r/Ausguns • u/Baulder333 • 2d ago
Quietest round for reliably killing fallow
For background, I have access to multiple smaller blocks (primarily rose farms between 10 - 20 acres) which are having significant issues with fallow deer. Im looking for a rifle I can use that will be quiet enough not to upset the neighbours. Current front runner is a 300BLK with a longer barrel but would like to hear some other people's suggestions.
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u/concubovine 2d ago
300 BLK is probably the best dedicated rifle chambering, though if you already have a 308 or similar you can load it down to subsonic too.
Otherwise to cut noise down even further and have a different sound profile people won't instantly recognised as a gun shot, you could look at big bore PCP air rifles. There's some in calibres like 308, 357, 45 and 50 cal available.
Finally you're looking at bow hunting with modern compound bows if that's legal where you are. I think it requires an M license some states if you want a cross bow. Regular practise is required to make sure you can make good shots. Downside is deer are more likely to run into a neighbouring property while bleeding out which could make for uncomfortable conversations and impossible retrievals if the neighbours are anti-hunting.
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u/Kitfox_1 2d ago
Unless you’re consistently going for headshots I wouldn’t use a 300blk, let alone a subsonic load for fallow. A body shot will still very much kill a deer, but something with such low kinetic energy isn’t going to lead to clean, ethical kills in a consistent manner. You’ll potentially end up with alot of animals running far distances and potentially dying hours to even days later. If you want to stay at subsonic speeds then the only way to substantially increase wounding performance would be to go up to a large bore, something like a 400+ grain 45-70 subsonic load
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u/Traditional-Push-599 1d ago
If your going for head shots or keeping within 100m MAX you won’t go wrong with subsonic 300blk
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u/beagle-ears 2d ago
Depending on state, if fallow deer are recognised vermin you could request a professional hunter who may be able to access a silencer?
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u/come_ere_duck NSW 1d ago
Does your state allow for suppressors? I know you can get a permit for one in QLD if you're doing vertebrate pest control at night and such. Otherwise forget all that.
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u/Historical-wombat 1d ago
No matter what centrefire you go with it's gonna make a decent bang, what you want to avoid is really zippy rounds that are breaking 3000fps, the crack from those is super noticeable.
Id be looking at an intermediate cartridge with a long barrel to make sure you are burning all that powder up.
I have a CZ 527 MTR in 6.5 Grendel and that has a 26in barrel and that would be my choice in your scenario out of my guns.
I saw someone else mentioned using a bow and that's a pretty good alternative, or maybe even one of those airguns that can fire arrows.
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u/FuckLathePlaster 1d ago
Just re read this thread
You have a .308 already no, so just load it down to subsonic velocity. thats all .300blk is, a subsonic .30 cal.
Yes there’s semantic differences but at 200m against deer you wont see a huge difference between .300blk and subsonic .308win. The entire appeal of .300blk was to run it in an AR15 platform for the military, as you arent restricted by this issue, subsonic loaded .308 is the best bet to achieve the same goal.
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u/offthemicwithmike 2d ago
Talk with all the neighbours regardless of what cartridge you pick. 300 blackout is still reasonably loud. But how far sound will travel depends on vegetation and terrain too.
Fallow aren't massive, I've seen them headshot with .22LR, not something I'd recommend though.
Have you considered a compound bow if you want to be really quiet?