Suppressors - TBA vs SilencerCo vs others

[Chanse301]

Greetings everyone! As you might have seen in my last 'Elk Rifle' post, I recently filed my taxes and will be receiving my refund in the next few weeks, so it is finally time to get a suppressor on its way... SOON! It will be a 30 cal can, so I can use it on the new Elk rifle as well as my .223, 7mm etc.

With that said, I have had two brands as front runners for a purchase, those being SilencerCo and TBA.

SilencerCo - I really like the muzzle break on the Omega and Harvester cans they offer. I only fear this is more cosmetic than anything, and not actually capable of reducing felt recoil anymore than a non-breaked suppressor. The other thing I like is the price. The harvester is a few hundred cheaper than the Omega or the TBA cans.

Thunderbeast - They seem to be the leader of the industry. I just don't know if it's worth spending an extra 3 to $400 on a "name brand" can. Is the accuracy and such really that much better with the TBA cans? I get that they are of the utmost quality, but I would rather put my money towards utility than quality. Either company produces a good can. Is the extra for the TBA worth the money?

Others - YMH(sic?) Phantom has a good price point and reviews. Can't think of any others off the top of my head.

What's your experience with these cans? I haven't really heard anything negative about either brand. Everything seems to be positive feedback, so I feel like they're both capable cans. I just want to know what people think who have tried both of them!

As always. Thank you for your time today! Hope all is well.

 

[timeout]

PM incoming.

 

[snowpro440]

I would say go get your rifle barrel threaded and find a dealer that would let you demo it at there shop or a trip to the range with them before you buy . I have a local dealer here in pa. that will let you try it before you buy it if your serious about getting one. Silencerco makes a good quality product but I cant say on the thunderbeast.

 

[Dave in WI]

All three are solid cans. I have (had) all 3, and have no complaints on either. TBA is certainly quality and they are popular for competition. I sell more Harvestors than the other two combined. They are very competitively priced and light weight. I don't know how much the brake helps...couldn't hurt. if you look at YHM, be sure you look at the Titanium ones. The SS ones are great, but very heavy and not comperable to the others. To MY ears, the noise reduction is similar. Definetly find a local dealer for hands on, even if you have to drive a little.
YMMV

 

[FatBoy]

I'm going though this same exercise. I have come to the conclusion that the new Silencerco Omega is my next can. 14oz, so not nearly the lightest but not bad. Break is removable and flat caps will be available in April. Full auto rated, though this is for a precision 300wm. Shorter than both the Harvester and the TBAC EP-1.

Looking at what guys in the PRS series are running, the TBAC is the safest bet. All are a bit of a gamble without being able to shoot them but I think the Omega checks the boxes for me.

RE: brake on Harvester. Of course you can't compare recoil on that can with the brake off but a buddy of mine has a a harvester and an ep-1 and he advised me that the recoil on the harvester felt a touch lighter. Is that due to the brake or how the gas is released? Have no idea. He likes both but uses the Harvester more. That said, he's been eyeballing the new TBAC 5" and 7" units. No matter what we choose, it's on the verge of being dated technology by the time BATF allows us to pic it up.

 

[1shot]

I recently took possession of a GemTech SandStorm. i wouldn't trade it for 5 of any other can other the the Harvester.
I hope this helps,
Lloyd

 

[Chanse301]

I had considered it months ago when I first started looking into a suppressor, but I think that's probably the best thing I could do. I wondered if people would have demo units. I just saw a TBA can on armslist labeled as a demo unit that was like 500 off msrp. Definitely something I will have to look into. Eastern WA has to have something around here.

I'll take a look at the Sandstorm, and it seem's everyone loves the harvester. I don't think I could go wrong getting one. I just don't know if I should just pony up the money now since it's simply my tax return. I'd rather buy nice toys now, rather than eat and live like a slob for a while.

... I will however grab a bottle of Basil Hayden(?). Buddies birthday and he says its the best whiskey he's had. We'll see!

And the omega. Really great can as well. Can't throw it out of the race either.

 

[Minesweeper3433]

My next can is going to be a TBAC PS model or maybe a PSS depending on how I feel at the time. I went supper heavy on my last can and regret it. Stick with light weight for bolt guns performance.

 

[fredhorace77]

i like the silencercos. im going with the omega. the break is also removable, until the omega came out i was going with the harvester.

 

[germanlongbow]

If your looking for precision then TBAC. Repeatability is the key. Mine are all direct thread which makes a big deal with POI. I have friends that shoot muiltimounts on both Yankee Hill and AAC. As long as you index the can and the rifle its not much of an issue. If not the round does move with on / off can placement. If you like shooting long distance its a huge problem. I haven't tried their new Ultra cans yet (i have one in jail) but it has their muzzle brake incorporated into the can (shoot with can on or with just brake). Scott

 

[SamGabara]

I shoot the TBAC 30 P-1 and really like it. Repeatability and accuracy were more important to me than suppression levels. I have ZERO POI shift after removing and replacing the can. It is direct thread. I have only shot thru one other brand (surefire) and was not impressed with them.

 

[Geno C]

What exactly are your priorities with this can? Weight, sound reduction, length, price? If you make a list based on level of importance it will help us point you in a better direction to fit your wants.

A stainless phantom is great for reasons that a Tbac would not be and visa versa.

 

[Chanse301]

If your looking for precision then TBAC. Repeatability is the key. Mine are all direct thread which makes a big deal with POI. I have friends that shoot muiltimounts on both Yankee Hill and AAC. As long as you index the can and the rifle its not much of an issue. If not the round does move with on / off can placement. If you like shooting long distance its a huge problem. I haven't tried their new Ultra cans yet (i have one in jail) but it has their muzzle brake incorporated into the can (shoot with can on or with just brake). Scott

That's pretty damn neat. So you could shoot with the suppressor w/ break, flat cap the can and shoot suppressed without break, or simply remove the break from the can and use it alone? Or simply the ones where the can goes directly over the break, covering it?

I shoot the TBAC 30 P-1 and really like it. Repeatability and accuracy were more important to me than suppression levels. I have ZERO POI shift after removing and replacing the can. It is direct thread. I have only shot thru one other brand (surefire) and was not impressed with them.

Seems to be the norm with their cans. I must say i'm leaning towards a TBA can more and more.

What exactly are your priorities with this can? Weight, sound reduction, length, price? If you make a list based on level of importance it will help us point you in a better direction to fit your wants.

A stainless phantom is great for reasons that a Tbac would not be and visa versa.

I guess I would have to say my biggest priority is getting the most overall utility for the money. I don't need it to be the best at everything, or one certain thing, because I don't have any certain activity in mind. Just varminting and plinking. No competitions.

Length hasn't really been in the equation. The only thing i've considered in length is the price and sound reduction. For example the 9" Ultra vs the 7". I wouldn't mind a few extra db's of the 7" as well as saving money. Would rather spend a bit more and forgo the 5" for the 7" as-well. I guess the 5" just looks like a turd to me lol.

I would say my main priorities would be suppression of the sound to a bearable level (which I feel all cans i'm considering will do) along with reduced recoil.

Because these two features are so closely matched with all the high quality suppressors, I've tried looking into the other factors to differentiate utility (TBA for accuracy. SilencerCo's having integrated break etc).

Part of me wants to save money and grab a harvester and save some money. The other part of me says just pony up and make the better investment and go for accuracy. Over the course of waiting for it to arrive, a few hundred dollars doesn't really hold much weight to me, but neither does a POI shift, as long as it's repeatable. I guess if I could just make up my mind with what i want, then you guys could better help me pick a can :-\

Sorry for all the walls of text. Thanks for lettin me pick your brains everyone. Appreciate it!

 

[rpierce]

I haven't shot any suppressors on my rifles except TBAC. I have the 30P-1 on my bolt guns and the 338BA on my 338 edge. My 6.5x47 has repeatedly shot around 1/4 moa or smaller groups with that suppressor on it. I also managed to pound two .1 moa groups with the 338 at 100 yards for my first groups at 100 after putting the 338BA on. Sound reduction is great with it. I have zero poi shift when taking them off and putting them back on. I shot a 2.7" 5 shot group at 950 yds with my 6.5 off a bipod. There was 1.00" of vertical in the group. Recoil reduction is substantial with them as well. I can spot my hits w the 338 and 6.5 no problem. I won't be switching to another brand after having the results I've had with my TBACS. I have a bunch off the new ultras on order and will be selling the ultra9 direct thread for 1000. I also have a few 30cb9's on sale for 875.

 

[Geno C]

Those are the normal response from Tbac owners for sure! I have another thing to add in their favor; customer service. Zak is one othe the best in the business when it comes to taking care of his customers. I have heard of more than one stuck barrel or nicked baffle that he has taken care of in an extremely timely manner. He's also just a pretty good guy in general. I bought a couple of his cans with custom serial numbers for my boys and my next can or 2 or 3, will be coming from them also.