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Author Topic: Hunting with a suppressor - dumb idea?  (Read 2557 times)

Offline Wolfdog2314

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Re: Hunting with a suppressor - dumb idea?
« Reply #15 on: October 10, 2025, 06:56:54 AM »
From what I understand, .006 was before they fixed it.

I’ve got the Sig cross Trax in 308 also and was running in to the same issues of inconsistent groups. I’d have a couple group up and then be way off. Long story short there was too much run out in my barrel from the factory. (Alignment of barrel to my suppressor is the easiest terms I can explain it in). I sent the rifle to Thunderbeast and they fixed it. They said the runout was .006”. I now have .9” consistent groups with a 168 Berger. This is setup as my blacktail brush gun.

Of course I didn’t find this out initially until I got a bullet strike at the end of my supressor. I had seen the slightest of marks on the exit hole before, but I attributed that to the suppressor being lose after a shooting session my first time out with it.

That inconsistent of groups you’re having, I’d want that checked. Any good gunsmith should be able to, but Thunderbeast was amazing to deal with. They said they “fix” twice as many barrels as they thread themselves.

I won’t hunt without a suppressor anymore. The hearing protection and animal reaction (at times) is well worth it.
Was that .006 after they fixed it?

Offline Antlershed

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Re: Hunting with a suppressor - dumb idea?
« Reply #16 on: October 10, 2025, 09:04:09 AM »
Hmmm…ok. I was curious because I had to send a rifle into Thunderbeast as well (Ruger American), and they said they were able to get it down to .004” runout and made it sound like that was acceptable. I am headed to the range now to see how it shoots.

Offline Wolfdog2314

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Re: Hunting with a suppressor - dumb idea?
« Reply #17 on: October 10, 2025, 02:41:03 PM »
Hmmm…ok. I was curious because I had to send a rifle into Thunderbeast as well (Ruger American), and they said they were able to get it down to .004” runout and made it sound like that was acceptable. I am headed to the range now to see how it shoots.

I gotch ya. It’s a new concept for me. It appears that sometimes it is impossible to remove all runout, but the closer to .000 obviously the better. Not entirely sure what is “acceptable” runout. But I’m certain I was at .006 before, getting supressor strikes, and now I’m good after they fixed it.

Offline Antlershed

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Re: Hunting with a suppressor - dumb idea?
« Reply #18 on: October 11, 2025, 09:17:49 AM »
New for me as well. I was getting baffled strikes with a Ruger American Compact in 6.5cm and a TBAC Ultra 9 6.5 can. Pretty sure they told me I was at .047” runout when they receive the rifle. Took it to the range yesterday and it is shooting great now.

Sorry to derail the original question, but at the range yesterday I shot next to a guy running a side port brake, and it was miserable to shoot next to him. Prior to buying suppressors, I always shot with a muzzle break, but now I will never shoot/hunt unsuppressed. So many advantages and the only downside is my 6.5 PRC has a 24” barrel with a TBAC Magnus, which adds weight and length, but I’ll take that trade off any day.

Offline callturner

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Re: Hunting with a suppressor - dumb idea?
« Reply #19 on: Yesterday at 02:37:39 PM »
To me they are just a fad. Maybe useful varmint hunting if you have more than one target animal.

Offline pickardjw

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Re: Hunting with a suppressor - dumb idea?
« Reply #20 on: Yesterday at 03:28:15 PM »
To me they are just a fad. Maybe useful varmint hunting if you have more than one target animal.

Nah, they're going to be the new normal.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/suppressor-sales-setting-records/


Offline HereDuckyDucky

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Re: Hunting with a suppressor - dumb idea?
« Reply #21 on: Yesterday at 03:41:28 PM »
To each his own, but I won't let my son shoot a rifle without one. The hearing protection is worth it by itself. The reduced recoil is a nice benefit.

RW

Offline Sneaky

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Re: Hunting with a suppressor - dumb idea?
« Reply #22 on: Yesterday at 07:07:00 PM »
Any of you who are on the fence need to just do it. Buy a cheap threaded tikka and an omega 300 thats all you need

Offline GWP

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Re: Hunting with a suppressor - dumb idea?
« Reply #23 on: Yesterday at 10:08:58 PM »
Similar to others, I don't hunt unsuppressed anymore except for muzzy and shotgun. An neither do most of my hunting buddies. Love this pic from Idaho spring bear this year with a couple new guys in the group. Knew I'd like them when I saw their rifles!

1. Crank that can on when everything is cold. As it heats up at the range it may loosen a bit. Make sure it's tight after the first mag and periodically after. Some guys have an oven mitt in their range bag for this express purpose  :chuckle:

2. Cover for the range is a must. LS Wild makes a minimalist, low profile cover that keeps mirage down for about 10 shots. Tons of other options that'll get you out to ~20 shots or so before mirage is unavoidable. All depending on timing of course.

3. So many other things that can be contributing to poor grouping, but should be pretty easy to verify shooting some 10 round groups with and without the can.

Pros: Ear pro not necessary (to a certain extent), easier to communicate with a partner in the field quietly (shooter/spotter), very different game reaction to shots, reduced recoil, reduced muzzle blast. I also like that it reduces my profile to other hunters in the area.

Cons: Added weight, added length, added potential failure point, cost.

That brings a whole new meaning to the saying "Canned Hunt"! Sorry, couldn't resist.

Sooo, you guys all suck! Why? Because I have wanted one for some time and it sounds great all the way around.
Now I kind of need one. I have two pellet guns with them and they are great. I can not imagine not having them as they both are loud without the cans on.

On the muzzle brake statement, I had a lever 45/70 with one and after ONE session I got rid of the gun. Not for me.

So for you guys running cans, I have had bad crown jobs that after correction shot great. Which do you think has the most accuracy impact, the crown on the barrel, or the crown on the end of the suppressor?

Also, are you all running sub sonic? I have heard canned guns shot both ways, and while the super sonic had the 'ripping' sound going down range, the muzzle noise was gone for the most part, making it easier on the ears.
Cuterebra are NOT cute!

Offline pickardjw

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Re: Hunting with a suppressor - dumb idea?
« Reply #24 on: Today at 08:27:14 AM »
Similar to others, I don't hunt unsuppressed anymore except for muzzy and shotgun. An neither do most of my hunting buddies. Love this pic from Idaho spring bear this year with a couple new guys in the group. Knew I'd like them when I saw their rifles!

1. Crank that can on when everything is cold. As it heats up at the range it may loosen a bit. Make sure it's tight after the first mag and periodically after. Some guys have an oven mitt in their range bag for this express purpose  :chuckle:

2. Cover for the range is a must. LS Wild makes a minimalist, low profile cover that keeps mirage down for about 10 shots. Tons of other options that'll get you out to ~20 shots or so before mirage is unavoidable. All depending on timing of course.

3. So many other things that can be contributing to poor grouping, but should be pretty easy to verify shooting some 10 round groups with and without the can.

Pros: Ear pro not necessary (to a certain extent), easier to communicate with a partner in the field quietly (shooter/spotter), very different game reaction to shots, reduced recoil, reduced muzzle blast. I also like that it reduces my profile to other hunters in the area.

Cons: Added weight, added length, added potential failure point, cost.

That brings a whole new meaning to the saying "Canned Hunt"! Sorry, couldn't resist.

Sooo, you guys all suck! Why? Because I have wanted one for some time and it sounds great all the way around.
Now I kind of need one. I have two pellet guns with them and they are great. I can not imagine not having them as they both are loud without the cans on.

On the muzzle brake statement, I had a lever 45/70 with one and after ONE session I got rid of the gun. Not for me.

So for you guys running cans, I have had bad crown jobs that after correction shot great. Which do you think has the most accuracy impact, the crown on the barrel, or the crown on the end of the suppressor?

Also, are you all running sub sonic? I have heard canned guns shot both ways, and while the super sonic had the 'ripping' sound going down range, the muzzle noise was gone for the most part, making it easier on the ears.

No help on the crown question, but re: subsonic I'm only shooting that in my .22LR suppressed pistol. Too much fun. Supers in the .223/5.56 and 6CM. If I get a .300 BLK I'll shoot subs.

Offline STEVO85

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Re: Hunting with a suppressor - dumb idea?
« Reply #25 on: Today at 12:14:26 PM »
There isn't a crown on a suppressor, the bullet never touches the can unless you were to have an old style suppressor with wipes. What can affect accuracy is the way the can is attached to the rifle. Old reliable is direct threading the can to the gun and should give you the most consistent groups. There is a plethora of quick attach muzzle devices, some better than others. The way these attach is where accuracy can deteriorate. If they are loose or just not a good system they will mess with the harmonics of the barrel and cause inconsistent groups.
For the most part everyone is going to be shooting supers not subs unless you are playing at the range and being quiet or set up for a close range hunting shot and chose to shoot a subsonic designed bullet like a Hornady sub-x or something similar.

Offline GWP

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Re: Hunting with a suppressor - dumb idea?
« Reply #26 on: Today at 12:53:41 PM »
Thanks!
I hit a few suppressor sites last night and one (Silencer Central?) had a vid on different mounting systems, including the "Tri Lug" spring loaded twist lock set up. I had no clue there were that many, but I should not have been surprised.
One also had some good info about how and why suppressors will not work on some semi autos, and cures for some of them.
For me at this point IF I get one it will be for a single shot that is already threaded 1/2X28, so 'easy peasy' direct thread.
Cuterebra are NOT cute!

Offline pickardjw

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Re: Hunting with a suppressor - dumb idea?
« Reply #27 on: Today at 01:52:25 PM »
Thanks!
I hit a few suppressor sites last night and one (Silencer Central?) had a vid on different mounting systems, including the "Tri Lug" spring loaded twist lock set up. I had no clue there were that many, but I should not have been surprised.
One also had some good info about how and why suppressors will not work on some semi autos, and cures for some of them.
For me at this point IF I get one it will be for a single shot that is already threaded 1/2X28, so 'easy peasy' direct thread.

Read up on Silencer Central if you purchase from them. Less than stellar reviews.

Silencer Shop has a kiosk at East County Guns in Elma if you're in Westport. Little bit of a drive but those kiosks are great for a first time buyer.

Most (if not all) .30 cal cans are going to come with 5/8-24 threads. Down Range Products sells quality thread adapters with a few SKU's that come with thread protectors. I have three rifles with them, no issues with a bit of rocksett on the threads. Otherwise, pick a can that has interchangeable hubs.

Offline addicted

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Re: Hunting with a suppressor - dumb idea?
« Reply #28 on: Today at 03:46:22 PM »
This was my first year hunting with a suppressor. Even though it is a smaller can it was very nice that neither me nor my partner had ringing ears after the shot.
"Right now, I am thinking that If my grandmother was here, she would be lecturing me about how there are poor people in Africa, that would just love to have a Ruger, I would just say "Great, granny, lets just ship all the Rugers to Africa!"


Loving life in the Great Northwest one day at a time.

It sounds like it's time to get a new gun.

 


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