johnsons1480 Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 I have a .308 bolt action Savage with an AAC 51t muzzle brake and an AAC 7.62 SDN 6 screwed on the end. My question is, if I plan to use the gun mostly with the silencer on, do I need the silencer on to do my load development? I suppose there is no reason not to have it on while doing load development, but I was just wondering if it was necessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Smith Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 (edited) The suppressor and the round do interact and will behave differently, so yes, test it the way you plan on shooting it. Are you going to be shooting subsonic loads? Edited October 7, 2014 by Graham Smith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsons1480 Posted October 7, 2014 Author Share Posted October 7, 2014 No, just supersonic. I bought the silencer for a .300 BO and was sorely disappointed. Now I have it on a bolt gun so I don't have to wear hearing protection while I'm hunting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MWP Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Develop load with the suppressor on. What caused you disappointment with the blackout? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsons1480 Posted October 7, 2014 Author Share Posted October 7, 2014 Subsonic bullets out of an AR were not as quiet as I was led to believe. Maybe it would be better if I picked up a bolt gun in that caliber, but for the time being it seems like it's not worth my time to mess with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willz Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 A bolt action will always be quieter than a semi-auto no matter the caliber. You get a lot of noise from the action. All loads development sub- sonic or otherwise should be done with the suppressor installed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Smith Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Also bear in mind that bullet selection and loads for a bolt action and a semi-auto .308 are often different, and a suppressor will add to that difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsons1480 Posted October 7, 2014 Author Share Posted October 7, 2014 I wasn't loading for a semi auto 308. This is a new gun, and I will be trying Nosler 168 gr Ballistic Tip with Varget. What will the suppressor add to the loading equation? Or are you referring to cycling considerations in a semi auto with and without a can? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrawandDuck Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 (edited) I run 44 gr of Varget with 168 gr match kings/167 gr Scenars with 24" barrel in my .308 and 43.5 H4350 in my 6.5 creedmoor also 24" barrel.....my SWR Specwar lowered POI by .5 mills in both guns....windage was unaffected. Yea, the bolt and cycling noise on the .300 BO in the AR platform is the nosiest part. IMG_1102.MOV Edited October 9, 2014 by DrawandDuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willz Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 As stated you should see an improvement in accuracy once you work up a load with the suppressor vs without it. It improves or tames barrel harmonics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsons1480 Posted October 8, 2014 Author Share Posted October 8, 2014 What are the chances it will shoot well without the suppressor once I develop a load for suppressor use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Freeman Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 With a good quality can and muzzle threading, a can will not hurt accuracy. I say do load development with it on. Do which ever you feel the most comfortable with. I know I do all my shooting and load development with cans installed. If you work up a load without a can and accuracy is good and stick a can on and groups open up, then there might be an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Smith Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 I spent a couple days shooting with one guy with a Rem 700 mil spec shooting factory 175 gr ammo. He was doing OK but struggling some keeping groups down to 2 MOA at 300yd. About half way through the day, he comes back from his car with a suppressor and says he wonders if this will work better, he just got it and hadn't tried it out. He had to adjust his zero a bit but his shooting improved markedly that day. In retrospect, I think that his shooting improved in large part because he was more relaxed. The reduced noise and better recoil control (and a slight change in position) made him much more consistent and reduced any tendency to flinch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrawandDuck Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 (edited) Mine shoots great groups with or without the can.....I just have a different dope cards for each. Attached group is with the can...just have to dial +.5, bout 2 1/4" up with it on. Can does calm the gun down quite a bit. Edited October 8, 2014 by DrawandDuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsons1480 Posted October 9, 2014 Author Share Posted October 9, 2014 Awesome. Thanks for your experiences and advice guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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