raccoons, minimum subsonic loads?

Full.lead.taco

Full.lead.taco

Active Member
Going to go out with a friend to help get rid of some problematic raccoons on the farm. He wants to shoot them quietly. What would be your recommended calibers for shooting raccoons at subsonic speeds? I have several suppressors of all shapes and sizes as well as threaded barrels on several calibers--so I am open to whatever you guys think would work best. Although I would say that the .50 cal sub loads are not very quiet even if "hearing safe."
 
Ian

Ian

Notorious member
I've used both .308 subsonics and .223/5.56 subsonics on raccoons to good effect, as always brain shots are best. Cast, powder-coated bullets work great for this, and I'd say caliber really doesn't matter all that much. .30-caliber, soft, powder-coated hollow points would be pretty much ideal in case you find yourself in a situation where hitting a walnut at 75 yards isn't a sure thing. Also, consider collateral damage, if you're shooting in a barn, stick with .22s....

I have a thread on both .223 and .308 Win. sub loads and have developed some very effective, accurate, and quiet recipes. The .223 load works great in ARs, very quiet and doesn't even unlock the bolt when fired.
 
Ian

Ian

Notorious member
Whatever will make two holes. Pretty much any .30-caliber bullet at 950-1000 fps.
 
Winelover

Winelover

North Central Arkansas
Sent three coons and a possum to their demise, for robbing the bird feeders, this year. All but one was shot with a 22 LR HP.

The odd ball coon, was put down with a 357 Rossi carbine and a 9 mm bullet (Lyman 120 TC) under 14.5 grains of 2400. Why......that's what happened to be close at hand, when the opportunity presented itself.

I live rural, so noise isn't an issue. Need to keep the Meth-Heads, honest.
 
Ian

Ian

Notorious member
You're not going to make a meth head honest with gunfire (unless you are unfortunate enough to be forced to send one to see Jesus), but you will very likely keep them afraid of you. :D
 
T

Tony

Active Member
"John's gun store for free guns". Since I'm moving to AR in a couple of weeks I just might need to look that place up!
 
fiver

fiver

Well-Known Member
I know if I was goin quiet coon chasing the 300 BO would be the first rifle I reached for in my room of stuff.
flat or hollow and soft.
 
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T

Tony

Active Member
Move in day is the 25th. Montgomery County is the location. My address is Norman, AR because that's where the Post Office is. My property is about 10 miles west of Norman: 26 acres, 1,900 sf,3/2, 36x50 PEMB, carport covers & storage buildings, deer, black bear, eastern turkeys, etc. It's in the Ouchita mountains surrounded by Ouchita National Forest. Ouchita is pronounced Wash-e-taa. Montgomery County does not have a single stop light. That confuses my Houston neighbors.
 
Winelover

Winelover

North Central Arkansas
Congrats are in order, then. :cool: Twenty six is the same amount of acreage, I have.

Seems, your about 60 miles west of Hot Springs.
 
Rick

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
With Norman's population of 421, less than any given city block in Houston (population of 5,757,000) and the entire Montgomery county under 9,000 probably confuses them a bit also. Good for you and congratulations.
 
T

Tony

Active Member
I've not yet driven from my place to Hot Springs but guess the distance at 45 to 50 miles. It will take an hour or so. My area is not as rugged as the Ozarks where you guys are.
I also estimate that I'll be 3 hours plus to Tulsa. Perhaps I will be able to attend the show there this fall.
 
RBHarter

RBHarter

West Central AR
I'll be in Mina early next yr . We'll be all but neighbors being just over the hill 90 miles north of Texarkana ......Acorn actually (Acre-in sort of).
 
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