Hunting With Suppressor in WA

[KillBilly]

If you have all the correct paperwork to OWN a suppressor, then it is now legal to USE it. This is not something that WDFW would have to include in the regs. It would be part of your weapon just a muzzle brake or scope would. One thing that you might want to consider though is that a suppressor will affect your ballistics considerably.

[rbros]

No offense, but none of my suppressors affect my ballistics.  Point of impact with suppressor on is within 1/4" of impact with it off.  Just as accurate with or without the cans on them.

[Caseyd]

No offense, but none of my suppressors affect my ballistics.  Point of impact with suppressor on is within 1/4" of impact with it off.  Just as accurate with or without the cans on them.

You building your own yet?

[h2ofowlr]

If you have all the correct paperwork to OWN a suppressor, then it is now legal to USE it. This is not something that WDFW would have to include in the regs. It would be part of your weapon just a muzzle brake or scope would. One thing that you might want to consider though is that a suppressor will affect your ballistics considerably.

I can see this changing for 2012.  I think they want to know where the shot came from and hear them in the woods.  I would rather supress my hunting rifle to save the hearing I have left also to help not spook the entire hillside of animals for other hunters as well.  My personal preference.
There is nothing in the book on making it illegal to use one for hunting.  It just muffles the sound, it doesn't effect anything else about the way a gun shoots or the target it is shooting at.  It saves your hearing and doesn't alarm those around you.  They should do away with the tax stamp and let anyone and everyone buy them that wants to.  Less noise issues.  If I could figure out how to mount one to my duck gun it would be in the shop as we speak.  I have permanent ringing in my left ear from the effects of shooting.

[rbros]

Not yet......I do have my Class 2 NFA manufacturers license, but I haven't had time to build any yet.  I have several and have sold several Thunderbeast can's and they work very well.  Hopefully will experiment this winter once rifle builds are caught up.

[Bofire]

 :)My 2, for WFWD to enforce it does NOT have to be an RCW or WAC, since hunting is a privilege in this state, the commission can pass "rules" and enforce them, like hunter orange and tresspass rules that are different than the RCW.
Carl

[KillBilly]

No offense, but none of my suppressors affect my ballistics.  Point of impact with suppressor on is within 1/4" of impact with it off.  Just as accurate with or without the cans on them.

Well your special then because silencers/suppressors have always had an effect on ballistics.

[rbros]

With the older suppressors or ones that the bullets pass through a mesh of somesort, yes, I have seen them affect accuracy and ballisitics.  With the newer baffle type, the hole is slightly over bullet diameter, so its basically redirecting the gas after the bullet exits the muzzle.  I have shot a bunch of them over the chrono and most of the time velocity is very close if not the same as with no suppressor.  Shooting them out to 1500+ yds and still using the same dope as without them.  I did have one rifle it increased velocity slightly, but not by much.  They make a very effective muzzle brake as well and reduce recoil.

[twistiron]

correct me if i am wrong but from what i have been reading it seams like the accuracy/balistic fault is a misconception due to people shooting sub sonic ammo (for the least noise possible) without correcting for it in their scope. just my , i agree with killbilly that if properly stamped/ registered there is no current reason for them to be illigal but there may be no ruling just because it was covered under not being able to shoot them in the state. i dont want to be the guy out there when the decide that its no longer legal to hunt with them. ya all know this state! and the fact that it does not have to pass through legislation just means it could happen even quicker! thanks for all the feed back and  rbros when you do start makignthem let us know i like keeping my money local!

[FALFire]

No offense, but none of my suppressors affect my ballistics.  Point of impact with suppressor on is within 1/4" of impact with it off.  Just as accurate with or without the cans on them.

Well your special then because silencers/suppressors have always had an effect on ballistics.

KILLBILLY,

Could you please provide documented proof of the "effect on ballistics" you are referring to? I have done quite a bit of reading lately on suppressors. The things I have learned about is in many cases improved accuracy with less recoil is noticed. I spoke to a gun dealer a couple of days ago that has used them on prairie dog hunts, his comments were very positive and killing P-Dogs at very long distances was a non issue for him and his shooting pals. 

I have also fired both Rem. 700's in 223 and 308 and they both produced 1/2 MOA groups at 100 yards using suppressors. Quite effective and a real pleasure to not need ear protection while doing so. I suppose without the can the groups may have been 1/4 MOA or better but I was very pleased to see the results I was getting at the time. I'll just be standing by for that documentation.

[FALFire]

Not yet......I do have my Class 2 NFA manufacturers license, but I haven't had time to build any yet.  I have several and have sold several Thunderbeast can's and they work very well.  Hopefully will experiment this winter once rifle builds are caught up.

I was looking at the Thunderbeasts cans a couple of days ago, I believe it was the 30P-1 (?) Titanium model. I am looking to use it on a 308 and quite possibly my 243. Have you any experience using a 30 cal can on a 6mm caliber or even 223?  I'm certain the maximum efficiency is not there but I'm really only planning on using it for coyotes, raccoons and target shooting.

Thanks

[KillBilly]

With the older suppressors or ones that the bullets pass through a mesh of somesort, yes, I have seen them affect accuracy and ballisitics.  With the newer baffle type, the hole is slightly over bullet diameter, so its basically redirecting the gas after the bullet exits the muzzle.  I have shot a bunch of them over the chrono and most of the time velocity is very close if not the same as with no suppressor.  Shooting them out to 1500+ yds and still using the same dope as without them.  I did have one rifle it increased velocity slightly, but not by much.  They make a very effective muzzle brake as well and reduce recoil.

Well I spent some more time today researching suppressors and find that rbros is more correct than my first source was. I still found one more person that stated they "Felt" that suppressors affected Ballistics and accuracy. "felt" won't cut it... several folks agreed with rbros so I tip my hat and stand corrected. the sources that agreed with rbros are folks that i trust very highly. Having said that I was also cautioned to pay special attention to the mfg. and make sure they are a reputable & trusted source.

[KillBilly]

By Dave Workman
"Gov. Christine Gregoire today signed legislation that will allow Washington residents to not only own suppressors but now be able to actually use them.
 
   Henceforth, it will be legal for residents who obtain the necessary paperwork and pay the federal tax – that is, comply with applicable federal law – to take their legally-owned suppressors to indoor and outdoor gun ranges and actually use them. This may also reduce problems in the outdoors, where many traditional shooting areas that are not developed ranges have been closed due to complaints primarily based on noise.
 
   It has been legal to own suppressors and even have them mounted on firearms for display purposes in this state for sometime. People just couldn’t shoot with them.
 
   This column wrote about the legislation here earlier this year, and again here, about two weeks ago."

[KillBilly]

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2011-12/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Law%202011/1016.SL.pdf
CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT
HOUSE BILL 1016
Chapter 13, Laws of 2011
62nd Legislature
2011 Regular Session
FIREARMS--NOISE SUPPRESSORS
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/22/11

1 AN ACT Relating to firearm noise suppressors; and amending RCW
2 9.41.250.
3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
4 Sec. 1. RCW 9.41.250 and 2007 c 379 s 1 are each amended to read
5 as follows:
6 (1) Every person who:
7 (a) Manufactures, sells, or disposes of or possesses any instrument
8 or weapon of the kind usually known as slung shot, sand club, or metal
9 knuckles, or spring blade knife, or any knife the blade of which is
10 automatically released by a spring mechanism or other mechanical
11 device, or any knife having a blade which opens, or falls, or is
12 ejected into position by the force of gravity, or by an outward,
13 downward, or centrifugal thrust or movement;
14 (b) Furtively carries with intent to conceal any dagger, dirk,
15 pistol, or other dangerous weapon; or
16 (c) Uses any contrivance or device for suppressing the noise of any
17 firearm unless the suppressor is legally registered and possessed in
18 accordance with federal law,
19 is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.
p. 1 HB 1016.SL
1 (2) Subsection (1)(a) of this section does not apply to:
2 (a) The possession of a spring blade knife by a law enforcement
3 officer while the officer:
4 (i) Is on official duty; or
5 (ii) Is transporting the knife to or from the place where the knife
6 is stored when the officer is not on official duty; or
7 (b) The storage of a spring blade knife by a law enforcement
8 officer.
Passed by the House February 7, 2011.
Passed by the Senate March 29, 2011.
Approved by the Governor April 11, 2011.
Filed in Office of Secretary of State April 11, 2011.

[FALFire]

Killbilly,

Thank you for doing the follow up research, too much bad info gets spread about these days. Once we correct our old beliefs and hearsay rumors we can provide better info to those looking to pursue new adventures. I really hope that WDFW allows us to use the suppressors for at minimum, predator control. I hunt on several ranches with cattle nearby and would much rather not piss off the rancher while taking out a dog or two while he is out feeding. However, I'm not holding my breath knowing how the State Game Dept. is.