Do I NEED a suppressor?

[MDrimfirerookie]

Ok, I'm new hear so please be gentle. I tried searching the forum but I couldn't find a thread that exactly covered the answer to this question.

I'm new to shooting PRC/PRS style matches and I'm running a CZ455 Varmint Tacticool. Trying to keep my budget in check but still upgrade over time to eventually get all the cool toys. I've got a decent scope that was lying around but plan to upgrade. I've got a couple of bags but am looking to add a Gamechanger (PM me if you have one to sell). Got a good Harris bipod. I like the Boyd's stock so far but will eventually get a chassis.

My budget only really allows one big purchase at a time. I have a suppressor picked out - the TBAC Takedown 22. I have just about saved up enough for it and the tax stamp. But as the time comes closer I'm starting to second guess myself because that money could be spent other places with a more immediate impact.

So it comes back to my question, will it improve anything or should I just scrap it? I should probably add, I have average fundamentals/skills and I know this isn't a magic pill to fix that.

Thanks in advance

 

[Skimafia]

I would say it's not a necessity. I would focus on getting everything set up and comfortable for you to shoot. The suppressor. Add the suppressor later. My .02

 

[usafa77]

I love my .22 suppressor, but it's just a cool toy. Save your money for quality ammo. Centerfire is a different discussion.

 

[Skok3y]

The suppressor is not going to help your accuracy. If that is your main goal, then you should pass and spend it on other items. Ammo is a start, and an upgraded barrel are the two things hat are going to help most. Try the ammo first, and then you can decide if the accuracy is good enough before buying the barrel.

 

[Jefe's Dope]

I say get it now and begin the wait because when you want/need it, you're gonna have to wait for it.

 

[Skok3y]

I say get it now and begin the wait because when you want/need it, you're gonna have to wait for it.

This is great advice for everyone else thinking about a suppressor. I wish I had just done it a couple years ago. The Longer you wait, the longer it is until you still have to wait even longer!!

 

[Hoser]

Buy it now and send off the paperwork. Before you know it your approval will be complete.

While you are waiting, get out there and shoot.

 

[R.Markus]

This is great advice for everyone else thinking about a suppressor. I wish I had just done it a couple years ago. The Longer you wait, the longer it is until you still have to wait even longer!!

I finally came to this conclusion last year. I held off because I didn't want to wait... which is kind of stupid since the waiting starts once you do the paperwork. If you don't ever do the paperwork, you'll be waiting forever. That being said, I'm still waiting for the can to get out of ATF jail (exactly 6 months today).

 

[Jefe's Dope]

Finally picked my first one up today after 13 + months.

 

[BullGear]

I'm going to say keep your money or spend it on components to improve your firearm. A can is a nice toy, but something that can wait for when you have everything else set up. Then you can play. Also realize that your POI is probably going to change when you mount the can onto your rifle. It's going to need sighting in again or you will have to learn to compensate (pun intended) for the difference. Having a can is fun, but that's really all it is. You're not going to gain any accuracy from it, if anything, possible less accuracy.

Just one man's opinion.
Good Luck!

 

[R.Markus]

Finally picked my first one up today after 13 + months.

I've had them on my work rifles for years. I never would have given suppressors a second thought otherwise, but I'm a huge fan of them now. For my first personal one I wanted a rimfire can so I can hunt varmints at night and keep from annoying the neighbors too much... Plus there is something about making a quiet gun even quieter.

Unlike a lot of posts on this thread, I don't really consider suppressors cool toys. They make shooting centerfire rifles a lot more pleasant and they make polite neighbors. Less noise = fewer complaints. Even quieting the minuscule noise from the 22LR helps.

Back on topic, there are better ways to initially spend the money... mostly on ammunition. If you know you really want a suppressor and have the money to put forth, might as well get the paperwork out of the way and work on the other things while you wait.

 

[MDrimfirerookie]

thank you all for the thoughtful insight. i'm leaning more and more to holding off. it really would be a toy for me right now.

i've found a couple of ammo brands that my rifle seems to like so i think i'm good there. i really don't want to head down that rabbit hole and chase after 1 ragged hole as that isn't really necessary for PRC / PRS. a better idea would be a great quantity of the stuff i know it likes now and practicing more. if only i could use that suppressor money on more time in the week...

i think right now this money will be better served on a nicer optic and the chassis as well as more ammo. the ONLY thing that is sticking in my craw is that i live in the craptastic peoples republic of marylandistan and who knows how long it will be before they come after suppressors.

 

[Ep1985]

As others have said, not a necessity but sure a lot of fun. What sucks is if you wait, by the time you decide you want one you could have already bought one and started the months long waiting process.

 

[flatland1]

If using a suppressor makes it possible for you to shoot more often/closer to home due to the reduced noise, then go for it. I bought a 22TD July 29, 2017, got the stamp early this past March, just over 7mo, and this was a trust. My SOT was surprised, as my stamp came back several months ahead of a few others that were also in trusts & had been applied for before I bought mine. No idea why it worked out that way, but you won't hear me complaining about it. I already had a SWR Spectre II, and have been very pleased with it on my 40X & XB repeaters. Only real reason I bought the 22TD is because I have three TBAC 30 cal cans, and am a confirmed TBAC fanboy. And I had built a V-22 for myself; thought it deserved a dedicated can,

If you're satisfied with the accuracy of your CZ's OEM bbl, and the can doesn't help you by the example above, save up enough to buy a full case (or two) of a select lot of SK Rifle or Pistol Match ammo that's proven to shoot really well in your bbl. Having a good supply of accurate ammo should encourage you to shoot more often, and that's probably going to do more to help develop your skills than a can or even a better scope.

 

[Kevin Brittingham]

A .22 silencer is mandatory.

 

[MDrimfirerookie]

i continue to be humbled by everyone's responses. i shot another match today and it pretty much confirms where my money needs to go.

all the can will be for me is a cool toy. won't allow me to shoot more often or closer to home. i just need to get out and shoot more, practice building a more stable position in kneeling, sitting and practice barricade transitions.

ammo wise you all are going to think i'm nuts but i get "good enough" results for me and my needs with Eley Force. It is pretty consistent, accurate enough and the 42gr bullet does well with the wind out to 2200 and 300 yards. now i just need to stock up on it.

one other deficiency i found today was using a fixed power scope. i really need to move into variable power for these matches.

 

[pineoak]

+1 get good glass, skip .22 can

if getting a centerfire can, get Thunderbeast Ultra for bolt gun

 

[Bender]

Lane Scorpion King is accurate and quiet as a TB. $600 for a Ti/stainless. Add your tax and $800 out the door. Mine hammers. This is after a long string and a hot can/barrel in 12-15 3/4 value winds.

 

[Wildfire1550]

Love shooting everything suppressed

 

[mdmp5]

yes you need a suppressor, end of argument, now go get one

 

[christopher.dow]

If I didn’t live in California, I’d supress every bolt-action rifle I have, and some of the gas guns.

 

[PlinkIt]

Until you've had a silencer it is 100% not necessary

Once you've used a silencer it's 100% necessary

Basically saying I never needed one before... But now if I get out to shoot and forgot it, I'm going back to the house to get it.

 

[flatland1]

I shoot nothing but std vel match grade 22RF ammo through my V-22 & 40X repeaters, and having shot the 26" bbls on the 40Xs w/o a suppressor several times while testing to determine accuracy & POI shift with & w/o, had thought there wasn't all that much difference in muzzle report whether the can was used or not. Was showing a few friends the V-22 after a match at our club yesterday, and did the comparison with & w/o again, only this time, on a covered firing line. The 24" Krieger I have on the V-22 was a lot louder w/o the 22TD mounted - I know, you're saying "well, duh?", but I'd never shot this rifle on a covered firing line before; out in the open, away from any sort of structure, I'd always thought these rifles were fairly quiet with std vel ammo w/o a can, especially with the 26" bbls. This was quite an eye opener - you won't likely see me shooting any of my bolt repeaters without either the 22TD or Spectre II mounted again.

 

[NateVA]

I picked up my 22TD from my dealer today and I'll try it out for the first time this weekend. When I was preparing to receive my first paychecks for my graduate program, I decided that I'd get in line for some suppressors immediately because if it ever came time where I really wanted to order one, that would only be the start of a long wait. Better to get in line now and shoot in the mean time.

 

[Sniperwannabee]

Everybody should own a suppressor. It is really stupid to shoot without them. It just like driving a car without a muffler

 

[RELOOP]

YES

 

[SporterII]

Shooting subsonic rim fire in a bolt gun 18 +" a suppressor is not that important. On a budget it is more a technical obstical than anything.
I have three in the safe. Had them a long time. Shot rimfire 50 yrs. nice to have if you decide you want one. Need one on a budget, no

 

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

Under cover does make a difference, but even so, with subs a longer barrel, I really just don't see the need. Shooting hi-vel out of a pistol, sure. Nice to have, but not really a got-a-have.

 

[flatland1]

After shooting the 24" bbl under the covered firing line, I'm re-assessing my opinion on whether hearing protection is needed with sub-sonic std vel 22RF ammo. Personally, I won't be shooting my 22s w/o disposable foam plugs. My hearing is already damaged too much to ignore the effect of even mild sounding std vel ammo (50+yrs of running loud farm tractors, flying airplanes, shooting prairie dogs with nothing more than cig filters in ears, going to rock concernts, etc, etc.)