Hunting with a suppressor - concerns about fragility of suppressor or another thing to go wrong?

[HandgunHTR]

Some guys will take a light profile barrel and get it threaded to accept a suppressor, leaving barely any steel for the suppressor to be supported by and essentially zero shoulder. Adding the suppressor (a 4-8" lever) to a barrel like that is asking for issues, especially if you're gonna be tough on your gear

Actually, it isn't. You would be surprised at the amount of force required to bend or break even the "small" amount of steel still remaining on a .30 cal sporter barrel with 5/8-24 threads.
Don't believe the TBAC folks when they try to push this BS. They are just trying to push you to buy their face mount system that isn't necessary.

 

[justin davis]

I was on a horseback hunt in which a guy was screwing his TBAC on and off the CB muzzle brake each time he got off/on the horse. After a few days, the brake came off with the can, and it was stuck in there.

At that point it is “direct thread.” Can still use it

 

[Shortschaf]

Don't believe the TBAC folks when they try to push this BS. They are just trying to push you to buy their face mount system that isn't necessary.

I would respectfully disagree. I do not think that they are trying to make any money off of their recommendations, and that they are just a conservative manufacturer of suppressors like many others. The 0.1" OD over thread diameter is just the age old status quo from what I gather from gunsmiths and all mfgs

It is on the end user to read through the warranty-speak that all companies do. With the number of 1/2" threaded barrels for 30 cals out there sporting suppressors, I am not worried about following mfg recommendations to the letter

 

[Weldor]

I agree with much of what @Southern Lights said above.

Cans are another point of failure whether we like it or not. You do need to make sure it's tight or you risk a baffle strike. My cans get loose (barely) during range days, rarely when I'm out hunting but it always good to make sure.

I don't really baby my cans but they normally have a suppressor cover or a solo hunter rifle cover on when hunting. I am harder on my Huxwrx Ventum than i am on my Ultra 7. Never thought of someone denting a can but i guess it could happen haha. Mirage is a real thing here in AZ and it doesnt take many shots to heat up titanium, the cover helps a ton

Some guys will take a light profile barrel and get it threaded to accept a suppressor, leaving barely any steel for the suppressor to be supported by and essentially zero shoulder. Adding the suppressor (a 4-8" lever) to a barrel like that is asking for issues, especially if you're gonna be tough on your gear

I am happy with TBAC CB system. Its on/off pretty quick, uses a taper and i don't risk messing up my 5/8x24 threads on the barrel with the on/off all the time. Be wary other other QD options.

I Built my 7prc with the intent to use the Ultra 7 on it, went with a 22" carbon wrapped sendero contour so it can support a can without any problem and still handle well. While its an awesome rifle, my only wish is that i could have a folding stock of some kind, to reduce how much the can sticks up when hiking but then you're adding another failure point to the system

The mirage comes on quick in AZ for sure. I made a simple barrel cooler from a Harbor freight cordless inflator and a piece of clear tubing. Helps a ton when the temps get up there. If you get real serious you can do like the old-timers and run the air intake through a cooler with ice in it. It works!

 

[Kaleb]

Different strokes for different folks but I don’t see any reason for the QD in general but why are people taking their suppressors off for a hunt? Maybe when I get a new can I try it on a couple few different size chamberings but after that they pretty much stay on the rifle. I sure can’t think of a scenario where I’d take it off hunting.

 

[Sundodger]

I have similar concerns about durability. While I do take good care of my stuff, where I really want a suppressor is when I am still hunting Rosie Elk or blacktails in the rainforest. On spot/stalk mountain mule deer and bear hunts where chance of damaging equipment is low, putting in ear pro is easy.

But the rainforest ruins everything; barrels, scope mounts, scopes, you name it, rainforest hunting ruins it. I am worried the how many bad tumbles you get where the suppressor takes a faceplant into the mud does it take to be irreparably damaged.

 

[Shortschaf]

I am worried the how many bad tumbles you get where the suppressor takes a faceplant into the mud does it take to be irreparably damaged.

Tape the exit hole to keep mud and water out. That applies universally

I have literally never heard of anyone breaking a suppressor by falling. If you are the first, I am confident it would be warranteed by a good company. They warranty people shooting the wrong calibers and just dont like to advertise it.

The concern for damaging my suppressors is way below my concern for twisting an ankle or forgetting toilet paper in the backcountry

 

[Robobiss]

I have similar concerns about durability. While I do take good care of my stuff, where I really want a suppressor is when I am still hunting Rosie Elk or blacktails in the rainforest. On spot/stalk mountain mule deer and bear hunts where chance of damaging equipment is low, putting in ear pro is easy.

But the rainforest ruins everything; barrels, scope mounts, scopes, you name it, rainforest hunting ruins it. I am worried the how many bad tumbles you get where the suppressor takes a faceplant into the mud does it take to be irreparably damaged.

It is a chunk of super strong titanium or stainless steel. Really no normal use will damage it, outside of a one-in-a-million whoopsie daisy you would have to actually try to damage it. I’m pretty confident (but I’m not going to try it) that I could run over my A-10 with my truck and do nothing but cosmetic damage. Also pays to buy from companies that are known for customer service and fixing everything. A lot of the good ones will fix it for free if you have a reasonable explanation as to how it was damaged.

If one was really worried about a suppressor mishap ruining a hunt, they could zero the rifle with the suppressor and slip turrets to zero, then zero without and write down the correction between suppressor and no suppressor. If that one-in-a-million happens, throw the suppressor in your pack and spin the turrets to the naked muzzle zero.

I do this because I have a number of hunting rifles and loan them to friends. If my buddy had his optic shit the bed the night prior, I’ll spin my can off, spin the turrets to the naked muzzle zero, and hand it to him. When I get it back I spin them to 0 and all is well. My stuff is always dialed, can or no can.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Since nobody can quantify the damage they are so scared of happening, I’m just going to assume these guys are scared to scratch the ceracoat on their guns.

Honestly, if this is something you are worried about, just don’t hunt with one. Why buy these things then get scared to use them? If unsound see my scythe, it’s got melted crap all over it not stressing.

 

[Sundodger]

Damaged crowns and bent barrels are common failure modes. I have stopped taking nice rifles into the rainforest, you don't need great accuracy when 50 yards is a long shot, and it's a full time job keeping that rifle accurate for hunts that do need accuracy.

I picked up a cheap savage a while back, so I can spin on a new barrels with ease, and I don't have to ruin my tikkas.

Tape the exit hole to keep mud and water out. That applies universally

I have literally never heard of anyone breaking a suppressor by falling. If you are the first, I am confident it would be warranteed by a good company. They warranty people shooting the wrong calibers and just dont like to advertise it.

The concern for damaging my suppressors is way below my concern for twisting an ankle or forgetting toilet paper in the backcountry

It is a chunk of super strong titanium or stainless steel. Really no normal use will damage it, outside of a one-in-a-million whoopsie daisy you would have to actually try to damage it. I’m pretty confident (but I’m not going to try it) that I could run over my A-10 with my truck and do nothing but cosmetic damage. Also pays to buy from companies that are known for customer service and fixing everything. A lot of the good ones will fix it for free if you have a reasonable explanation as to how it was damaged.

If one was really worried about a suppressor mishap ruining a hunt, they could zero the rifle with the suppressor and slip turrets to zero, then zero without and write down the correction between suppressor and no suppressor. If that one-in-a-million happens, throw the suppressor in your pack and spin the turrets to the naked muzzle zero.

I do this because I have a number of hunting rifles and loan them to friends. If my buddy had his optic shit the bed the night prior, I’ll spin my can off, spin the turrets to the naked muzzle zero, and hand it to him. When I get it back I spin them to 0 and all is well. My stuff is always dialed, can or no can.

Since nobody can quantify the damage they are so scared of happening, I’m just going to assume these guys are scared to scratch the ceracoat on their guns.

Honestly, if this is something you are worried about, just don’t hunt with one. Why buy these things then get scared to use them? If unsound see my scythe, it’s got melted crap all over it not stressing.

 

[barrister]

Since nobody can quantify the damage they are so scared of happening, I’m just going to assume these guys are scared to scratch the ceracoat on their guns.

Honestly, if this is something you are worried about, just don’t hunt with one. Why buy these things then get scared to use them? If unsound see my scythe, it’s got melted crap all over it not stressing.

I think you are being overly dramatic with the use of the word "scared" and also condescending that me/we are only concerned about the aesthetic appearance of our gear. I use my equipment and don't baby things, but I also don't blindly go in without understanding how to handle and care for things. As I noted, I have plenty of hunting experience but not with a suppressor. I thought I would ask from those with more experience. Sorry if that upsets you for some reason.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I think you are being overly dramatic with the use of the word "scared" and also condescending that me/we are only concerned about the aesthetic appearance of our gear. I use my equipment and don't baby things, but I also don't blindly go in without understanding how to handle and care for things. As I noted, I have plenty of hunting experience but not with a suppressor. I thought I would ask from those with more experience. Sorry if that upsets you for some reason.

I couldn’t be less upset, it’s just a ridiculous thing to worry about. I am 100% being condescending though.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Damaged crowns and bent barrels are common failure modes. I have stopped taking nice rifles into the rainforest, you don't need great accuracy when 50 yards is a long shot, and it's a full time job keeping that rifle accurate for hunts that do need accuracy.

I picked up a cheap savage a while back, so I can spin on a new barrels with ease, and I don't have to ruin my tikkas.

Tikkas literally are “cheap” rifles. That’s one of the things that makes them nice. I’ll happily “ruin” a tikka by hunting with it.

 

[Rolando]

Silencers have been in combat for quite a while now. Yours will be fine on a hunting trip.

 

[Southern Lights]

In the states I've noticed that because suppressors are really expensive and a pain to purchase people tend to baby them. In NZ I can just walk to the store and buy one and I have had a cabinet full of them at times.They are cheap and seen as expendable. We just use them and don't worry about them.

I've never seen anyone use a wrap on one with a hunting rifle. Maybe seen it at match with long strings of fire, but not really common.

Maybe in theory they could reduce the noise the can makes when going through the brush, but even that I'd find negligible. Hardy Rifle makes an interesting one out of heat resistant silicon that slips on.

https://www.hardyrifle.com/product-page/suppressor-cover

I understand for strings of fire someoone may want a wrap, but for me they are just something else to worry about. I'd suggest people have a play with them and shift them around on the suppressor to see if it affects their shots, or even get them wet to add weight on front and try the same.

 

[Sundodger]

Tikkas literally are “cheap” rifles. That’s one of the things that makes them nice. I’ll happily “ruin” a tikka by hunting with it.

Aren't you fancy...

The point is more how easily/quickly I can replace a barrel and keeping accurate rifles accurate for hunts that need accuracy (my spot and stalk bear and mule deer hunts), while if this savage has a damaged crown and is a 2.5MOA gun that's not a big deal in the rainforest.

Silencers have been in combat for quite a while now. Yours will be fine on a hunting trip.

No doubt, but is it fair to say every time I ruin a barrel hunting, the suppressor would be ruined if I had one on?

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Aren't you fancy...



No doubt, but is it fair to say every time I ruin a barrel hunting, the suppressor would be ruined if I had one on?

How many barrels have you “ruined” from “hunting”??? I’ve never heard of such a thing.

 

[Salmon River Solutions]

I was on a horseback hunt in which a guy was screwing his TBAC on and off the CB muzzle brake each time he got off/on the horse. After a few days, the brake came off with the can, and it was stuck in there.

Literally the exact reason we started making our ultralight Ti CB's with spanner wrench holes on the back side.

Ken

 

[Sundodger]

How many barrels have you “ruined” from “hunting”??? I’ve never heard of such a thing.

Three over the last eight years or so.

I am surprised up in AK you don't have the same problems as we do on our coastal rainforest.

Camp and field repairs are SOP.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Three over the last eight years or so.

I am surprised up in AK you don't have the same problems as we do on our coastal rainforest.

Camp and field repairs are SOP.

How is the barrel ruined in that picture? Looks like you broke the action screws or something then taped it back together.