Is this possible to do?

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Rockfarm

Rockfarm

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Hello, I am kicking around the idea of putting a suppressor on my .308. It's a Saiga with a 16" barrel, because of the front sight my guess is that I would need a decent gunsmith. Here's a picture: IMG_20200813_144505~2.jpg
I think the barrel would need to be turned, possibly removed first to slide the sight back and turn the muzzle.
Does this seem possible? Is it a plus or a negative for the rifle? I know it won't make a super Sonic .308 quite but the noise would be dampened. Would going the SBR route make more sense? I'm curious what you guys would do...if anything.
 
I wouldn't SBR it. I think it's around 8.5" that a 308 and a 7.62x39 are both running 147's about the same speed.

A 16" is as short as I'd go with a 308.

Here's an interesting video about short barrel 308 v 7.62x39 performance:
 
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If I were actually using it for something where I needed the velocity, such as long range shooting or hunting then I would want to keep the velocity, but if its just a range toy shooting from your feet you'll never know the difference so I think I would go SBR with the suppressor. Shortening the barrel will also help with it being overgassed with the suppressor. I tend to not like long front heavy rifles which the saiga will certainly be with a can on it.
 
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That does raise the question though of whether or not a 308 saiga is the right gun for what you want to use it for. These are pretty valuable now I believe so perhaps the best move would be to sell it and get a 7.62x39 AK that is already threaded.
 
gotboostvr said:
I wouldn't SBR it. I think it's around 8.5" that a 308 and a 7.62x39 are both running 147's about the same speed.

A 16" is as short as I'd go with a 308.

Here's an interesting video about short barrel 308 v 7.62x39 performance:
Click to expand...


That's pretty interesting, I did not expect an 8.5" 308 to be quite that low. From the data I have seen that will be about equal with a 300 ham'r at the same length as well, which has almost exactly half the powder capacity.
 
I’ve never failed to exceed the velocity of a smaller case with a larger case. Cutting barrels down doesn’t ever reach parity for a small case to catch or exceed a larger case, pending equivalent pressure standards.
 
I suspect the poor performance of 308 in a short barrel vs 7.62x39 is probably down to powder selection. Most 308 powders would be chosen to optimize for a 20-24 in barrel. The x39 is meant for the shorter AK barrel (can’t remember but 14 or so inches?). With hand loads, I suspect the 308 will always win on velocity for a given bullet weight, and can push much bigger bullets for similar velocity due to case capacity.
 
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