I was shooting the other day and noticed my zero was off on my DDM4 when I put on the new AAC M4-2000 silencer. Does adding a silencer on the end of your rifle affect your zero location past 50 yards???
I was wondering and heard a comment when it it happened, but chalked it up to my EOTech being knocked in my drag bag and resighted it in…
Does your zero typically change in elevation and/or windage between shooting with or without a silencer?
All cans create a POI shift. Some more so than others. I have witnessed some that create 5" at 100yds, but they generally will only create about a 3" shift.
There are other variables that go along with this as well (like barrels).
From my experience, SF has the least POI shift of any can made (which is why I use them). To me, having several inches of shift is not acceptable.
C4
Definitely causes shift. If you have a flat top upper and/or a Free Float barrel, that shift can be big.
Any time you exert pressure or apply weight to the barrel inconsistent with that during zeroing you will induce POI shift.
Further, the bullet is effected by it’s time inside the can and the change in gas volume and pressure as the projectile exits the can vice the crown.
The best suppressors are not ones that exhibit NO shif, but rather ones that have REPEATABLE shift. Primarily because the former does not exist, so the next best thing is at least knowing were it’s going.
Stiffer, shorter barrels have less shift from the torque created from the can. I think the best SBR barrel would be a 11.5" .750 medium contour barrel. That is just my opinion though. ADCO should make a carbine length barrel similar to their medium contour mid-length. I would buy one and have them cut it down for me.
Thanks guys,
That makes sense. I appreciate all the feedback, and man was that quick!:thank_you2:
I made a post somewhere here on M4 where markm and I did some testing with my 11.5" SBR w/ AAC M4 2000 at 50 yards. We used several different rounds.
In our testing the shift was pretty minimal with the can on/off. Again, this was only 50 yards IIRC, but all things considered it looked as if it was fairly consistent.
I agree. Let me add that I had used a threaded suppressor that had very minor POI shift but it was not repeatable. My AAC cans (M4-2000 & 762SD) both exhibit some POI but it is repeatable to the point I can take off the can and adjust my sights shoot, put the can back on adjust the sights and shoot, and even though not perfection - they are still well within tactical tolerances.
Repetition and replication is key to accuracy IMHO.