Effect of Suppressor on Hand Loads

[Chranah]

I'm not in the suppressor game yet, but seriously considering it and I have some questions:
1) Is it okay to have one suppressor for use on a bolt gun and for a gas gun? Are suppressors even designed for those considerations?
2) I'd like to suppress my 7mmRM bolt action hunting rifle and my 6mmARC gas gun. Will one suppressor work for both?
3) I hand load all of my ammo. I've read that a suppressor will cause more pressure and fouling in gas guns. Will I need to reduce my loads when running the suppressor, or will closing my gas block a bit more do the trick?
That's about it for now, but as the conversation progresses, I'm sure more will come up. Thanks in advance.

I forgot to mention, I've looked online, but I'm tired of everyone just telling me why THEIR's is the best and why I should buy it. I want to know long term effects on my rifles. I'm not even looking at make and model yet.

 

[akmtnhnt]

One will work for both, but they make flow through suppressors for gas guns that don't have as much gas coming out of the ejection port into your face. Generally these don't suppress quite as well, so it's nice to have 2.
Generally you'll need to turn the gas down a bit with a suppressor.
There are no long term effects on a rifle other than you'll likely shoot them more.

 

[FEENIX]

I'm not in the suppressor game yet, but seriously considering it and I have some questions:
1) Is it okay to have one suppressor for use on a bolt gun and for a gas gun? Are suppressors even designed for those considerations?
2) I'd like to suppress my 7mmRM bolt action hunting rifle and my 6mmARC gas gun. Will one suppressor work for both?
3) I hand load all of my ammo. I've read that a suppressor will cause more pressure and fouling in gas guns. Will I need to reduce my loads when running the suppressor, or will closing my gas block a bit more do the trick?
That's about it for now, but as the conversation progresses, I'm sure more will come up. Thanks in advance.

What @akmtnhnt said. I have 3 suppressors, one dedicated to my AR-10 in .308 Win.

I forgot to mention, I've looked online, but I'm tired of everyone just telling me why THEIR's is the best and why I should buy it. I want to know long term effects on my rifles. I'm not even looking at make and model yet.

LOL! Yep, I know what you mean. None of mine are on their list, but I wanted to support small businesses and made-in-Montana products, so I went with Eliteiron and Rex Silentium. The good thing is, whatever brand you decide on later, you no longer have to wait that long. Good luck!

 

[PlumberEd]

I caution you against buying a suppressor…it is hard to stop at just one. All kidding aside…Yes, one suppressor will work for both rifles. If you only want to buy one suppressor get one specifically suited for gas gun and use it on both rifles. That's is how I started my suppressor collection. For gas guns I think it is better to use a suppressor with some sort of locking mechanism to prevent loosening. Especially if you are going to have rapid rates of fire. IMO you will be probably be better served with two different suppressors

A TBAC Magnus S or a Dean Air Nomad LTi XC or something similar would be great for a bolt action hunting rifle. Not the quietest but they are short and lightweight, and they reduce the sharp crack of the rifle. Whatever brand you settle on definitely get a one made of titanium to save weight.

I mentioned these particular brands/models because I have experience with them, not because I am pushing them as the best.

A gas rifle with a suppressor will definitely run much dirtier, there will be carbon everywhere. It is not necessary to reduce your loads, adjusting the gas block to get the proper ejection pattern (3-4 O'clock) will do the trick.

 

[Bang4theBuck]

While it was sufficiently covered above, I just wanted to restate that Semi-Auto rifles are the hardest to suppressor (noise reduction) because of the blow back that makes the rifle function is deliberately absorbed to some degree with a suppressor. So, as stated above, if you are committed to only buying one suppressor right now, get one that has known good function on Semi-auto, (flow through reduces back pressure). The only point I didn't necessarily agree with was the point of getting one woth a locking mechanism. Actually I agree in theory, but have seen so many issues with friends with accuracy problems due to that QD mechanism, I would stay strictly with direct thread on bolt guns. I dont jave as much experience with that issue on ARs. Hope this was helpful.

 

[Mike D Texas]

As stated one suppressor will work for both. Just get a 30 caliber magnum rated can (most are) and you'll be fine. If you have an adjustable gas block for the AR that will be helpful, mainly for smooth function.

 

[Bowfisher]

Maybe I'm just picky, but there is no way I'm using a " regular" can on a gas gun. One shot and all your ammo is dirty in the magazine. I was completely disgusted the first time I tried it. Couldn't believe people were that clueless...

I run two types of cans, the absolute quietest for bolt guns and a flow through style for ARs. Lots of lower back pressure cans now. I won't put anything else on an AR and consider those that do soft in the head. Have to clean the AR more than I want to anyway, without making them a carbon factory after 10 rds. Complete idiocy. YMMV

 

[PlumberEd]

While it was sufficiently covered above, I just wanted to restate that Semi-Auto rifles are the hardest to suppressor (noise reduction) because of the blow back that makes the rifle function is deliberately absorbed to some degree with a suppressor. So, as stated above, if you are committed to only buying one suppressor right now, get one that has known good function on Semi-auto, (flow through reduces back pressure). The only point I didn't necessarily agree with was the point of getting one woth a locking mechanism. Actually I agree in theory, but have seen so many issues with friends with accuracy problems due to that QD mechanism, I would stay strictly with direct thread on bolt guns. I dont jave as much experience with that issue on ARs. Hope this was helpful.

I agree that a locking mechanism is not required especially for a bolt action rifle.

 

[Chranah]

So much good here! Thank you all!!!!!!
I didn't even know about a flow through style.
With those questions answered, I'm going to start "window shopping" and comparing.

 

[Citified]

I think the comments above are pretty accurate. I shot without a suppressor all my life until I moved out of California. We didn't even use them in the Marines in the 60s.
I now own three and have been pleasantly surprised with the noise reduction. Your gas gun WILL run dirtier if you use a multipurpose suppressor and you turn the gas block down a little for the correct ejection pattern. The benefit of noise and blast reduction is well worth the investment. As stated, you will probably end up with more than one eventually. I have yet to buy one for my big magnums but everything else 30 cal and down is suppressed. My 9mm handgun and custom 10-22 are almost Hollywood quite suppressed.
You should look at the comparison videos to decide on brand, but it kind of comes down to weight,length, price and suppression effectiveness.

 

[Chranah]

weight,length, price and suppression effectiveness

Things to consider! Got it!
As for price, I see a wide range. Are suppressors a "You get what you pay for" commodity? I realise a lot of the prices have to do with material [titanium (lighter weight) will be more expensive that steel], but what else makes one worth $3,000 vs. $800? I'm on a teacher's salary in this post-plandemic economy, so I'm looking for quality, but not necessarily a "Wilson Custom".

I think I'm leaning toward two different cans now. The gas gun is my teen daughter's deer rifle, so that'll probably be the first. Then after another year of saving (I'm at that stage in life where I buy my own birthday presents ), I'll get one for me and my 7RM.

Thanks again!

 

[Setnom67]

I have found that I get more velocity with my suppressor in both AR's and bolt guns. I run the same one (Texas Silencer Company) in a .308WIN AR10, 6.8SPC AR15, 5.56 AR15, and a REM700 308WIN and 300WM as well as a Christensen 338LAP. Most of my loads run 2-8% faster with the can on according to my Labradar.

Agree with statements above. The ARs run a lot dirtier and have to be cleaned deeply after only a few shots, but they all run.

 

[Rob67gmc]

I have one suppressor for two guns, a 30" barrelled benchrest rifle, and a 10" 300 Blackout pistol. The pistol has a 2 position gas block and i can't tell the difference. Function and ejection are the same. As far as being dirtier, can't the difference on that one either. It's like two kids playing in the mud. Both are dirty and need to be cleaned. Does it matter that one is a little dirtier?

 

[Chranah]

I wanted to support small businesses and made-in-Montana products

I'm in the same boat. I always buy local if I can. I'm next door to you and will hopefully find a Made in Idaho manufacturer when I seriously begin looking.