Not so duty AR cans?

[ElPollo]

Test fired my 11.5 with the Raptor 8 sans reflex today. Too windy for accuracy tests, but I could at least run a few rounds thru it to make sure it would run and see where the empties landed. With the can, it’s a bit over gassed. The brass is landing around 2-2:30. But I didn’t get any gas coming back in the face unless I ran long strings.

Trying to not have to use the adjustable gas block if possible because I don’t intend to ever shoot it unsuppressed. May try a Sprinco red spring with the H3 buffer that’s already in it.

I may just stick with the Raptor 8 for a bit and keep on swapping it between guns. It would give US some time to bring out their AR can. Maybe then I will decide between that and the A-10.

 

[ElPollo]

A little update. Still using my 7.62 Raptor 8 on this 11.5 AR in the interim. I added a Sprinco Red buffer spring on top of the H3 buffer and it took the ejection from 1:00-1:30 back to about 2:45 with 75 gr Frontier. Still a bit over gassed, but it’s probably good for now until I buy another can for it. Will likely look for a titanium can that has a bit lower back pressure.

 

[ElPollo]

My current research on ‘lighter, less-than duty’ AR cans is pointing to a titanium Ridgeback Rhodie 6 for a combination of weight (8.5 oz), length 5.5”, suppression (rated by RD at 132 dB), and low back pressure (gleaned mostly from Silencer Analytics tests on YouTube). The titanium version is supposed to come out in April. Don’t know what the cost will be yet.

The Unknown AR can is still interesting but it looks like they won’t come out with it until Nov. And I have no idea where it shakes out in terms of back pressure. Based on the protos, it’s an inch shorter, similar weight, and likely more durable. Hard to say where they will ultimately end up in terms of suppression or cost yet. Based on the cost numbers I’m hearing for their 6mm reflex can, it’s likely to be cheaper than the Rhodie.

 

[Gtscotty]

My current research on ‘lighter, less-than duty’ AR cans is pointing to a titanium Ridgeback Rhodie 6 for a combination of weight (8.5 oz), length 5.5”, suppression (rated by RD at 132 dB), and low back pressure (gleaned mostly from Silencer Analytics tests on YouTube). The titanium version is supposed to come out in April. Don’t know what the cost will be yet.

The Unknown AR can is still interesting but it looks like they won’t come out with it until Nov. And I have no idea where it shakes out in terms of back pressure. Based on the protos, it’s an inch shorter, similar weight, and likely more durable. Hard to say where they will ultimately end up in terms of suppression or cost yet. Based on the cost numbers I’m hearing for their 6mm reflex can, it’s likely to be cheaper than the Rhodie.

The Rhodie 6 in TI is the one I'm waiting for as well to work into the rotation with my CAT Noah TI on my 6mm ARCs and 5.56 gas guns. I really like the Noah on my gas guns, it sounds great and the low backpressure is a step change for ARs after running full backpressure cans for a long time, I'm looking for the Rhodie 6 TI to be more of the same goodness. I was tempted for a bit by the Rhodie 6k, but I really don't need the Inconel, the 6 TI is still several oz lighter and I think will be significantly quieter.

 

[ElPollo]

The Rhodie 6 in TI is the one I'm waiting for as well to work into the rotation with my CAT Noah TI on my 6mm ARCs and 5.56 gas guns. I really like the Noah on my gas guns, it sounds great and the low backpressure is a step change for ARs after running full backpressure cans for a long time, I'm looking for the Rhodie 6 TI to be more of the same goodness. I was tempted for a bit by the Rhodie 6k, but I really don't need the Inconel, the 6 TI is still several oz lighter and I think will be significantly quieter.

Looked at the CAT Noah but it’s a bit pricier and heavier. Was also looking at the Exigent Vanish 556. It also appears to be a bit longer and heavier than the Rhodie 6, but is about the same cost.

 

[Gtscotty]

Looked at the CAT Noah but it’s a bit pricier and heavier. Was also looking at the Exigent Vanish 556. It also appears to be a bit longer and heavier than the Rhodie 6, but is about the same cost.

The CAT Noah TI and Rhodie 6 TI have the same listed weight at 8.5oz , and it is really nice on the end of a rifle. That said, the Noah is more expensive and it's also recently discontinued, so the Rhodie seems like the way to go for me. The Vanish 556 does seem like a nice option as well as the Rhino S, both are an oz or two more than the Rhodie 6 and I'm not sure they are 6mm rated, which probably doesn't matter to some folks, but is a must have for me.

 

[AleksanderSuave]

In my experience, similar construction (eg; clipped, cone baffle) cans on 5.56 ARs sound significantly louder when they're .30cal as opposed to .22cal.

With all due respect, your experience sounds not rooted in fact, and skewed by some poorly performing cans you may own.

However, if you’re trying something like a rugged razor 7.62 on a 5.56 ar, I could see how you’d be lead to believe that. A lot of people own older designs like that because they were marketed as “larger hole will work on both”.

Their opinion is rightfully negative because those old designs were not very good for this specific purpose.

However, in present day- there are MANY well known examples of 30 cal cans outperforming dedicated 22 cal cans on 5.56.

Just a few that are well know -
The flow 7.62K is unanimously praised as a better suppressor for a 5.56 host than the dedicated flow 5.56k.

another well known example - Rob/silencer analytics the YouTube channel mentioned in the comments within this post - maintains that the CAT JL (a made for 308 can) has remained one of the top performers for suppressing 5.56 in his tests, for over 2 years now.

 

[AleksanderSuave]

Going to add this to the fold, as I’m researching my next 5.56 can now too.

2026 has been bringing a lot of new designs to market.

CAT will be releasing the ST soon, there’s the exigent fire team 556, and the similar ridgeback defense rhino…and roadie.

There’s also the echo core 5.56, and the sig hexium.

Add to that the SAW Tisha (the current top performer on PEW), and the TBAC spiro, and there’s a lot to compare before you pull the trigger on something new, and unfortunately very little objective comparison of all of these newer designs too.

Not to mention the strategic sciences 3 piece design that pretty much no one has any reviews on yet but looks very interesting..

I’m looking at SAW Tisha currently as my top choice for my mk18, but I don’t care about muzzle flash suppression. I want maximum sound suppression on a short barrel ar.