Flow through suppressor on bolt gun

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Dec 30, 2014
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I’ve had wind in the face the last two range trips and I really don’t like driving home and having the smell of all the gas that was in my face stuck in my nostrils. I can’t see how a flow through or low back pressure can would make a huge difference but I’m curious if anyone has experience with them on bolt guns and can opine?
 

jonpall

Lil-Rokslider
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Aug 5, 2019
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Have had this same question. Was going to purchase a lower back pressure suppressor (CAT WB) for some 22 cal bolt guns but wondered if I'd only see the theoretical downsides but none of the upsides you'd see if using it with an AR
 

dreadi

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Sep 3, 2024
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Flow through on bolt guns is a misuse of tech. You get less suppression with flow through and none of the benefits. If you're going out with your AR and putting a lot of rounds down range, they are great for keeping gas out of your face and nostrils. Some gun mfgs are making their bolt shrouds different to help mitigate rearward escaping gas.
 

E.Shell

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Agree with the "wasted tech"...

Bolt guns and their brass gaskets seal amazingly well and there should be no gas at all, with or without a suppressor.

We were testing sub-sonic .300 Blackout loads in a Rem 700AAC, starting high and working down until the bullet did not reliably exit the bore. On those shots where the bullet stayed in the bore, there was a hiss when we opened the bolt and only then did the gas escape rearward.
 

waspocrew

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I’ve never had gas in the face with my bolt guns and suppressors. ARs, sure. I wouldn’t go flow through for a bolt gun.
 

Wyo_hntr

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I've only used a flow thru suppressor on an AR, but it was loud...very loud.
 
OP
wind gypsy
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I don’t have issues with gas when the bolt is closed. It’s when the wind is in my face and the bolt is open. Even working the bolt fast there is enough that it can’t be good. General competition style rifle manipulation results in lots of time with bolt open and head in the gun as well.
 

ruger35

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Agree with all of the others, you can't have flow and sound suppression. Bolt guns are inherently not gassy, so don't see the need for the flow through. I have a CAT JL that is supposed to be lower back pressure, but is neck and neck with my Magnus for sound. You could possibly give something like that a try. What suppressor are you currently running?
 
OP
wind gypsy
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Agree with all of the others, you can't have flow and sound suppression. Bolt guns are inherently not gassy, so don't see the need for the flow through. I have a CAT JL that is supposed to be lower back pressure, but is neck and neck with my Magnus for sound. You could possibly give something like that a try. What suppressor are you currently running?

Ultra 7 and Scythe.

Again, there is no issue with gas when bolt is closed, but when you have a head wind, a lot of gas sits in the can and bore and then exits through the action when the bolt is opened. I was just curious if more of that gas would leave upon the shot with a flow through. Some of the CAT suppressors have gotten such good suppression reviews with some kind of flow through tech that I was curious if that would have a small incremental impact.
 

5811

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Pewscience.com has the hux flow 7.62 ti right below the diligent defense enticer sti, which some claim to be quieter than the scythe, on a 308 bolt gun. So the flow should be in that loudness neighborhood.

I have a hux flow through hx-qd 7.62. When shot on 308 ar, there's still some gas in the barrel that flows out after the bolt locks back. It might be less, but it's not none.

I see why you are looking into it, but ultimately I don't know if you'll get the improvement in return to make it worth it.
 
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How about one of those barrel cooling fans you throw in chamber when bolt open? It would push gas out end of the barrel.
 

SloppyJ

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The only "flow through" type suppressor I've shot is an older OSS can before they were Hux. I shot it on an AR and then on a 308 bolt. Honestly, I was not impressed with it in either situation. I felt like you gave up a ton on the tone which was more of a hiss rather than a low thud and I still noticed gas problems on the AR. Granted, that was a while ago and they've come out with different cans now with what I assume is different tech. I do shoot lefty which is not ideal for the gas situation with ARs so take it with a grain of salt.

I've played with the idea of picking up a flow through type can but I just don't shoot gas guns enough to justify it. I'd rather have another one for my bolt guns. I think gas in the face is just part of the game when it comes to suppressors. However, I really have never noticed it from a bolt gun. I would venture to say there would be residual gas in any design that would come back on you if the wind was right.

I'm not up on the CAT stuff but are all of their cans flow through? If so I would look heavily into those. They seem to have good suppression on bolt guns. I picked up a Mojave for my PCC and my pistols and it has some sort of flow through stuff going on but yet I still get gas pretty good.
 

Dave0317

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I would not spend the money on a flow through for a bolt gun. Nowhere near as quiet. I think all the advantages I have seen are good for semi autos though. More reliable in a semi auto action.
 
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