For your consideration...
I was able to be a part of some suppressor testing yesterday. I have owned a Gemtech HVT for a couple of years now. Always wanted to compare it to different cans to see how it stacked up. Without showing my bias, I was able to test 2 new cans against my Gemtech and the results are as follows..
First off, the rifle....
KMW complete build
Surgeon Action
22" Kreiger Barrel
Badger DBM
Second, the ammo....
To eliminate any quarrels with handloading, we opted to test using Federal Gold Medal Match 168grain. While I do prefer to load my own ammo, this was what we thought would be the best approach for the testing.
Third, the tests....
While we did not have a meter, a shooter was staged to the right of the firearm (behind the bore mind ya) and was facing away from the rifle. This was to prevent any bias as to which can I was screwing onto the gun. The shots were fired from the prone position laying in the open. We did not sit under the cover or use a bench. Bipod and rear bag were the equipment used and range was 100 yards. The sound "test" was just as to which can sounded quieter. Now, before anyone jumps on this, we both knew that this is very un-scientific. This was all we had available at the time. We are working on sound testing equipment and a futer test.
The cans each had 3 shots fired at the same target. Prior to that, a Cold Bore shot was fired at the target. After completion, we measured group data and POI shift data. The scope was not adjusted at all during testing and the same hold was used for each shot.
Shot #1 was cold bore.
Shots #2,3,&4 were Gemtech
Shots #5,6,&7 were Tornado Tech Long Can
Shots #8,9,&10 were Tornado Tech Stubby Can
As you can see from the photo, the Gemtech had the largest group and the largest POI shift. The Gemtech was the in the middle on overall length. The Tornado Tech Long can(longest of the three tested), had the smallest group and fell in with a little less POI shift than the Gemtech. The Tornado Tech "stubby" can had the second best group and the least amount of POI shift.
The "sounds like" testing for can sound was hard to do. While the Stubby can was able to be distinguished as the "loudest" (mind you no hearing protection used or needed), the Tornado Tech Long can might have had a slight edge over the Gemtech. One noticalbe difference being that the Gemtech did have a louder first round pop sound.
Groups and POI Shift Results...
Gemtech
1.305" group with 3.736" shift
Tornado Tech Long Can
0.545" group with 2.787" shift
Tornado Tech Stubby
0.870" group with 1.769" shift
Here are some pics of the different Cans...
Over all, I had a great time. It was interesting to see all three cans changing the POI in at least the same direction. Maybe someone here can help explain that. I was really hoping that one can would place closer to the non-suppressed zero.
So there you have it, my un-scientific testing of 3 different cans. All were thread on cans as well. Let me know what you guys think....
Thanks,
Rick
I was able to be a part of some suppressor testing yesterday. I have owned a Gemtech HVT for a couple of years now. Always wanted to compare it to different cans to see how it stacked up. Without showing my bias, I was able to test 2 new cans against my Gemtech and the results are as follows..
First off, the rifle....
KMW complete build
Surgeon Action
22" Kreiger Barrel
Badger DBM
Second, the ammo....
To eliminate any quarrels with handloading, we opted to test using Federal Gold Medal Match 168grain. While I do prefer to load my own ammo, this was what we thought would be the best approach for the testing.
Third, the tests....
While we did not have a meter, a shooter was staged to the right of the firearm (behind the bore mind ya) and was facing away from the rifle. This was to prevent any bias as to which can I was screwing onto the gun. The shots were fired from the prone position laying in the open. We did not sit under the cover or use a bench. Bipod and rear bag were the equipment used and range was 100 yards. The sound "test" was just as to which can sounded quieter. Now, before anyone jumps on this, we both knew that this is very un-scientific. This was all we had available at the time. We are working on sound testing equipment and a futer test.
The cans each had 3 shots fired at the same target. Prior to that, a Cold Bore shot was fired at the target. After completion, we measured group data and POI shift data. The scope was not adjusted at all during testing and the same hold was used for each shot.
Shot #1 was cold bore.
Shots #2,3,&4 were Gemtech
Shots #5,6,&7 were Tornado Tech Long Can
Shots #8,9,&10 were Tornado Tech Stubby Can
As you can see from the photo, the Gemtech had the largest group and the largest POI shift. The Gemtech was the in the middle on overall length. The Tornado Tech Long can(longest of the three tested), had the smallest group and fell in with a little less POI shift than the Gemtech. The Tornado Tech "stubby" can had the second best group and the least amount of POI shift.
The "sounds like" testing for can sound was hard to do. While the Stubby can was able to be distinguished as the "loudest" (mind you no hearing protection used or needed), the Tornado Tech Long can might have had a slight edge over the Gemtech. One noticalbe difference being that the Gemtech did have a louder first round pop sound.
Groups and POI Shift Results...
Gemtech
1.305" group with 3.736" shift
Tornado Tech Long Can
0.545" group with 2.787" shift
Tornado Tech Stubby
0.870" group with 1.769" shift
Here are some pics of the different Cans...
Over all, I had a great time. It was interesting to see all three cans changing the POI in at least the same direction. Maybe someone here can help explain that. I was really hoping that one can would place closer to the non-suppressed zero.
So there you have it, my un-scientific testing of 3 different cans. All were thread on cans as well. Let me know what you guys think....
Thanks,
Rick
