Here is my range report testing a nearly new Kel-Tec SU16C, with the "modified piston" Kel-Tec sent me (for free) for use with suppressors.
Previously I had shot about 100 rounds of Independence 556 FMJBT unsuppressed, with no jams or fte's, with the factory piston, and zeroed my Eotech sight. I then installed the modified piston, and gave the gun a good cleaning.
Link for discussion of the modified piston:
http://www.thektog.org/forum/f88/suppressing-su-16-rifle-260580/#post2313518
My suppressor is the YHM Phantom QD 3100 -Ti. Ten factory loads were tried. Each load was shot unsuppressed for at least two rounds, then suppressed for at least two rounds.
It was interesting to see that each factory round had variations between them of POI, and also of consistency of extraction. Grouping was similar, some suppressed groups lower or higher than unsuppressed. The Remington Hog Hammer seemed to be the most accurate, with the smallest grouping.
I'm not able to tell you if the variations were all due to the ammo, or to the firearm. All I can tell you is that the gun functioned normally with low-end factory ammo prior to the experiment.
Please note that when shooting unsuppressed (modified piston in place), NONE of these rounds cycled the gun successfully! I don't plan on shooting this gun unsuppressed going forward, so that is not a deal breaker for me.
I will indicate which rounds had fte's, otherwise all shots had good extraction.
My conclusions are that, in my gun, adding the modified piston commits me to firing suppressed; that lower-end factory rounds will work fine; and that it likes the Remington Hog Hammer TSX 62 gr. 223 the best of the 10 loads I tested.
Winchester Varmint X 223, 40 gr., 3600 fps
cycled normally suppressed, POI lower
American Eagle Tipped Varmint 223, 50 gr., AE223GTV, 3350 fps
cycled normally suppressed, POI same
American Eagle 223, 55 gr. FMJBT, AE223AF, 3240 fps
cycled normally suppressed, POI lower
Independence 5.56 FMJBT, 55 gr. FMJBT, XM1931, 3165 fps
cycled normally suppressed, POI same
DRT frangible, 55 gr. 223, 2950 fps
Unsuppressed had fte
Suppressed had initial failure to cycle, then cycled normally on subsequent shots
Hornady 223 55 gr. SP, 80255, 3240 fps
Unsuppressed had fte
Suppressed had initial failure to cycle, then cycled normally on subsequent shots, with POI higher
Hornady American Whitetail SP Interlock, 223, 60 gr. #8027, 3090 fps
Unsuppressed the POI was rightward
Cycled normally suppressed, POI lower
Remington Hog Hammer TSX 223, 62 gr., PHH223R4, 3100 fps
Cycled normally suppressed, POI lower
This was the most accurate!
Winchester Power Point Hog Special, 223, 64 gr., 3020 fps
Cycled normally suppressed, POI lower
Winchester MatchKing HPBT 223, 69 gr., 3060 fps
Suppressed the first shot did not cycle, but extracted OK, subsequent shots cycled normally
Previously I had shot about 100 rounds of Independence 556 FMJBT unsuppressed, with no jams or fte's, with the factory piston, and zeroed my Eotech sight. I then installed the modified piston, and gave the gun a good cleaning.
Link for discussion of the modified piston:
http://www.thektog.org/forum/f88/suppressing-su-16-rifle-260580/#post2313518
My suppressor is the YHM Phantom QD 3100 -Ti. Ten factory loads were tried. Each load was shot unsuppressed for at least two rounds, then suppressed for at least two rounds.
It was interesting to see that each factory round had variations between them of POI, and also of consistency of extraction. Grouping was similar, some suppressed groups lower or higher than unsuppressed. The Remington Hog Hammer seemed to be the most accurate, with the smallest grouping.
I'm not able to tell you if the variations were all due to the ammo, or to the firearm. All I can tell you is that the gun functioned normally with low-end factory ammo prior to the experiment.
Please note that when shooting unsuppressed (modified piston in place), NONE of these rounds cycled the gun successfully! I don't plan on shooting this gun unsuppressed going forward, so that is not a deal breaker for me.
I will indicate which rounds had fte's, otherwise all shots had good extraction.
My conclusions are that, in my gun, adding the modified piston commits me to firing suppressed; that lower-end factory rounds will work fine; and that it likes the Remington Hog Hammer TSX 62 gr. 223 the best of the 10 loads I tested.
Winchester Varmint X 223, 40 gr., 3600 fps
cycled normally suppressed, POI lower
American Eagle Tipped Varmint 223, 50 gr., AE223GTV, 3350 fps
cycled normally suppressed, POI same
American Eagle 223, 55 gr. FMJBT, AE223AF, 3240 fps
cycled normally suppressed, POI lower
Independence 5.56 FMJBT, 55 gr. FMJBT, XM1931, 3165 fps
cycled normally suppressed, POI same
DRT frangible, 55 gr. 223, 2950 fps
Unsuppressed had fte
Suppressed had initial failure to cycle, then cycled normally on subsequent shots
Hornady 223 55 gr. SP, 80255, 3240 fps
Unsuppressed had fte
Suppressed had initial failure to cycle, then cycled normally on subsequent shots, with POI higher
Hornady American Whitetail SP Interlock, 223, 60 gr. #8027, 3090 fps
Unsuppressed the POI was rightward
Cycled normally suppressed, POI lower
Remington Hog Hammer TSX 223, 62 gr., PHH223R4, 3100 fps
Cycled normally suppressed, POI lower
This was the most accurate!
Winchester Power Point Hog Special, 223, 64 gr., 3020 fps
Cycled normally suppressed, POI lower
Winchester MatchKing HPBT 223, 69 gr., 3060 fps
Suppressed the first shot did not cycle, but extracted OK, subsequent shots cycled normally
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