Issues with accuracy suppressed

Hello, I'm having issues with my 338 Lapua and 7STW.

I have loads for both that shoot great with Brakes.

I run a 338 Sierra Elite Iron on the 338 LM and a Banish 30 Titanium on the 7STW.

Both rifle groups go South with Suppressor on, I'm talking like rat turds in a dresser drawer groups.

Anyone had same issues? any recommendations on Solution? I prefer to shoot suppressed.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

I'm new to the suppressor game and have the opposite problem. My rifles shoot better with the suppressor. I use a Banish 30 on a 223, 6.5CM, and a 6BR. I believe the 223 and 6.5CM shoot better cause the rifles are a little forward heavy with the suppressor and I get less muzzle rise. The 6BR seems to shoot only slightly better, but the biggest thing, I've noticed is POI shift of about 1.5 MOA lower and .5 MOA right with the 6BR and suppressor.
One thing I've learned is suppressors get very hot very fast. This heat can migrate down your barrel, which causes a lot of mirage and maybe even POI shift depending on the barrel. Your shooting some big rounds that probably heat the barrel and suppressor up quickly. One interesting thing is titanium heats up much quicker than steel, it also cools much quicker. It's very noticable. Have to tried really letting the barrels cool down?

Then there's the general tips like making sure the suppressor stays tight on the barrel and the suppressor lines up well with the threading on the barrels so you don't get any strikes. A suppressor cover is kinda of mandatory too. It really helps keep the mirage down (as the suppressor heats up faster than the barrel) and stops you from burning yourself too. I use a Armageddon Extreme High Temp cover and think it was money well spent. The design keeps it from sliding forward on the suppressor under recoil and you can just slide the cover off the suppressor and onto the barrel to allow the suppressor to cool quicker.

This time of year I seem to run into mirage problems really quickly shooting suppressed. I need to invest in a cover. I've really not experienced POI shifts of any significance. I just have a problem shooting tight groups consistently due to mirage. At least that's my excuse…..

If you didn't develop the load with the suppressor, it is hit or miss if it will shoot the same.

You are totally changing barrel harmonics and pressure with the suppressor.

Just like anything else, develop your load how you will shoot it.

He beat me to it^^^.

Like Lance said!! If I'm shooting a suppressor on the gun, I'm doing load development with it on the gun.

Curious, do y'all find shooting suppressed creates more pressure? In other words, if you developed a load UNSUPPRESSED do you need to back the load off a bit when going suppressed?

Looks like I need to redo a quick ladder test with suppressor on.

Thanks for the info from everyone.

The heat buildup & migration is not really an issue for actual hunting unless its p dog etc.

Beyond the heat suppressor dirty a barrel like nothing else.

Save yourself some grief and get a soaking wet patch of carbon cleaner down the bore before you leave the range. Makes cleaning way easier when you get home. Just stuff a wadded patch or better the rubber plugs in the chamber and muzzle to prevent any leaking out. But we'll worth it. I do that with all my firearms regardless of suppressor or not. Including my handguns.

Rick Richard said:

Curious, do y'all find shooting suppressed creates more pressure? In other words, if you developed a load UNSUPPRESSED do you need to back the load off a bit when going suppressed?

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I would think it would to some extent. I have not noticed any significant pressure spike indicators when shooting loads developed without the suppressor when shooting suppressed. I typically don't load to the edge of pressure though. I did see a minimal increase in velocity, but nothing note worthy.

I'm interested in what people encounter shooting suppressed with a thermal scope. It probably would not be an issue unless you are sending multiple shots down range, but inquiring minds want to know. I have herds of armadillo visiting my yard every night and need to gear up.

Mark37082 said:

I would think it would to some extent. I have not noticed any significant pressure spike indicators when shooting loads developed without the suppressor when shooting suppressed. I typically don't load to the edge of pressure though. I did see a minimal increase in velocity, but nothing note worthy.

I'm interested in what people encounter shooting suppressed with a thermal scope. It probably would not be an issue unless you are sending multiple shots down range, but inquiring minds want to know. I have herds of armadillo visiting my yard every night and need to gear up.

Click to expand...

A good thermal won't be affected much. There is a pretty good Aussie YouTuber (Edge of the Outback) that does animal control for farmers in Australia. He does quite a bit of night hunting with thermals. Even when taking multiple shots at pigs, the heat from the suppressor doesn't affect the picture.

In regards to the OPs question, I bet you will find a load a couple grains above or below your current one that will suck those groups right back together.

HandgunHTR said:

A good thermal won't be affected much. There is a pretty good Aussie YouTuber (Edge of the Outback) that does animal control for farmers in Australia. He does quite a bit of night hunting with thermals. Even when taking multiple shots at pigs, the heat from the suppressor doesn't affect the picture.

In regards to the OPs question, I bet you will find a load a couple grains above or below your current one that will suck those groups right back together.

Click to expand...

This ^^

Always tune your load with any muzzle device you plan to use attached EXACTLY as you will when using. Aligned witness marks. If you have not seen a tuner adjustment 's effect on group shape/size, it takes rotation amount in the 0.00X" to make noticeable change.