Rifle suppressor and .308 18"/20"/22" ballistics

[WhiteKnight]

I am going to buy a .30 rifle can in the near future. I need my 22" .308 rifle barrel threaded (NEF Handi Rifle). Should I chop the barrel to 20", 18", or leave it as it is now at 22"? I would like the rifle to be more handy (treestand), as I plan to leave the can on it 100% of the time (thus, increased muzzle blast is not a concern).

Would an 18" .308 be ineffective against whitetails?

Would the 2" of difference from 18" to 20" make it that much "handier," or would the decrease in ballistics far outweigh the benefits?

I plan to keep the can on all the time, use full-power .308 ammunition (supersonic), and hunt whitetail and coyote with the rifle.

 

[avan47]

Would an 18" .308 be ineffective against whitetails?
No.
Would the 2" of difference from 18" to 20" make it that much "handier,"
Probably not.
or would the decrease in ballistics far outweigh the benefits?
You will probably have to re-crown the barrel if you cut it. That may outweigh the benefits of making it more handy.

If you cut the barrel by 2 inches, expect to loose 50 to 100 fps in muzzle velocity. That should make very little difference in its effect on deer or coyotes.
Beyond these answere, I have no experience with cans.

 

[kingjoey]

It would depend on how heavy the barrel is. With a dedicated suppressor hanging on the end it will affect the barrel harmonics a lot so if it is a light barrel I would shorten it to 16-18" to improve harmonics, if it is a heavy barrel I would shorten it to 20" to improve ballistics and accuracy.
Also, we can shorten, recrown, and thread the barrel for you, is the suppressor you're getting 1/2x28 or 9/16x24?

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

May as well leave it at 22:

http://www.ncwildlife.org/pg02_Regs/2008_09_Hunting_Regs.pdf

It is unlawful to use any of the following in taking wild birds
or animals:
[....]
-firearms equipped with a silencer or any device designed to
minimize the report of the firearm

 

[WhiteKnight]

I will not be hunting with the rifle in NC, so the regs here do not matter.

The barrel is a heavy bull.

 

[Zak Smith]

It'll be a little handier at 18" than 22", but the difference will be marginal. You are more likely to notice that the (probably) 1+ lb hanging 4" further away feels heavier. There are light and heavy .30 caliber suppressors...

-z

 

[H2O MAN]

The 18.0" barrel will serve you well. As Zak Smith said: "There are light and heavy .30 caliber suppressors..."

I will be using the Fisher/SEI DC sound suppressor on my M14s with 18.0" and 22.0" barrels.

 

[Zak Smith]

According to SE, that one weighs 2.08 lbs. You can get a .30 caliber sound suppressor (for certain applications) which weighs less less than half that much.

-z

 

[H2O MAN]

Yep, lighter cans are available form other manufacturers.

I prefer the DC Fisher can because it will fit my DC Vortex equipped AKs and
any other rifles I decide to install a DC Vortex on as long as it's .30 cal or less.