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Suppressors in 1000 yard competitions

All this talk of suppressors in the other subforums has got me thinking. Has anyone ever used one in their 1000-yard competitions? Are they even legal in those matches? I'm specifically curious about Williamsport rules, as I intend to compete there soon. I've been to a few matches at PA 1000-yd, but didn't see anyone using them.
 
The NRA does not have any class that allows the use of suppressors. F-TR is F-Target Rifle, not tactical. In NRA sanctioned F class matches no muzzle devices are allowed; however, if you shoot in tactical matches, which are outside of the NRA system then cans and brakes are more the norm than the exception. There are some match directors out there who are allowing guys to shoot with cans/brakes in F class matches with out reporting the scores, that's an individual range/match director kind of decision.

My opinion for what it's worth if that if you want to shoot F class then shoot F class, if you want to shoot tactical matches shoot tac matches. If you want to come and practice at 1000 yards with the F class guys screw off the attachments and shoot. The name of the game is wind reading, and that doesn't change no matter how you are configured.
 
I wouldn't mind the use of suppressors in F class but not brakes. After listening to 40 guys shoot all day with ear plugs and muffs does get old. Brakes would just make the line louder and also have a ton more dirt and dust flying around.
 
Someone was shooting a suppressed gun at the IBS 1K nationals in WV. All he needed was proof that he could legally have one and he was good to go. He was a couple benches to my left in my first relay of the weekend. We were on the left side of the benches. i actually thought someone was shooting a 22 rimfire, and not even shooting it in the same direction. I thought that he was shooting over the hill at something below the firing line !!

WAY COOL!!!
 
Here in New Zealand we are allowed to run them in F & FTR class. However you won't find one normally at a championship shoot. At our local club quite a few members having started using them - this I think is a good thing as it's one less thing that the public can complain about. There's something about the noise of gunshots that gets the general public all upset ::) Seriously though I use them exclusively on all my rifle from rimfire through to target rigs. The only real bug bear is mirage generated by heat off the suppressor so I'm working on a Mirage shield to avoid that. Beyond that I wouldn't change it - reduced recoil, rifle stays on target & less noise upset to stock & people. What's not to like 8)
 
I am not sure of the import rules/laws to NZ but TAB Gear makes NOMEX covers in a couple of different styles to keep the heat mirage to a minimum. Give Lisa a call @ TAB Gear. She is best to work with.
Semper Fi
 
I've shot a couple fclass matches here with a suppressor. If it is a sanctioned match, and you use the suppressor you basically can't win the match even if you score the highest, it becomes nonsanctioned for you. I wish it would catch on more, but no all states that have sanctioned shoots can use suppressors so i'm guessing tell that happens it isn't going to happen. It sure is nice to shoot suppressed though even though you have to wear ear protection because the guy next to you is still barking away.

xdeano
 
I've used them in F-class and love em. More states are legalizing suppressors and also legalizing them for hunting. Range noise reduction is a great way to make shooting more acceptable to the general public and the NRA should embrace the use of them wherever possible. This is an example of an outdated rule in need of change. Brakes? please stay away from me :-)
 
4xforfun said:
Someone was shooting a suppressed gun at the IBS 1K nationals in WV. All he needed was proof that he could legally have one and he was good to go. He was a couple benches to my left in my first relay of the weekend. We were on the left side of the benches. i actually thought someone was shooting a 22 rimfire, and not even shooting it in the same direction. I thought that he was shooting over the hill at something below the firing line !!

WAY COOL!!!

How did he do? I think some modern suppressors could definitely be beneficial to scores. I'm still curious if anyone knows about Williamsport rules...
 
I remember a Kiwi (New Zealander) shooting at the world Palma championships in Brisbane (Australia) and he had some sort of attachment on his barrel, I think he called it a noodle or something. Anyway, what got my attention was that his 308 sounded quieter than a 223 very bearable to stand behind without ear protection. The same range is now going through problems with noise complaints as it is in the middle of a city, and there has been more talk of using suppressors to keep the locals happy. I just wish our rule makers had the common sense that the New Zealanders enjoy. Less hearing loss for the shooters and less complaints from the locals.
 
scotharr said:
I've used them in F-class and love em. More states are legalizing suppressors and also legalizing them for hunting. Range noise reduction is a great way to make shooting more acceptable to the general public and the NRA should embrace the use of them wherever possible. This is an example of an outdated rule in need of change. Brakes? please stay away from me :-)

...and the reason that the NRA lumped cans in with brakes is because most of the people wanting to use suppressors in F-Class were trying to game the rules prohibiting brakes. If silencers were allowed in F-Class, then what of people who live in states where suppressors *aren't* legal if brakes aren't allowed by the NRA. I can only imagine the hue and cry over *that* one.

If you want silencers allowed in F-Class, then brakes come with, as far as I'm concerned. People complain about F-Open being an arms race and increasingly catering to those with pockets deep enough to afford feeding a 7mm short monster and rebarrelling it every year. What do you think will happen once the only currently limiting factor for F-Class - having to put up with the recoil all day long for a 60-80 shot match - gets eliminated by having brakes/cans? Can you say '.338LM or bigger'? I don't know about you, but I don't particularly want to be squadded all day next to one of those things *with a brake*... so I stand in support of leaving F-Class the way it is - no brakes, and no cans.
 
4xforfun said:
Someone was shooting a suppressed gun at the IBS 1K nationals in WV. All he needed was proof that he could legally have one and he was good to go. He was a couple benches to my left in my first relay of the weekend. We were on the left side of the benches. i actually thought someone was shooting a 22 rimfire, and not even shooting it in the same direction. I thought that he was shooting over the hill at something below the firing line !!

WAY COOL!!!

That was Boyd Carpenter out of Culpepper VA. He was shooting a savage 308 with 155s. That was his tactical rig. Shot a couple groups in the 5-7" range also.
 
i had to qualify on a range this past weekend and had a shooter with a can on one side and one with an agressive brake on the other i had to wait until the guy with the brake would shoot before i even got my finger close to the trigger.it knocked my hat off once i cant stand shooting next to someone who has one on .....the guy with the can it was just sweet
 
What if they created a separate division for rifles with cans? Same weight limit same classes and everything just allowed to use cans. I agree with not useing breaks as the concussion off of one is very unpleasant to say the least.
If people just start using them at matches eventually there will be enough people to break off a separate division.
 
Minesweeper3433 said:
What if they created a separate division for rifles with cans? Same weight limit same classes and everything just allowed to use cans. I agree with not useing breaks as the concussion off of one is very unpleasant to say the least.
If people just start using them at matches eventually there will be enough people to break off a separate division.

I'd think this could be done at the Club level where NFA Laws allow.

I agree with Monte keep the NRA Highpower and Fulbore Rules the way they are.
 
Just about anything goes in Precision Rifle Matches(Sniper) but you won't find the winners using a suppressor, reason is there just a sail on the end of the rifle, and offer no advantage.
 
The guy I went to Raton with had to take one of his turret caps off to make weight (and they'd be off in competition anyway) in F-TR. I can't see giving up four or five inches of barrel to run a can on my TR gun..
 

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