Suppressed vs Non-Suppressed Hunting

[ScreamingPotato]

As someone who can barely read over the constant ringing in my left ear, I can't recommend suppressors enough.

Your ears might ring after just one or two shots, but then it goes away, so you think it's fine. Then one day the ringing won't stop after you shoot, it will just get a little quieter.

You think, oh, the damage is done, I have tinnitus, what do I have to lose? But every shot just makes the ringing louder and louder.......

Most of my damage was done when I was younger and in situations where I didn't have a chance at ear pro. Please don't take non-ringing ears for granted.

I duck hunted 40 years shooting 3" mags probably thousands of rounds. We all wear electronic hearing protection now but nobody ever did before. In the grand scheme of things a couple rifles shots a year aren't even up to the level of the proverbial drop in the bucket.

Having said that, the worst thing I ever did to my ears were the rock and metal concerts.

 

[justin davis]

I won’t shoot or hunt without a suppressor ever again.

 

[5811]

It's a hard thing to admit to yourself, that you only have yourself to blame for irreversible damage. People will do all sorts of mental gymnastics to justify their choices, anything from "it's fine" to "other things are worse."

If you're lucky enough to avoid serious ringing, good for you, but don't let your pride sway people into taking the same risks, they might not be as lucky.

 

[*zap*]

I run ear plugs

 

[mt terry d]

If I believed in LAWS the one I'd support would be that all rifles be suppressed.

But I don't believe in laws so do what you like.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I won't even hunt with someone if they're not suppressed. Not worth my ears.

There's 6in, 6-7oz suppressors for hunting and there's really no reason not to have one if weight is the issue.

There's virtually no cartridge that cutting from 22 or 24 to 18 restricts you to hunting ranges almost anyone is able to accurately shoot at from a field position.

I won’t even hang out with somebody if they don’t own a silencer.

 

[butcherboy]

I’ve never shot suppressors and never will. I’ll let all you guys that won’t hunt with someone shooting without a suppressor know where I’ll
be next time so I can have the place all to myself. A big thank you in advance!

 

[Loper]

I have been using a suppressor for probably 15 years and I would not hunt without one. I have always ran shorter barrels for their handiness and currently I have switched to the over the barrel style of suppressor which balances the muzzle even more.

Which over the barrel suppressor(s) are you using?

 

[mms2]

I will only hunt with out a suppressor if its not legal to use one. my current set up is 26 barrel and 7" can its not to bad in open country.

I do think I want to do a build with a 18-22inch barrel eventually.

 

[mtnbound]

Which over the barrel suppressor(s) are you using?

Griffin Armament, they also have a great veteran, and first responder discount program.
https://www.griffinarmament.com/dual-lok-psr-otb-7-suppressor-7-62mm/

 

[Robobiss]

I won’t even hang out with somebody if they don’t own a silencer.

Glad someone said it

 

[magtech]

I never bought into the hunting suppressor marketing. I've shot a couple and felt like it was 75% gimmick, except on a 22, thats fun.

Here's what i do. I wear those ear pro on my neck with the hard plastic connecting them. Then I'm never without ear pro.

Plusses: weight, barrel length, still better sound protection than just with just a can.

Negatives: Dont get to take pictures that make me look Instagram cool. Am I missing something else?

 

[Hnthrdr]

I never bought into the hunting suppressor marketing. I've shot a couple and felt like it was 75% gimmick, except on a 22, thats fun.

Here's what i do. I wear those ear pro on my neck with the hard plastic connecting them. Then I'm never without ear pro.

Plusses: weight, barrel length, still better sound protection than just with just a can.

Negatives: Dont get to take pictures that make me look Instagram cool. Am I missing something else?

First time hunting with a can last year. Had a sizeable herd of Muleys during the rut. 4-5 bucks 7-10 does. Shot my buck dropped him and then a couple more shots when he picked his head up. Deer paused for a min. Then went back to feeding. Never seen that happen when I used to use regular rifle or a brake. If I had been with a partner or needed to shoot more it’s a game changer. But to each his own ya know.

 

[magtech]

First time hunting with a can last year. Had a sizeable herd of Muleys during the rut. 4-5 bucks 7-10 does. Shot my buck dropped him and then a couple more shots when he picked his head up. Deer paused for a min. Then went back to feeding. Never seen that happen when I used to use regular rifle or a brake. If I had been with a partner or needed to shoot more it’s a game changer. But to each his own ya know.

Was hunting WT 2 years ago. Had a few deer walk out at 250 ish. Shot the first one. Shot the second then finished off the first. All within 20 seconds. Deer were looking around all stupid like... and i didnt have a supressor.

Muleys are a dumber breed of deer. I saw a big buck by a road once. Yelled at it and it didnt get up. Threw a rock at it and it just looked at me like he didnt have time for humans.

Id probably have a can but i dont like playing the gov games... and the ones ive shot havent been a "game-changer" just another thing to weigh me down.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Was hunting WT 2 years ago. Had a few deer walk out at 250 ish. Shot the first one. Shot the second then finished off the first. All within 20 seconds. Deer were looking around all stupid like... and i didnt have a supressor.

Muleys are a dumber breed of deer. I saw a big buck by a road once. Yelled at it and it didnt get up. Threw a rock at it and it just looked at me like he didnt have time for humans.

Id probably have a can but i dont like playing the gov games... and the ones ive shot havent been a "game-changer" just another thing to weigh me down.

Like I said to each his own. My experience has been in heavily hunted, 100’s to 1000’s of tags issued a season seen some dumber younger muley deer but anything over 3 years old on public is pretty darn tuned in by the time 3rd/4th rifle roles around

Yes centerfire rifles are not “hollywoood quiet” I prefer them, last two I purchased took a total of 30 days to have them home, vs the year I waited for my first few it wasn’t a big deal. Now rimfire suppression is Hollywood quiet and too much fun! Great way to introduce youngsters to rifles and protect their hearing

 

[mtnbound]

I never bought into the hunting suppressor marketing. I've shot a couple and felt like it was 75% gimmick, except on a 22, thats fun.

Here's what i do. I wear those ear pro on my neck with the hard plastic connecting them. Then I'm never without ear pro.

Plusses: weight, barrel length, still better sound protection than just with just a can.

Negatives: Dont get to take pictures that make me look Instagram cool. Am I missing something else?

I hate to fiddle with ear pro in the field, whether it's plugs or headphones, it's just one more step to deal with before you pull the trigger, and after a few times of having quick shots and not having time to put ear pro on, you start looking for a better option.

 

[Taudisio]

Was hunting WT 2 years ago. Had a few deer walk out at 250 ish. Shot the first one. Shot the second then finished off the first. All within 20 seconds. Deer were looking around all stupid like... and i didnt have a supressor.

Muleys are a dumber breed of deer. I saw a big buck by a road once. Yelled at it and it didnt get up. Threw a rock at it and it just looked at me like he didnt have time for humans.

Id probably have a can but i dont like playing the gov games... and the ones ive shot havent been a "game-changer" just another thing to weigh me down.

You sound like me 2 years ago. Are suppressors the best thing ever? No. Do they make a big difference? Yes.
You need more time behind one to realize it, not just using a friends. As far as the government goes, there isn’t much they don’t know/can’t find out about you already.

Guys probably said the same thing as you when magnified optics came out. “75% gimmick. I can shoot just as far with my iron sights, those things are just extra weight on the rifle.”

 

[rentalrunner22]

Suppressors are a better investment than hearing aids. You can get multiple shots on animals before they try to run. Bring it. Cut weight elsewhere or get in better shape.

 

[dreadi]

People that are dissatisfied with their suppression bought the wrong item, had untempered expectations, were mislead, didn't do enough research, a combination of any of those. They are not all equal, and some perform well for their price point and features on certain platforms.

For example, you have a .223/5.56 bolt gun to suppress. You don't have to buy a Surefire to suppress. For most people, a Recce Mod 5 will do just fine. However, that Recce isn't going to shine on your 11.5" SBR.

Some people will look at price points and ratings, make a decision and then be let down when their Nomad 30 leaves their ears ringing from their 300WM.

 

[butcherboy]

Suppressors are a better investment than hearing aids. You can get multiple shots on animals before they try to run. Bring it. Cut weight elsewhere or get in better shape.

Even better is to become a better shot and only need to shoot once.