Who Hunts Using Suppressed Guns?

[nm.otter]

Is your barrel shortened? I had the barrel on my 6.5cm cut down by roughly the length of the suppressor and outside of a bit of extra muzzle weight I think it should handle pretty similarly to before

Depending on the rifle, it could actually handle better -- and shoot better.

What kind of issues?

Possible side effect of shooting better. Muzzle weight reduces rise and may damp resonances.

I’m glad I didn’t suppress the rock and roll music of the 80s.

I worked in it -- and wore earplugs. One of the best decisions I made in my early twenties.

 

[SBR Sarge]

I can’t remember the last time I hunted without a suppressor.

300 Blk, 5.56/223, 6mm ARC, 350 Legend. Most all have been in SBR form. The SBR evens out the can’s length for easy handling.

 

[TradLife406]

Pretty sure everyone here that's in the states is hunting suppressed at this point.

 

[Walker6]

Hearing loss isn’t what I thought it would be. The volume is still there, but the details are lost. I have one daughter whose voice is in such a range that all I hear is vowel sounds. Other family members have deeper voices and they still sound ok. Add some background noise and things get worse. Plus the constant ringing. Sometimes on two different frequencies.

I blame several things.

Mine was the first generation to grow up with portable headphones. We were warned, but what did adults know? Then there were the loud car stereos, loud concerts, prolonged exposure to machinery, and the shooting. I got my first pistol on my 21st birthday. My buddies and I would go shoot it in a field without hearing protection and then laugh about how it made our ears ring.

My advice is to do everything you can RIGHT NOW with regard to protecting your hearing. Foam ear plugs at concerts, earpro when using a circular saw, etc., and without a doubt put a can on every rifle you shoot. I wish I had fully committed to suppressors just a year sooner.

Once you lose it, it ain’t coming back.

He who has ears, let him hear…

 

[3one5]

The only firearms that I own that aren't suppressed are shotguns and those might get suppressed too. The added length and weight are easily justified in my mind.

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

Pretty sure everyone here that's in the states is hunting suppressed at this point.

Except the states where they're illegal to own / hunt with. And there are plenty of people that aren't interested, think they're too expensive, think the process is still too complicated, don't want to give the ATF their fingerprints, don't want to thread a barrel, buy a new rifle with a threaded barrel, think muzzle brakes are better, etc.

I'd guess that suppressed hunters are still in the minority overall.

 

[FOS373]

Except the states where they're illegal to own / hunt with. And there are plenty of people that aren't interested, think they're too expensive, think the process is still too complicated, don't want to give the ATF their fingerprints, don't want to thread a barrel, buy a new rifle with a threaded barrel, think muzzle brakes are better, etc.

I'd guess that suppressed hunters are still in the minority overall.

I think this statement is very true. I was at our private shooting club yesterday, and it was busy for a Tuesday with ~ 6 other people; I was the only one shooting suppressed. Although I've been asked by numerous friends how the suppressor process works, only two (and they are father / son) have moved forward with it.

 

[Flat Range]

Save your hearing now, buy a suppressor or 2.

"Save your hearing, shoot suppressed"

I'd buy that shirt!

 

[North of 60]

Hearing loss isn’t what I thought it would be. The volume is still there, but the details are lost. I have one daughter whose voice is in such a range that all I hear is vowel sounds. Other family members have deeper voices and they still sound ok. Add some background noise and things get worse. Plus the constant ringing. Sometimes on two different frequencies.

I blame several things.

Mine was the first generation to grow up with portable headphones. We were warned, but what did adults know? Then there were the loud car stereos, loud concerts, prolonged exposure to machinery, and the shooting. I got my first pistol on my 21st birthday. My buddies and I would go shoot it in a field without hearing protection and then laugh about how it made our ears ring.

My advice is to do everything you can RIGHT NOW with regard to protecting your hearing. Foam ear plugs at concerts, earpro when using a circular saw, etc., and without a doubt put a can on every rifle you shoot. I wish I had fully committed to suppressors just a year sooner.

Once you lose it, it ain’t coming back.

He who has ears, let him hear…

1000% on ear pro in ANY loud environment. And double up for electric saws and chain saws.

 

[coachmks]

I’m 55 years old. Shot my first deer at 12 years old. Bought my first suppressors in January and February. I’ll hunt with them, but mainly wanted them for shooting at the range.

 

[Pilsner]

I think this statement is very true. I was at our private shooting club yesterday, and it was busy for a Tuesday with ~ 6 other people; I was the only one shooting suppressed. Although I've been asked by numerous friends how the suppressor process works, only two (and they are father / son) have moved forward with it.

An Official Journal Of The NRA | Suppressor Ownership Records Shattered, 30% used for Hunting

On Jan. 1, 2026, the price of a National Firearm Act tax stamp to take ownership of a suppressor dropped from $200 to $0. A flood of eForm applications struck at the stroke of midnight, setting a record estimated at 150,000 that day alone, many of them submitted by hunters.

www.americanhunter.org

Within my large circle o'hunting buddies I'd wager that 1/3 are already hunting suppressed 100% of the time they use rifles, 1/3 are either waiting on cans to get approved or are shopping for their first can, and 1/3 (our Fudd's) are refusing to get their classic rifles cut and threaded but even they are also looking for new rifles that can be suppressed. No one in my circle says "I'd never hunt with a can/own a can" after using one or being on a hunt with one.

As an aside nearly all of the folks in my hunting/shooting circle are ex-military folks who have both:
A: used suppressors in the military at least once
B: suffer from some level of existing hearing loss/tinnitus.

My experience seems to match up with the headline above. I.e. about 1/3 of cans are being sold to hunters and/or 1/3 of hunters are using cans already. Whichever way that you want to read that headline.

My experience every time I am at a public range shooting suppressed is nearly the same:
"Hey, how do you like using a can and how do I get one?" "Can I shoot it?"
Usually followed by some form of b!tching about paying for the old tax stamp or *insert ATF suppressor-based conspiracy theory here* as to why they would never own one. 99.9% of the time the ones offering the conspiracy theory as the reason they would never own one are the boomer Fudd group that we all know and love. One group I try to educate since I now own a Type 7 FFL and can sell/make cans, the other I just politely nod my head and make sage " uh, huh" noises towards.

Personally, I only shoot suppressed for centerfire rifle use, and I won't shoot or hunt with someone that isn't also using a can (if we are hunting together not just out of the same camp).

 

[Ralphie]

The atf fingerprint fear cracks me up. It would probably scare me too if it was still 1950. Pretty sure if the government wants you they ain’t using your fingerprints anymore.

I have a couple rifles I’ll never thread but I’m probably not buying anymore that I won’t use a suppressor on.

I really like suppressed 22s. But I have one pistol that has a ton of blow back with a suppressor so I took it off. Maybe I should try a flow thru on it.

I’ve never shot a suppressed centerfire handgun or shotgun.

For the box of ammo a year kinda guy I’m not sure they are worth it even without the 200. But I do have a friend who doesn’t even shoot that much, he probably kills an elk and maybe a deer or antelope most years and he wanted one and he can afford it. He already has hearing aids that are supposed to reduce loud noises but he says it’s still wayyyyy better with the suppressor.

 

[JayF]

My older rifles without threads just sit in the safe now. Won't hunt with out a supressor now. Deer just dont spook after the shot like they do without the supressor.

 

[Ropnjansen]

Suppressors do make it enjoyable if you have other people along on the hunt. Easier for people to communicate after a shot.

 

[bikerj86]

I am kicking this off with my first suppressed rifle, my Ruger American Ranch gen 2 5.56 rifle. I had fast results of getting my silencer tax stamp with the help of the Silencer Shop.

I just purchased my first suppressor ( griffin ultralight HD.300) and am dying in anticipation of shipping lol. Im throwing it on my springfield waypoint 2020 in 308.

 

[B Harrison]

Are there people, outside of Canada, that shoot without them?

I have never owned on, and really don’t even like muzzle breaks…
I’ll get a can at some point, but haven’t yet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[omicron1792]

I have never owned on, and really don’t even like muzzle breaks…
I’ll get a can at some point, but haven’t yet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Cans are like the opposite of muzzle brakes. Enjoyable in almost every way.

 

[X0311]

Between my wife and my self, we have five primary hunting rifles (elk, deer, backup) and all are suppressed. My wife refuses to shoot/hunt with a rifle that is not suppressed. The only real problem is when I buy new rifles or suppressors, I always have to buy two of them!

 

[LeftyWilbury]

i don't shoot unsuppressed now for the most part. nor would i hunt without it.

i had one 6.5CM round lying forlorn and sad on monday night when I finished the range session. decided to send it downrange after i had put the suppressors away. i was amazed how loud and how much recoil there was and thought, "damn, how the hell did i ever shoot three boxes of 30-06 in an afternoon and call that fun?!"

because i didn't know any better....

suppressors have made shooting 100% better. a very good and wise investment. too late for my hearing, but hopefully early enough for others.

 

[Sevens]

I proactively plan my hunts where I can use a supressor. No intention to hunt without one unless I have to due to regulation.