Suppressor Questions

[DirtySouth85]

I searched everywhere and couldn't find the answers so here we go....

What are the disadvantages of hunting/shooting long range with a suppressor?

How important is the quality of the Can?

I'm building a .300wm but am completely unfamiliar with suppressors. I'd like to know opinions on barrel thickness/contour (I want #5). As well as barrel length.

Thanks
Jeff

 

[BountyHunter]

No disadvantage. You might experience a change in POI so rezero

Some of us shoot a local LR tactical steel match and the suppressed guns fun with any of them

As far as hunting with them some states it is legal and some is not.

Look at the AAC Cyclone for a 30 Cal suppressor in the screw on and the AAC titanium Titan for 338.
The cylone is $895 with 30 DB noise reduction and the Titan TI is $1895 with 39 DB reduction the Titan TJ is lighter than the SS cyclone and cache be used in 30 calibers

 

[TH]

You need to buy one. I use the shark suppressors. Best thing I ever did. The suppressor does two things they protect you from all the muzzle blast from your break and you don't have to wear ear plugs. Not having a suppressor is like having a rifle without a scope. When long range hunting with a suppressor it's awesome to hear the bullet impact on the animal. The only mistake is not getting one.

 

[LouBoyd]

Double post

 

[CRNA]

My shooting buddy has one on his 260 rem. The gun is so much nicer to shoot with the suppressor. It is quiet enough to use no hearing protection. You will still hear the supersonic crack of the bullet, but not the loud "pop" and no muzzle blast. He had to rezero his rifle once the suppressor was put on, but there was only about a 1" change at 100yds. Maybe even less than that come to think of it.

 

[LouBoyd]

I searched everywhere and couldn't find the answers so here we go....

What are the disadvantages of hunting/shooting long range with a suppressor?

How important is the quality of the Can?

I'm building a .300wm but am completely unfamiliar with suppressors. I'd like to know opinions on barrel thickness/contour (I want #5). As well as barrel length.

Thanks
Jeff

The main disadvantage is the added length and weight on the barrel. It will have a small effect on the trajectory, so for long range make up range cards with and without the suppressor. Local wind at the shooting location can buffet the rifle more with a suppressor attached.

If you're in the US make sure it's properly registered with the ATF. Major fines legal hassles if you have one and haven't paid the tax and done the paperwork. I'd suggest you buy from an experienced Class III dealer in your state and county if possible.

Check your state hunting laws. Some places it's legal to own a suppressor but not legal to hunt with one. In some states what you hunt matters.

Suppressors are usually made of stainless steel, or titanium alloy. The main advantage of titanium is they're about 1/2 the weight but about twice the cost. I recently paid about $1500 for a Gemtec titanium which is rated for 300 Win Mag. You can find some with that rating for around $600. There's still the $200 tax if you live in the US. I'm over 6 months now waiting for BATF approval.

You still have the bullet crack shooting supersonic. It gets rid if muzzle blast. Game will still hear the bullet about the same as without a suppressor, but you should be able to shoot without hearing protection. People beside the supersonic bullet's path may still want hearing protection.

With a # 5 barrel you probably won't notice a change in accuracy with a suppressor only a small change in point of impact. Suppressors do give reduced recoil, about like a decent muzzle brake.

Many 30 caliber suppressors use a 5/8x24 thread. Many suppressor manufacturers also make quick release adapters which stay on the barrel and act as a brake and flash suppressor when the suppressor is removed. There are several designs which may or may not interchange between manufacturers. It's best to at least know what suppresor you're going to use before cutting the barrel. Adding a suppressor has little effect on muzzle velocity but Adding 8" to a 26" hunting rifle does make it a bit unwieldy (34" barrel). Using a shorter barrel won't help ballistics or the life of the suppressor.

A web search on suppressors will yield many sites with manufacturers and reviews.

 

[DirtySouth85]

The main disadvantage is the added length and weight on the barrel. It will have a small effect on the trajectory, so for long range make up range cards with and without the suppressor. Local wind at the shooting location can buffet the rifle more with a suppressor attached.

If you're in the US make sure it's properly registered with the ATF. Major fines legal hassles if you have one and haven't paid the tax and done the paperwork. I'd suggest you buy from an experienced Class III dealer in your state and county if possible.

Check your state hunting laws. Some places it's legal to own a suppressor but not legal to hunt with one. In some states what you hunt matters.

Suppressors are usually made of stainless steel, or titanium alloy. The main advantage of titanium is they're about 1/2 the weight but about twice the cost. I recently paid about $1500 for a Gemtec titanium which is rated for 300 Win Mag. You can find some with that rating for around $600. There's still the $200 tax if you live in the US. I'm over 6 months now waiting for BATF approval.

You still have the bullet crack shooting supersonic. It gets rid if muzzle blast. Game will still hear the bullet about the same as without a suppressor, but you should be able to shoot without hearing protection. People beside the supersonic bullet's path may still want hearing protection.

With a # 5 barrel you probably won't notice a change in accuracy with a suppressor only a small change in point of impact. Suppressors do give reduced recoil, about like a decent muzzle brake.

Many 30 caliber suppressors use a 5/8x24 thread. Many suppressor manufacturers also make quick release adapters which stay on the barrel and act as a brake and flash suppressor when the suppressor is removed. There are several designs which may or may not interchange between manufacturers. It's best to at least know what suppresor you're going to use before cutting the barrel. Adding a suppressor has little effect on muzzle velocity but Adding 8" to a 26" hunting rifle does make it a bit unwieldy (34" barrel). Using a shorter barrel won't help ballistics or the life of the suppressor.

A web search on suppressors will yield many sites with manufacturers and reviews.

Thank you Lou. That was alot of help. Another Question: What is the Life of a Gemtech Can? Or any can?

Just went and looked at the titianium "Sandstorm" model. I like it. Light weight and it was a round tube.... Lol. That's about all I can say about that.

 

[Flare]

Is the $200 tax a yearly thing or one time purchase tax?

Corey

 

[CRNA]

Is the $200 tax a yearly thing or one time purchase tax?

Corey

One time.

 

[isaaccarlson]

but you will need to give up another $200 if you buy another can.

 

[LouBoyd]

but you will need to give up another $200 if you buy another can.

And if you sell your suppressor you have to do another transfer though a class 3 FFL. The new buyer has to pay another $200 fee, do paperwork, and wait.
The tax originated with the 1934 National Firearms Act supposedly to help fight organized crime. The purpose of the transfer tax was to cover the cost to the Federal goverment to do backround checks and the paperwork of keeping track of who owns suppressors and other NFA items. The price has not changed since the bill was passed.

Effectively applying for an NFA transfer and paying the tax gives the BATF (which is part of the Treasury department) permission and obligation to do a background check into your affairs. If you don't want scrutiny, use earplugs.

 

[DirtySouth85]

Thank you Lou. That was alot of help. Another Question: What is the Life of a Gemtech Can? Or any can?

Just went and looked at the titianium "Sandstorm" model. I like it. Light weight and it was a round tube.... Lol. That's about all I can say about that.

What is the life of a titanium suppressor? Or any suppressor?

 

[436]

What is the life of a titanium suppressor? Or any suppressor?

Look at AAC... I think hands down it's better. Life of the suppressor depends on how hard you use them and the loads. I think for a hunting rifle a "moderator" type suppressor is a much better choice in the end; smaller, lighter, specially one that can be rebuilt that's always a money saver. Pick wisely the suppressor world has a lot of "bovine anal seepage" in it.
436

 

[LouBoyd]

What is the life of a titanium suppressor? Or any suppressor?

Maybe someone from a company which builds supprresors could comment on what sort of things go bad on ones which get returned. I'd bet most of them get damaged from knocking them into things, like trees, rocks, or ground and damaging from torque where the suppressor attaches to the rifle.

Titanium isn't as mechanically strong as steel for the same dimensions, but it can take higher temperature. Stainless has higher thermal conductivity and than titanium and less expansion. Titanium will get hotter for the same number of shots if they have the same dimensions and thickness. There may be some other adavantages to titanium, but the main reason to use it is reduced weight. A stainless/inconel AAC Omega rated for 300 WM weighs 29 oz. The Titanium Sandstorm rated for 300 WM is 13.3 oz. It would not surprise me if the AAC is stronger, but I chose the Sandstorm based mostly on weight.
I doubt I'll ever wear it out. I'm already a senior citizen I don't expect to shoot anything with more case capacity than a 308 Win. Mostly with subsonic 300 BLK.