Thunder Beast Ultra Options

mikest

Sergeant of the Hide
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Minuteman
Jun 13, 2020
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Looking at options for my 6.5CM and 6mm GT. I am a hobby/novice long range shooter (mostly bench and prone) and would like to consider a single can that i can interchange between the two. Note: I am considering doing some local PRS style matches in the near future...

Would appreciate any guidance or experiences please considering the following options: A Gen 1 Ultra 7 (direct thread) in .30cal -versus- a Gen 2 Ultra 9 (quick mount) in .264cal

Kind regards,
Mike
 
I went with an ultra seven CB in a very similar situation largely because I wanted to have a brake already mounted if I didn’t have the can on. I also went with the 6.5 caliber can although if I had to do it all over again I would’ve gone with a 30 cal can.

Not to distract you from what you think you want to do but you might listen to Frank’s podcast with the KGM guy and consider one of their suppressors.
 
PRS matches typically don't use a suppressor. It's long enough to get a 26" barrel through a porthole that a 26 + 9 (or 7") barrel is even worse. Plus the recoil impulse is a little bit slower, which may adversely affect you spotting your impacts.

Considering the two options, I'd go with the 7, just due to 30 cal versatility (in case you want to ever hunt with it) and the fact that its direct thread. Theres a surprising amount of self-timing brakes, so having 5/8-24 as the common pattern means you wont have adapters to time on and off.
 
The charm of being able to have multiple precision rifles and being able to shoot them both with a break and suppressed is attractive, but there are some realities to consider. So, just to set expectations let me share my opinion.

I've never seen a suppressor with zero POI shift. Even on a super thick barrel, if you hang a weight off the end and alter the velocity, very slight granted, it moves.

So, right off you start making decisions, do I zero one rifle with the suppressor and the other without? If I zero both suppressed will I regret not being to have both zeroed and shooting at the same time for friends and family on range day? And so on...

You can keep track of the POI and it is usually repeatable, but you can only zero your scope turrets for one or the other. You don't get to pick either, because you have to be able use the lesser elevation and POI shift can be up or down.

The setup not zeroed will always have additional corrections to your firing formula. Kestrel will let you set up seperate rifle profiles to account for suppressed or not, so not a big deal with good gear.

Direct thread and mounts are repeatable, self timing breaks not as much.

All of this is manageable, but perhaps not convenient. This is the main reason I go with dedicated suppressor rifle combinations. if a rifle of mine has a suppressor, I only shoot it suppressed. I came to this conclusion right after I got my "one suppressor to rule them all" out of jail.
 
I have an ultra 9 6.5mm CB I use for long range on my MPA 6.5CM switchlug for prone and bench range fun. That is with a 26" MTU profile and I don't have to carry it or get into weird firing positions. Absolutly love it!

I also have used that rifle for PRS, but swap to a 24" Sendaro profile with the MPA break, fresh zero, reset turret stop and leave it for the duration of competitions.
 
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I will add that a good brake such as the APA fat bastard really tames recoil vs a can. The trade off is they are loud AF.

When shooting at home with neighbors or in the deer stand, the can really helps. When at the match or range, that $1000+ investment doesn't seem like such a good idea.

All of mine are DT, if I were to do over again, would go with a QD setup to use a brake when the can is off to help with recoil.
 
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If you're thinking of some PRS matches you may want to use the Area419 Hellfire mount system for your suppressor. That way you can interchange between an effective muzzle brake and the suppressor.
 
Dead Air Nomad-LT with a 6.5mm end cap would be a good option. VERY quiet.

 
I shoot in the local precision matches (WyCo PRL) suppressed with a 25" barrel. I'm able to see most of my impacts. I started with a SiCo Harvester 30 and now use a TBAC 30cal Ultra 7 CB. The Harvester stays on my hunting rifle now.

While brakes do a better job of recoil reduction they are fucking annoying to be around and shoot. The noise and concussion become almost unbearable to me after a few hours.
 
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My TBAC U7 has zero POI shift associated with it. Can on, can off. Same same.

I’ll take the “different” recoil feel over the noise of the brake any day. I still spot all my shots.
 
I was shooting next to someone with a muzzle brake yesterday and I was reminded why I never shoot unsuppressed. He was shooting some AR-10 platform with a brake on it and there was a shot every 5 seconds or so for about 30 minutes. I had to go double up on earpro.
 
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Me whenever I see people shooting unsuppressed
 
To the OP.. i run a TBAC Ultra 7 .30 and a Ultra .264. The .30 goes on a 30-06 and 300blk. The .264 goes on the 6.5 and the .223 spr. I had the .30 for 2 years before i got the .264 ad i love the options you have with the .30. The only reason i wanted the .264 Ultra 7 was because funds allowed and why shouldn’t i have another TBAC. The .264 does sound better on the calibers I use it on but if I could only have one it would be the .30.. Do your research and pick what will best suit your needs.
 
To the OP.. i run a TBAC Ultra 7 .30 and a Ultra .264. The .30 goes on a 30-06 and 300blk. The .264 goes on the 6.5 and the .223 spr. I had the .30 for 2 years before i got the .264 ad i love the options you have with the .30. The only reason i wanted the .264 Ultra 7 was because funds allowed and why shouldn’t i have another TBAC. The .264 does sound better on the calibers I use it on but if I could only have one it would be the .30.. Do your research and pick what will best suit your needs.
 
PRS matches typically don't use a suppressor. It's long enough to get a 26" barrel through a porthole that a 26 + 9 (or 7") barrel is even worse. Plus the recoil impulse is a little bit slower, which may adversely affect you spotting your impacts.

Considering the two options, I'd go with the 7, just due to 30 cal versatility (in case you want to ever hunt with it) and the fact that its direct thread. Theres a surprising amount of self-timing brakes, so having 5/8-24 as the common pattern means you wont have adapters to time on and off.
This is why I think the magnus k rr is gonna be an awesome PRS suppressor… I love having a suppressor for removing the concussion effect while shooting but generally don’t want the higher (slower?) recoil and extra length when shooting a match. The magnus k rr adds some length and I’m interested to see if it’s short enough that I won’t care.
 
This is why I think the magnus k rr is gonna be an awesome PRS suppressor… I love having a suppressor for removing the concussion effect while shooting but generally don’t want the higher (slower?) recoil and extra length when shooting a match. The magnus k rr adds some length and I’m interested to see if it’s short enough that I won’t care.

2021 thread coming back to life--my opinions have changed.
I run a maverick. I ordered a Magnus K RR. Taking the edge off is magic. The length is irrelevant.
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