Silencer tuning loads,... Grrrr!

[Lefty Trigger]

Setting my new 6mmBRA up as a gun for my new silencer. The silencer is new as well as the BRA cartridge so I'm starting from scratch. So far it sucks! Using 70gr Nosler Varmageddon bullets and AR-comp/CCi450 primers. I started at 28.0 and went to 30.1 at 3288 with no pressure but the speed is not there yet but at 200 yards the best this thing is grouping is 1.5 to 2 inches, horrible. I have new loads ready to try up to 32.0 grains because my std BR runs them at 3450.
26 inch 8 twist barrel / Rem 700 action

 

[garandman]

Following. Planning a new 6mm rifle, but was thinking this be my first non suppressed bolt gun. I've had good luck with 224V and 65Cm, but figger I not press my luck. My can is a Ops Inc 12th model, which has a unique 2 point mounting system.


@Lefty Trigger does it shoot well unsuppressed ?

 

[Bill Norris]

FOLLOWING.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Setting my new 6mmBRA up as a gun for my new silencer. The silencer is new as well as the BRA cartridge so I'm starting from scratch. So far it sucks! Using 70gr Nosler Varmageddon bullets and AR-comp/CCi450 primers. I started at 28.0 and went to 30.1 at 3288 with no pressure but the speed is not there yet but at 200 yards the best this thing is grouping is 1.5 to 2 inches, horrible. I have new loads ready to try up to 32.0 grains because my std BR runs them at 3450.
26 inch 8 twist barrel / Rem 700 action

Lefty, remove the silencer and develope a load without it. If it goes to say .5.......you have your answer.

 

[OmegaRed]

I've used a suppressor on 4 or so varmint rifles and a 300 win mag. All shoot small with and without with minimal and repeatable POI shift.

 

[EOD Rob]

Lefty, remove the silencer and develope a load without it. If it goes to say .5.......you have your answer.

Second that! Another thing to look at is if you are or are not running a quick detach brake/flash hider. Several times before, I've seen rifles that do not shot well with brake/suppressor combos. Direct thread is the way to go if you are shooter for groups.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I have had more issues with bags/support during load development than suppressors. Only other problem was using adapter between barrel threading and the suppressor(stepping up from 1/2-28 barrel threads to 5/8-24 threads on suppressor).

 

[JEFFPPC]

For this discussion I am assuming the shooter is competent.

 

[JimSC]

the suppressor is affecting your barrel harmonics, once you have your speed where you want you can adjust seating depth to tune the barrel harmonics. A alternative would be to add shims like the one you use to time muzzle brakes, between the suppressor and the shoulder of the barrel. A few thousandths can make a world of difference. I have been playing with barrel tuners lately and am amazed at how a small adjustment can make a 1.5 MOA group into a bughole

Muzzle brake shims

 

[thestoicmarcusaurelius]

Setting my new 6mmBRA up as a gun for my new silencer. The silencer is new as well as the BRA cartridge so I'm starting from scratch. So far it sucks! Using 70gr Nosler Varmageddon bullets and AR-comp/CCi450 primers. I started at 28.0 and went to 30.1 at 3288 with no pressure but the speed is not there yet but at 200 yards the best this thing is grouping is 1.5 to 2 inches, horrible. I have new loads ready to try up to 32.0 grains because my std BR runs them at 3450.
26 inch 8 twist barrel / Rem 700 action

Sometimes there is not a great solution other than developing two different loads. Different loads with and without the silencer.

Another thing that can work is using a tuner like the ATS tuner KSS makes that fits behind either the muzzle device if it's a QD mount or the suppressor if it's a direct thread. Then the tuner settings can be changed to optimize a single load for with and without the silencer.

 

[Bill Norris]

the suppressor is affecting your barrel harmonics, once you have your speed where you want you can adjust seating depth to tune the barrel harmonics. A alternative would be to add shims like the one you use to time muzzle brakes, between the suppressor and the shoulder of the barrel. A few thousandths can make a world of difference. I have been playing with barrel tuners lately and am amazed at how a small adjustment can make a 1.5 MOA group into a bughole

Muzzle brake shims

Second that for sure. I am using Eric Cortina's tuner/brake on three of my rifles and have been amazed at times with what just one number will do to a group.

 

[JimSC]

Second that for sure. I am using Eric Cortina's tuner/brake on three of my rifles and have been amazed at times with what just one number will do to a group.

Same with the Ezell's.

 

[Lefty Trigger]

Well I'm not 100% sure on this BRA barrel. I have a std 6BR that will shoot well under an inch at 300 yards and adding the silencer "mostly" only drops the POI down about 5-6 inches but grouping holds about the same maybe opening a little. My plan is to only shoot this gun with the silencer so I want to get the load dialed in with it. I'm going back to the range tonight with higher loads from 30.0 to 32.0 to see if anything comes together without hitting pressure. Will report back...
BTW silencer is a Yankee Hill and yes it is a "quick detach" model.

 

[Lefty Trigger]

It did not go well at all (see target from 200 yards). 31.9gr did not do too bad but 2 of the 3 shot group had stiff bolt lift so pretty sure I'm above the limit. 31.6gr gave single digit ES and SD numbers. At this point I'm reloading and testing WITHOUT the silencer to see if it's a barrel issue or the can messing with me,... it's kinda my only option at this point because I have NO experience with silencers.
I will ask those that shoot with them, I was told this evening that they do better with boat tail bullets because flat base bullets get pushed around funny leaving the can, is this true?

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

@Lefty Trigger I have never heard that before about the flat based bullets. I’m curious why somebody thinks exiting the suppressor would have a significantly different effect on flat base bullets than exiting the crown — it’s not obvious to me. I have not used anything except boat tails with my suppressors so I don’t have any data.

 

[Lefty Trigger]

@Lefty Trigger I have never heard that before about the flat based bullets. I’m curious why somebody thinks exiting the suppressor would have a significantly different effect on flat base bullets than exiting the crown — it’s not obvious to me. I have not used anything except boat tails with my suppressors so I don’t have any data.

I don't know thats why I ask? It kinda makes since but not sure there is anything to it. My 6BR that I mention above that shot well but just a lower POI is shooting boat tails...

 

[Sandstorm]

This barrel may not like AR Comp...Try Varget

 

[DirtySteve]

I would develop a load with out the can. Then after finding the best load, put the can on and tweak the load.

 

[dcali]

It could be the suppressor's connection causing issues. Or it could just be barrel vibrations being impacted by the extra weight. I've had rifles go from 1.5 MOA down to under .5 MOA when at the extremes of tune.

I second (fifth?) the idea of takign it off and seeing if it will shoot before pulling your hair out over the suppressor.

 

[mgunderson]

The suppressor weight is acting like a big tuner. Take it off and nail down a good load. You can shim a quick detach with spacers and move it like a tuner after the initial load development is done without it. I prefer a non oriented quick detach for this reason.

Fysics is fun and that's why it starts with an F.