The Classic New Bee.

[Elkins45]

I was completely wrong about my little wood lathe!

After mucking about with the shop’s drill press and mill table-clamp-thing that did not work how I would have liked, I tried making the Blackout can at home on my lathe.

The four jaw chuck held the baffles and cap perfectly, with a small flat ledge that held them perpendicular to the chuck.
The bit of play in the tail stock was of no consequence, as the piece was spinning instead of the drill, it found the center almost automatically.

Upon assembly, the baffle concentricity was perfect!

The entire process took 20 minutes, instead of an hour. And the results were excellent!
No after assembly drilling for straightening.

Darn! I wish I would have tried the rimfire on it first!

I have fourteen perfect titanium spirals and four stainless ones.
There were five perfect coin shapes cut from the baffles, indicating perfect 90° when drilled. (And also that my lathe can press quite a bit harder than I can on the drill.)

It’s on now! Cans for everything!

And I don’t even have to go to town.
I do have to go to my father’s shop though.
Infinitely better than heading to work on a Saturday!


All done!
View attachment 971132

These baffles are neat.
View attachment 971130

The grit media blast popped a small hole through the cap... I pushed the small bit of metal out with a splint.
View attachment 971129


Alright. So these are beautifully done “kits”.
Who makes an equally nice one?
I’m going to be needing a lot more rimfire kits...

There’s a guy on Form1suppressorboards.net that goes by XRT Tactical that sells a very nice one with a stainless tube and snap together baffles like the Spectre II. The end caps are aluminum but they are LH thread so the can doesn’t unscrew itself when you’re tightening it. That’s the one I built this summer.

You can (or at least you could) also get them from a reseller on New Egg, but you had to buy it in pieces and it was a few bucks more. I think I paid around $120 from XRT.

EDIT: he has a website now. https://www.xrttactical.com/shop/

 

[Demi-human]

Another hundred rounds of quiet pleasure this morning! A few rounds hit the chain from fifty yards away.
The whizzing ricochets were awesome.
(Landing safely in the back range, mind you.)

I have a magazines worth of 300 Blackout to test this evening, after we get back from the Endocrinologist. Mini-Amazon wants to try the rimfire suppressor on her rifle.

(Ugh. The City. Hopefully the traffic isn’t too bad...)

 

[Demi-human]

After all the poking and prodding, I couldn’t entice Mini to the range.

The boys went out Sunday though!

The 300 can is nice! I can hear the pop from the gas separate from the report. Some gas block tuning will be in order. The Seekins gas block is adjustable, but as of right now is fully open.

The point of impact is quite a bit low as when I fired it last. I can’t remember if I had moved the Romeo on this pistol or not.
I fired two shots. The first I heard hit metal, but the port pop was quite a bit louder than the rimfire my boy and I were just shooting, it took me off guard. I asked Little Bear but he said it was the same to him.

The second shot struck exactly upon the first. That is, directly on the shepherd’s hook’s stem just under, not on, one of the new AR500 targets I bought. This time the bullet turned abruptly and struck a tree nearly perpendicular to the range, and not in a direction I wanted bullets going.
I had limited rounds with me, and Little Bear fired the remaining three into a snowbank, with ear pro, and an ear to ear smile. His first time with an AR.
That was the end of Blackout testing, leaving me satisfied with the performance of my suppressor, but not my AR.

I was foolish and did not get a 1/2x28 mount for use on a .223 and 224 Valkyrie. I’ll have to see about having one made.

Of course, I could just get another suppressor...

 

[MachIVshooter]

the port pop was quite a bit louder than the rimfire my boy and I were just shooting, it took me off guard.

The port pop of even a well tuned AR is offensive to my ears. Any other autoloading rifle is worse. I wear ear pro with most any semi other than .22s and locked breech or delayed blowback 9mms.

 

[Demi-human]

I agree. Not for extended range use.
While not near as bad as my AR shotgun, that was a surprise switching from an over and under, it wasn’t something I’d endure for anything less than an emergency.

 

[Demi-human]

Now for another technical question...

Is there a limit to the number of baffles one could use in their suppressor?

Is there a point where more baffles become problematic, or do they just cease to “add more quiet”?

I am looking out for another rimfire can and have an option to design more or less baffles into my next suppressor, so long as they fit the tiny tube.
I am disposed to stack as many in there as I could, but don’t want to waste money on superfluous baffles, or extra weight.

Are more better?
Are more better for larger calibers but not rimfire?

 

[mavracer]

Of course, I could just get another suppressor..

You were warned lol.

Is there a point where more baffles become problematic, or do they just cease to “add more quiet”?

With a longer can you would need to watch concistricity more so as to not get a baffle strike.
And there's certainly a point of diminishing return.

 

[Demi-human]

You were warned lol.

And I heeded not!
Two more rimfire cans inbound!

It took over an hour an a half to complete two more forms this morning.
My first two were done one after the other, and received consecutive Internal control numbers. The second two completed today were done as fast as I could get the BATFE’s computers to go, and they got numbers 27 places apart!

I guess I’ll be waiting for awhile on these...

 

[Demi-human]

With a longer can you would need to watch concistricity more so as to not get a baffle strike.
And there's certainly a point of diminishing return.

I have something in mind. Maybe a little overkill.
Ten baffles instead of six. Still a six inch tube but narrow at 1.2”, and moving the first baffle closer to the muzzle. Stacked and skirted cones, non parabolic.

You know, I never over-think anything...

 

[MachIVshooter]

Now for another technical question...

Is there a limit to the number of baffles one could use in their suppressor?

Is there a point where more baffles become problematic, or do they just cease to “add more quiet”?

Yes. Has more to do with spacing than finite quantity.

Are more better?
Are more better for larger calibers but not rimfire?

Other way around.

Rimfires and low pressure cartridges do better with smaller blast chambers and more baffles spaced tighter.

High velocity rifle round like relatively few.

I only use conical baffles now, as a general rule of thumb, the count and spacing is along the lines of:

Rimfire, tube inside diameters of ~.850-.950", first baffle tip .650" from rear face of mount, baffle spacing .380-.420" (I make are skirted baffles, so we're not talking separate specaer lengths with skirtless cones here). My 5.5" Ocelot models have 11 baffles.



Pistol caliber and dedicated subsonic type builds, tube ID of 1.180-1.305, ~1/2" spacing, as many baffles as will fit with the booster or mount spaced 1/4" or so off the first baffle tip. Below is Phoenix M, a 1.375x7" or 9" modular can. 9 baffles in 7" configuration, 14 when the 2" module is attached



High velocity rifle cans, approximately 1 baffle per inch of overall length with progressive spacing, starting at about .8" and decreasing by .050-.100 with each subsequent, depending on total count. Much larger blast chambers, 2.5-4+ inches, again, depending on tube length.

This is a 9" version of Accipiter before welding, 4" blast chamber, 9 baffles. They are 1.6" diameter:



And 8" Accipiter ready for moly resin. 3.5" blast chamber, 8 baffles




Now, if you're using radial baffles, they will need more space than conicals, especially long snout radials. Exact amount depends on exact profile.

K & M baffles are a whole other animal, so we'll not get into that here.

 

[Demi-human]

I don’t think I’ve told you enough how helpful you are and how completely awesome the way you share your knowledge is.

So,
Thank You! I appreciate it!

My next year’s “New Bee” series will be on buying one made by a professional. One of yours!
(It will mostly be about how to wait patiently...)
I think these two new stamps will hold me over till then.
At least the waiting part!

Now for some looking about for parts...
Where’s my wallet?

 

[Gordon]

I needed a laugh today, there is always this :

 

[Demi-human]

That is hilarious, @Gordon!

I just put remaining twenty five 300 Blackout left in the magazine thru the pistol and suppressor.
I took the opportunity to move the sights, since I did move it to take the hand guard off. And also to tune the gas block. It shoots just a little quieter, but oh so much more smoothly.
Dang those 200 grain bullets smack that target!

I put another hundred thru my rimfire can as well.

I have never had my pistol so filthy before!
I was having problems at the start, and when I shook it Carboniferous Debris Chunks fell out.

I oiled it some, fought through another mag, then ran a bore snake through the chamber.
I re-oiled it and got through the rest of the box, but the Aguila Super Extra seemed to be sluggish in the cold, spending all week in the truck. No problems with the CCI Standard Velocity. But five hundred is my limit. The pistol is just too dirty for me!

Th AR ran perfectly. And then I realized.
I was working on firearms, and shooting firearms, the whole time listening to Tom Grisham’s GunTalk on the radio. And heard everything.

 

[Demi-human]

An interesting thread that should be included here.
Why I didn’t keep it in this thread I’ll never know.
Who are some reputable manufacturers of Solvent Trap Kits?

It’s funny how some officers use the utmost care in rolling prints, and some, well, it must not be their favorite part of the job...

 

[Demi-human]

XRT Tactical makes some very fine parts!
Very well made, no burrs, no scratches. I asked a question via Email and he responded in one day. Both orders(yes, I did not do the math correctly, even after asking questions) came quickly. And were well packaged.

They are only 304 stainless, but are very svelte. I will enjoy leaving one on my bolt rifle, one on a soon to be purchased semi, and the titanium one on the pistol.

I needed to order a spacer for the front of the stack as I could not understand what the site was trying to convey, even with pictures. When I had them in my hands it was an instant “Oh, well yeah”. So I modified the stack a little with the subsequent order, changing to a decreasing skirt length with each baffle instead of packing it full of small ones.
I now have some extra, very expensive, pieces of metal to throw away. A couple were even thrown in for free, as I have an odd number than from my order. Maybe I’ll just send them back so he can resell them, I hate wasted work more than wasted money.

I got two different end caps to try. One a standard and the other a rimless. The rimless actually worked as intended and tightened just right with a little stack juggling of cones for size, with the extras and my assortment.
The rimmed one has an extra baffle and needed the skirt cut down on the CBN wheel. So I Sharpie marked a ring on the skirt and ground it down. Holding it with two fingers allowed me to let the wheel spin the baffle as it ground. Five minutes, and one custom baffle, sized for one piece of paper’s gap when the titanium ends are tightened with a pin wrench.

Now the wait begins. Well it had already begun, but I still have not received either cover letter.
I imagine these two are going to take awhile, judging from my previous set.

Off to the back of the safe to hibernate with these two.
Off to the woods with the others!

 

[Elkins45]

XRT Tactical makes some very fine parts!
Very well made, no burrs, no scratches. I asked a question via Email and he responded in one day. Both orders(yes, I did not do the math correctly, even after asking questions) came quickly. And were well packaged.

They are only 304 stainless, but are very svelte. I will enjoy leaving one on my bolt rifle, one on a soon to be purchased semi, and the titanium one on the pistol.

I needed to order a spacer for the front of the stack as I could not understand what the site was trying to convey, even with pictures. When I had them in my hands it was an instant “Oh, well yeah”. So I modified the stack a little with the subsequent order, changing to a decreasing skirt length with each baffle instead of packing it full of small ones.
I now have some extra, very expensive, pieces of metal to throw away. A couple were even thrown in for free, as I have an odd number than from my order. Maybe I’ll just send them back so he can resell them, I hate wasted work more than wasted money.

I got two different end caps to try. One a standard and the other a rimless. The rimless actually worked as intended and tightened just right with a little stack juggling of cones for size, with the extras and my assortment.
The rimmed one has an extra baffle and needed the skirt cut down on the CBN wheel. So I Sharpie marked a ring on the skirt and ground it down. Holding it with two fingers allowed me to let the wheel spin the baffle as it ground. Five minutes, and one custom baffle, sized for one piece of paper’s gap when the titanium ends are tightened with a pin wrench.

Now the wait begins. Well it had already begun, but I still have not received either cover letter.
I imagine these two are going to take awhile, judging from my previous set.

Off to the back of the safe to hibernate with these two.
Off to the woods with the others!

I’m glad you like them. I love mine. You’ll like it even more once it has a hole all the way thru.

I wouldn’t send anything back until you get your stamp back and the drilling is done. It’s always nice to have a spare (or two) if you goof up while drilling one.

 

[Demi-human]

You’ll like it even more once it has a hole all the way thru.

Which I will get to do this weekend!

I just got one in today. Seventeen days! Wahoo! I guess that makes up for the seven month wait last time!

Having my card number stolen and used fraudulently, extensively last week, it’s good to know the Feds still know who I am.
Only one came today, but they were far from consecutive numbers on the cover sheets.

These two will be slightly more difficult to machine than the others. There is not a large shoulder to support the baffles perpendicular to the axis, so extra care will be taken. I may also use a slightly smaller bit for these, depending on how confident I feel upon setup.

After getting the mount stuck on my pistol, even after tightening the can with wrenches and attempting to remove it properly, I am excited about these left hand threaded tubes.


Found a great deal on some steel roof panels for the house too this week. Going to have a busy weekend!

 

[Demi-human]

Even better.

I’m getting pretty good at this so far.
This new XRT can seems to be even quieter than the first one!
I drilled it slightly smaller than the first rimfire one, and there are more baffles in it too.
Just wonderful!

I took the new toy out to a friend’s SugarBush to try it out.

Maple syrup, mmm!

Everything went smoothly during the drilling.

Then I coated it in Silicone grease and went to try it!

It holds the same point of impact as the titanium one.
And Mach was right, it weighs nearly the same. I can’t tell the difference without a scale.
(6.5 ounces for the titanium with 500 rounds through it, 7 for the brand new stainless.)

And it’s shiny. Ooo yeah, shiny.
It just sets off the Ruger MKIII.
The left hand threads really do make it easier to remove everything to go back in the case. And the pin wrench holes make it a snap to tighten it together.

I’m still waiting on the second form in this envelope. I hope it gets here soon. I have a sister setup to drill just like it, except it has a rimless end cap, just to be different.

 

[Demi-human]

After sleeping in way too late, I was awoken by the email alert of the fourth tax stamp’s arrival!
Looks like I’ll be making another suppressor this morning too! Yeeha!

 

[Demi-human]

I took the kiddos out to try the new quietness.
They loved it!

Mini Amazon took the first shot and turned to look at me with a huge grin! “Wow! I like that!”

Little Bear has already been out with them and was more interested in a dirt pile while lamenting the lack of a motor bike that would be perfect for it.
But he took a few shots and connected with some “Pings”.

Mini liked the pistol. Her first time with one. She was quite good with it.
The rifles were too heavy for much shooting. Everything is still mud and I had no table, so they were shooting standing. Still, a good little trip!

Mini says her calibrated ear tells her the titanium one is just a bit louder. I tend to agree, but only because I know it’s a 1/32” bigger bore.

Time for some side-by-side tests! Good thing I have two identical MKII FV-SRs.

 

[Demi-human]

SO,

MUCH,
FUN!

It was windy today. The trees groaned under the force. The beaches were smashing each other like a mob of teenagers in a mosh pit.

I heard some Canadian geese overhead, too!

And one CCI SV went supersonic on the way down.
So cool!
I sighted in a new scope and decided the Titanium suppressor will live on this rifle.
Um, when I get a longer rifle bag...


Do any of you leave the suppressor on all the time?
Or should it be taken off?

 

[dogtown tom]

SO,
Do any of you leave the suppressor on all the time?

I haven't removed my AAC 556SD from one SBR in five years.

Or should it be taken off?

On a rimfire can I take it off and clean it every 500 rounds.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Do any of you leave the suppressor on all the time?
Or should it be taken off?

Most of mine are dedicated to hosts and stay on pretty much full time

Rimfire cans need cleaned, though. Frequency depends on ammo, host(s) and firing schedule. Some ammo is really dirty, some hosts cause more lead debris than others, and if you run them hard and get them fairly hot, the lead sticks worse. The one I had on the 10/22 machine gun was really bad after a few thousand rounds of bulk pack Remington.

I'd pull it apart after the first few hundred and evaluate, adjust from there.