Outwardly, the two Winchester subsonics look very similar
and the packaging is the same save for a small ‘42gr Max’
lettering denoting a difference.:,1&+(67(5*568%6
Like the majority of subsonic rounds on the market, this is
the mainstay in the world of vermin shooters, utilising a 40gr
deep, hollow-pointed bullet.
It is a soft-lead projectile designed to expand quickly and
penetrate less to deliver the energy on target. You have a
quite dry, thick wax lubrication to reduce friction and lead
fouling in the bore.
Winchester subsonic rounds always have quite a long
nose to bearing surface ratio and it gives the bullet a long
truncated look to it. This helps to expand the hollow point
section as the longer side walls are thinner and expand
rapidly, releasing their kinetic energy quickly.Ammunition Test with Broadsword FEATURE
http://www.rifleshootermagazine.co.uk 37W
ith any type of ammunition, it is always the rifle
that tells you what its preferred diet is and
some rifles shoot one brand better than others.
There have always been popular makes among
vermin or pest shooters in this country and Winchester has
been right up there at the top with its well-respected rimfire
ammunition for many years.
The .22 LR subsonic range, with its deep-cavity, soft-lead
projectile and consistent subsonic velocities and accuracy, is
a perennial favourite and the price is always appreciated by
the cost--conscious too.
Winchester did not want to rest on its laurels with its
hugely popular 40gr hollow-point subsonic round and so
decided to up the weight to create its 42gr Max subsonic
load. This not only helps in deeper penetration, momentum
and expansion, but functionality through semi-automatic
rimfires can also be improved.WINCHESTER 40GR
SUBSONIC AND 42GR
MAX SUBSONIC RIMFIRE
Broadsword puts two of the most popular subsonic rimfire loads through their paces
on the range and in the field
»
Type Total Powder Bullet Bullet OAL Bullet Rim thickness
case gr gr gr diameter inch length inch inch
40gr 51.6 1.0gr light green disc 40.4 0.2205 0.9765 0.4765 0.040
42gr 53.8 1.0gr light green disc 42.4 0.2205 0.9840 0.4980 0.040BELOW: Both the
original (l) and
Max (r) versions of
Winchester’s 42gr
subsonic ammo are
accurate and
effective on vermin