Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles New Suppressor for Hunting Rifles

This is a question out of pure curiosity, I truly mean no offense by it in any way.

What is the draw to have a suppressor on a hunting rifle, more specifically a big game rifle like posted here.

I can see the appeal at the range, or on a high volume varmint rig for sure. I've even came very close to ordering one, I just can't justify it.

One of the main things I like about hunting with a suppressor, is that I can now hear the sound of the bullet impact, when I hit a game animal, be it a squirrel or a whitetail. My hearing is pretty well shot, and for years I have read others reports of hearing the "whunk!" of a bullet striking game. Until I owned a couple suppressors, I had never heard that.

My buddy shot a bear last spring, first round clean miss. bear was not phased one bit by the report. He forgot in the heat of the moment to adjust for the decline Second shot Kill! I highly doubt he would have gotten a second shot on that bear without the use of the suppressor. I am not saying that will work every time but I'll take it for all the times it does.

What are the specs and price of those two units?

Holston,

We hunt predators, primarily at night, in relatively populated areas. I have gone to a down loaded 22 Hornet to keep the noise down, my buddy is using a suppressor on an AR 223 and even with my mild loads in the Hornet it is louder than his suppressed 223. Even at close range, with decent placement, the Hornet doesn’t anchor a coyote every time. I am building a 20 Vartarg with a 18” barrel and this Jaeger suppressor. Things that go “KA-BOOM!”in the night, attract unwanted attention. I’m hoping the new gun won’t.

I do all my hunting with cans now and wouldn't go back. The benefits I appreciate are:

- No muzzle blast and reduced recoil help you stay focused on the animal through the shot, identification of hits and follow ups are quicker.

- I don't ever have to worry about ear pro, making sure it's with me, making sure the plugs on a string aren't tangled with my other gear, or having to get it in before an unexpected shot.

- Without the rifle ringing your ears or plugs blocking your hearing, you can clearly hear the thunk of bullets hitting animals, and you can also more easily pinpoint the location of crashing if they make it into the brush.

- The lack of a muzzle blast and confusing sound of the bullet's shockwave alarms animals less and usually leaves them unable to tell where the shot came from.

I don't know anybody that tried suppressed hunting and wanted to go back, that should tell you something.

On the other hand, if you're staying in VA, may not be much point to trying suppressors, in pretty sure your communist overlords have already added gun mufflers to the ban list (961?).

Makes perfect sense on a predator rifle to me. Especially at night and with people relatively close by.



Thanks. I can see your points as well.

I agree, I don know anyone who has went back after using one.

All good points made above.

Less muzzle blast....
Less noise...
Smoother recoil impulse...(Full house 7 Mag loads with 180s fell 243ish for comparison.)
I don’t worry about ear protection 95% of the time with a can attached...
Shooting with kids is somewhat easier as you are able to “coach” them w/o the hassle of plugs or muffs....

99% of my hunting is done suppressed these days. I’ll run one in a match too depending on COF.

I went the CB route as I don’t need the full auto capabilities of the SR.

CB is 6.25” long, 9.6ozs, with a decibel rating of 126db with a 20” .308. CBs available from 1/2”-3/4”...

TBACs price for the CB is $1235, but local dealer was well below that.

Good stuff Pat. Thanks for sharing it.

Holston,

I totally understand what you are saying and went through the debate with myself before jumping in.

I initially went with a suppressor for being quieter when hunting.

But a portion of my reasoning was, that in my case, shooting a 10-20 or so times a year at various big game critters/predators while hunting, without hearing protection, was catching up. Especially when you multiply that by say 30 years. Which is where I'm at.

I may have gotten into the suppressor game too late to save all of my hearing, but I want to save what I have left. Plus all the other benefits listed above.

Holston, not trying to talk you into a suppressor but I can say once you get one for a range toy or varmint rifle, you’ll soon be trying to decide how many of your big game rifles to chop and thread. Once you shoot suppressed you won’t enjoy shooting loud at all anymore. It’s a rabbit hole...

On the subject of light, Ti suppressors for hunting I’m with Josh on being a big fan of the TBAC Ultra series, I have a 7. I also have an SAS Barricade, which is slightly more compact at 6” and about 11oz IIRC. I enjoy using both of these, personally never felt the need for a FA rated can.

These new suppressors that Scenarshooter posted about are interesting for sure, very compact and lightweight. I’m not in the market for another but if I was I’d take a closer look, for hunting compact and lightweight is where it’s at for sure.

This is exactly what I have been looking for! Should have know that Pat had all the knowledge I needed all along. I think this is the year I take the plunge and get a can. I have shied away form the bureaucracy but need the benefits for my ears... Great post!

Wonder how the performance compares to the Texas suppressor outrider 30 cal can I’m waiting on