HRNDY 7.62X39 255GR SUB-X 20/200

Description

Hornady’s Subsonic 7.62x39mm load is built for shooters running suppressed AK-pattern rifles or any 7.62x39mm platform where keeping velocity below the sound barrier is the point. At 255 grains, the projectile is considerably heavier than a standard 7.62x39mm bullet, and that added mass is what allows it to stay subsonic while still carrying meaningful energy downrange — a trade-off that lighter bullets in this caliber cannot achieve without sacrificing either speed or terminal performance.

The bullet itself uses Hornady’s Sub-X design, which features a flexible polymer tip seated over a lead core. On impact, that tip drives inward and initiates controlled expansion even at the reduced velocities inherent to subsonic loads — a genuine engineering challenge, since expanding projectiles rely on a velocity threshold that subsonic ammunition, by definition, never reaches. The flexible tip is Hornady’s answer to that problem, engineered to function reliably at the 1,050 fps muzzle velocity this load produces.

Running suppressed, the combination of a heavy, slow projectile and a can makes for hearing-safe shooting without going through the mechanical complexity of a dedicated subsonic pistol-caliber platform. The 255-grain weight also contributes to a heavier recoil impulse than standard loads — not punishing, but noticeable, and worth accounting for if you’re tuning a gas system. This load is suited for hunting small to medium game at moderate ranges and for suppressed target work where a reduced report matters more than flat trajectory. Sold in boxes of 20.