Suppressors Top 5 Suppressors ( can of worms ? - Excuse the Pun)

[Vuilhond]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking to buy a Steyr Scout chambered in 308 and I wish to put a silencer ( as we say in South Africa) on it. I already own a Steyr 30-06 classic half-stock, who is the apple of my eye and who travels in hard-case only and hunts covered in a Bocca Shield only ( you get the picture ).

This new addition to my collection will be a toy to use on hunts on foot,to be as quiet as possible, to be kept as short as possible ( hence my choice of rifle), to be carried over long distances in the African bush and to be effective on most any quarry I can encounter between 50meters and 300meters.

I'm new to the silencer / suppressor game and would much appreciate some guidance with regards to a shortlist of which "cans" to consider and possibly some votes on the "best" ones. So my questions are:

1. Is it possible to silence a 308win below 140 decibels ?
2. Top 5 silencers on the market for my intended use ?
3. Which one you would recommend ?

Regards from sunny SA

Vuilhond

 

[MosesTheTank]

I would go after this question but my experience tells me that the available suppressors in South Africa are entirely different from what I have available to me here in the States. What choices do have to begin with?

 

[Vuilhond]

Moses, I hear you.

Honestly I don't even know all the names one would be able to get locally, but as silencers are relatively easy to manufacture, every second gunsmith or CNC machine enthusiast could make one and slap a name on it, which could leave me digging through rubbish for days.

I know we have AimZonic, MH Arms, GMS, Reflex, Silencerco and Moose silencers here but have no idea which are good and which are not. I would thus prefer to have an opinion on 5 international big names and then see if it is available locally - if not import.

Regards

 

[Killer Spade 13]

Well, don't remember exactly, but I think my AAC "Cyclone" is rated somewhere around 132-135 db.

Belay that, it reduces the report by 32-35 db.

The .308 is reported to have a report of ~156db, therefore the Cyclone would give you a resulting report of ~124-121db.

 

[Dirty D]

It sounds like what is available to you in the RSA is not available to us in the USA and what is available to us here in the USA may or may not be importable to the RSA. This may be an apples to oranges discussion.

 

[SilentG21]

I'm sure there is a surefire way to knab up a Surefire. A Surefire762 can will handle any abuse the South African bush can dish out mate. You may spend a bit of cash...but I'm sure you will be pleased. After all...you get what you pay for.

 

[Zak Smith]

To my knowledge, no US-made silencers are exportable to other than governments (and then only to certain countries). And to my knowledge, they cannot be imported from elsewhere to the US unless going to military or LE. So answers are going to be very thin.

But yes, suppressors on the US market can get a .308 below 140 dB.

 

[normbal]

Doug Melton's SRT Shadow was my first choice many years ago as I was looking for another rifle-caliber can (already owned 5.56 and .22LR and several pistol-caliber cans) and I've been very happy with it, same with my AAC Cyclone (thread-on, do NOT be fooled by their QD 18T 52T 360T ratchet QD mounts, they suck) and an SAS Vengeance titanium can I used on .338 LM and now .300 Win Mag is awesome.

Sound signature? I can shoot .308 LR through the SRT or AAC cans without hearing protection - can, but don't.

I remember researching cans made in Finland and Germany and England way back when and they had some really nice reflex-types (slip over the barrel then thread-on) that were impressive and I was shocked to learn I couldn't buy/import them.

A freaking muffler.

Good luck with your choice. Curious, though, is buying a silencer (it's what the inventor, "Dr. Hush" called them) cash and carry in SA? Or do you have to go through police agency scrutiny and approval like we do here?

Norm

 

[Vuilhond]

Hi Normbal, many thanks for your detailed input! Well, RSA gun regulations have their pro's and con's:

Pro's: 1. You no not need any license for a silencer and many enthusiasts make them on their CNS machines in their back yard with relative success, so they are cheap;
2. You do not need a license to conceal;
3. There is no special license required for large capacity mags
4. No tags required, no bag limit on game and many game farms have exemption permits and can be hunted on year round ( although in summer snakes, ticks, scorpions and all those nice guys are out and about - not to mention the 40 degree heat [1352 deg Fahrenheit] )

Con's:
1. To obtain a firearm permit you have to jump through a ridiculous amount of hoops and need to jump through them hoops every time you want to buy a new one;
2. Only after having jumped through all above hoops may you apply for a license for the gun and after this you will be lucky to have your license within 4 months ;
3. Civilians are permitted only 200 rounds per firearm & only 3 rifles & one handgun, all of which need to be extensively motivated ( seriously the ridiculous meter goes in the red );
4. If you want to have any more than the above 4 you need to again jump through additional hoops to obtain a permit and to keep it you need to jump through more hoops yearly.
5. You cannot obtain a permit for full auto firearms...period.

Still, I'm guessing we are probably still better off than our friends in the UK...

Also I was wondering about those ratchet mounts by AAC and suspected as much - thanks for confirming my fears.

 

[zenbiker]

A freaking muffler.



Norm

Truth. Reams of paperwork for a muffler. Let me preface this next statement by saying I SUPPORT motorcycle riders, but some Harley pipes should require paperwork due to their LOUDNESS. Makes no sense to me.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Wyfox]

Your biggest problem is threads, that Steyer Scout has a light contour barrel. You'll have very little shoulder for the suppressor to go against. I would consult a reputable smith with silencer expierance with the muzzle OD first.

 

[Tuukka]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking to buy a Steyr Scout chambered in 308 and I wish to put a silencer ( as we say in South Africa) on it. I already own a Steyr 30-06 classic half-stock, who is the apple of my eye and who travels in hard-case only and hunts covered in a Bocca Shield only ( you get the picture ).

This new addition to my collection will be a toy to use on hunts on foot,to be as quiet as possible, to be kept as short as possible ( hence my choice of rifle), to be carried over long distances in the African bush and to be effective on most any quarry I can encounter between 50meters and 300meters.

I'm new to the silencer / suppressor game and would much appreciate some guidance with regards to a shortlist of which "cans" to consider and possibly some votes on the "best" ones. So my questions are:

1. Is it possible to silence a 308win below 140 decibels ?
2. Top 5 silencers on the market for my intended use ?
3. Which one you would recommend ?

Regards from sunny SA

Vuilhond

For that weapon and for keeping it as short and light as possible, I would recommend our S series SL5.

Stainless steel, welded and robust construction and weighs only c. 390-430 grams.

S Series SL5 sound suppressor | Ase Utra

Yes, it is entirely possible to get below 140 dB on a .308 Win.

The SL5 typically measures c. 140-142 dB at the 1 m side of the muzzle measurement location and c. 135 dB at the shooters ear.

With some of our other models, such as the SL7 or the jet-Z COMPACT, we are looking at c. 134-137 dB 1 m to the side of the muzzle and c. 129-132 dB at the shooters ear.

So these models are quieter, however they add c. 5 cm more to the weapon and c. 90-130 grams more.

For the Steyr Scout, we have typically recommende either the 1/2"x20 UNF or 1/2"x28 UNEF thread, due to the thin barrel.

For pricing and availability info, I would suggest contacting The Powder Keg.

Best Regards!

Tuukka Jokinen
Ase Utra sound suppressors

 

[Vuilhond]

Much appreciate the input guys.

Have emailed Steyr to obtain their view on the suitability of a silencer for the scout and have yet to hear from them.
Tuukka, could you PM me a price list or your email address please ?