Suppressing Deer Rifle

Status
Not open for further replies.
M

Mencius

Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2010
Messages
150
Location
South Carolina
I have a pretty decent (for me at least) 308 bolt action I use deer hunting. It has a 24" bull barrel in stainless. Will threading it for a suppressor affect the accuracy? Will threading mess up the crown or anything?

I kinda don't want to mess it up because it works beautifully now and was a graduation gift from my parents, but I really would like to tone it down somewhat.
 
If it is threaded by a competent gunsmith, it should not hurt the crown of the barrel or the accuracy of the gun (just make sure the gunsmith makes the threads concentric to the bore). Attaching a good suppressor will usually help accuracy a tad as well, though it will often change your point of impact.

Obviously make sure it is legal for you to hunt with a suppressed weapon in your state before you do. I would also recommend you stay with standard supersonic ammo for hunting. Subsonic rifle ammo is great for trying to make the gun quiet, but it will not have the same terminal performance as your normal supersonic hunting loads.
 
If done properly, threading won't cause any problems with your rifle. I would recommend that you have the work done by a shop experienced with suppressor work. As Telekinesis pointed out, the threads must be cut concentric to the BORE, not the barrel itself. A typical flash hider or muzzle brake threading job can be off enough to cause baffle strikes.
In addition, a really experienced shop should be able to cut you a thread protector that perfectly matches your barrel contour, leaving the fact that your barrel is threaded almost impossible to detect when installed.
 
If professional done it makes no difference in accuracy, in some cases it actually helps.
One thing you want to make sure first is, that the states you want to use it for hunting allow it.
Maine for example does not allow NFA weapons for hunting.
 
Lots of states, even down here in America, don't permit suppressors for hunting purposes.
 
I don't know if things have changed in the last 8-9 months but:

View attachment 648436

As always, however, one should do adequate research and check the laws of any area they plan to hunt prior to using a suppressor.
 
That info for FL is incomplete. If you are hunting in Florida you should contact the FL FWC for information, be sure to include species and where you intend to hunt, private property, wildlife management area, etc.
 
MAybe he likes his ears? Even single shots can cause damage, and not everyone likes to hunt with ear protection on.....Why NOT suppress a deer rifle if legal? If it weren't for the tax stamps and cost, EVERY gun of mine would be suppressed for such reasons
 
Exactly. I would love to be able to stick a suppressor on my .30-06 for big game hunting. It is a supersonic round and will not be silent, but will be a lot easier on the ears. Also... a shotgun suppressor would be nice as well for birds.

Silencer is a misnomer.

Last year Montana almost made it legal to use a suppressor hunting... almost.
 
Please help me understand why anyone would put a supressor (sic) on a deer rifle
Click to expand...

Please help me understand why anyone wouldn't want to. As far as I can tell, the only reason most folks don't is because of government regulation. If it wasn't for the silly regulations I'd wager most hunters would have them. Hearing protection, reduced recoil, and for some an increase in accuracy. What is not to like.

In Europe, from what I saw when I was there, its a pretty common practice. See e.g.:

jovanna-cervantes-with-guide.jpg


http://gothunts.com/wp-content/gall...nd/mat-cervantes-with-a-scotland-red-stag.jpg
Click to expand...
 
I shot a deer the last day of the season this year and it just seemed loud. I don't kill a ton of deer every year, but my hearing ain't getting any better it seems.

Also, I don't get as good of a cheek weld when I use the over the ear muffs and in ear protectors muffle everything which makes it hard to hear them sneaking up on me. A suppressor seems like a great solution. Why wouldn't someone use a suppressor (other than the cost and hassle)? I guess it does add a little weight and length. I just wish there was a better way to get rid of the supersonic crack rather than subsonic ammo. Admittedly, though, I did not take one shot more than 65 yards this year...
 
I've taken deer with subsonic .308 rounds in areas where I knew I wouldn't have a shot longer than 75 yards due to dense vegetation. They are quite effective when used at that distance. As a bonus the other deer don't get startled when I shoot, so I often manage to take two does within a short time period on properties where the deer are overpopulated.
 
Big NO NO in Germany.
Click to expand...

Admittedly, Germany is not one of the countries I spent time in, at least not where I saw any hunting. I should have been more specific or qualified my statement by saying "in parts of Europe."
 
SeanMTX said:
Because the rifle is loud.
Click to expand...

Exactly. The same reason why cars have mufflers.

Around here suppressors on hunting rifles are extremely common, so much that they're almost a norm. There's a definite advantage in protecting your own hearing, that of your hunting buddies and that of your dog. Not to mention not annoying your neighbors. In some places not using one is frowned upon, much like removing the muffler from your ATV. Noise is pollution, after all.
 
Same as you put a muffler on your car.
Because hearing aids are expensive and they don't work all that well.

Turn off the TV and think.
 
Girodin said:
Please help me understand why anyone wouldn't want to. As far as I can tell, the only reason most folks don't is because of government regulation. If it wasn't for the silly regulations I'd wager most hunters would have them. Hearing protection, reduced recoil, and for some an increase in accuracy. What is not to like.

In Europe, from what I saw when I was there, its a pretty common practice. See e.g.:

jovanna-cervantes-with-guide.jpg
Click to expand...
Deer hunting with a tie. Classic!
 
Here in Sweden it is rather popular to use suppressors on deer rifles. It's a no brainer really; less recoil, less noise (both for you and the dog). This obviously helps marksmanship as well.

All rifles and suppressors are as hard or harder to get a permit for than your NFA items. Do not lose the upcoming gun control debate of 2013, thank you.
 
As a side note. A suppressor is not sufficient to prevent hearing damage from a high powered rifle.

Practical sized suppressors for a hunting rifle cut the sound a lot, but sound is logarithmic, not linear. Even cutting the sound to 1/10 is only 10dB.

A .22 is around 140dB while a 308 is more like 160dB. Hearing damage starts around 120dB for short bursts.
 
I have read that suppressors reduce the noise by 20 to 30 db, which is a pretty good bit methinks. Then, throw in some subsonic ammo and it should be significantly better on the ears. In person it really seems like night and day, even though I have only heard it once.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
  • Locked
Suppress Which?
Replies
5
Views
831
winfried
W
weblance
  • Locked
How Loud is the Sonic Crack from a Suppressed 22WMR Rifle?
Replies
17
Views
3K
notaglockfanboy
N
Narwhal
  • Locked
Suppressed varmit gun recommendations
Replies
2
Views
743
rlr
R
E
  • Locked
Trying to decide on a caliber to suppress.
Replies
22
Views
2K
mavracer
mavracer
K
  • Locked
Suppressing an RFB
Replies
10
Views
1K
wally
wally
Back
Top