#Will subsonic 556 cycle supressed crack#

There's actually a bigger difference when going from a low-end to a high-end model. 22, for example, the difference between subsonic and supersonic ammunition is typically only a couple of decibels.

#Will subsonic 556 cycle supressed crack#

There are lots of factors that impact how loud the supersonic crack is but, in most of our testing we've found it isn't very loud compared to the report of the firearm. Many hog hunters will point out that although the hogs can definitely hear the crack, they don't know where to run when using a suppressor. Unlike the report of the firearm, which has a very specific origination point, the supersonic crack actually originates along the entire path of the bullet - as long as it's traveling faster than the speed of sound.īecause the supersonic crack is traveling with the bullet, it can't be localized the same way a typical gun shot can. At that speed, the pressure waves can't get out of the way fast enough - and they merge together as a 'crack' that travels away from the bullet at the speed of sound. While this pressure wave is created at any speed, it becomes noticeable as a 'crack' once the bullet surpasses the speed of sound (which is approximately 1125 feet per second). Essentially, the air has to move out of the way so rapidly that it's forced to be temporarily compressed. When people first start learning about suppressors, one of the first 'facts' they learn is typically that you can't suppress supersonic ammunition.Īfter a bullet is fired, it creates pressure waves as air is displaced along its path.