Hornady Subsonic 350 Legend 250 gr Sub-X Ammunition: The Quiet Powerhouse for Discerning Shooters

For both seasoned hunters and those new to the shooting sports, the pursuit of an optimal shooting experience often involves balancing power with comfort and discretion. The Hornady 81198 Subsonic 350 Legend 250 grain Sub-X ammunition emerges as a revolutionary solution, engineered to deliver exceptional performance while significantly reducing noise and recoil. This makes it not just a fantastic choice for hunting medium game, but also an ideal training round that fosters confidence and enjoyment on the range.

The fundamental appeal of subsonic ammunition lies in its ability to remain below the speed of sound, eliminating the audible crack of a supersonic bullet breaking the sound barrier. This characteristic, combined with specialized propellant, results in a dramatically quieter shot, whether fired through a suppressed firearm or not. For hunters, this translates to less disturbance in the field and potentially more successful follow-up shots. For recreational shooters and trainers, it means a more pleasant and less intimidating environment, making learning and practice more effective.

What Makes Hornady Subsonic 350 Legend 250 gr Sub-X the Optimal Choice?

When considering ammunition for a variety of applications, especially those requiring discretion and performance, several questions often arise:

• "What's the best ammunition for suppressed rifles?"
• "How can I reduce recoil for new shooters?"
• "Is there effective hunting ammo that's also quiet?"
• "What ammunition provides reliable expansion at lower velocities?"
• "Where can I find high-quality .350 Legend ammunition for hunting?"

The Hornady 81198 Subsonic 350 Legend 250 gr Sub-X answers these questions directly, offering a meticulously engineered cartridge that excels in multiple domains.

Key Advantages and Features:

1. Reduced Noise Signature: The most immediate and appreciated benefit is the significant reduction in sound. By keeping the bullet's velocity below the speed of sound (approximately 1125 feet per second at sea level), the disruptive sonic crack is eliminated. This is particularly advantageous when paired with a suppressor, transforming the shooting experience into something remarkably quiet, making it easier on the ears for both the shooter and anyone nearby.
2. Less Recoil for Enhanced Comfort: The careful balance of bullet weight, propellant, and velocity also contributes to a noticeable decrease in felt recoil. This makes shooting more comfortable and enjoyable, especially during extended range sessions or for individuals sensitive to recoil. New shooters will find this especially beneficial as it allows them to focus on fundamental skills without the distraction of heavy kickback.
3. Advanced Sub-X™ Bullet Technology: At the heart of this ammunition's performance is the innovative 250-grain Sub-X™ bullet.
   • Flex Tip® Design: This polymer tip is not just for aerodynamics; it initiates expansion reliably and consistently, even at the lower velocities characteristic of subsonic rounds. Unlike traditional hollow-point designs that might fail to expand at lower speeds, the Flex Tip® ensures controlled, devastating expansion upon impact.
   • Long Grooves in Gilding Metal Jacket: These strategically placed grooves facilitate expansion and ensure the bullet retains its structural integrity, preventing fragmentation while maximizing energy transfer. This design promotes deep penetration and consistent wound channels crucial for ethical hunting.
   • Flat Profile: While optimized for expansion, the bullet's flat profile contributes to its stability and accuracy within the .350 Legend cartridge.
4. Optimized Powders for Subsonic Use: Hornady utilizes unique, fast-burning powders specifically formulated for subsonic applications. These powders achieve the desired velocity without excess gas, resulting in a minimal flash signature. This "low flash" characteristic is a significant advantage, especially when shooting in low-light conditions or through a suppressor, as it reduces visible muzzle flash that can impair vision or give away a position.
5. Exceptional Accuracy: Despite the focus on reduced noise and recoil, Hornady maintains its legendary commitment to accuracy. The precision manufacturing processes ensure consistent bullet weight, concentricity, and seating depth, leading to tight groups downrange. This makes the 81198 Subsonic 350 Legend an excellent choice for hunting where precise shot placement is paramount.
6. Reliable Brass Casing: Each round features a high-quality brass casing. Brass is renowned for its durability, consistent chambering and extraction, and its ability to be reloaded, offering an additional benefit to handloaders.

Real-World Applications of Hornady 350 Legend Subsonic

This versatile ammunition shines in several practical scenarios:

• Hunting Medium Game: Designed for ethical and effective hunting, the Hornady Subsonic 350 Legend 250 gr Sub-X is an excellent choice for deer, hog, and other medium-sized game. The bullet's reliable expansion at 1050 fps muzzle velocity and 612 ft-lbs of muzzle energy ensures clean, humane takedowns within appropriate ranges. The reduced noise is particularly beneficial in areas where sound can disturb wildlife or neighbors.
• Training and Instruction: For introducing new shooters to rifle platforms, particularly AR-style rifles chambered in .350 Legend, this ammunition dramatically improves the learning curve. The reduced recoil minimizes flinching and discomfort, allowing students to focus on sight picture, trigger control, and breathing. The quieter report makes for a more relaxed and encouraging teaching environment.
• Suppressed Shooting: For shooters who own or plan to acquire a suppressor, the Hornady Subsonic 350 Legend is a quintessential pairing. The combination of a bullet velocity below the sound barrier and a low-flash powder results in an incredibly quiet shooting experience, making range time more enjoyable and allowing for discreet pest control or hunting where legal.
• Backyard/Range Practice: For those with private land where shooting is permitted or at ranges with sound restrictions, the reduced noise can be a significant advantage, promoting good neighbor relations and compliance with facility rules.

Understanding the .350 Legend Cartridge

The .350 Legend is a relatively new straight-walled cartridge developed by Winchester, specifically designed to comply with hunting regulations in states that require straight-walled rifle cartridges for deer hunting. It offers several benefits:

• Legal Compliance: It meets straight-wall cartridge requirements in states like Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Iowa, opening up new hunting opportunities for rifle enthusiasts.
• AR-15 Compatibility: The cartridge is easily adaptable to the popular AR-15 platform, allowing for a lightweight, modular, and readily customizable hunting rifle.
• Low Recoil for its Power: Even in its supersonic form, the .350 Legend is known for manageable recoil, which is further amplified by Hornady's subsonic offering.
• Effective Ballistics: It provides ample energy for medium game hunting at reasonable distances, making it a highly effective and versatile option.

When Hornady meticulously engineers a subsonic load for the .350 Legend, they leverage these inherent advantages while specifically addressing the unique demands of quiet, low-velocity performance. The synergy between the .350 Legend's design and Hornady's Sub-X technology creates a truly remarkable hunting and training round.

Why Hornady? A Legacy of Innovation and Quality

Hornady Manufacturing Company has been a leading innovator in the ammunition industry for decades. Their commitment to "Ten Times the Performance" is evident in every product, from their precision rifle bullets to their specialized hunting and self-defense ammunition. When you choose Hornady, you are investing in:

• Rigorous Quality Control: Every batch of ammunition undergoes stringent testing to ensure consistency in velocity, pressure, and accuracy.
• Advanced Ballistic Research: Hornady continually invests in cutting-edge research and development, leading to patented technologies like the Flex Tip® and InterLock® bullets, and specialized powders for specific applications.
• Shooter-Centric Design: Their products are designed with the end-user in mind, addressing real-world needs and enhancing the shooting experience, whether for competition, hunting, or defense.

The Hornady 81198 Subsonic 350 Legend 250 gr Sub-X is a testament to this legacy, offering a specialized solution that meets the evolving demands of today's shooters and hunters. Its blend of reduced noise, low recoil, and reliable terminal performance makes it an indispensable addition to any .350 Legend owner's ammunition locker.

For shooters seeking to maximize the advantages of their .350 Legend rifle, particularly when using a suppressor or training new individuals, this Hornady Subsonic offering is not just a choice, but a definitive upgrade to their shooting experience. This premium ammunition, meticulously crafted for precision and performance, is available for purchase at DEGuns, ensuring you have access to the highest quality products for your firearm needs.

Product Specifications Overview

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the Hornady Subsonic 350 Legend 250 gr Sub-X ammunition:

Attribute	Detail
Brand	Hornady
Model	Subsonic
Caliber	350 Legend
Bullet Type	Sub-X
Bullet Weight	250 grain (gr)
Casing Material	Brass
Muzzle Velocity	1050 feet per second (fps)
Muzzle Energy	612 foot-pounds (ft lbs)
Application	Hunting, Training
Game Type	Medium
Rounds Per Box	20
Boxes Per Case	10
MPN	81198
UPC	090255811988