How does a suppressor effect load development?

[Fite Man]

Adding a suppressor will change the barrel harmonics and shift POI (sometimes) but will it also affect how a well a particular load will group suppressed vs unsuppressed?

My initial guess is that it should, but my observations don’t seem to indicate this. Now my sample size is limited to 4 host rifles, 2 of which are 223 REM, a 270 WIN and a 300 BLK. I have never really went out of my way to test this, as I usually work up a load unsuppressed and then as an afterthought throw on the suppressor. Loads were for hunting purposes. I can't think of a load that grouped well open up after adding the suppressor.

Just curious what experience other people have observed. This question arose when I was working up a new load for the 270 and thought about adding the suppressor to reduce human error…like flinching. But then I thought it might be all for naught if the good grouping suppressed loads end up not grouping well without the suppressor attached, different harmonics and all. With the current component situation I decided on a good enough load instead of testing this out for myself.

 

[dgod]

My experience has shown (at least for me), point of impact will differ with or without suppressor. I concentrate on suppressor loads and their impact point, I do this with 3 suppressors, 30 cal (308, and 300 Blkout), 9 mm, and 50BMG.

There is a obvious shift if changing between suppressed and not suppressed with the save load data. As I stated, I concentrate loads with suppressor in order to hunt with them. Even if your shooting supersonic with a suppressor, the noise will seem to have originated somewhere except where you are when it was shot. Confuses the wild hogs, they don’t know where to go.

good luck
Dan

 

[Kaldor]

My experience has shown (at least for me), point of impact will differ with or without suppressor. I concentrate on suppressor loads and their impact point, I do this with 3 suppressors, 30 cal (308, and 300 Blkout), 9 mm, and 50BMG.

There is a obvious shift if changing between suppressed and not suppressed with the save load data. As I stated, I concentrate loads with suppressor in order to hunt with them. Even if your shooting supersonic with a suppressor, the noise will seem to have originated somewhere except where you are when it was shot. Confuses the wild hogs, they don’t know where to go.

good luck
Dan

Do you find that the can adds a little velocity?

 

[jmorris]

Main difference for me is to make sure the loads are stable then test with the suppressor. Not unlike ensuring the load will miss the chronograph before shooting over it.

The rest of it seems firearm and caliber dependent to me. A short stiff barrel with a light can on it is going to react differently than a long light weight barrel with a heavy can on it.

 

[LocoGringo]

I have noticed no difference in size grouping when shooting unsuppressed and then adding a suppressor. I shoot .308 bolt and gas guns and a 6.8 SPC AR-15.

@Kaldor, the suppressor does not add any compression behind the projectile, so no velocity is added by a suppressor.

 

[Fite Man]

I have also not seen an increase in velocity by adding a suppressor.

 

[mcb]

The change in velocity is small but it is usually an increase (but not always) with the suppressor. The change is likely only enough to make a difference to exterior ballistics at fairly long range.

As for accuracy I have seen all combinations. I have seen guns get better groups with the suppressor and some guns shoot better without the suppressor. I have seen that flip with a change in ammo. In theory you should be able to tune a load for your preferred configuration. If your lucky it will shot acceptable groups with and without the suppressor. The POI shift is always going to be an issue but with a good consistent mount it is something you should be able to measure and than have a standard offset you dial in with a change of configuration.

 

[Varminterror]

I typically do see some POI shift, but my nodes don’t seem to shift, and I don’t usually notice any group size change with a given load. Silencerco Omega, Warlock II, and TBAC Ultra 7. I didn’t shoot well enough or test for it when I had my YHM cans, but they were very different quality than the SiCo or TBAC...

Do you find that the can adds a little velocity?

Yes.

 

[DanK3Pos]

Theoretically, the suppressor should eliminate the gases that de-stabilize boat tail bullets, right?
https://www.gunsandammo.com/editorial/boattail-vs-flat-base-projectiles/375628

As far as load development, I guess the best answer is shoot with the suppressor on the rifle, but I've got a year wait for that to arrive, so is it worth it to go ahead and do load development? Or should I just put the gun in the safe until my suppressor gets out of jail?