Load development with suppressor

[DLT]

I figure it’s done all the time but any down sides to having one installed during the process ? I do plan on shooting the rifle with it installed most all the time Thanks

 

[bwalker36]

Curious as I just assumed if your going to shoot it suppressed you should load with it suppressed. But besides a bit more velocity and a potential POI shift, I'm not sure what it would change. It won't change Combustion, it will add a bit of speed, so I guess harmonics could be affected. I would imagine you would want the test with the silencer on order to have the right harmonics if it affected it. Otherwise you take put it on and then if it throws harmonics out of whack your groups open up.

These are my newbie thoughts though, wonder what the smarter people have to say.

 

[mgunderson]

It is done all the time. My answer depends if it is a gas gun or a bolt. Assuming bolt, it is easier to start without the suppressor and then add it into the system. Gas guns are outside my core knowledge.

 

[Hoser]

I only shoot suppressed anymore, so all my load development is done with a can.

 

[Clancy]

You’d have to be crazy to do load work without it then try and add it on.

The only downside is the mirage. Get a can cover from Armageddon Gear and don’t look back.

Don’t do anything until you have everything- including the wrap from Armageddon.

 

[G Liles]

I only do load development with the suppressor on and I have had great results. It might even shoot better with it off but I will never know!! And don’t care because it’s shooting well and a joy to shoot. I shot my best target with it the last match I shot!!

 

[Oso]

Yes. Depending on how much load testing you plan to shoot and ambient temp, you may need to make some extra consideration. Suppressor is a heat sump that will heat up the end of barrel as much or more than the chamber. If I am shooting groups and it is warmer weather then I remove the suppressor between sets to allow both the barrel and suppressor to return to ambient temp faster.

A Chamber Chiller will only cool off the chamber, but the end of barrel and suppressor remain hot. In order to get rifle cooled down you have to remove it for proper cooling.

 

[Clancy]

Here’s a .079 5 shot group from my hunting BRA yesterday morning. Diligent Defense Wolf Hunter. If you need any more convincing, see a doctor

 

[DLT]

You’d have to be crazy to do load work without it then try and add it on.

The only downside is the mirage. Get a can cover from Armageddon Gear and don’t look back.

Don’t do anything until you have everything- including the wrap from Armageddon.

Guessing the wrap can change harmonics too ? Much need for their extrme high temp cover or just their standard ?

 

[Clancy]

Guessing the wrap can change harmonics too ? Much need for their extrme high temp cover or just their standard ?

Just the regular unless you’re dumping magazines.

Slide it off between groups so everything cools better.

 

[boltfluter]

I have done load development both ways. My cans are home made. On both rifles with established loads both actually shot a little better with the suppressor on. Point of impact changed a small amount. If starting on a new load I would do it with suppressor and all accessories on as Clancy mentioned. He is doing something right with a group like that!
Paul

 

[Doom]

I can't imagine any reason that you would not develop a load with the can on. It adds weight and length to the barrel so it changes the harmonics of the barrel. The degree to which depends on the barrel and the stock. Will it have an effect in your case? There is only one way to know.

 

[drop_point]

I figure it’s done all the time but any down sides to having one installed during the process ? I do plan on shooting the rifle with it installed most all the time Thanks

If you want to shoot it suppressed, why would you not develop the load suppressed?

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

If shooting/trying a bullet that may not stay together (twist rate/velocity or bore issue) I would work without the can to begin testing. Also I don't recall a load that shot accurately without the can that didn't perform even better with the can on.

 

[drop_point]

If shooting/trying a bullet that may not stay together (twist rate/velocity or bore issue) I would work without the can to begin testing. Also I don't recall a load that shot accurately without the can that didn't perform even better with the can on.

First, I wouldn't want to develop a load with a bullet that I was concerned wouldn't stabilize. Second, firing one or two rounds without the suppressor would tell you that anyway. Even in that case, wouldn't be beneficial to do the load development without the suppressor.

I've had many loads that had to be retuned after adding a suppressor. There is no rule of thumb. Its a big, heavy weight on the end of the barrel.

 

[Clancy]

As others have noted, it’s not uncommon for a rifle to shoot better with the suppressor on. I think this is due to one or more of the following.

Adding weight never hurt.

Thinner barrels and especially carbon barrels are greatly tamed by the giant “tuner” on the end.

The rifle is simply more “shootable” since there’s not a bomb going off 2 feet in front of your face.

But to loosely quote some Joe Dirt…. I don’t care why trees, sunshine and boobs are good. I just know that they are.

All that being said, practice how you’re gonna play.

 

[DLT]

First, I wouldn't want to develop a load with a bullet that I was concerned wouldn't stabilize. Second, firing one or two rounds without the suppressor would tell you that anyway. Even in that case, wouldn't be beneficial to do the load development without the suppressor.

I've had many loads that had to be retuned after adding a suppressor. There is no rule of thumb. It’s a big, heavy weight on the end of the barrel.

No worries about under stabilizing. It’s the too high of rpm’s i would worry about

 

[Scooby-93]

You’d have to be crazy to do load work without it then try and add it on.

The only downside is the mirage. Get a can cover from Armageddon Gear and don’t look back.

Don’t do anything until you have everything- including the wrap from Armageddon.

Have you found that shooting with then without the cover it effects POI or the tune?

 

[Clancy]

Have you found that shooting with then without the cover it effects POI or the tune?

I seriously doubt it would matter much. I wouldn’t be able to see a change in accuracy from it, but I’ve taken mine off hunting on low power at night and of course you’re not going to miss because of that.

There’s no group shooting for me with an uncovered can though. In 3 shots there’s enough mirage that I don’t want to bother with it. That’s the main reason I said @DLT should wait for the cover.

 

[Clancy]

No worries about under stabilizing. It’s the too high of rpm’s i would worry about

I ALWAYS use an appropriate twist for that reason. Those little white puffs of smoke are not funny.