Thinking about buying a first suppressor, but can’t decide between a .30 caliber model or a .22 rimfire can? It’s a pretty common conundrum.
A .30 cal. suppressor, like a BANISH 30 (
https://www.silencercentral.com/products/banish-30), is a great, all-purpose option for hunting and target shooting. It covers the gamut from rimfire plinkers to larger-caliber rifles in popular chamberings like .308 Winchester or a 6.5 Creedmoor. The .30-cal suppressor quickly becomes a go-to tool for hunting rifles, especially when shooters step up to magnum cartridges for chasing larger game like elk. Not only does it bring the report of rounds like 7mm Rem. Mag. and .300 Win. Mag. down to hearing safe levels, it also eats up a lot of recoil. It’s favored for those same reasons by tactical and competition shooters who want to reach out and touch something without getting their shoulder punched and their bell rung with every blast.
Rimfire cans, like the BANISH 22 (
https://www.silencercentral.com/products/banish-22) are also a must-have for any burgeoning suppressor collection. Typically, they are designed to work with .17- and .22-caliber rimfire rounds, and often cost quite a bit less than more sophisticated, larger-bore suppressors. Rimfire ammo, too, is less expensive and hardly recoils, so it is fun to shoot and shoot a lot. An appropriate suppressor increases that fun factor even further. They are great training aids, taking the bark and bite (recoil) out of the equation for new shooters, allowing them to focus on fundamentals. And they can be perfect companions for small-game hunting.
It's worth noting, too, that some rimfire cans, like the BANISH 22, can be used with small-caliber centerfire cartridges, including .22 Hornet and even 5.7x28.
While both suppressor types are great for in the field, they really shine when it comes to practice, where you’re getting a lot of trigger time. The hearing protection alone is worth it, and the added benefits of increased accuracy and recoil reduction are a big plus when introducing new shooters to the shooting sports.
What was your first suppressor? Is there one you wish you had now?