Suppressor mirage—ways to mitigate it?

[Macintosh]

First range session with my first suppressor, I quickly realized mirage is a MUCH bigger issue than Ive dealt with previously. I am not using a particularly high magnification scope (12x max), and its a bolt gun. Im not really worried about hunting, but Im curious what people do to mitigate mirage and how effective it is for 10-12round strings of fire like you might get in a match? Is a suppressor cover the answer? If so, what do I need to know?

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Battery powered fan.

 

[Dan Carey]

Cover is the answer. I hate the covers as they hold in the heat.

 

[Macintosh]

Battery powered fan.

Thanks. Im not so worried about time between strings, its during the string Im wondering about.

 

[hoooogan]

A suppressor cover is what you want. It's like an oven mitt for your suppressor. Sounds like you only need a basic cover for you bolt gun usage. It's not getting "that" hot.

I bought one from https://www.reddit.com/user/SWaller89/ on Reddit, for my 46M. Lots of options, handmade to order in the US and reasonably priced.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Same answer. Use the fan to push the mirage off to the side and out of your fov.

 

[hereinaz]

If you can’t blow away the mirage with a fan or block it with a “mirage band”, a suppressor cover is the answer. Lots of options, our take is an ultralight version that won’t slide off the front. Depending on caliber and suppressor size, it will give you 10-12 shots without mirage. Of course, here in the desert, the barrel and suppressor get hot fast and stay hot. It is crazy how much the bump up by 20 degrees to ambient temps of 100 changes things like powder burn rate, velocity, and mirage.

Ultralight Suppressor Armor (Custom Fit)

LS Wild LLC premium innovative outdoor hunting gear backpacks Thunderbird Long Range shooting bags

www.lswild.com

 

[Macintosh]

If you can’t blow away the mirage with a fan or block it with a “mirage band”, a suppressor cover is the answer. Lots of options, our take is an ultralight version that won’t slide off the front. Depending on caliber and suppressor size, it will give you 10-12 shots without mirage. Of course, here in the desert, the barrel and suppressor get hot fast and stay hot. It is crazy how much the bump up by 20 degrees to ambient temps of 100 changes things like powder burn rate, velocity, and mirage.

Ultralight Suppressor Armor (Custom Fit)

LS Wild LLC premium innovative outdoor hunting gear backpacks Thunderbird Long Range shooting bags

www.lswild.com

Thanks, yeah a fan isnt practical for where I shoot, I just wasnt sure how functional the covers are. If 10-12 shots without mirage are realistic thats exactly what I need. Its just a 6.5cm. I dont get your temps, I get 80* with dead still air…couldnt see a thing after 4-5 shots.

 

[Dan Carey]

Mirage is also coming from your barrel after a few shots.

 

[Bowfinn]

I’ve used and recommend @hereinaz ultralight suppressor cover and it works great. It can take more shots than expected, weights nothing, and doesn’t use any buckles/straps.

 

[hereinaz]

Thanks, yeah a fan isnt practical for where I shoot, I just wasnt sure how functional the covers are. If 10-12 shots without mirage are realistic thats exactly what I need. Its just a 6.5cm. I dont get your temps, I get 80* with dead still air…couldnt see a thing after 4-5 shots.

Pick one up, use Rokslide10 as a discount. If it doesn’t cut mirage enough, lemme know and we’ll take it back for a refund.

If you want more, the heavy duty ones from Rauch Precision are what I used. He is a good dude too.

 

[Shortschaf]

I’ve used and recommend @hereinaz ultralight suppressor cover and it works great. It can take more shots than expected, weights nothing, and doesn’t use any buckles/straps.

I have two of these.
They are incredible. Just as effectice as any bulky covers I've used.

Even with covers, if there is zero air movement, you can still get mirage from the muzzle end of the suppressor too.

So there is no perfect answer, but I used to hunt without covers due to the weight, but these lightweight covers are a gamechanger. Im leaving them on for everything

 

[Kaleb]

I have the LS Wild on all mine. Light and tight. If you need/want something today or tomorrow a friend of mine used some header wrap he had. It works great too.

 

[ElPollo]

First range session with my first suppressor, I quickly realized mirage is a MUCH bigger issue than Ive dealt with previously. I am not using a particularly high magnification scope (12x max), and it’s a bolt gun. Im not really worried about hunting, but Im curious what people do to mitigate mirage and how effective it is for 10-12round strings of fire like you might get in a match? Is a suppressor cover the answer? If so, what do I need to know?

I just pour some water on my can and barrel to cool it when it gets hot.

 

[hereinaz]

I just pour some water on my can and barrel to cool it when it gets hot.

In the summer, a wet rag is the only way to cool the barrel and suppressor down.

 

[The Harbor Master]

First range session with my first suppressor, I quickly realized mirage is a MUCH bigger issue than Ive dealt with previously. I am not using a particularly high magnification scope (12x max), and its a bolt gun. Im not really worried about hunting, but Im curious what people do to mitigate mirage and how effective it is for 10-12round strings of fire like you might get in a match? Is a suppressor cover the answer? If so, what do I need to know?

A couple weeks ago I had my first session with a suppressed rifle that has a scope (shot a lot with red dot before). I also was surprised how bad the mirage got, very quickly. I plan on ordering an LS Wild cover too.

They're very light, so I can't imagine it matters, but... does anyone get POI shift with/without it?

 

[slm9s]

I'm not an operator, so $40 GPS covers off amazon work well enough for me.

As for cooling them down, and being ever frugal, I bought a $6.99 amazon rechargeable "stroller fan" that I set up on a bench, put the rifle in front of it after I'm done with the string and it blows air thru my suppressors and out the end of the barrel. It cost almost nothing and I can cool two rifles down at a time.