load development with or without suppressor? Glass distortion / mirage

[nphunter]

I'm currently developing a load for a rifle and I notice that after 5ish shots, I get a lot of distortion in my glass from the suppressor. On windy days I can just wait a few minutes and shoot another group but when the sun's out and it's calm, it takes too long to cool and after another few it's interfering again.

Curious if others are pulling the cans during load development, waiting for them to cool or just dealing with the distortion. I feel like the distortion is affecting my groups when the can starts getting really hot. I also feel like it makes sense if I'm always going to run the suppressor, then I should develop the load with it on the rifle, it's obviously much nicer to shoot a bunch of rounds suppressed vs unsuppressed.

 

[5MilesBack]

I've shot 20-30 rounds through my rifles and never have seen this distortion that you speak of.

 

[Lawnboi]

This is exactly what suppressor covers are for.

 

[WeiserBucks]

This is exactly what suppressor covers are for.

Correct. Development should be done in the same configuration as the rifle will be used in.

 

[Andouille]

A small USB powered barrel fan (or barrel cooler fan) aimed at the can works wonders for eliminating mirage and cooling the can.... if your air temp is reasonable. I generally prefer a fan to a suppressor cover because the suppressor stays cooler overall, and I can put my gun away without having to wait for the can to cool substantially.

 

[Dirty30]

Just got my 1st suppressor and was wondering the same…What’s the consensus on adding a suppressor to a “developed load” do groups stay the same size, and just change POI? Or will it affect groups? That much weight on the end probably throws it “out of tune” or at least changes it? Curious what others have experienced? 3-4 shots and the mirage was pretty bad.. (No cover, no wind.)

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Just got my 1st suppressor and was wondering the same…What’s the consensus on adding a suppressor to a “developed load” do groups stay the same size, and just change POI? Or will it affect groups? That much weight on the end probably throws it “out of tune” or at least changes it? Curious what others have experienced? 3-4 shots and the mirage was pretty bad.. (No cover, no wind.)

What suppressor are you using?

If you are seeing noticeable mirage after 3-4 shots, I would definitely get a cover and probably some shade. On hot days, I usually put up extra targets and bring an extra rifle. Then I swap them out so I can keep shooting while one cools.

How large are your groups? They have to be large enough to have a real idea how precise your rifle is before you start worrying about it - at least 10 rounds.

I haven’t observed a change in group size from suppressed versus unsuppressed, except that *I* definitely shoot better suppressed. So, my group sizes have usually improved.

The POI shift is usually pretty modest, depending on the weight of the suppressor and barrel contour. I have seen shifts of 1/2” with very light suppressors up to 2” using a 16.3 ounce suppressor.