Suppressors as quiet as possible, ar-15 supressor

[rockwind1]

usually shooting 77 gr match type ammo out of my "precision" ar,, (jp barrel, nice trigger, etc) i guess i should just try it and see but has anyone tried it. if i wasn't concerned about the extra weight,, would my 338 tbac ultra, despite being for a much bigger caliber, be quieter than my .30 cal harvestor or spec-war 223(heavy steel) i use a superlative adj gas block that i adjust to just barely cycle.

 

[TxWelder35]

usually shooting 77 gr match type ammo out of my "precision" ar,, (jp barrel, nice trigger, etc) i guess i should just try it and see but has anyone tried it. if i wasn't concerned about the extra weight,, would my 338 tbac ultra, despite being for a much bigger caliber, be quieter than my .30 cal harvestor or spec-war 223(heavy steel)

@TBACRAY has done some testing on this and iirc the larger cans do not suppress better on a gas gun platform. I believe the ultra 7 was quieter than the ultra 9 on a gas gun. Not sure where their new dominus stands in comparison if chasing dB levels compared to the other cans

 

[Tnason]

223 is its own beast. Volume is key for good suppression most of the time. It seems with 223 however likes to be choked off a bit and performs best in a 1.5 OD tube (like the omega for example) the extra volume doesn’t help suppress it like it does for cartridges with more gas volume. I’ve found volume is king for virtually every caliber aside from 223 and 22lr
So to answer your question: going to a 338 silencer isn’t going to make a huge difference (maybe a perceivable difference if the bullet is exiting further from your ear and there isn’t a gas port by your head) as the extra volume isn’t going to help suppress the 223 pill the same as other cartridges.

just guessing but I bet 223 will perform best in the harvester but not because of the volume, because the baffle design is better then the 2011 specwar. The giant hole in the 338 would be like throwing a hot dog down an empty hallway and the gas bleeding will accompany sound as well.

 

[TBACRAY]

Sound at the muzzle and sound at the ear are directly related. You need a smaller gas port or really good adjustable gas block to get the most out of a gas gun.

 

[Darkside-Six]

I’ve had the best luck suppressing my 5.56 with a silencerco Omega with the 5.56 flat end cap. JP adjustable gas block and silent buffer system. Even out of my 10.3” MK18 the 77gr is pretty quiet.

 

[bunny too]

I’ve had the best luck suppressing my 5.56 with a silencerco Omega with the 5.56 flat end cap. JP adjustable gas block and silent buffer system. Even out of my 10.3” MK18 the 77gr is pretty quiet.

Omega 36M?

 

[Darkside-Six]

Omega 36M?

No. The original omega 30.

 

[bunny too]

No. The original omega 30.

Ah!

 

[E. Bryant]

Tuning of your platform is likely to be a significant variable. Something like the Ultra 338 has a fair amount of backpressure, and so while the extra volume may generate lower numbers at the muzzle, the shooter's ear may perceive no improvement - or even worse performance.

Here's TBAC data on three different cans on a .308 AR:



The trend in this video is that the bigger cans perform better at the muzzle but worse at the shooter's ear.

Here's some TBAC data demonstrating the influence of gas volume on a 5.56 SBR:



Here, you can see very little difference between the two uppers at the muzzle, but a large (>12 dB) difference at the shooter's ear, just from a smaller port.

 

[Lunchbox27]

I have had many ask me what can I’m running with comments of “damn, thats quiet”.

Omega 30. Pretty much stays on my SBR now. And like Darkside, I run the 5.56 end cap.

 

[Old Man with Gun]

usually shooting 77 gr match type ammo out of my "precision" ar,, (jp barrel, nice trigger, etc) i guess i should just try it and see but has anyone tried it. if i wasn't concerned about the extra weight,, would my 338 tbac ultra, despite being for a much bigger caliber, be quieter than my .30 cal harvestor or spec-war 223(heavy steel)

I would pay close attention to having the bolt stay closed for as long as possible. I'd use an adjustable gas block and tune it with suppressor on to barely lock the bolt back on last round.

 

[rockwind1]

Sound at the muzzle and sound at the ear are directly related. You need a smaller gas port or really good adjustable gas block to get the most out of a gas gun.

i'm using the superlative adj block, i run it down till it doesn't cycle, then go back out a couple clicks

 

[rockwind1]

I’ve had the best luck suppressing my 5.56 with a silencerco Omega with the 5.56 flat end cap. JP adjustable gas block and silent buffer system. Even out of my 10.3” MK18 the 77gr is pretty quiet.

i also use the jp silent capture spring. very impressed with it

 

[rockwind1]

I would pay close attention to having the bolt stay closed for as long as possible. I'd use an adjustable gas block and tune it with suppressor on to barely lock the bolt back on last round.

that is actually what i did, i should have mentioned that in my opening post.

 

[rockwind1]

has anyone experimented with subsonic loads with 223,, i asked around a bit on arf and most folks said it's a waste of time.

 

[Old Man with Gun]

has anyone experimented with subsonic loads with 223,, i asked around a bit on arf and most folks said it's a waste of time.

It turns an AR-15 into a single shot 22LR with poor accuracy. Waste of time.

 

[rockwind1]

It turns an AR-15 into a single shot 22LR with poor accuracy. Waste of time.

thanks

 

[deersniper]

It turns an AR-15 into a single shot 22LR with poor accuracy. Waste of time.

No. It can have acceptable accuracy and a 60-77 grain bullet is a big step up over a 40 grainer


I run a 338 ultra on a 20” ar and it is crazy quiet.

opsinc 12th model on a 16” is pretty quiet too. OpsInc/aem5 cans tone is pretty hard to beat.

 

[Old Man with Gun]

No. It can have acceptable accuracy and a 60-77 grain bullet is a big step up over a 40 grainer


I run a 338 ultra on a 20” ar and it is crazy quiet.

opsinc 12th model on a 16” is pretty quiet too. OpsInc/aem5 cans tone is pretty hard to beat.

I'm jealous of the 338, but can't get behind the subsonic .223 in an AR-15 having merit.

Will not cycle so straight pull action

Trajectory of a 22lr

There are no .223 bullets that expand at 1000fps so you can do just as much damage with a 22lr HP, probably more.

It can be done, but you can get better results with a 22LR conversation kit for your AR, at least that would be semi-automatic.

 

[deersniper]

I'm jealous of the 338, but can't get behind the subsonic .223 in an AR-15 having merit.

Will not cycle so straight pull action

Trajectory of a 22lr

There are no .223 bullets that expand at 1000fps so you can do just as much damage with a 22lr HP, probably more.

It can be done, but you can get better results with a 22LR conversation kit for your AR, at least that would be semi-automatic.

Lol

Even a non expanding 70+ grain non expanding bullet is going to penetrate better and brake bones better than a 22lr


and yes there are situations where it’s nice to slip a quiet round in and do the needful

 

[FuhQ]

usually shooting 77 gr match type ammo out of my "precision" ar,, (jp barrel, nice trigger, etc) i guess i should just try it and see but has anyone tried it. if i wasn't concerned about the extra weight,, would my 338 tbac ultra, despite being for a much bigger caliber, be quieter than my .30 cal harvestor or spec-war 223(heavy steel) i use a superlative adj gas block that i adjust to just barely cycle.

I have severe tinnitus, and my Dead Air Sandman-S cans on my 14.5" 5.56 with supersonic 55gr ammo is hearing-safe (without ear pro) inside a wooden shooting building. Shot about 40 rounds of supersonic 5.56, 40 rounds of supersonic 6.5 Grendel, and 100 rounds of subsonic .300 BLK, and I had ZERO ringing afterwards or the next day.

 

[Old Man with Gun]

Lol

View attachment 7678073

Even a non expanding 70+ grain non expanding bullet is going to penetrate better and brake bones better than a 22lr


and yes there are situations where it’s nice to slip a quiet round in and do the needful

I didn't know about the expanding .223 subsonic, I guess if you are stuck with 5.56 it is an option.

Just seems to me that if you need a subsonic level of quiet in an AR, .223 is the wrong tool for the job.

 

[rockwind1]

I didn't know about the expanding .223 subsonic, I guess if you are stuck with 5.56 it is an option.

Just seems to me that if you need a subsonic level of quiet in an AR, .223 is the wrong tool for the job.

what are your thoughts on the right tool? i do have a browning ar-22 but it doesn't seem to have enough room for a decent scope like my nice "precision" ar,, by nice scope i mean i am running a 4-16atacr, which seems like overkill maybe to some but i like it,, i guess my over all goal is as absolutely quiet as possible with the tools i have on hand. probably should just use a bolt action 22lr with a silencer and sub sonic 22 ammo really.

 

[rockwind1]

No. It can have acceptable accuracy and a 60-77 grain bullet is a big step up over a 40 grainer


I run a 338 ultra on a 20” ar and it is crazy quiet.

opsinc 12th model on a 16” is pretty quiet too. OpsInc/aem5 cans tone is pretty hard to beat.

thanks for the info DS, we have spoken many moons ago i think about nv. i will try my 338 and see what happens.

 

[rockwind1]

Lol

View attachment 7678073

Even a non expanding 70+ grain non expanding bullet is going to penetrate better and brake bones better than a 22lr


and yes there are situations where it’s nice to slip a quiet round in and do the needful

sadly, in today's world, everything is out of stock.

 

[srt-4_uk]

I have severe tinnitus, and my Dead Air Sandman-S cans on my 14.5" 5.56 with supersonic 55gr ammo is hearing-safe (without ear pro) inside a wooden shooting building. Shot about 40 rounds of supersonic 5.56, 40 rounds of supersonic 6.5 Grendel, and 100 rounds of subsonic .300 BLK, and I had ZERO ringing afterwards or the next day.

Because you dont have ringing in your ears doesnt mean it's hearing safe. Shooting that many rounds, in a 14.5" barrel, without ear pro, and indoors? I'd be willing to bet your hearing is so far gone it just doesn't bother you anymore.

 

[deersniper]

Because you dont have ringing in your ears doesnt mean it's hearing safe. Shooting that many rounds, in a 14.5" barrel, without ear pro, and indoors? I'd be willing to bet your hearing is so far gone it just doesn't bother you anymore.

Yup. All SuperSonic ammo causes hearing damage.

hell my ears are fubar and subsonic 300blk in a semi auto fired in small enclosed areas hurts

 

[Powder_Burns]

what are your thoughts on the right tool? i do have a browning ar-22 but it doesn't seem to have enough room for a decent scope like my nice "precision" ar,, by nice scope i mean i am running a 4-16atacr, which seems like overkill maybe to some but i like it,, i guess my over all goal is as absolutely quiet as possible with the tools i have on hand. probably should just use a bolt action 22lr with a silencer and sub sonic 22 ammo really.

300 blackout or 458 socom uppers come to mind. At least they will cycle with subs.

 

[Blinks711]

CGS touts their Helios qd as the quietest out there and I have seen a few solid review of them but have no first hand experience. Lots of friends rave about their DA Sandmans. Out of my collection Omega 30 has been to top performer.

 

[79steeler]

I would get a .338 Lapua suppressor and have it threaded 1/2x28 and then load some subsonic 5.56 arounds and you'll have a really quiet rifle!!!! Hahahahaa!!!

 

[srt-4_uk]

He has a 338 suppressor he can run on it.

 

[deersniper]

338 can on a 223???

 

[Old Man with Gun]

what are your thoughts on the right tool? i do have a browning ar-22 but it doesn't seem to have enough room for a decent scope like my nice "precision" ar,, by nice scope i mean i am running a 4-16atacr, which seems like overkill maybe to some but i like it,, i guess my over all goal is as absolutely quiet as possible with the tools i have on hand. probably should just use a bolt action 22lr with a silencer and sub sonic 22 ammo really.

The right tool for the job, depends upon the job.
First a bolt, lever, pump, single shot is always much quieter than a semi-automatic.

22LR is by far the lightest, cheapest to shoot and quietest option. But, it is only good for very small game and punching paper out to about 100 yards. If that is the job, a bolt 22LR is it.

I'm not actually a big fan of subsonic suppressed over supersonic suppressed with a rifle cartridge. It sounds romantic, but the actual advantages don't make up for the disadvantages. I like 300 Blackout, but more for being a great SBR cartridge than its ability to turn a suppressed SBR into a suppressed Short Barrel Pistol Caliber Carbine with better BC bullets.

The difference between a suppressed supersonic and subsonic in 300 Blackout when you take into account the action noise, bullet impact noise and whatever noise the target may make, like a squealing pig, dosen't add up. You are less able to make effective kills so may fire more shots. If you dont want to be detected, you only want one shot. You are forced to pay very close attention to range and hold overs and it is much harder to lead a moving target, so again it may take may more shots to do the job.

It is amazingly fun, but your 22LR bolt will keep you smiling for a lot less coin.

 

[Old Man with Gun]

FYI, I have some subsonic ammo in 300 blackout and 458 SOCOM, but it is for giggles or if I really want a challenge, not very practical.

With some calibers like 22LR and 9mm you might as well shoot subsonic as you don't give up much if anything.

Other calibers like 223, 5.56, 6.5 grendel, 6.5 creedmoor and 300 win mag I shoot supersonic only.

 

[FuhQ]

Because you dont have ringing in your ears doesnt mean it's hearing safe. Shooting that many rounds, in a 14.5" barrel, without ear pro, and indoors? I'd be willing to bet your hearing is so far gone it just doesn't bother you anymore.

It's a very large building enclosed on 3 sides, and the front is open from the top, to about 1/2 way down (to shoot out of). It's not as enclosed or small as you're thinking. And the 5.56 is 14.5", the .300 BLK is 16", and the 6.5 Grendel is 24".

And yes, according to proper sound tests, the Sandman-S is right at 140-141 DB at the shooter's ear in a 16" 5.56. So, yeah, I'd say it's hearing safe.

 

[deersniper]

right at 140-141 DB at the shooter's ear in a 16" 5.56. So, yeah, I'd say it's hearing safe.

Lol

 

[deersniper]

 

[FuhQ]

Lol

You know 140 is the long-standing safe number, right? Apparently not... But, enjoy your idiocy without posting anything productive or relevant to the conversation other than hearsay and opinions.

 

[FuhQ]

View attachment 7678954

You probably believe the CDC and the government told the truth, and that they actually care about you, too. So you went and got both COVID shots...

 

[deersniper]

You know 140 is the long-standing safe number, right? Apparently not... But, enjoy your idiocy without posting anything productive or relevant to the conversation other than hearsay and opinions.

lol you are so dumb

You wonder why everyone has tinnitus and can’t hear ??

 

[srt-4_uk]

Audiologists- years of research have led us to this conclusion. Not hearing safe

Random guys on the internet - I have hearing loss but my ears dont ring after. Hearing safe

 

[FuhQ]

Audiologists- years of research have led us to this conclusion. Not hearing safe

Random guys on the internet - I have hearing loss but my ears dont ring after. Hearing safe

Alright, I'll bite...

Then tell me why 140 DB has been the "hearing safe" standard forever... If it's not safe, then why do they not make it 120 DB? Or 95 DB?

 

[FuhQ]

lol you are so dumb

You wonder why everyone has tinnitus and can’t hear ??

I'm dumb, but you won't answer my question and tell me why I'm wrong, because the INDUSTRY STANDARD is set at 140 DB for "hearing safe"... If you're so smart, and I'm so dumb, answer the question.

And no more stupid google answers... If you're so smart, then you'll know the answer without having to look it up.

 

[nhdeadhead]

 

[FuhQ]

View attachment 7679040

Best series of movies ever. "I am COMPLETELY out of ammo... That's never happened to me before......"

 

[CaptNemo]

lol you are so dumb

You wonder why everyone has tinnitus and can’t hear ??

Huh ??

 

[CaptNemo]

I didn't know about the expanding .223 subsonic, I guess if you are stuck with 5.56 it is an option.

Just seems to me that if you need a subsonic level of quiet in an AR, .223 is the wrong tool for the job.

Agreed.
This is why there is .300 Blackout

 

[kthomas]

I'm dumb, but you won't answer my question and tell me why I'm wrong, because the INDUSTRY STANDARD is set at 140 DB for "hearing safe"... If you're so smart, and I'm so dumb, answer the question.

And no more stupid google answers... If you're so smart, then you'll know the answer without having to look it up.

140 dB is definitely not considered hearing safe in some industries.

 

[Snuby642]

You guys want quiet shoot 300blk in a bolt gun. I have an aac can for it and it's movie quiet.

No earpro at all all day and all you hear is impact. On my sbr you hear the action cycle.

Inside a small room? Use a 45 with a can or 9mm with subs (147g).

My m4-1000 can is quieter than my 30 cal on 223 even though it is smaller diameter. I still have to use al least foamies with it same as with 6.5g and a 30 cal can.

You could turn the gass block all the way off on a sub 223 or get a bolt gun but at 100 yds I think the 300blk will out preform it.

 

[jzerfoss]

I've heard a lot of suppressors over the years and the quietest I've heard on a 223 AR using supersonic ammo is still an Allen Engineering AEM-5. Very impressive for an older can.