Hornady® Subsonic Ammunition — designed for accuracy and performance below the speed of sound — now comes in both rifle and handgun loads.
Subsonic Handgun utilizes tried-and-true XTP® bullets that expand reliably at subsonic velocities. The Sub-X bullet used in Subsonic Rifle features a lead core. Long grooves in its gilding metal jacket combine with the bullet’s flat profile and the patented Flex Tip® insert within its hollowpoint cavity to help it expand reliably at low velocities.
Powders are selected for optimal performance and consistency from lot to lot.




Annapolis –
Tested a few of these during a foggy dusk shoot. Hornady chose a very clean powder formula with integrated flash suppressants. There is zero blinding muzzle flare, which is ideal if you are tracking a dynamic target in dim lighting conditions.
True Rivera –
This isn’t meant for extreme distances, but at 50 meters, it consistently punches tight, overlapping cloverleaf groups. The accuracy is remarkably predictable right off the bench, making it a highly reliable close-range option.
Jake –
Performs exactly as advertised, but the real bonus for me is the Hornady brass.
Cooey_Crusader –
If you want to spend an afternoon practicing lever-action manipulations without bruising your shoulder, this is the ammo. The recoil impulse feels closer to a heavy .22 Magnum than a centerfire rifle, completely eliminating any tendency to flinch.
Matthew –
We set up a thick paper and gel stacking test at the range. The 175gr Sub-X bullet pushed through nearly 18 inches of medium before stopping. It cuts a straight, deep wound channel with full weight retention, acting like a solid slug.
Dennis QuAppelle –
I was skeptical that the flat-nosed profile and soft rubber tip would catch on my lifter gate, but they glide through my Winchester 94 tube flawlessly. The cases exit smoothly and eject cleanly with zero structural hang-ups.
Félix Alain –
The copper alloy casings contract instantly post-firing. Even after running rapid-fire strings that got the receiver quite warm, the lever sweeps down effortlessly and the extractor claw drops the spent brass clean clear of the action.
Hugo –
Subsonic .30-30 is a highly niche category that Hornady only runs in seasonal production waves. It vanishes from Canadian websites instantly when it lands. Snag a case when you see it to keep your lever-gun stocked.
Edward Edward –
I shoot an older, treasured family lever-gun. Running these mild, slow-moving subsonic rounds reduces throat erosion and barrel wear to practically zero. It lets me keep a piece of family history active at the range completely safely.