Just how much better is the AB Raptor 8 vs 6?

[ckleeves]

Was after a 8, but can get a good deal on a 6 locally. Just how much better is the 8 on smaller cartridges ( Creed family, 6GT etc) then the 6? Probably not going to use a reflex on either unless balance is improved on certain rifles.

Just after a lightweight hunting suppressor. I have longer and heavier cans for when I’m not counting ounces or concerned about overall length. Is the 6 decent or should I just wait it out for a 8?

 

[Shraggs]

Very interested too for this specific comparison

 

[ElPollo]

Was after a 8, but can get a good deal on a 6 locally. Just how much better is the 8 on smaller cartridges ( Creed family, 6GT etc) then the 6? Probably not going to use a reflex on either unless balance is improved on certain rifles.

Just after a lightweight hunting suppressor. I have longer and heavier cans for when I’m not counting ounces or concerned about overall length. Is the 6 decent or should I just wait it out for a 8?

The hard part is finding people who have experience with both. I can speak to the 8 but not the 6. It’s a spectacular can. I have the 3” sporter reflex and when I bought it, I had no intention of using the reflex for hunting. Now it just lives on my guns and I almost never shoot or hunt without it. It’s quieter and has better tone with the reflex, and it doesn’t add significant weight. Volume is your friend with suppressors. That said the 6-stack without a reflex should be equivalent to their A-10 7.62 suppressor, which I’ve seen Form recommend on here. You should be happy with either, but I would not go smaller than a 6-stack.

 

[Bluumoon]

I’m plenty happy w the 6 (on 6.5CM/.223), have a 4” reflex I should put on. My only comparisons are the warthog and JK armament, I prefer the Raptor to both. The Warthog is fine too, JK is inferior suppression of sound and recoil.

I’d be willing to go shorter than the 6 w a larger reflex for a carry gun.

 

[eric1115]

I have a raptor 6 and 8, and have used both cans on both a 20" 6 ARC and a 19" .243AI.

Not really much specific back to back comparison, but enough shooting to give some of my impressions.

On both cans, my opinion is that the reflex improves tone significantly, which lowers perceived sound, but actual dB reduction is small vs flush mount. I don't have a way to measure dB with enough precision to be useful.

I would characterize them as follows: On the 6 ARC, at the shooter, not a ton of difference to my ear. At the spotter, 6 is nice but 8 is ridiculous. There are times on a busy range I'll be watching the target and see an impact but not register that it was my kid that shot. Recoil reduction is great with both.

On the .243 I notice more daylight between the two, especially with the flush mount. I would still not have any issues taking a few to several shots without ear pro with the 6, but it's a noticeable difference in perceived sound for me from shooter's ear. I have not sat behind them both on that rifle as a spotter so I can't speak to anything but shooter's position. The 8 gets the nod from me on that rifle. Again, I choose to use the reflex all the time despite the weight penalty.

If you put a blindfold on me and rifle in my hands, I probably couldn't reliably tell you which can was on it from the way the rifle feels.

If I shot them blind back to back, I could definitely tell you which was which on either rifle. One shot so there is no comparison? On the .243AI I think I could tell you which one is on there. 6 ARC, probably not with very high confidence.

I would almost certainly recommend the 8 if someone was asking for a first can with maximum versatility on a wide range of cartridges. I have no qualms about recommending the 6 for your stated use, though I suspect once you shoot it with the reflex you will leave it on. This makes it a bit heavier and no quieter than an 8 with a flush mount (probably a bit louder) but to my ear a little louder with better tone, so a wash. It's a little shorter though, which is nice if you're shooting something with barrel length on the edge of too long.

I'd say you really can't go wrong with either one, they are both great cans.

 

[eric1115]

I'd have to go find the flush mounts, but here's a good comparison to see what the difference looks like that we all agonize over.

 

[ElPollo]

I have a raptor 6 and 8, and have used both cans on both a 20" 6 ARC and a 19" .243AI.

Not really much specific back to back comparison, but enough shooting to give some of my impressions.

On both cans, my opinion is that the reflex improves tone significantly, which lowers perceived sound, but actual dB reduction is small vs flush mount. I don't have a way to measure dB with enough precision to be useful.

I would characterize them as follows: On the 6 ARC, at the shooter, not a ton of difference to my ear. At the spotter, 6 is nice but 8 is ridiculous. There are times on a busy range I'll be watching the target and see an impact but not register that it was my kid that shot. Recoil reduction is great with both.

On the .243 I notice more daylight between the two, especially with the flush mount. I would still not have any issues taking a few to several shots without ear pro with the 6, but it's a noticeable difference in perceived sound for me from shooter's ear. I have not sat behind them both on that rifle as a spotter so I can't speak to anything but shooter's position. The 8 gets the nod from me on that rifle. Again, I choose to use the reflex all the time despite the weight penalty.

If you put a blindfold on me and rifle in my hands, I probably couldn't reliably tell you which can was on it from the way the rifle feels.

If I shot them blind back to back, I could definitely tell you which was which on either rifle. One shot so there is no comparison? On the .243AI I think I could tell you which one is on there. 6 ARC, probably not with very high confidence.

I would almost certainly recommend the 8 if someone was asking for a first can with maximum versatility on a wide range of cartridges. I have no qualms about recommending the 6 for your stated use, though I suspect once you shoot it with the reflex you will leave it on. This makes it a bit heavier and no quieter than an 8 with a flush mount (probably a bit louder) but to my ear a little louder with better tone, so a wash. It's a little shorter though, which is nice if you're shooting something with barrel length on the edge of too long.

I'd say you really can't go wrong with either one, they are both great cans.

That’s great info on both. I agree with Eric. The reflex really affects the tone in a positive way. I am guilty of overthinking a lot of things. But given the minor difference in length and weight and the substantial difference in performance, I’m still really happy that I bought the 8-stack. And nothing new has come along that has made me second guess that decision.