Best 308 Subsonic Ammo for Hunting: Be The Silent Rifle Hunter

As hunters, we look for every advantage we can obtain. Sometimes, that’s better camouflage; other times, taking game from greater distances; and still others, being as quiet as possible before and after you pull the trigger – hence your current search for the best 308 subsonic ammo for hunting.

The best subsonic 308 ammo for hunting is Beck Ammunition 150 grain Maker REX because it expands at lower velocities, is accurate, and has low recoil. But if this 308 Win ammo doesn’t work for you (or you can’t find it for sale), don’t worry. I have several other excellent options below.

Testing Procedure

Finding the best 308 subsonic ammo for hunting isn’t easy, primarily because so few options are available. Most .308 Win ammo is supersonic. What’s more, some loads advertised as being subsonic are actually supersonic when fired out of a 20”+ barrel. That’s why I talked to some subsonic and suppressed shooting experts and did my own research before taking a few apparently solid options to the range.

Here are the characteristics I looked for in the best subsonic hunting ammo for the 308 Win:

• Quietness
• Ethical lethality
• Cost
• Accuracy

The chief appeal to hunting with a subsonic variant of a cartridge that is normally supersonic is its low report. A subsonic cartridge doesn’t break the sound barrier on ignition, thereby noticeably reducing noise signature (even more so if it is fired through a suppressor). With this in mind, if a round is advertised as being subsonic – but is very audibly supersonic – then it isn’t mentioned in this article.

Most hunters' biggest concern when using subsonic ammo is its effectiveness at anchoring game. This is fair, as you might suppose a slower-moving bullet also wouldn’t hit as hard. But lower striking energy doesn’t necessarily equate to ineffectiveness. I can confidently say that the subsonic cartridges on this list are effective for hunting. They’re all deadly on deer (or varmints) so long as they’re aimed correctly and within reasonable distances.

We’re all constrained by our budgets, so the price of ammo always factors into our decisions. Be forewarned that good subsonic 308 ammo tends to run a little pricey, although I did make sure to include a budget-friendly option.

Missing the animal you’re trying to shoot is bad. I don’t need to elaborate any further on the importance of accuracy. I just have to assure you that each round in this list is fiercely accurate in the hands of a competent marksman.

Best 308 Subsonic Ammo for Hunting Reviews

Beck Ammunition 150 Grain Maker REX - Best Overall

Specs

• Case: Brass
• Bullet Type: Rapid EXpanding (REX)
• Bullet Weight: 150 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 990 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 326 ft/lbs

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Designed for subsonic hunting	Expensive
Excellent low-velocity expansion	Does not cycle in semi-auto firearms
Capable of taking deer
Accurate

Why I Chose It

The Beck 150 grain REX is the best 308 subsonic hunting ammo because it’s designed for subsonic hunting, capable of ethically harvesting deer, and plenty accurate in 16” to 20” barrels.

This round is designed for subsonic hunting with or without a suppressor. Its REX bullet has excellent terminal ballistics, with expansion that can triple its diameter accompanied by virtually 100% weight retention. Such terminal performance helps hasten the quarry’s demise, and may also compensate for less-than-ideal shot placement.

Factor in the sleek, balanced, and monolithic REX bullet’s high accuracy, and you’ve got all the makings of an excellent subsonic (and lead-free) 308 hunting load.

As great as these rounds are, they do have a major downside: their price tag. If you’re on a tight budget or shoot a lot, Beck’s finest will hurt your wallet.

Another downside applies only to semi-auto rifle hunters. These rounds don’t cycle a semi-automatic rifle, so you’re limited to a bolt-action hunting rifle.

Overall, Beck 150 grain REX ammo is ideal for hunting with your 308 Winchester rifle whether you’re pursuing deer, hogs or varmints. (Don’t expect significant terminal expansion on small game, though.)

HOP Munitions 190 Grain HPBT - Most Accurate

Specs

• Case: Brass
• Bullet Type: Hollow Point Boat Tail (HPBT)
• Bullet Weight: 190 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 1,100 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 510 ft/lbs

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Incredibly accurate	Not for deer hunting
Good for varmint hunting	Expensive
Solid long-distance performance	Does not cycle semi-autos well

Why I Chose It

House of Payne (HOP) Munitions 190 grain Subsonic HPBT is some of the most accurate subsonic 308 Win ammo you’ll ever encounter, and it’s all thanks to that bullet.

The 190 grain HPBT bullet has a G1 ballistic coefficient of 0.515, which indicates that it resists wind drift and stays on course well, which can only help you strike where you’re aiming.

Some hunters might consider a 190 grain bullet a bit much for coyotes and other varmints. On the plus side, the HPBT doesn’t expand much after impact, which helps preserve the pelt. The downside of minimal expansion is that it’s suboptimal terminal performance for deer hunting. It won’t inflict a very large wound channel, thus reducing the odds of a humane kill.

These rounds are also expensive, but that’s also to be expected of long-range precision ammo.

HOP Munitions 190 grain Subsonic HPBT ammo is perfect for suppressed hunting and long-range shooting. Get some and witness those high-BC bullets in action.

Winchester Power-Point 185 Grain JHP - Budget-Friendly

Specs

• Case: Brass
• Bullet Type: Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)
• Bullet Weight: 185 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 1,060 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 461 ft/lbs

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Trusted brand	Inconsistent accuracy
Reasonably priced	Less than ideal for semi-autos
Capable of taking deer

Why I Chose It

Many hunters and shooters (myself included) trust Winchester Power-Point ammunition because it’s reliable and has proven effective for decades. Winchester produces ammo in various price ranges. Their Power-Point line is one of their most affordable offerings, making it ideal for hunters on a budget (like I was back during college).

I’ve never had a deer run far after crossing paths with an 185 grain Power-Point bullet, but I have had inconsistent accuracy occasionally. Even so, I’ve never missed a deer within 150 yards with these rounds. With average skill, you can expect to land dinner plate-sized groups.

Long-range hunters should probably avoid this round. Hunters on a tight budget should embrace such effective and reliable subsonic 308 ammo with open arms.

Winchester Super Suppressed 168 Grain Open Tip - Honorable Mention

Specs

• Case: Brass
• Bullet Type: Open Tip
• Bullet Weight: 168 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 1,060 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 419 ft/lbs

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Trusted brand	Not designed for hunting
Accurate	Does not cycle in semi-automatics well
Reduced noise
Designed for suppressed shooting

Why I Chose It

Winchester Super Suppressed 168 grain Open Tip rounds are great because they’re accurate and designed for suppressed shooting.

The open-tip bullet is designed for accuracy. Its injection-molded lead core promotes superior gyroscopic stability. And since its core is encapsulated in a copper jacket (with the exception of the narrow nose cavity), it reduces lead fouling in the barrel and suppressor.

These (and all other subsonic) rounds are naturally quieter than supersonic alternatives. You'll notice a softer report even if you aren’t firing through a suppressor.

The biggest downside to these rounds is that they’re not designed for hunting. Impact alone is more than enough to wallop any coyote or prairie dog, but the bullet’s inability to expand makes it subpar for medium game.

Even though it’s less than ideal for deer hunting, I must endorse Winchester Super Suppressed 168 grain Open Tip ammo as a solid choice for subsonic 308 varmint hunting and target shooting.

Beck Ammunition 220 Grain RNSP - Honorable Mention

Specs

• Case: Brass
• Bullet Type: Round Nose Soft Point (RNSP)
• Bullet Weight: 220 grain
• Muzzle Velocity: 990 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 478 ft/lbs

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Designed for suppressed shooting	Expensive
Reduced recoil	Less accurate than HPBT bullets
Capable of taking deer	Doesn’t cycle semi-auto firearms

Why I Chose It

For those wanting to shoot suppressed or – a little recoil reduction without sacrificing too much power – Beck Ammunition Silent Operator 220 grain RNSP Subsonic ammo is worth grabbing.

The 220 grain soft-point bullet is more than capable of ethically harvesting a deer with or without a suppressor. It’s also great for recoil-sensitive shooters, as it will generate less recoil than supersonic 308 ammo.

These rounds are on the pricey side but by no means the most expensive 308 ammo. You will also sacrifice some accuracy because of the bullet design (a round nose bullet is inherently less aerodynamic than one with a sleeker spitzer profile).

If you’re looking for a heavy-for-caliber bullet, check out Beck Ammunition Silent Operator 220 grain RNSP subsonic ammo.

Parting Shots: Best 308 Subsonic Ammo for Hunting

Shhh! Now, you can be silent while you’re using your 308 rifle for hunting. Beck Ammunition 150 grain Maker REX is better for your hearing (though you should always wear hearing protection, even when shooting suppressed), achieves excellent terminal expansion, and generates low recoil for a 308 Win round.

Be sure to check out our huge selection of 308 Winchester ammo at Ammo.com, where we have excellent customer service and fast shipping.