Hornady just announced the release of a very interesting new load, one we think hunters will jump all over. The new Hornady Subsonic 7.62×39 answers some serious ammo shortfall, while simultaneously delivering a hunting round for sportsmen.

Hornady Subsonic 7.62×39 Ammo

Last year, AK and similarly chambered rifle shooters took a big hit with the Russian Ammo Import Ban. The draconian measure hit the massive steel ammo market. So SKS, AK and even AR-type rifle shooters used to getting relatively cheap 7.62×39 import took it right in the gut.

“At this point (until Sept 7th) we really do not know exactly how deeply this will affect the importers of Russian ammo,” President Charles Brown, MKS Supply, an importer of Barnaul ammo, told PDW last fall. “Russian steel case makes up about 35% of all ammo sold, because of its affordable prices compared to Brass cased (ammo), now there will be a shortage of not only 7.62×39 but 5.56, .308, .300 blackout, .30-06 and most common pistol calibers too. This will put further demand on an already tight market and force prices even higher than they are already.

Hornady Hushes 7.62×39 Demand

Enter Hornady and its newest addition to the Subsonic Ammunition line. Ok, clearly this new launch doesn’t fill the massive void of “shooter ammo.” Instead, it cuts a new path. Hornady bills this subsonic load as built for accuracy. With its 255-grain Sub-X bullet, the XTP bullet and Flex Tip insert initiate expansion at lower velocities, making this bullet a performer on small- to medium-sized game. We’re talking varmints, predators and even whitetails.

“The Subsonic line of ammunition from Hornady has been growing in popularity year by year, and for good reason,” said Jason Quinlan, Hornady Ballistician. “Shooting subsonic with a suppressor is a blast. If you haven’t done it, you should. Now with the addition of the 7.62×39, in the subsonic ammunition line, you get that same level of performance that you’ve had with say 300 BLK, or .30-30, or 45-70, or some of the other cartridges in the lineup, with an AK variant, or an AR variant or a bolt-gun, or whatever you’re shooting 7.62×39 in.”

For even more info, please visit hornady.com.

Editor’s Take

So here’s a thumper of a bullet, traveling subsonic, ready to put meat on the table. Yeah, we’re excited about this one. With the growing number of ARs out there chambered in 7.62, not to mention the metric ton of AKs out there, we now have a serious factory load to chase pigs with. Just bolt on a can, hush the bark of your AR or AK, and smoke pigs all through the night. Look for more detailed report from us down the road, because we’re absolutely going to put some critters down once we get product samples in.