Best Suppressor – What The Pros Use

I surveyed the 200 top-ranked shooters within the Precision Rifle Sequence (PRS) from this previous season to study what gear they’re operating in long-range rifle matches. These guys signify the perfect precision rifle shooters within the nation, and clearly, their gear is able to performing on the highest ranges. (Be taught in regards to the Precision Rifle Sequence)

That is the third and remaining article in a mini-series of posts about muzzle gadgets used within the PRS and developments associated to them:

Suppressors vs. Muzzle Brakes: Deep dive into the preferences of those top-tier shooters and the important thing causes they select one over the opposite. This text additionally explores revolutionary new hybrid merchandise that permit shooters to strike new balances in relation to the advantages of each.

Most Common Muzzle Brakes & Barrel Tuners: Share the precise manufacturers and fashions of muzzle brakes these professional shooters want.

Most Common Suppressors: This put up will share the manufacturers and fashions of suppressors these guys select to run to attach with targets at lengthy vary.

Earlier than we dive into the information, one among these professional shooters reached out to me instantly after I printed this and jogged my memory the present ATF wait time is barely 5 days on common in case you are transferring it as a person! That’s for the NFA stamp that’s required to personal a suppressor within the USA. In actual fact, this professional shooter mentioned he’s ordered 6 suppressors since February, and his common has been simply 2.5 days! If you’re transferring a suppressor to a belief (not a person), the median wait time is presently 61 days. These are the median wait instances, and it might clearly take longer – however I can keep in mind when each had been 12+ months! Should you’ve ever considered getting a suppressor however didn’t wish to wait – now’s the time! (Extra about present ATF wait instances.)

Most Common Suppressor Dimension

I wish to begin by displaying an fascinating development I noticed within the information: Producers and shooters are typically trending towards larger-diameter suppressors. For the longest time, most suppressors designed for precision rifles had a 1.5” diameter, however newer fashions appear to be trending towards 1.75” or 1.8” diameter. Going from 1.5” to 1.8” diameter won’t sound like a lot, however it could actually add 44% to the quantity of the suppressor – and quantity correlates with sound suppression efficiency.

I regarded up the specs for the entire suppressors these guys mentioned they had been utilizing. The chart beneath reveals the diameter of the suppressors these guys had been operating:

On the chart above, the varied colours signify the place a shooter landed by way of season rank within the PRS. For instance, black signifies shooters who completed within the prime 10, the darkest blue is individuals who completed 11-25, and the lighter the blue, the additional out they completed in general standings. The chart legend itemizes the ranks every colour represents, however principally, the darker the colour, the upper the shooter’s general rating.

Then the chart beneath reveals the size of the suppressors they had been operating, the place it might be clearly decided from the mannequin they mentioned they used:

So, the most well-liked suppressor dimensions amongst these professional shooters within the PRS are 7” lengthy and a diameter of both 1.75” or 1.8”. That appears to be the steadiness most of those guys imagine is true between suppression efficiency and maneuverability in PRS matches.

Most Common Suppressor Model

Now let’s analyze what model of suppressor these top-ranked shooters run in national-level rifle matches:

#1: Thunder Beast Suppressors with 40% of Execs

Thunder Beast Arms Corp (TBAC) was the most well-liked suppressor once more amongst these professional shooters. They represented a powerful 40% of those professional shooters! In addition they had 4 shooters represented amongst these within the prime 10, and 56% represented among the many prime 25.

Thunder Beast has dominated the precision rifle suppressor world for fairly a while. I’ve surveyed these top-ranked rifle shooters a few years, with information again to 2012 – and Thunder Beast has been the most well-liked suppressor for the overwhelming majority of these years.

TBAC was based by aggressive precision rifle shooters, and their major focus over time has been on making no-compromise suppressors tailor-made for precision rifles.

Thunder Beast has a number of fashions of precision rifle suppressors to select from, and here’s a breakdown of what these guys selected to run:

Observe: Once I requested about suppressors, I requested every shooter what model they used after which requested what mannequin as a follow-up query. I informed them to easily go away the mannequin clean in the event that they couldn’t keep in mind or weren’t positive. The suppressor mannequin charts solely embody the individuals who offered the mannequin identify.

The Extremely-7 is presently the most well-liked TBAC suppressor amongst this group, however there may be additionally a great variety of shooters utilizing the 338 Extremely, Extremely-9, Magnus, and Dominus-SR fashions.

And simply because I do know somebody studying that is questioning – no person is utilizing a 338 caliber rifle to shoot PRS matches. As I discussed earlier, suppressor quantity is correlated to suppression efficiency. The 338 Extremely suppressor is a really massive suppressor (10.4” lengthy with 1.8” diameter), as a result of it was designed for big, magnum cartridges just like the 338 Lapua Magazine. Nevertheless, the additional quantity additionally provides you some profit when utilizing smaller cartridges. TBAC’s check information reveals the 338 Extremely is their quietest suppressor when capturing a 6.5 Creedmoor.

The TBAC Magnus suppressor is the corporate’s newest product launch, though they nonetheless provide the 338 Extremely, Dominus, Extremely-9, Extremely-7, and Extremely-5. I’d suspect a few of these could also be ultimately phased out by the Magnus. The Thunder Beast Magnus is rated for magnums and full-autos (when utilizing their SR mount).

“To place it merely, the MAGNUS line is the best performing hard-use titanium suppressor available on the market proper now.” – Thunder Beast Arms Corp

The Magnus is obtainable in 3 lengths and three calibers:

Lengths: 5.5”, 6.9”, and 9.0”

Calibers: .30 cal, .338 cal, and .375 cal

In late 2022 and 2023, Thunder Beast developed their new ULTRA50 suppressor, which is designed for the 50 BMG. It is rather troublesome to tame the recoil on such a monster cartridge, however their testing on that product clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of a muzzle brake mounted on the exit finish of the suppressor. They had been shocked at how a lot “work” a brake was nonetheless in a position to do on the top of a suppressor and the way a lot it additional decreased recoil.

At SHOT Present earlier this yr, TBAC launched new configurations of Magnus suppressors which have a brake connected to the top of them, which they designate because the “Magnus RR.” The RR stands for “Recoil Discount,” and the brake provides 1.5 inches to the top of the suppressor. So that you principally have the choice of the usual, flat-endcap model or the brand new “RR” brake on the finish.

I’d suspect these Magnus RR suppressors shall be very talked-about amongst PRS shooters. The primary manufacturing run of these shipped to distributors in summer time 2024. Nevertheless, two of those shooters mentioned they had been operating a Magnus RR suppressor on the finale final yr, in order that they possible had been a part of an early check group.

The RR suppressors are round twice as efficient at decreasing recoil! Nevertheless, there is no such thing as a free lunch – in order that additional recoil discount comes at a value. The brake on the top does enhance the noise signature by round 10 dB. As a result of the vary of doable sounds is so large, the decibel scale is totally different from most. It’s logarithmic, which most of us aren’t aware of. Generally, when the sound stage will increase by 10 dB, it’s perceived as twice as loud (supply). So, whereas the “RR” suppressors are twice pretty much as good at recoil to discount, they’re additionally twice as loud because the fashions with the flat endcap. (If you wish to study extra about sound measurements, try this text.)

Beneath is a chart that TBAC has printed displaying the efficiency of every of their suppressors by way of % of recoil discount and the sound signature on the shooter’s ear. All of this information was recorded utilizing a 300 Win Magazine rifle. Primarily based on my recoil testing, you possibly can usually anticipate round 5% much less recoil discount in smaller, mid-sized cartridges in comparison with a magnum.

I’ve personally talked to the proprietor of TBAC, Zak Smith, about whether or not the endcap of the Magnus suppressors might be swapped out by the end-user. The best way I see it, in case you are optimizing for recoil discount, you’d need the “RR” brake on the top, however if you wish to optimize for the quietest suppressor, you’d need the flat endcap. Sadly, their authorized counsel has suggested them that making the top of the suppressor modular or swappable by the top consumer doesn’t align with ATF laws. There are different producers that we’ll see later on this record that appear to take a special stance on their interpretation of the legislation. TBAC is following the recommendation of their authorized counsel by promoting suppressors with both the “RR” brake OR the flat endcap completely connected. The tip consumer can’t swap between them. Should you’d like each, you’d must buy each and get an NFA Tax Stamp for every one. Thanks to our US authorities for that one!

Listed below are probably the most related specs for PRS shooters for the Thunder Beast’s Magnus suppressors, together with the value on the time this was printed:

#2: KGM Suppressors with 23% of Execs

KGM was the 2nd hottest model of suppressors utilized by these professional shooters, representing 23% of the highest 200 ranked shooters within the PRS. In actual fact, 3 of the shooters who completed the season within the prime 10 mentioned they ran a KGM suppressor on their competitors rifle.

Seeing KGM represented so properly was a bit shocking to me as a result of the final time I printed this information in 2019 – they didn’t even make the record. So to see so many represented now simply reveals how compelling of a product they will need to have. KGM’s web site says, “At KGM, we have now constructed a whole bunch of hundreds of suppressors,” in order that they aren’t a brand new startup.

Most people who mentioned they ran a KGM suppressor didn’t specify the mannequin they used. So I reached out to all 5 guys within the prime 25 who had mentioned they ran a KGM suppressor and requested what mannequin they had been operating. All the blokes ranked within the prime 25 had been all operating a KGM R-Sequence Suppressor, which is their titanium suppressor that’s 7.3” lengthy with a 1.75” diameter, and it weighs simply 12 oz with no mount. KGM affords the R-Sequence suppressor in numerous calibers, and two of these guys within the prime 25 mentioned they had been operating the R6 (6mm model), 1 was utilizing the R6.5 (6.5mm model), and a pair of had been utilizing the R30 (30 caliber model).

“The KGM R-Sequence line of suppressors are designed to keep up your present weapon system’s accuracy ranges by what KGM calls ‘full suppressor concentricity.’ Adhering to their commonplace of minimal runout from each the surface diameter and inner aperture, KGM suppressors permit each projectile fired to have a fair dispersion of stress because it travels by the bore. Thus, offering superior system accuracy and minimal POI (Level of Affect) Shift.” – Altus Taking pictures

One of many distinctive and compelling options of KGM’s suppressor design is an Adjustable Port Finish Cap (APEC), which lets you tune exterior fuel circulation. You possibly can principally take away the set screws dealing with up on the top of the suppressor to redirect barely extra fuel up than is being despatched in different instructions. That may assist offset muzzle rise by recoil and make it easier to keep heading in the right direction. Recognizing your pictures is without doubt one of the most important facets of success within the PRS, so it’s not shocking to see so many shooters drawn to that function.

So far as I do know, they’re the one producer with that function. But when you understand of different suppressors with the same function, please tell us within the feedback!

The KGM R30 suppressor sells for $1,000 MSRP.

#3: Space 419 Maverick with 17% of Execs

At 17%, the Space 419 Maverick suppressor was the third hottest suppressor among the many professional PRS shooters. They did have 1 shooter within the prime 10 who mentioned he often makes use of a Maverick. #7 Jeff Guerry reported that he typically makes use of a Maverick and typically makes use of a “Boss One Shot” suppressor, relying on the match. There have been 3 others within the prime 30 who mentioned they completely use an Space 419 Maverick.

However right here is the fascinating information level associated to the Space 419 Maverick: Of all of the individuals within the prime 100, there have been solely 10 shooters who mentioned they solely use a suppressor in matches. The others all primarily use a muzzle brake and solely typically use a suppressor (possibly just for “suppressor solely” matches that require it, like Field Canyon or Silent Evening). Of these 10 shooters within the prime 100 within the PRS who mentioned they completely use suppressors to compete, 90% of them run the Space 419 Maverick!

Here’s a chart that’s restricted to the shooters who mentioned they all the time use a suppressor to compete (i.e., they by no means use a muzzle brake):

For many who haven’t heard of Space 419’s Maverick, it’s a singular, modular suppressor design that may be configured in a number of configurations (proven beneath) relying in your software.

Needless to say the Maverick is taken into account a single suppressor (i.e., requires a single ATF tax stamp), nevertheless it provides you the power to have a 4”, 5”, 8” or 9” suppressor. The 5.5” and 6.5” configurations with the brake on the top of the suppressor are particularly related for PRS competitions.

The 5.5” configuration with the brake is probably going the most well-liked configuration for PRS matches. The brake helps the suppressor additional tame recoil and keep heading in the right direction, however because it has 4” of suppressor in entrance of it – you get that efficiency with out the noise or concussion of a standard brake. Space 419 says that the 5.5” configuration is +1 dB louder than a naked muzzle. So it really doesn’t “suppress” the noise any over a rifle with no muzzle gadget. Needless to say a distinction of 1 dB is the just-noticeable distinction (JND) for the traditional human ear (supply) and is imperceptible by some individuals. A distinction of 5 dB is clearly noticeable. (Be taught extra about sound scores)

I shared extra in regards to the Space 419 Maverick on this latest article, together with some latest developments associated to new hybrid muzzle gadgets that give shooters new choices for placing a steadiness between recoil discount, staying heading in the right direction, and noise/concussion: Suppressor vs. Muzzle Brake – What The Execs Use.

Two of the rivals ranked within the prime 30 who mentioned they use the Space 419 Maverick completely to shoot matches are Chad Heckler and Francis Colon. Most individuals studying this are in all probability aware of each of them from their Miles to Matches podcast. Should you haven’t heard it, you need to completely test it out!

The Space 419 Maverick is priced at $1,500 in order for you the entire equipment for configurations as much as 9″ whole size, as proven above. In addition they provide a $1,300 if you happen to solely need the entire size to be as much as 8″ lengthy.

#4: SilencerCo Suppressors with 10% of Execs

10% of those professional shooters mentioned they used a suppressor made by SilencerCo, together with 1 shooter who completed within the prime 10 in final season’s standings.

Here’s a breakdown of what mannequin SilencerCo suppressors these top-ranked rivals mentioned they run:

Observe: The “Unknown Mannequin” means they didn’t write within the particular mannequin, solely that they run a SilencerCo model suppressor.

The most well-liked mannequin these guys had been operating was the SilencerCo Omega 300 suppressor, which was additionally what the highest 10 shooter was utilizing:

You possibly can see the Omega suppressor encompasses a brake on the top, which SilencerCo calls an “anchor brake.” They mentioned it “reduces felt recoil by 20% to 50% relying on the caliber.” In addition they promote caliber-specific flat endcaps that the top consumer can swap the brake out for if you happen to’d want to optimize for sound suppression as a substitute of recoil discount.

The Omega suppressor is 7” lengthy, has a 1.57” diameter, and weighs 12.6 ounces. It’s rated as much as a 300 Win Magazine.

SilencerCo’s Scythe-Ti suppressor is their newest flagship mannequin designed for precision rifles. It’s SilencerCo’s first suppressor fully constructed from titanium and solely weighs 7.3 ounces! It’s 6.2” lengthy and has a 1.73” diameter. The Scythe-Ti is a 30-caliber suppressor and is rated as much as 300 RUM.

SilencerCo added a really compact, single-port brake on the top, which they are saying reduces recoil whereas sustaining minimal size.

That is simply one other instance of that development from longer, 1.5-inch diameter cans to newer designs which can be slightly shorter and fatter. Regardless that the Scythe-Ti is nearly an inch shorter than the Omega, it nonetheless has 7% extra quantity (based mostly on the printed dimensions):

Observe: Volumes had been calculated based mostly on the exterior dimensions as a result of SilencerCo doesn’t publish the interior dimensions. So, the quantity is barely an estimate and assumes the thickness and inner volumes are proportional to the exterior dimensions.

The SilencerCo Omega 300 DT is priced at simply $699, and the newer Scythe-Ti suppressor is $1,174.

All Different Suppressor Manufacturers: 11% of Execs

The manufacturers above signify 89% of the 200 top-ranked shooters who mentioned they ran suppressors in PRS matches, however the record beneath comprises 13 different manufacturers that every had a minimum of 1 or 2 shooters represented amongst this group of elite marksmen.

Observe: I’m not claiming that these different suppressors aren’t pretty much as good. They’re clearly able to world-class precision. They merely aren’t as close to standard amongst this group because the others listed above.

Future Suppressor Innovation?

It seems like there have been loads of shifts and improvements in suppressors for the reason that final time I reported on what suppressors the professionals had been utilizing in 2019. The development is clearly in direction of shorter suppressors (6-7”) with a fatter diameter (round 1.7-1.8”). There additionally could also be a development in direction of suppressors with brakes on the top for additional recoil discount, however we’ll have to look at subsequent years to see if that’s one thing nearly all of these knowledgeable marksmen undertake.

3D-printed titanium might shake this up much more over the following couple of years. That expertise permits producers to create titanium constructions that had been beforehand inconceivable by conventional machining. There are already just a few producers utilizing that expertise of their suppressor designs. Will it unlock the following stage of efficiency for rifle suppressors? I can’t wait to seek out out!

Coming Up Subsequent

Should you loved this content material, there may be extra to come back! Over the following few months, I’ll be publishing a ton of information on what the highest precision rifle shooters are utilizing. Take a look at the opposite “What The Execs Use” articles which have already been printed.

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