“Short” Barrels, why not?

[BLJ]

Sometimes it’s less. For example, my 22” 30-06 with my hunting load was a 180gr at 2750. I chopped it to 19” ish (say ‘ish’ because it was cut to just enough to thread in front of the flutes and it’s not a round number) and with a 6” can, the exact same load was… 2750.

I have over 10 years of suppressor experience, including building many (Form 1). In my experience, a can get anywhere from 20-40fps from “free bore boost”, and thus compensate for velocity lost with a shorter barrel.

Another before an after was a 243 from 20 to 18” with can. And a 25-06 from 22 to 19 with can. I don’t have exact data on this phone, but it was basically moot. Same loads, just naked barrel at X then chopped to Y with can. I think the 25-06 has like a 20fps delta. Irrelevant. 16” 6.8 vs 12.5” 6.8, 50fps… 14.5” to 16” 556, same.

All this will depend on your rifle, barrel, load, can etc etc. But it’s not as much as people think and the can will offset the loss.

Appreciate the answer. I actually traded that rifle years ago for a 308.
But, I did cut the 308 down from 22 to 18.

 

[Bluefish]

Speed kills, and anything subsonic doesn't have the speed.

Subs can work fine, just have to go heavy. Problem is drop. Even at 150 yards drop is substantial. I ran the numbers and a 500g sub is still almost 750 fps at 1000 yards. Drop is almost 2000 inches or 165 ft. Still 600 ftlbs, not that it matters.

 

[AZ_Hunter]

Appreciate the answer. I actually traded that rifle years ago for a 308.
But, I did cut the 308 down from 22 to 18.

I would guess 50-75fps difference with suppressor on the 18” vs naked 22”.