Do silencers change a rifle's preferred load?

[haftime]

Looking to purchase my 1st silencer and am wondering if you have had to change a rifle's favorite load? POI shifts I expect but starting over for several rifles has me spooked. What are your experiences with old handloads and adding a suppressor?

 

[Doc88]

My opinion is no within reason. I have worked up loads suppressed and have the rifles shot braked with consistent groups but with the obvious POI shift. The opposite true as well. We are talking SC deer hunting distances of max 600 yards. If looking for a 1000yd load then work up the load how you will shoot the gun ie. suppressed, not suppressed, braked, etc.

 

[Boss Hoss]

Absolutely it will most likely change the POI because it completely changes the harmonics of the barrel, in addition a suppressor can also change velocities and corresponding pressures.

Since you asked this question and even for others this is a pretty good synopsis and when shooting 1kBR it is all about the details if you want to get wood.

Ballistics: Understanding Barrel Harmonics and Accuracy

"Barrel harmonics refers to how a barrel whips, torques and contorts. The idea of accuracy is simply a set of repeatable barrel harmonics.

gundigest.com

 

[FEENIX]

Looking to purchase my 1st silencer and am wondering if you have had to change a rifle's favorite load? POI shifts I expect but starting over for several rifles has me spooked. What are your experiences with old handloads and adding a suppressor?

Yes, *** with anything else, YMMV. I have a couple of loads that only have the POI shifts but not the group size; I get lucky occasionally. For another load, I had to tweak them. In short, it is best to do load development with whatever muzzle device you use. Good luck, and have fun with your new toy.

 

[Shane Lindsey]

All are different. SOME of my loads only change POI, same group. Others won't shoot anywhere close to the small group.

By the way @Doc88, that 300 WM does not change the group, just POI

 

[Deputy819]

it is best to do load development with whatever muzzle device you use.

^^^^THIS^^^^

 

[memtb]

Absolutely it will most likely change the POI because it completely changes the harmonics of the barrel, in addition a suppressor can also change velocities and corresponding pressures.

Since you asked this question and even for others this is a pretty good synopsis and when shooting 1kBR it is all about the details if you want to get wood.

Ballistics: Understanding Barrel Harmonics and Accuracy

"Barrel harmonics refers to how a barrel whips, torques and contorts. The idea of accuracy is simply a set of repeatable barrel harmonics.

gundigest.com

^^^^^^^^^^ This ^^^^^^^^^^

Maybe not guaranteed…….but, darn likely! memtb