Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Guns N Gear Suppressor

I’m trying to minimize hearing damage. Almost more importantly, I hunt property near a subdivision and I don’t want to piss off the owners or my privileges may disappear.

We have had several suppressors, starting in 2018. Never heard a word from the ATF or .guv other than the "you are approved" e-mail.

We have 9 now, rimfire, integral, and centerfire. We will add more. Hard for me to hunt without one now, and have sold several rifles that aren't threaded. Actually thinking about selling a few high end handguns (S&W Model 41 pistols) because my threaded handguns are much more pleasant to shoot.

Pros.

Hearing protection - Less decibels decrease long term effects to hearing. Cutting un-suppresed shots from 140 Db to 90 - 100 Db will lessen the long term effects to your hearing.
Reduced recoil and muzzle rise - Suppressors reduce recoil allowing the shooter to focus on fundamentals of target acquisition and trigger mechanics instead of bracing for impact (flinch).
Improved accuracy and shooting performance - See above.
More tolerable for your neighbors in rural settings.
You can hear the bullet hit the deer.

Cons.

Legal hurdles to get one.
Added weight to your rifle.


I'm going to be honest..... I should have bought one 10 years ago. I don't shoot a lot but suppressors just make sense now and I'll never shoot a rifle without one as long as the State of Alabama allows me to legally do so.

While the NFA requirements are still in place (for now), I’m not aware of any criteria that would allow your approval to buy a firearm under NICS, but BAR your approval under NFA. The latter just requires fingerprints, photos, and a physical stamp issued. While those may be ‘hurdles’ in some views, they’re really just unnecessary and (now) unconstitutional requirements. Hopefully that’ll change soon. It’s all still as easy as it’s ever been, with e-forms, kiosks, etc.

I personally won’t buy another non threaded gun so that I can shoot suppressed. I bought one supressor that fits .36 cal down and just put an asr mount on each gun and it takes seconds to swap over.

I bought the supressor originally for my son because he was shooting a 350l in an ar with a 16” barrel that had a muzzle break, it was loud as the dickens. The supressor stopped the noise as well as greatly reduces recoil which is great for kids. Also for kids he has missed a deer on 2 occasions with the supressor didn’t spook them, I highly doubt that would have been the case in suppressed. This was not my intentions but it is cool to see the deers reaction, he is a great shot but gets a bad case of buck fever.

As I sit here typing this I have his gun in the stand with me as my deer rifle doesn’t have a threaded barrel.

Only way to go IMO. Sure you still have some sound but it doesn't mess up an area nearly as much as an unsuppressed rifle shot. Also takes a ton of concussion and recoil out of the shot. It's been my experience that shooting suppressed spoils you, once you start then unsuppressed stuff is just less enjoyable.

Just to circle back…shooting suppressed is the way to go

I’m going to add one more to the cons, that’s the added length to a bolt action it’s a little more cumbersome in a climber. But well worth it in noise reduction

I know nothing about suppressors so would I have to use subsonic ammo in order to reap the benefits?

No it’s still hearing safe imo with regular ammo. I’m not sure what all calibers subsonic ammo is even available in outside of 300 BO and 350L. I have some for a 350L, it sounds about like a .22, but with it being so slow they would about have to be in bow range to kill a deer. The elevation drop at 100yds is pretty significant as well.

No, a good suppressor will significantly reduce muzzle blast of full power rounds. I've screwed my suppressor on my 257 Weatherby at the range and it's amazing how much it tames that gun.

The recoil and noise reduction are absolutely worth it. If you have the opportunity go shoot with a suppressor sometime, it will change the way you think about them. Ive bought two since they did away with the $200 tax stamp.

On subsonic stuff, unless you’re going to set up a 338 ARC or 8.6 to gain a few more yards, everything is very close on trajectory. However, bullet weight, size of hole without relying on expansion, and penetration are where it’s at. IMO, 35 is about minimum bore for meeting good wounding, without relying on unreliable sub expansion. 40, 44/45 are all better. I’m currently running a Marlin Dark 1894, in 44magnum, with an R45 and 400gr subs. It’s stupid quiet and puts a large hole all the way through things. I’m limited to under 110 yards, without using some dope. I outside of my rimfire a, I run supers in everything else. Something else to note: the larger the bullet/bore, the more noise is generated by the supersonic crack, as they move more air.

I'm just learning about subsonic. Its interesting for sure. It appears to me that subsonic bullets have a more linear downward trajectory, whereas super sonic bullets have a more parabolic downward trajectory. This would make it easier to dope the drop, keeping in mind this limitations of bullets at such slow speeds.

Maker bullets has a line of solid copper bullets designed for subsonic speeds, and from the few people I know that have used them they work very well. I've been trying to work up a load with their 168 gr in my 308 but accuracy has been poor at 100 yards. The Hornady 190 gr Sub X bullet shoots very well with a low ES in my 308. But I've never shot a deer with them and I've heard reports of poor performance on game.

The bigger caliber bullets are definitely better for subsonic hunting. I love the idea of a compact SBR bolt gun with a folding stock in a 338 ARC. These are reportedly effective on deer out to 200 yards with a Maker 300 gr bullet. But that's a pricey solution for a limited use weapon.

There’s no free lunch: if a bullet is subsonic and expands much, then it doesn’t have the energy to penetrate nearly as far. If it doesn’t expand, it can penetrate enough, but how much tissue does it disrupt? The best compromise seems to be to go big (HEAVY 44/45+). A WFN 44/45 slug at subsonic speeds, weighing equal/over 300gr has been a killer for 150+ years. Now, you can just throw a suppressor on that antique load concept and it’s all new again. Lol
I doubt I ever use any centerfire subs under .35 on game.

My new Rhino X is arriving today. Guess I’m about to go down that rabbit hole.

How loud is the 350L suppressed?

Not sure how to accurately measure that as it is just an opinion, but I can shoot without Hearing protection with no issues of ringing in my ears or anything like that. That’s with a 16 inch barrel as well. Keep in mind every silencer has different performance, my experience is with a silencerco 36M

Any of you folks have a suppressor on a 1911? Considering a new range toy .45 that has a threaded barrel. Any brand recommendations (suppressor, not gun)?

I’m running a Resilient Rambling Man on my 450 Bushmaster that should work well, but have no experience with it on a pistol. It lightweight and can shorten it down to 5 1/2 inches at only 6 ounces.