Are suppressors over rated?

[Richard22]

Now I know this thread is going to ruffle a few feathers, but since when was that not a reason to start a discussion.

After buying a new rifle with a threaded barrel, I've considered buying a suppressor. However, I just can't see the need for one. First off and perhaps for the main reason, it appears they don't make a rifle "Hollwood quiet" but simply reduce the sound of the blast for the shooter. I say this based on my observations when I see guys using them at the range. In my opinion, the downrange noise is not something that I can see having no impact on game animals, as might be the case when trying to get follow up shots. As for hearing protection at the range, I use a pair of earbuds with Bluetooth that allows me to listen to the radio or music at the same time. I can also take them to the woods for both hearing protection and better hearing, something the new generation of earbuds does quite well. I'm also turned off to adding six to eight inches of length to my barrels, and I have no interest to seeing a reduction in velocity from shorter barrels. And while I wouldn't go so far as to call them a fad, there does seem to be a lot of guys who buy them simply because others own them. After all, they've been around for decades.

 

[Schaaf]

You’re overrated Richard

 

[nrpate05]

I've never shot one, but I think the noise reduction and reduced blast would help a lot of shooters out. I generally don't mind my shoulder getting hit by recoil but the blast makes me want to shoot less. I'd like to get one, but don't want the extra weight and length on the end of my rifle. I'll likely get one at some point.

 

[brymoore]

Now I know this thread is going to ruffle a few feathers, but since when was that not a reason to start a discussion.

After buying a new rifle with a threaded barrel, I've considered buying a suppressor. However, I just can't see the need for one. First off, it appears they don't make a rifle "Hollwood quiet" but simply reduce the sound of the blast for the shooter. I say this based on my observations when I see guys using them at the range. In my opinion, the downrange noise is not something that I can see having no impact on game animals, as might be the case when trying to get follow up shots. As for hearing protection at the range, I use a pair of earbuds with Bluetooth that allows me to listen to the radio or music at the same time. I can also take them to the woods for both hearing protection and increased hearing, something the new generation of earbuds does quite well. I'm also turned off to adding six to eight inches of length to my barrels, and I have no interest to seeing a reduction in velocity from shorter barrels.

You’re overthinking suppressors. After using one for a few years, all my rifles going forward will be suppressed.

Noise reduction is only part of the equation. Yes, it’s reduced to a much lower level. No hearing protection needed. There is a difference in shooting at animals suppressed. Animals will stand not knowing what happened at the shot. There is a difference.

I’ve never had an issue with the added length.

You’re missing the biggest component to suppressors - recoil reduction. My 280ai shoots very mild with a suppressor without the explosion of a brake. Accuracy improved and so did muzzle velocity. I’ve seen flinchers shoot my rifle well once they realized the recoil was lighter. Shooting a suppressed rifle will make most people better shots.

 

[Hyhunter]

Those ear buds are illegal I'm many states. I use suppressor on every rifle, softens the sound to not have more hearing damage than I already have and lessens the recoil, my rifles it increases velocity. Animals I have put follow up shots on didn't know where the shots came from so they just stood and looked around.

 

[Forkyfinder]

I thought like you.

Boy was i wrong. I dont like shooting unsuppresed anymore.

 

[Richard22]

I've never shot one, but I think the noise reduction and reduced blast would help a lot of shooters out. I generally don't mind my shoulder getting hit by recoil but the blast makes me want to shoot less. I'd like to get one, but don't want the extra weight and length on the end of my rifle. I'll likely get one at some point.

No doubt the increased popularity of long-range shooting and competitive shooting where lots of shots are fired has helped drive the suppressor market

 

[seeth07]

Suppressors aren't overrated - the hype is legit and now that it is super easy to get them, it will in no time become normal like in other parts of the world. Hopefully with that trend, the price drops to what they are actually worth. Due to how difficult it used to be to get them, prices remained at 5x what they are really worth.

 

[Richard22]

I thought like you.

Boy was i wrong. I dont like shooting unsuppresed anymore.

I suspect there are members of my generation that would say the emasculation of men is real.

 

[Fire_9]

People fret far too much about the loss in velocity with cutting a few inches of barrel off. There are a few over the barrel models on the market now that only add about 4" of length to the barrel. That is definitely the route I would go if I was looking to get into the suppressor game

 

[Forkyfinder]

I suspect there are members of my generation that would say the emasculation of men is real.

Going deafs manly to boomers. Noted.

 

[OleRedbeard]

I have a couple and they have their place in the tool box for sure. Im not packing one around the mountains all day but for being on stand its nice. Everything I can do at this point to save my hearing I am. I didnt listen when I was younger and pay for it these days. I use my 22 cal. sparrow almost religiously small game hunting its small enough and short enough its not that noticeable carrying as far as being awkward. The only other one I have is a hybrid 46 which I use on my 300wm and a single shot cva 450BM. Shooting subsonics in the bushmaster and running the can its very quiet but you sacrifice on what distance due to them being slow. Works great though for a small piece of private I have permission to take does on that butts up to a couple houses.
I guess to sum it up. They are pretty dang useful for quite a bit of stuff but not something for the hunting I do that I always use. They do however come in handy.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

I'd say yes, suppressors are overrated for the average hunter who shoots less than 100 rounds of centerfire per year. If a guy is going to shoot a box of ammo and a couple rounds at an animal, its hard to make it worth it.

But after shooting a bunch with them, shooting without them is less enjoyable.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

And while I wouldn't go so far as to call them a fad, there does seem to be a lot of guys who buy them simply because others own them. After all, they've been around for decades.

Probably some truth to this, but they are more available, better options, faster to acquire, and supporting rifle infrastructure is much better now than it's ever been. This aspect is way more prevalent with carbon barrels and chassis IMO. Less benefit and in some cases more negatives than positives but people have to have em.

I suspect there are members of my generation that would say the emasculation of men is real.

I suspect most them never shoot any kind of volume from hunting weight rifles either.

 

[VikingsGuy]

Now I know this thread is going to ruffle a few feathers, but since when was that not a reason to start a discussion.

After buying a new rifle with a threaded barrel, I've considered buying a suppressor. However, I just can't see the need for one. First off and perhaps for the main reason, it appears they don't make a rifle "Hollwood quiet" but simply reduce the sound of the blast for the shooter. I say this based on my observations when I see guys using them at the range. In my opinion, the downrange noise is not something that I can see having no impact on game animals, as might be the case when trying to get follow up shots. As for hearing protection at the range, I use a pair of earbuds with Bluetooth that allows me to listen to the radio or music at the same time. I can also take them to the woods for both hearing protection and better hearing, something the new generation of earbuds does quite well. I'm also turned off to adding six to eight inches of length to my barrels, and I have no interest to seeing a reduction in velocity from shorter barrels. And while I wouldn't go so far as to call them a fad, there does seem to be a lot of guys who buy them simply because others own them. After all, they've been around for decades.

The poorest time to say something is overrated is before you have actually tried it . . .

 

[TheDudeAbides]

Now I know this thread is going to ruffle a few feathers, but since when was that not a reason to start a discussion.

After buying a new rifle with a threaded barrel, I've considered buying a suppressor. However, I just can't see the need for one. First off and perhaps for the main reason, it appears they don't make a rifle "Hollwood quiet" but simply reduce the sound of the blast for the shooter. I say this based on my observations when I see guys using them at the range. In my opinion, the downrange noise is not something that I can see having no impact on game animals, as might be the case when trying to get follow up shots. As for hearing protection at the range, I use a pair of earbuds with Bluetooth that allows me to listen to the radio or music at the same time. I can also take them to the woods for both hearing protection and better hearing, something the new generation of earbuds does quite well. I'm also turned off to adding six to eight inches of length to my barrels, and I have no interest to seeing a reduction in velocity from shorter barrels. And while I wouldn't go so far as to call them a fad, there does seem to be a lot of guys who buy them simply because others own them. After all, they've been around for decades.

I can tell you from experience that game generally does not move any different when being fired upon with a suppressed weapon. Watched my buddy miss before finally connecting last year on a cow elk. The cow elk was none the wiser.

They were underrated for a really long time and now they are becoming properly rated.

 

[Richard22]

I'd say yes, suppressors are overrated for the average hunter who shoots less than 100 rounds of centerfire per year. If a guy is going to shoot a box of ammo and a couple rounds at an animal, its hard to make it worth it.

I definitely fall into that group. I'm a firm believer in that old saying "You play the way you practice". For that reason, my practice sessions often include single shots taken within a few seconds, 10 minutes or more apart using only a forearm rest.

Your comments also draw attention to hunters who seldom practice and take only a few shots between hunting seasons "just to check their zero."

 

[Frequently Banned Troll]

A suppressed .22lr is way underrated maybe even more so than a centerfire. My .223 is going to be the funnest gopher killer on planet earth. But those opinions are from somebody that has not been to “a range” in years..

Don’t bother with suppressors richtard22.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

Going deafs manly to boomers. Noted.

Or just carry a pair of ear plugs. This is what I've been doing. This also helps ensure I don't rush a shot, hunting in the west I can't think of a time I didn't actually have the time to put in plugs (even though it still seems like an unwarranted fear I think of), keep them in my pocket to keep warm, the few seconds it takes for them to expand in my ear is when I'm setting up my rifle etc.

The added weight and length to a rifle is not insignificant. It comes down the the user and what they are willing to compromise and what they want. I don't know if overrated is correct, but I think it's just a preference and the large majority of hunters seem to prefer them now compared to 20 years ago, even 10 years ago. Marketing has sure helped - shorter barrels and CF wrapped barrels and most now being threaded from the factory. A lot of the barriers to entry (or seemingly barriers) have been removed.

I will agree with @Frequently Banned Troll regarding the suppressed .22. And even add to that, that many in the west are missing out on a suppressed fox/gray squirrel hunt in the Midwest. Out west it's fun to snipe grouse out of the trees with them, but not quite as fun as squirrels based generally on opportunity of shots given. However, I've not been impressed with the segmented HP CCI ammo which was designed specifically for hunting and being near "Hollywood quiet." The terminal performance, especially on grouse with their feather protection, is lacking, a head or neck shot is required for prompt dispatch. Same with squirrels so I switched back to using full-octane HP's. Not as quiet but kills on contact.

I've seen some integrally suppressed .22 rifles. Not sure if this is possible on a centerfire, would think if it was someone would have done this as it adds no length to the rifle. Not sure about weight because I wasn't concerned about weight when I saw the rifle at the time.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Or just carry a pair of ear plugs. This is what I've been doing. This also helps ensure I don't rush a shot, hunting in the west I can't think of a time I didn't actually have the time to put in plugs (even though it still seems like an unwarranted fear I think of), keep them in my pocket to keep warm, the few seconds it takes for them to expand in my ear is when I'm setting up my rifle etc.

The added weight and length to a rifle is not insignificant. It comes down the the user and what they are willing to compromise and what they want. I don't know if overrated is correct, but I think it's just a preference and the large majority of hunters seem to prefer them now compared to 20 years ago, even 10 years ago. Marketing has sure helped - shorter barrels and CF wrapped barrels and most now being threaded from the factory. A lot of the barriers to entry (or seemingly barriers) have been removed.

I will agree with @Frequently Banned Troll regarding the suppressed .22. And even add to that, that many in the west are missing out on a suppressed fox/gray squirrel hunt in the Midwest. Out west it's fun to snipe grouse out of the trees with them, but not quite as fun as squirrels based generally on opportunity of shots given. However, I've not been impressed with the segmented HP CCI ammo which was designed specifically for hunting and being near "Hollywood quiet." The terminal performance, especially on grouse with their feather protection, is lacking, a head or neck shot is required for prompt dispatch. Same with squirrels so I switched back to using full-octane HP's. Not as quiet but kills on contact.

I've seen some integrally suppressed .22 rifles. Not sure if this is possible on a centerfire, would think if it was someone would have done this as it adds no length to the rifle. Not sure about weight because I wasn't concerned about weight when I saw the rifle at the time.

As far as length - lots of good suppressors around add 5.5" to a barrel.

The difference between a 16/18/20 inch barrel and a 22/24/26 inch barrel in a lot of cartridges, especially at typical hunting ranges, is meaningless. I dont regret cutting some of mine down at all. Going from 24.4 to 18 i lost 100-130 fps with a 175 smk in 308. Worth it for a shorter rifle for almost all situations to me - suppressed or not.

Ive heard people all over the world use shorter barrels on their rifles, after using one i completely see why.

I guess i wouldnt take it on EVERY kind of hunt, but i like killing prarie dogs, steel targets, coyotes etc.

A side benefit - when a deer/elk/bear hunt turns into a coyote hunt - you dont piss away the drainage youre in.