Ep. 337 | Lightweight Hunting Suppressor Breakdown - What’s Right for You? 

Awesome breakdown, fellas! Hunting with a suppressor really does improve the experience, and making the right choice in size and weight is important. If anyone has any questions about getting the right can fo your hunting rig, we're happy to help out! - Chase

As a data analytics student I got a kick out of the pivot table discussion.

While I like suppressors, it's the tax stamp is what keeps me from getting more. I just hate giving them that money which will be used for nothing good.

I just bought my first three cans. Got approved in 2 days! Now’s the time to buy Mark!!!!!&Boys!!!!!

As a microsoft excel enthusiast myself, I loved hearing the discussion on pivot tables 😂

I think more companies should make direct thread inexpensive aluminum cans with good volume and shorter size. Basically make them semi-disposable hunting cans, although for a light use hunting rig they would likely last near forever if you kept the heat down. No reason a company couldn’t make a 5” long, 1.75”diameter aluminum can that has 3-4 simple clipped baffles. Charge $400 bucks.

I think we need to bring back Lightweight Dave to get an update.

Great episode, Couple of things of note. I got approved for my first suppressor nearly two months ago (7 Days approval time) on an Omega 300 DTM model. I replaced the direct thread mount with an Area 419 Bravo suppressor mount and have since been moving it between three different rifles each fitted with an Area 419 Hellfire universal adaptar. One is a 22 Inch 6.5 Creedmoor, a 24 Inch 7MM PRC and a 16 Inch 5.56/223 (all bolt actions). I currently have a 30-30 being threaded by the gunsmith which will also become a host soon. When I first got it I was not really thrilled with the look of the “anchor brake” as SilencerCO refer to it is nor did I like the extra one inch in length so I ordered a flat end cap to replace it with. The flat end cap took about 10 days to arrive to obviously I wanted to test out my new can before that so I took it to the range several times and mainly shot the 6.5 Creedmoor and got very familiar with how the gun shot. Before I had the can I shot that gun with the Area 419 Hellfire Match muzzle brake (look it up, that thing is huge) so I was very familiar with how it shot with the can vs the brake. I found that the can with the anchor brake tend to give the rifle a much softer and elongated recoil impulse that was very easy to manage and track sight picture through the scope even under recoil. The brake was a sharp but nearly instantaneous recoil impulse and though it probably did a better job at reducing sheer recoil I found it to be more disorienting and the sharp jarring of the rifle even with such an effective brake was enough to make me lose my sight picture even if just for a split second. It’s hard to describe, the gun by no means recoiled hard. It felt like a very very very loud .22 Mag at the shoulder but it was just a sharp and fast moving recoil impulse. Once I got the flat end cap I took the 6.5 CM back to the range and shot 100 rounds and couldn’t but feel that my rifle was recoiling noticeably more than I remember. I was losing my sight picture and experiencing noticeably more muzzle rise. by the time I finished those 100 rounds I remembered that I switched out the braked en cap for the flat end cap. I was not completely sold on the anchor brake yet because even though I felt as though I was experiencing less recoil with the brake I was not completely sure because as light recoiling as 6.5 CM is + any suppressor it tends to take what little bite out of it anyways. However, it was not until I got home later that day that I decided to test out the 7 PRC with and without the anchor brake back to back and that’s where I noticed an unmistakable and quite frankly a huge difference in recoil impulse and felt recoil at the shoulder. I should be clear by saying that a suppressor by itself it’s going to make most any gun (particularly manually cycled guns) more pleasant to shoot as it dampens and draws out the recoil impulse but it was not until I shot a Magnum cartridge that I was really able to feel the brake at work. With the flat end cap I would compare the 7 PRC to shooting like a dampened/slightly softer at the shoulder .270 Win in recoil impulse/felt recoil. With the anchor brake it feels almost exactly like my 30-30 Henry which is extremely soft shooting and pleasant to shoot. I was pretty astounded by the difference. I will note that I have mot been able to tell a difference in sound between the two end caps but may be worth noting that I used a pair of custom fitted ear plugs when I shoot. With my suppressed rifles they sound about half as loud as my unsuppressed pistols. An unsuppressed rifle is still ear ringing loud with those earplug. Sorry for the novel folks, just wanted to present my findings. Side note I cannot recommend the Omega 300 enough. People really tend to dismiss this can because it’s older and not the latest razzle dazzle on the market but god is it nice and fairly lightweight as things considered (though still a far cry from some of the cans you covered on this podcast.) happy shooting!

I'm currently into the 2nd month of waiting for my first suppressor. Thanks for covering this topic so extensively on your podcast. Learning as I wait really helps!

Nice discussion and nice chart! Thank you much!

I finally got over the hump and this video did it. I just started the process on purchasing my first can!

Loved it guys

Thanks Guys! Loved this video and as usual in depth. Great science! Be well :)

Suppressor ownership is easy, I too was once intimidated by what the internet told me, find a good local shop that works for you and just ask questions. I definitely prefer to shop local over the online platforms, but just pull the band aid and get to it, no better time than current times!

I'm hooked on cans! Good analogy on the snap of fingers vs. pop a balloon. Just started last fall hunting with them and won't go back! Great podcast as always.

Had the same problem Mark had with not being able to pull the trigger on a suppressor but finally went through silencer central and have two cans waiting for approval. They made the paperwork a cakewalk which was my biggest hang up.

Wait for the dirty Dave by CAT. Supposed to be a 6 inch version of the ODB, and if they make it in titanium it should be around 8 oz. If you buy it in inconel it truly is a jack of all trades suppressor

About Suppressors in Europe, in some countries like Italy and Spain, the Supressors are prohibited, and here in Switzerland you have to request a Special Authorization to be allow to buy just one suppressor. Interesting Podcast, thank you.

All Rise for the honorable Professor Ryan

Currently waiting on my first can which is the AB Suppressor A10 Warthog 5.56 can which is fairly compact and lightweight for an all steel can. Great video

Silencerco Scythe Ti best lightweight hunting suppressor period!

Nice informative chat. Desert Tech is advertising that there silencers are narrowing shot groups. Its true a jack-of-all-trades is a loud mouth for every cal. except the 1 cal. it was built for.

I Shot the AB raptor on a 257 Weatherby at the Reeds Gun Fair last weekend. Let me be the first to say I think it's the fuglyst suppressor ever made. . But holy poop! Life changing. The most quiet can I've shot to date and light. It's worth a look if you can get hands on one it'll change your life. Also has a wired sound signature you wont forget lol Will definitely be ordering one.

I bought a can based upon the published weight from the manufacturer that ended up 3oz heavier than I expected. Why? They did not include the weight of the direct thread adapter in their published number.

Love my DA Sandman L and looking to get the K for hunting and light weight capabilities!

Yeah, I can’t have just one. I am addicted now.

I'm an engineer, and I created a Pugh matrix to decide which suppressor I wanted, which rifle, etc Takes the emotion out of it

You could have an episode just about mounting options. The closest thing to standard I've seen is Q's Plan B. Rearden and wolfpack armory (& others) make mounts and adapters. This is where I'm stuck.

AB started as a turbo charger company, Jim outta like that, and the tech is “spiral baffles”. The reflex is basically a muzzle device that adds volume via the backside and utilizes free real estate over the barrel. They’re phenomenal cans! Short, light, quiet, and economical!

48:00 often you can do that interface by simply putting one item in the freezer, and the other item in an oven.

18:43 Jim. Ryan. Please. Quote Mark. "I don't want to have a super long package..."

I started with one 3 years ago and now I have 11 lol. I almost refuse to shoot unsupressed unless it's for 2 gun competition stuff

I frequently drive past your facility in Wisconsin, and I am always imagining that I will stop by and weigh in on one of these videos. Just saying…..

I also have suppressor paralysis. I'm working on it and this might be the year.

Nomad Ti with an E-brake. And I don’t wanna be that guy but xeno I feel is superior than rearden but yes the amount of products rearden has is stellar I just am on team xeno

200+ likes, mark definitely needs to get a suppressor

AB Raptor has had my attention for a while and hey the best slogan too "Ribbed for ear pleasure."

JK armament has some neat modular cans that can easily be adjusted by removing/adding individual baffles. .30cal SBRX can go as small as 3.3" @ 4.4oz. up to 6.6" at 12.8oz. can't speak to the effectiveness in super compact arrangements because I have been waiting since the bad ol days of looong wait time. I've run their rimfire 22 can a bit though and it's dandy on 22LR and 5.7. pretty cool being able to easily swap baffles on and off for size/weight vs sound per the task at hand.

As Ryan once said a European Hunter asked him once why you Americans have so large Guns (and yes i mean Barrel Length) what Mark wants is here in Europe the Norm a Overbarrel Supressor for Hunting makes the whole package smaller and when you pair it with a 20inch Barrel or even shorter its a winner .... the longest Barrels you see at the Moment in Europe for new Hunting Rifles are 22inch max most are 20inch These Hunting Supressors where you put only these one Round at a Time through are cheap as Dirt here in Germany a relativly light Can that have enough Sound Reduction for Hunting start at 350€

They just make ones for you in different barrel thicknesses here in South Africa. I have a GunWarrior reflex suppressor, and they literally built me what I wanted, and shipped it within a week. I think the whole thing cost me less than your tax stamp.

CGS Helios titanium!! Is a good do all. Not the shortest, not quietest but light weight and does everything pretty good.

Freyr & Devik is a noteworthy option for anyone looking for a lightweight supressor

So I have the regular Alaskan 360, it's still light at just over 11oz and does fantastic on my 20" 270 winchester. I just wish they made different caliber end caps other than 22, 30 and 36 like 6.5 and 7mm end caps, May knock a little more sound off but overall does excellent

I love this podcast. You guys keep it so entertaining keep up the good work! Also, Mark, it's okay for cost to not be a factor in what you're pursuing. I too, like nice things and am willing to pay for it.

Thoughts on a carbon fiber barrel and stock on a 300 prc rifle that weighs less thsn 5 pounds?

I like my rugged Alaskan 360 and I have all three endcap for it 36, 30 and a 223 end caps I don’t have any 45 yet but hope rugged will come out with a Alaskan 460

Do you tape the suppressor as you would with the muzzle?

Forgive me if I’ve missed it in another podcast but I think it would be interesting to have an episode or 10 min talk dedicated to suppressor care. I know the sealed ones it’s said to just burn a mag to clear out the carbon but that doesn’t seem conducive with the light weight cans. I’ve seen ultrasonic cleaner solutions that have been introduced that look promising. Love the topic and the podcast!

I made it about half way through this and I’m out. I own suppressors and my stance is that if you still need hearing protection while using a suppressor, you don’t need a suppressor and you probably have too much money. I shoot a 7 mag with a muzzle brake with ear protection and it’s a joy to shoot as most of the recoil has been mitigated. My Walker 32 db reduction ear buds are more than adequate for the blast. That said I do on occasion use a suppressor for night varmint hunting just to keep the noise down as to not startle the people at the neighboring ranch. At least I think it helps. Probably just trying to justify my purchase. It still requires ear protection as supersonic ARs are not hearing safe.

I have the gen 2 ultra 9 on my tikka 243 thermal setup and holy shit that can is amazing. But then i found out about AB Raptor cans and they’re even quieter.

I’m a lot like Ryan, crippling internal paralysis when making these decisions. Finally have my first suppressor approved and should be in hand soon, a banish backcountry

Where is the regular Alaskan360 on the list? It's 11oz and only $800ish!

Im looking at otter creek, being i can get a can to use on my AR and also use it on my 243. Even though i use them completely different one unit can be used on my 2 most often used rifles.

Mark still doesn’t have a can that’s crazy at this point

Once you buy your first suppressor, you will buy more. I started with a Gemtech G5 over a decade ago for my semiauto rifle and now I have a .22 rimfire can, a 30 caliber thread mount can, and a 45 caliber pistol can. All of them have been used for hunting.

The court battles are only thing that has sped atf wait times

I recently put together a Weatherby Backcountry with a Razor LHT and a SilencerCo Scythe-Ti. All up weighs less than 7 lbs. Great show

This was a great video with lots of really good information. The chart is also extremely helpful! I have a seekins 6 arc with a 22 inch barrel and looking for a singular can to put and keep on it. What would you guys recommend? Thanks!

You should take a hard look at diligent Defense suppressors they beat or met most of the numbers they throughout.

Silencerco Evo or even lighter Scythe Ti.

You know they’re a technical man when he calls it stainless and not “stainless steel”

Im surprised about the Price of suppressors in the US, in Denmark we Can buy them over the counter as long as you have a valid permit for a Rifle it Will fit on, and the really expensive ones are like 1000$ 😅 you should look at some of the over barrel ones we got over here, really shortens the total lenght of your rig 😁

Any opinions of the Rugged Alaskan 360 for 6.8 SPC, 7.62x39, 300 Ham'r and 350 Legend on an AR?

Awesome podcast, but welds are typically designed with filler metal that's stronger than the parent material surrounding it though.

I have 2 and wanna get a 3rd in 338 or 45 cause I want one on my 340 weatherby magnum ( next 10 minute talk ) and I want one on my 450 bushmaster for deer hunting in the straight wall area of Pennsylvania

What rings and accessory device do you have on the front rings? Are they from Vortex?

I run my dead air wolfman on my 6.5 creedmoor with the dead air brake. So quiet

Which are “Fully SemiAutomatic”rated?

I was leaning towards the Banish 30 Backcountry, but the Rex can now has my attention. Any suggestions between those 2 specifically?

Would like an SilencerCo Omega 36m but still out of stock/back order last I checked. I already have the ASR muzzle brake on my two .308 and 5.56.

Great analysis and use of excel. Your table on $/ft and $/lb formulae appear to be incorrect. Using the Specter 9 as an example you should have $2384/lb and $2216/ft. The rest of the table has this issue as well.

Mark. Rugged Surge X. It’ll hold up to 300RUM and it’s durable enough for the likes of you. Your 300wsm should do well. It is however not “lightweight”

I want the lightest. I just got one approved in two days

My omega 36m is nice but the paint is crap and bubbled up the first 15 rounds of 5.56.

They never went over any of the cans in regards to easy cleaning. Granted that most newer models are sonic cleaning only. Back earlier in the episode when they were talking heavily about suppressor tones. I couldn't help but have the idea of having the Bose audio guys team up with the manufacturer's. And create cans that create mating calls. Just need to carry several preloaded blank rounds.

Can you grade them on a point system for each category and then show us which one would have the best score? That would be interesting!

For someone getting into it for the first time, how effective is it to use a 30 cal can on a 223? Id like to have something versatile to start out. The Rearden attachment sounds like a good way to move one device around. Thanks

Ryan and Rob have to be related I was expecting rob to be introduced as Ryan’s brother

I too like the idea of suppressors but the cost is ridiculous most hunters are using a rifle that's between 400 and $1,000. It's hard enough to convince me to buy a scope that's worth more than my gun but now another accessory that's twice the cost it's hard to stomach you're giving up another rifle or two you could own. I spoke with a suppresor rep at a booth of the western hunt show who was proud that his company funds lobbying efforts to make suppresors non nfa items. I told him i agree but also beleive if that happened within a year the market would explode with far cheaper imports that all these high priced us made companies would have a truly rough time surviving against amazon purchased 200 cans.

They make a stainless baffled Alaskan 360 that’s tougher and cheaper

Should have my wyoming arms 4² any day now

Not going to read all the comments, sorry if this was posted before. But a great all purpose can for all applications. Not cheap but awesome look at the The Maverick, from Area 419

Dead air Nomad Ti for the win.........

Question from the UK with your tax stamps. Do you apply for the tax stamp with a particular suppressor in mind ie already know it's serial number etc. Or is it more like here in the UK. Where we apply for a suppressor (we call them moderators) to aquire and then buy which ever one takes your fancy? And if/when the mod needs replacing do you have to go through the same process all over again?

Can I get a copy of that suppressor chart you guys made

Once they take all your information and fingerprint you, that’s the last time you gotta do that, last time I bought one I said I want that one paid in the money and six days. He called me and said it was clear 4473 and signed it walked out the door. With it. I’m sure there’s easier ways.

Titanium sparking can become a very big deal when you shoot under night vision.

Would you rather have a suppressor you can use on your deer rifle only or high end hearing protection to use with all your gun hunting?

Griffin Armament has a lot of great suppressors. Great Stuff guys.

The diligent defense enticer s Ti wins this battle. It’s inexpensive, its light, it’s less than 7” long, it’s beautiful and it outperforms many other cans that are larger and more expensive

Wait times right now are ridiculously short!!!

My blackout is louder impacting subsonic than it is actaully going off lol

That's why they put it on them

Why is Griffin Arnament always left out of comparisons?

No Surefire on this chart. Would really like to see how it compares.

What the application: wet work?

Wish the maxim 50 was still out. No ATF, no stamp, no tax, no fee, no fingerprints, no 4473. Fixed Suppresser 50 nitrofire muzzleloader. No bolt to take up space.

I’d like to see you guys shoot sporting clays. Recording your results with and without red dots. Extra points if you place the red dot at different points on the gun.

Freyr & Devik 149

I may have missed it but did anyone reference PewScience data?