What's the deal with everyone using suppresors?

[JohnJohnson]

As for concussion (recoil maybe?), a muzzlebrake will out perform a suppressor, not by much though.

No, concussion. Not recoil. Muzzle brakes reduce recoil and increase the concussive blast of the shot and how much of it gets to you. A lot of people flinch from concussive blasts even if the recoil is reduced.

Hearing protection and a muzzlebrake together will put a suppressor as being nonoptimal.

There are a lot of times where even double earpro does not fully protect you when shooting braked rifles.

 

[kpete]

Game changer for coyote hunting, gives you a much better chance at follow up shots and shots at multiples. It's frustrating that they are so expensive and time consuming to get - hollywood makes them seem like they actually silence guns. Not the case as you know. There are frequent legislation proposals to make them easier to get but they always seem to get shot down.

 

[Robobiss]

Hearing protection can then be phrased as being more safe if that is what was meant, so...

As for concussion (recoil maybe?), a muzzlebrake will out perform a suppressor, not by much though.

Hearing protection and a muzzlebrake together will put a suppressor as being nonoptimal.

The real benefit is combining the two for lessened noise and lessened recoil, but not a substitute for the other. It's really a convenience thing, not more advantage.

My take is that it's a preference. All of our preferences are held in bias supported with whatever anecdotal evidence we possess...

As someone else already replied. Concussion from muzzle brakes is BRUTAL. And a lot of times it is so loud that even double earpro doesn’t make it safe. Sitting next to someone shooting with a brake even on a lowly 6.5 feels like you’re getting slapped in the face. A magnum-ish cartridge feels like more than a slap. Again, with all of that noise and business, you will likely shoot better with the suppressor and maybe 10% more recoil instead of the brake.

I’ve put 800 rounds downrange with a Ma-deuce in one sitting with cheapo orange foamies in. I didnt feel half as beat up as I do after sitting next to my dad shooting a box through his 6.8 western with a stupid brake on it wearing good earpro.

You’re right. It all boils down to our own anecdotal evidence. I would do a lot of crazy stuff though before I shot/took a braked rifle hunting. Without ear pro (god forbid) or even with marginal ear pro, you are asking for some weird shit to happen in your inner ear, at the very least hearing loss over time.

It’s not unheard of to have serious, debilitating vertigo to the point that you can’t walk, can’t move without throwing up after muzzle blasts from braked rifles. They can dislodge a “crystal” or something in your inner ear. Royally F’s you up to the point of legitimately needing rescue. Look it up.

Slim chances, but I don’t want to chance that at 10k feet with snow in the forecast. I heard a story on a podcast this summer/fall (Working Class Bowhunter) where a guy had this happen with a muzzleloader (maybe braked, maybe not?) in a blind. The muzzle was out the window, but the sound was just enough to take him out. He almost died of hypothermia waiting for rescuers to find him, was barely with the program enough to dial 911. His first hand account was pretty scary.

 

[mt100gr.]

Am I the only one that found this funny?

I saw it, but I felt so bad for the guy, I just let it lie...the neighbors must be very understanding.

 

[CT_MS]

Simple answer is to do anything you can to protect your hearing.

 

[Robobiss]

As someone else already replied. Concussion from muzzle brakes is BRUTAL. And a lot of times it is so loud that even double earpro doesn’t make it safe. Sitting next to someone shooting with a brake even on a lowly 6.5 feels like you’re getting slapped in the face. A magnum-ish cartridge feels like more than a slap. Again, with all of that noise and business, you will likely shoot better with the suppressor and maybe 10% more recoil instead of the brake.

I’ve put 800 rounds downrange with a Ma-deuce in one sitting with cheapo orange foamies in. I didnt feel half as beat up as I do after sitting next to my dad shooting a box through his 6.8 western with a stupid brake on it wearing good earpro.

You’re right. It all boils down to our own anecdotal evidence. I would do a lot of crazy stuff though before I shot/took a braked rifle hunting. Without ear pro (god forbid) or even with marginal ear pro, you are asking for some weird shit to happen in your inner ear, at the very least hearing loss over time.

It’s not unheard of to have serious, debilitating vertigo to the point that you can’t walk, can’t move without throwing up after muzzle blasts from braked rifles. They can dislodge a “crystal” or something in your inner ear. Royally F’s you up to the point of legitimately needing rescue. Look it up.

Slim chances, but I don’t want to chance that at 10k feet with snow in the forecast. I heard a story on a podcast this summer/fall (Working Class Bowhunter) where a guy had this happen with a muzzleloader (maybe braked, maybe not?) in a blind. The muzzle was out the window, but the sound was just enough to take him out. He almost died of hypothermia waiting for rescuers to find him, was barely with the program enough to dial 911. His first hand account was pretty scary.

For anyone reading the bottom of this comment and gives a crap about what I’m talking about. Check out working class bowhunter episode 562 “Freak Hunting Accident with Sam Ubl & Chase Nation” on Spotify or Apple Podcasts etc.

This stuff can happen to anyone. It’s more likely to happen to you if you are shooting with a brake. If it happens to you, you’re essentially helpless and F’d without rescue.

Everyone can do what they want with their money. I know what camp I am in.

 

[Robobiss]

I saw it, but I felt so bad for the guy, I just let it lie...the neighbors must be very understanding.

Luckily the neighbors aren’t close enough to hear me shooting with my can… Or close enough to hear me in the bathroom after 3 beefy five layer burritos.
*Ba-Dum-tis*

 

[hereinaz]

Am I the only one that found this funny?

I needed ear pro one hunt, and I know I definitely scared off the deers after a couple days of Mountain House.

 

[wyogoat]

View attachment 653954

Underrated response…

 

[Ucsdryder]

Both of my suppressors are quiet enough that I don’t wear them target shooting. The 338 ultra is stupid quiet.

 

[Stalker69]

Am I the only one that found this funny?

Damn, how does that toilet with stand the concussion, and not explode under him.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

So I have been toying with the idea of getting a suppressor. But I wanted to get it mostly for recoil reduction with the benefit of being quiet. I do not see anybody claiming their suppressor gets much recoil reduction. I want this for my wife. I have tried a couple muzzle brakes...sure work on the recoil reduction but sure don't care for the back blast of pressure. I even tried a Witt Machine SME----That was a waste of money!!!

My average sized 13yr old had no issues shooting an elk with my 300wsm with a AB raptor 8 & 3" reflex on it without loosing sight of the elk in the scope, I'd say it handles recoil adequately on a decent sized caliber.

Its not as much reduction as the 4 port brake that is otherwise on that gun but shooting that gun with that suppressor does enough recoil management for the purpose and tames the sound more while hunting. As the shooter the muzzle blast from brakes I have on my guns has never been an issue to me or my kids fwiw. I opted for the can for moderate recoil reduction and safer for hearing, my ears already ring non-stop, I don't want that for my kids while under my supervision, whatever they do to their own hearing later in life is on them.

 

[OXN939]

I just can’t get over strapping a 5-6 inch weight that is roughly a half pound onto the end of my barrel and still going on a backpack hunt. Idk maybe it will be fathomable once I shoot someone else’s gun with 1

Really interesting thread here. Cans are cool for sure, and honestly them being normalized is maybe one of the only positives of this whole "hunting social media" explosion.

Doubt I'll ever hunt with them, though, for a few reasons. One, dudes pay a wild amount of money to get rid of a third the weight of a suppressor. Two, adding 5 or 6 inches and a big downward moment to the end of a rifle's barrel changes its entire character, for both handling and shooting. Three, if the can or its attachment point gets damaged, the POI shift is such that your rifle hunt basically becomes a knife hunt in most cases.

Used to think about coming up with a minimalist, ultralight Ti/Sc alloy can rated for low volume of non-mag calibers. This thread pretty much proves the market for it...

 

[roadrunner]

No, concussion. Not recoil. Muzzle brakes reduce recoil and increase the concussive blast of the shot and how much of it gets to you. A lot of people flinch from concussive blasts even if the recoil is reduced.

There are a lot of times where even double earpro does not fully protect you when shooting braked rifles.

JJ - depends on where the compressed airwaves are directed.

Please post the decibel numbers as to what is or is not protecting you. Suppressors are not magical and they do not cancel out permissible limits in comparison.

People do not flinch from the blast or even recoil. Both of those are experienced after the bullet has left the barrel and is somewhere between the shooter and target.

They flinch either from anticipation of both recoil and "concussion" and observed when a snap-cap or dummy round is used as a teaching aid and is not a physical effect of either recoil or "concussion".

FYI - concussion merely means a violent shake or jolt, so, yeah, recoil kinda fits into that...

 

[Marshfly]

JJ - depends on where the compressed airwaves are directed.

Please post the decibel numbers as to what is or is not protecting you. Suppressors are not magical and they do not cancel out permissible limits in comparison.

People do not flinch from the blast or even recoil. Both of those are experienced after the bullet has left the barrel and is somewhere between the shooter and target.

They flinch either from anticipation of both recoil and "concussion" and observed when a snap-cap or dummy round is used as a teaching aid and is not a physical effect of either recoil or "concussion".

FYI - concussion merely means a violent shake or jolt, so, yeah, recoil kinda fits into that...

I think he's talking about brain concussion. Muzzle brakes are proven to have concussive effects to the brain. But if a person wants to intentionally concuss themselves I guess they are free to do so.

 

[Amos Keeto]

I think he's talking about brain concussion. Muzzle brakes are proven to have concussive effects to the brain. But if a person wants to intentionally concuss themselves I guess they are free to do so.

First time I witnessed anybody shooting with a muzzle brake, it was an open shooting range with sandy soil and open benches.
Don't know what he was shooting, but he cleared the range! EVERYBODY left!
That damned thing kicked up dust 30 feet each side of the muzzle and 50 feet in front!

 

[Robobiss]

JJ - depends on where the compressed airwaves are directed.

Please post the decibel numbers as to what is or is not protecting you. Suppressors are not magical and they do not cancel out permissible limits in comparison.

People do not flinch from the blast or even recoil. Both of those are experienced after the bullet has left the barrel and is somewhere between the shooter and target.

They flinch either from anticipation of both recoil and "concussion" and observed when a snap-cap or dummy round is used as a teaching aid and is not a physical effect of either recoil or "concussion".

FYI - concussion merely means a violent shake or jolt, so, yeah, recoil kinda fits into that...

You’re right, but shooting a rifle with big recoil/big noise/big concussion makes the shooter more apt to flinch. That’s all I’m saying. And I think that’s all anyone is saying. Neither a brake or suppressor truly make the rifle shoot better, mechanically. It makes the shooter more comfortable with shooting said rifle and more apt to “slow, steady squeeze” without flinching and anticipating.

 

[JohnJohnson]

People do not flinch from the blast or even recoil. Both of those are experienced after the bullet has left the barrel and is somewhere between the shooter and target.

They flinch either from anticipation of both recoil and "concussion" and observed when a snap-cap or dummy round is used as a teaching aid and is not a physical effect of either recoil or "concussion".

The point of a flinch in shooting is that people flinch in anticipation of something before it happens. Anyone who's not trying to be unnecessarily pedantic for internet points would acknowledge that's implied when I say flinch.

Please post the decibel numbers as to what is or is not protecting you. Suppressors are not magical and they do not cancel out permissible limits in comparison.

I imagine it'll vary depending on what you shoot and how aggressive your brake is. I'll link a primer in concussive hearing loss below though.

Why I Use a Suppressor

Shooting with a rifle scope It must have been the road noise. I thought I was having a hard time hearing my five year old daughter speaking to me on

accurateordnance.com

 

[49ereric]

No can now or coming… government gets enough of my money as is.
I shoot more blue dot rifle loads these days. full handgun loads then double ear protection.
ran heavy equipment for years making a living. Older equipment was loud!
been wearing double ear protection on the lawn mower as well and lots to mow.
been cutting firewood since I could hold a small saw with no protection then but now I do and have for many years.
shame I didn't wear hearing protection roughnecking on a Triple drilling rig when I was young.
the ringing in my ears started a few years back from a lifetime work and rock concerts.
my ears rang for days after seeing Black Sabbath in Chicago in ’78 Van Halen opened.
I doubt the rifles made much difference.
by all means buy one if you want.

 

[KurtR]

Shot plenty of comps and seen peoples hats off to the side flipped of from muzzle brakes. Shooting suppressed is just better than naked and it’s not even close.