Suppressors Is my AAC SDN-6 no good for a precision rifle?

[zimm17]

I know they're not in favor and "old school" now, but i have a SDN-6 and 51T mounts on 6 different hosts. It goes on everything from AR-15 SBRs in .300blk and .223 to a IWI Tavor. I was going to run it on my new Howa 1500 6.5CM build, but now i'm reading about how it's not a "precision can", etc etc. Obviously the solution is to shoot the rifle with and without and see how it does, but I was looking for anyone who's already tried it for more background info.

If it hurts groups, should I get a direct thread 6.5 can?

 

[Wormydog1724]

My Havak shoots just as good with my SDN6 as it does without. So I shoot with it. Ymmv.

 

[eyekahn]

The key is to get a mount that it locks up super tight to. If it skips a tooth it’ll degrade accuracy a little. Very little but a little.

Group’s from my GAP with SDN6.

The only issues I have seen with it on multiple precision rifles is that I have yet to find a load shoot suppressed/unsuppressed the same, accuracy wise. Some loads like the can. Some loads don’t.

 

[zimm17]

I have a new 51T brake on order, and i have one on my .300blk. i'll see which one locks up the highest and run it on the bolt rifle.

Those groups are smaller than your micrometer is showing- you measure from center to center on the bullet holes....

 

[eyekahn]

Nah. Outer edges and subtract the caliber. Much more precise than guessing where the center of holes are when it’s a ragged hole.

 

[Wormydog1724]

My handloads shot the same size suppressed vs unsuppressed. The POI elevation shift was 1.5mils ish at 100y and a little left to right, couple of tenths iirc. I didn’t chrono velocity difference but I used the same velocity for my dope charts and it was good to 875y at the Raton match. My mount isn’t tight, it’s in between teeth so I make sure I zero it with the wiggle. If I zero it tight and then it wiggles it maybe could cause a difference. So I just leave the wiggle in it, if that makes sense.

 

[jetmd]

The AAC and 51T ratchet mount are not as bad as the internet make them out to be.

Although not identical I have a 762SD which has seen service on everything you can think of as long as not a
magnum rated caliber.

If someone doesn't have a can I will gladly lend them a mount and my can to use. Several of my buddies have
used this can and still do.

My wife's 16" AR uses it all the time very effectively I might add.

Run it and enjoy.

 

[mwinter501]

I used mine for a few years without any issues with accuracy. I eventually switched to a thunder beast, but that was more driven by weight than anything else

 

[Duramax6]

I have the SDN6 and the SD 7.62. Mine shoot great with them. I do fine that it doesn’t want to lock up tight sometimes when the teeth on the break, or inside the can builds up with powder residue. I just try to keep them clean

 

[LSUbeatUby40]

I can't speak on the SDN-6 but my understanding is they are cut from the same cloth as the 762-SD and I use that on my M40A5 and it shoots lights out. Hope that helps some.

 

[Strykervet]

The AAC and 51T ratchet mount are not as bad as the internet make them out to be.

No, they're worse. And they have abysmal CS and do everything they can to avoid warranty work.

That said, the SDN6 is a good can. It performs well, especially with .300BLK. It's a tough can and can take abuse. But it has a super shitty mount, the Achille's heel.

BEST solution is to buy ten of the 51T brakes (the FH pings like a tuning fork and the Brakeout is just ho-hum). Then select the one that fits best and send the rest back. Do this for each rifle. Their tolerance and design is so sloppy that out of the ten mounts, you're bound to find one that locks up tight and one that wobbles like hell. You may get lucky and find more than one mount out of the ten. But ONLY settle for ones that lock up TIGHT and DO NOT move at ALL. I know AAC says the axial rotation isn't an issue but it is because it's not limited to axial rotation only and even if it was...

I used to modify the mounts by hand using a stone and reworking the bevel sloooowly and constantly rechecking the mating surface with ink. Boy what a waste of time but it does work if you know what you're doing and are really good with your hands. Just cough up the $1000 for ten mounts and pick one and send the rest back. Trust me, it's the best way. I have four of these damn cans in two calibers, two SDN6's and two 556SD's, and I tried a few solutions over the years, so BTDT.

In the future, Saker is a MUCH better hard use can and I just scored two for $499ea. on Capitol Armory. 5.56 models, but still. The Saker can do all the SDN6 can do and then some. Both are made tough, Saker is actually tougher. Saker CAN use almost any mount but their own mounts are hard to beat (and don't go PING! when you fire). Their ratchet mount engages teeth at three different points so you always get a solid lockup regardless and their Trifecta mount doesn't use ratchet teeth at all, at least not exposed, and they lock up solid too. When I say solid, I mean you can hold the rifle by the can and there is zero movement, it should feel like part of the barrel.

But For precision, I'd get TBAC hands down. If you have a KAC rifle with the proper mount already, then the new PRS QDC can or similar would probably be ideal. Elite Iron makes solid stuff too. Those are my go-to mfg.'s for precision cans but I prefer TBAC unless the can is gonna see a lot of abuse, like mag dumps and full auto fire, etc.

 

[jbuck88]

I like the can but hate the mount.

 

[JbBooks]

All I'm gonna say is channel locks.

 

[Pappasniper]

I have that can and have run it on several sub moa guns. My most accurate gun wore a 51t AAC can on it. It was a rem 700 5R bedded with Timney and Ive shot more .25 moa groups than I can count. And the can had that SLIGHT wobble. Its a non issue on multiple guns, multiple AAC cans in 556 and 7.62 SDN6.

Back in the day, AAC was king, remember that? Not my first choice today but solid performer still on Bolt guns.

PB

 

[Docsherm]

I use my SDN-6 on my Novseke SPR all of the time and have no issues at all. I have nkt noticed any grouping changes and the POI shift is not too bad either.

 

[Docsherm]

No, they're worse. And they have abysmal CS and do everything they can to avoid warranty work.

That said, the SDN6 is a good can. It performs well, especially with .300BLK. It's a tough can and can take abuse. But it has a super shitty mount, the Achille's heel.

BEST solution is to buy ten of the 51T brakes (the FH pings like a tuning fork and the Brakeout is just ho-hum). Then select the one that fits best and send the rest back. Do this for each rifle. Their tolerance and design is so sloppy that out of the ten mounts, you're bound to find one that locks up tight and one that wobbles like hell. You may get lucky and find more than one mount out of the ten. But ONLY settle for ones that lock up TIGHT and DO NOT move at ALL. I know AAC says the axial rotation isn't an issue but it is because it's not limited to axial rotation only and even if it was...

I used to modify the mounts by hand using a stone and reworking the bevel sloooowly and constantly rechecking the mating surface with ink. Boy what a waste of time but it does work if you know what you're doing and are really good with your hands. Just cough up the $1000 for ten mounts and pick one and send the rest back. Trust me, it's the best way. I have four of these damn cans in two calibers, two SDN6's and two 556SD's, and I tried a few solutions over the years, so BTDT.

In the future, Saker is a MUCH better hard use can and I just scored two for $499ea. on Capitol Armory. 5.56 models, but still. The Saker can do all the SDN6 can do and then some. Both are made tough, Saker is actually tougher. Saker CAN use almost any mount but their own mounts are hard to beat (and don't go PING! when you fire). Their ratchet mount engages teeth at three different points so you always get a solid lockup regardless and their Trifecta mount doesn't use ratchet teeth at all, at least not exposed, and they lock up solid too. When I say solid, I mean you can hold the rifle by the can and there is zero movement, it should feel like part of the barrel.

But For precision, I'd get TBAC hands down. If you have a KAC rifle with the proper mount already, then the new PRS QDC can or similar would probably be ideal. Elite Iron makes solid stuff too. Those are my go-to mfg.'s for precision cans but I prefer TBAC unless the can is gonna see a lot of abuse, like mag dumps and full auto fire, etc.

I have had no issues at all with there CS. I did a return on a can to get some maintenance and it was all said in done in a total of 13 days. That is form the time that i get the return label, UPs picked it up the next day to getting it at my house. I also got emails updating me on everything the eintire time.

No issues at all.

 

[isofahunter]

It was first can and still run it on 2 308 a 300 blk and 2 5.56. The mounting platform is lacking, but in my experience the CS waa good. Called explained issue, a prepaid box arrived, dropped mount and can in box, wait 8 days box arrived back issue solved.

 

[Strykervet]

I have had no issues at all with there CS. I did a return on a can to get some maintenance and it was all said in done in a total of 13 days. That is form the time that i get the return label, UPs picked it up the next day to getting it at my house. I also got emails updating me on everything the eintire time.

No issues at all.

You're lucky. I've heard horror stories and they wanted me to return a can, a rifle and a mount, all at my expense, in order to unfuck what was obviously a mount. Since it was an FAL, getting a new mount was like pulling teeth. Thank god they ran it into the ground because when they got bought out, CS did improve... A little. Instead of four years, I was now able to get that mount replaced in a month or so. Without sending the goddamn arsenal along with it.

Cans --cans are good cans.

Mounts --mounts are shit mounts and it's their reluctance to move away and lack of ingenuity and giveafuckness that ran 'em under.

CS --is shit, was shit and likely will always be shit as long as someone has to carry the warranty on those goddamn mounts and cans, be they 18t, 51t, 90t.... Seeing a patter here?

I wish to god I'd just bought more Sakers for tough use cans but I got 2 5.56 cans I figure (and do) use on 2 rack grade LMT M4's with pinned mounts and I got 'em cheap at the time, way cheaper than a Saker. I wish I'd bought a (fucking pick one!) to go on the "Johnny Rifle" but the damn ex wanted the can that fit the mount (which I swapped with a brake anyway, so...). But that was the last SDN6 and last AAC ever and they get used on shit I'm not as concerned with despite having nice and tight mounts (I told 'ya the BS involved in making that happen, but it does work). SBR's, rack grade shit.

As to not worrying about the can wobbling, fuck, why bother FF the barrel? Why not just half-ass it from mouth hole to ass hole?

And yes, the groups did go to shit with a Grendel I had once i put an SDN6 on it, despite "nonaxial motion" and their BS claims... .33 to 1MOA. It now wears a TBAC Ultra 9 in 6.5 and couldn't be more accurate, quieter as well as lighter. And it's repeatable. And back to .33MOA with it's favorite fodder.

 

[Docsherm]

I can say that the AAC 51 T is one of the few mounts tgat i have never had seize up.

Now i think that Dead Air mounts are the best ever.

 

[Renegade]

Several smiths can convert SDN6 to direct thread or Plan A or Plan B.

 

[culater]

I did the 51t mount fix by sanding the taper on the mount to get that one to two tooth more to make it solid. I've had no issues with any wiggle. Had a small end cap strike due to a 1-9 barrel on my 556. I was trying to shoot 68gr when it happen. I change the barrelto a 1-8 and it runs like a champ.

 

[SBRSarge]

Several smiths can convert SDN6 to direct thread or Plan A or Plan B.

Like, maybe to a ASR mount? I’d be interested in info on this if you could share.

 

[jbuck88]

I have that can and have run it on several sub moa guns. My most accurate gun wore a 51t AAC can on it. It was a rem 700 5R bedded with Timney and Ive shot more .25 moa groups than I can count. And the can had that SLIGHT wobble. Its a non issue on multiple guns, multiple AAC cans in 556 and 7.62 SDN6.

Back in the day, AAC was king, remember that? Not my first choice today but solid performer still on Bolt guns.

PB

This was not my experience. I tried and tried to get my r5 to shoot using this can and a mount that wouldn't quite tighten up, so it had the wobble. Anyways best I could do was around 1.5". I'm not saying yours didn't shoot, im sure it did. But mine didn't. It shot fine with other cans or without any though. It gets used on ar's or for hunting predators in the yard and works great for that though.

 

[Pappasniper]

People have come up with various methods to fix the wobble as one guy sanded his to get to the next click so its tight. My shooting buddy did all his with some "fix it technique" , but since I never had issues I didnt fck withit.

Also, my 1/9 5R shot 77 grain and 80 grain SMK's like magic. For the guy whom had an endcap strike, maybe you had a bad barrel. Or I just got lucky. Obviously YMMV.

PB

 

[Runnineh]

Like most have said, along as you get a tight lock, you won't have any issues. The poi shift is a little more due to the weight, but it's a great can.

 

[eyekahn]

If anyone is interested ECCO Machine will convert your N6 to direct thread. Just sent him mine. Price and turn around time are great!

And AAC CS is stellar. I’ve sent my can to them 3 times. Twice for latch replacement. Once because my can fell mount side first on concrete and warped the female end of the QD. They completely re worked it and sent it back free of charge. New baffles, new QD end cap, and fresh cerakote.