Lever action, subsonic, hog capable. Is there a rifle that can answer the call?

[Collector0311]

Description pretty much covers it guys. I've been looking around and haven't found squat. Aside from downloading a .45-70 or .357mag that is. But I'm not equipped for reloading, so I want store available ammunition. End goal? Suppressed, lever action, scout style set-up, in a heavy grain subsonic caliber. Inspiration? This:

 

[SaxonPig]

I am not aware of any lever action rifle using sub-sonic ammo. Even the 38 Special would likely be too fast from a long barrel.

I, personally, would not be interested in trading performance for quiet. Anything you find that meets your criteria would be very under-powered.

 

[outlook ranch]

I have a Marlin 45-70 Govt. lever that I use for hogs in brushy country. Max power for hogs. Never saw a supressed lever though. You may have to go to a bolt action to do that. Sub-sonic? not likely

 

[unwise11]

.45LC cowboy loads?

 

[451 Detonics]

Buffalo Bore Ammo, 45 Colt, 255gr lead @1000 fps for 566 foot pounds of energy

UltraMax 45/70 cowboy loads 405 grain @ 1100 (porting should be able to drop it to subsonic) for 992 foot pounds

 

[zxcvbob]

.45 Colt with 300 grain lead bullets.

 

[unwise11]

Why does it need to be subsonic, a good can will make it hearing safe-enough for hunting with a low amount of shots..
Not to mention the better terminal ballistics ect ect.

 

[451 Detonics]

.45 Colt with 300 grain lead bullets.

What factory loads it at subsonic velocities?

 

[Collector0311]

Good point 451, it's just a proximity issue regarding other people's property, sonic crack blah blah. I like the idea of porting a .45-70 though, that would give me a helluva punch, and good sound reduction if I can manage to find a 'smith brave enough to do an integral on a lever gun. Even thought so far as to do a barrel reduction to reduce velocity and spring for the extra tax stamp. This is one of those "I'm too stubborn to stop until I accomplish my goal" projects for me. Really appreciate the advice gents, keep it comin

 

[451 Detonics]

My next project is going to be a .375 Whisper Incognito. Reloading would really open up options, for example my girlfriend load in my 450 Alaskan is a 510 grain hard cast at about 1000 fps using Trail Boss giving me over 1100 foot pounds of energy.

 

[lonestardiver]

don't forget the .44 mag...you can push a 250, 300 grain hardcast 1000 fps... I used to load a 240g round nose flat point to about 900 fps... Makes a good hog round too...

 

[greyling22]

you know you can get setup with a lee turret press and dies for about 100 bucks right? for what you are looking for I think you might need to learn a new hobby. for something moving that slow I think you're going to need a 44mag, 444 or 45-70 pushing a big big bullet.

 

[451 Detonics]

don't forget the .44 mag...you can push a 250, 300 grain hardcast 1000 fps

Needs to be a factory loading...

 

[unwise11]

Ohh! New Idea, a custom BLR in .300 AAC..

 

[chrome_austex]

A high caliber hunting airgun would almost work... Not exactly lever action, but may fit the other requirements.

 

[Caliper_Mi]

If you are determined to keep it subsonic, caliber and mass are your friend. Definitely start handloading, because few factory loads are loaded that way, and what are will be far pricier than you can handload them for. I just started, and it is nowhere near as hard as I had once imagined. For small volume rifle, even a single stage would work and I think you would pretty rapidly come out ahead on cost. With handloading, things like the 50-70 or >500 grain 45-70 loads become feasible.

 

[blarby]

I wouldn't want to be hunting hog with cold loaded ammo.

Cold loaded 45's barely do the trick on humans.... I think you would be running danger close on dangerous game.


If you had a suppressed lever to begin with, the ammo isn't your issue.

If you just wanted a quiet shot.... 7.2 grains of unique pushes a .311 165 grain lead cast at about 1350 fps.... with the report similar to a .22.

However, you are reloading at that point.

Only thing you are going to get subsonic shelf bought close to what you need is from the likes of aguila...its expensive.... and I wouldn't take it hog busting.

Federal I believe started making some cold loaded stuff too.... I'll go check my notes and get back to ya.

 

[Maverick223]

There are a few .45LC factory loads that are subsonic, but they aren't terribly powerful loads...i'd not want to stumble upon a large hog that isn't happy with my intrusion and only have those type of loads.

As others have indicated handloading isn't terribly difficult nor costly. Personally I would handload something like a .45-70Govt. with massive bullets. That way you can retain the subsonic report that you desire, but have the energy to drop your quarry without question. Additionally you can save quite a bit, particularly when shooting large magnums and large caliber rifles (I can load .45-70Govt. to my specs., with better components, and greater accuracy, at a mere fraction of the factory fodder).

 

[zxcvbob]

Needs to be a factory loading...

.44 Special might do it in a factory load with heavy lead bullets. Then there's always .44 WCF

 

[clang]

how about finding a Marlic Camp 45 that shoots .45 ACP? They are rare and kind of expensive, but you can find some decent heavy subsonic .45ACP loads for it.

Not sure if I can think of any other .45ACP rifles, but how about a shotgun shooting slugs?

 

[unwise11]

If he wanted a Semi-Auto he would most likely get a .300AAC AR-15..
220 grain SMK at 1000 fps? I'd stay away if I were a hog knowing there are 30 in a mag.

 

[Collector0311]

I have a boot question too, are 300whisper and 300blackout one in the same? A custom barreled lever gun in 300 blackout with hornady's polymer tipped rounds. May be a bank breaker but could be just what the doctor ordered for my hog gun. Like I said before, at this point I'll build the darn thing just to prove a point haha

 

[jerkface11]

.38 special isn't subsonic but it's dang quiet out of a rifle.

 

[451 Detonics]

I have a boot question too, are 300whisper and 300blackout one in the same?

Yep, all AAC did was to take JD Jones' R&R on the 300 Whisper and copy it. They say it is a different cartridge because it uses the .223 as the parent case ignoring the fact the Whisper can use the .223 case as well but there is less brass trimming needed if you start with the .221 Fireball case. That AAC rounds can be made using the Fireball case as well...oddly both the .221 and the.223 have the same parent case.

I suspect the reason he doesn't want a Marlin or a AR is because the OP wants a lever gun...simple enough.

 

[mgkdrgn]

"Lever action, subsonic, hog capable. Is there a rifle that can answer the call?"

Unless you reload ... no.

Even then ... iffy