Suppressors Suppressor Covers & Accuracy

turkey_creek

Private
Minuteman
Apr 24, 2025
8
3
Kansas
Stalked the forums off and on for probably several years. Finally joined, and my first question is likely rather stupid.

Running a Bergara .308. Got an Omega 300 for it a month ago, and I’m doing some handload work ups for it. Decided to try a suppressor cover, too, and after install, it makes me ask the question if it will potentially affect rifle harmonics?
 
Stalked the forums off and on for probably several years. Finally joined, and my first question is likely rather stupid.

Running a Bergara .308. Got an Omega 300 for it a month ago, and I’m doing some handload work ups for it. Decided to try a suppressor cover, too, and after install, it makes me ask the question if it will potentially affect rifle harmonics?
Any harmonic effect would be canceled out by the huge mirage reduction advantage that a good cover provides after a few shots.

But don’t have the cover accidentally slide forward over the front of the suppressor. That, I guess, DOES affect groups by fooling with the air as the bullet leaves the suppressor “muzzle”.
 
Standard disclaimer that I may not be a consistent enough trigger-pulled to shoot the difference.
This would be the main reason for asking the question to start with. I’d say I’m an ok rifle shooter, but this is the first time trying to work up loads for a “precision” rifle. Probably the first few targets I’ve ever seen shooting groups in the .5-.8” range, then loading up more with similar charges and groups go to crap, only difference that is immediate is the cover. I think for now, it’s just going to stay off until I get a good load or two and then test the idea further.
 
Any harmonic effect would be canceled out by the huge mirage reduction advantage that a good cover provides after a few shots.

But don’t have the cover accidentally slide forward over the front of the suppressor. That, I guess, DOES affect groups by fooling with the air as the bullet leaves the suppressor “muzzle”.
And that could have been what happened, it’s a T&K cover. When I get a 169 SMK load finalized, I’ll throw the cover back on and experiment more.