Which is quieter? a long barrel or a short barrel?

Question

well my question is a bit different this time.everyone said that a longer barrel would be quieter but what if the longer barrel sent the bullet past subsonic and into supersonic then wouldn't the short barrel be quieter?oh and i am using subsonic ammo.

Answer 1

Generally speaking, the sound of hot gas rapidly erupting from the end of a short barrel is much louder than the crack of a bullet outrunning sound.

The difference is, farther down the line, if that bullet is still faster than sound (unlikely if this is due solely to a few inches of barrel), that bullet is still cracking, whereas the sound from the muzzle may not have traveled that far.

Sound signature is really not that big of a deal. Some people may appreciate not being disturbed by the sound of gunfire around their homes in hunting season (plus, scaring off the bucks), but I'd rather pick the right load to bring down the animal than concern myself with subsonic loads.

Answer 2

Short barrel would be a little louder up close but from a distance make more of a pop sound and the longer at further distanced would sound louder and have more echo effect many years of hunting and knowing who was hunting where by the sound of their gun.

Answer 3

With the general run of firearms, this wouldn't be the case, but

.22 RF starts losing velocity when the barrel length goes beyond 16-20",

so your question is based on a mis-assumption.

With most firearms, the longer barrel will be quieter as the pressure

released at the muzzle will be lower.

Answer 4

Generally it is a short barrel

Answer 5

makinroa is right if the long barrel helped the round to travel super sonic.

the velocity of a subsonic is just that and they are not design to go past the speed of sound under perfect condition. now we know they push the limits and I have seen subsonic ammo with supersonic muzzle velocity on the box. the speed of sound a 72 F at sea level is approx 1133fps

if the muzzle velocity is rated at 1050 you will never reach the speed of sound no matter how long the barrel is but if the muzzle velocity is rated at 1150 then yes makinroa statement is right on

remember the reason for subsonic is sound abatement.  and though bang of the powder may seem loud it doesn't seem to  travel as far as the super sonic crack  jmo

Answer 6

the longer the barrel--- the quiter the sound... well to a point,the better the accuracy but more recoil

the shorter the barrel--- the louder it is, the easier it is 2 carry, less recoil, less accuracy

lol it goes hand 4 hand, what a long barrel is good for a short barrel isnt..... what a short barrel is good 4 a long barrel isnt