on the mark with manufacturers specification, and on target kinetic energy at 25 yards appears sufficient to humanely harvest small game quarry.

With regard to the one bullet that failed to expand, I'm left scratching my head as to why. Logically, you would expect a bullet travelling faster than a bullet that successfully expanded would also expand. As we saw in this test, gel testing can yield results that defy logic.  For me, that's part of what makes testing so interesting. 

My Thoughts:

CCI Sub-Sonic functions reliably in my semi-auto rifles.  It's accurate enough to meet my needs for small game hunting with iron sights at ranges out to 25 yards.  It is noticeably quieter than using high velocity ammunition and does not appear to sacrifice terminal performance at the lower velocity. One other thing to like about this load is the price. When you can find it in-stock, it's usually at a retail price of $9.00 per box of 100.

This load has been a staple in my ammunition cabinet for many years, but I've never had a chance to gel test it.  What I observed in the gel tests match what I've seen when using this load for small game hunting.  It's a good one.