Ok guys, I did some searching and couldn’t really find an answer to this question.
What can be done to maximize the efficiency (effectiveness) of a suppressor? I am not expecting miracles, I understand the “silencer” thing is a total myth on any decent size centerfire round. I am awaiting ATF approval on a gemtech 5.56 supressor that’s going on my Armalite (yeah I know…)
Common sense tells me a lower velocity round would tend to improve the effectiveness at least a little bit, am I on to something there? Would a heavier bullet make a difference?
I am asking truly here, not trying to start an argument, for a true technical discussion.
WBurns…
Depending on your objective, you can run a Sub-Sonic round, and achieve a very quiet end result, yet diminish it’s overall effectiveness…
As mentioned, depending on your use, a Sub-Sonic round could still be a viable option for pest control within 100 yards… As long as you know your weapon/ammo capabilities…
You can either shoot it “wet” or shoot subsonic ammunition through it. That’s about it. I don’t shoot my 5.56 can wet, though, I just slap it on and go.
I don’t know of any can manufacturer that approves of running a rifle cal can ‘wet’. The pressures of rifle rounds a vastly higher than of pistols, and since water is not compressable, you are risking blowing up your can/gun, and injuring yourself or others.
As a matter of fact, most manufacturers will indicate which cans can be run ‘wet’.
I have an adjustable gas upper (the Innovative Arms WAR upper to be specific) and when the gas is set to half the audible shot is reduced. Not to me but to those around me (far more noticeable outdoors than in, for obvious reasons). The reason is less expanding gas coming back and blowing out the ejection port than with a non-adjustable setup. So far, to the shooter, there isn’t much of a difference.
Here’s a quick diagram about directional-detection and suppressor use:
The use of ablatives (such as wire-pull gel) isn’t usually recommended for rifle cans so scratch that.
Yes, sub-sonic 5.56’s can be used but it kinda defeats the purpose of a 5.56 in the first place… I don’t recommend them unless you’re killing raccoons and bunnies.
One thing you can do is try and reduce FRP (First Round Pop). The first couple shots from a can are invariably louder than the follow-ups. Why? Because the oxygen left over from the atmosphere aids in combustion. A couple of shots later, the oxygen is all burned up and there is less noise accordingly.
Since you can’t use your can in a vacuum (well, maybe you can but it’s unlikely) there are some ways to reduce oxygen levels.
-Spray some heavier inert gas into the can before use (CO2 is a good choice) to displace the oxygen. This can be done with dry ice, a whipped cream dissolver, canned air etc.
-Burn the excess O2 from the can beforehand (hold the rifle upright and hold a lighter/candle/whatever to the suppressor muzzle to eat up additional oxygen)
-Use an ablative to reduce oxygen spaces (not good for rifle cans as already mentioned)
An additional method which is often mentioned but I haven’t seen clear results from involve allowing cigarette smoke to displace oxygen in a suppressor. Might be something to test in the future.
This was the impetus for me offering suppressor caps-- to keep the purge in. It isn’t something I’ve experimented with much yet but one day it just seemed like a good thing to have. They are for 1 1/2" diameter.
I don’t think I’d purge with anything that has to do with propelling whipped cream as it it likely to be NO2 which of course is a highly flammable gas (as used in high performance engines). I’m thinkin’ it’s not gonna frag the suppressor but I would think it would at the very least increase FRP. I have a handful of NO2 cylinders here as the result of a non-gun project but never got around to testing its flammability (the firebug in me went somewhat dormant in my mid-20’s).
Seems like it would be something to experiment with.
I don’t think I’d purge with anything that has to do with propelling whipped cream as it it likely to be NO2 which of course is a highly flammable gas (as used in high performance engines).
You are correct. I was talking about using an inert gas (C02) in a whipped cream dissolver as opposed to the non-inert stuff.
So yes, don’t use NO2 for sure. It would be certain to have the -opposite- intended effect.
Not being picky, but NO2 is not flammable. Just as O2 is not flammable. It is an oxidizer. It allows more burnable material to be consumed. The reason for the Nitrigen in the NO2 is to slow the burn rate when fed into an engine. In an engine, the more air and fuel you can give it, the more power. So if you can’t shove more air into it, then you shove a higher O2 content into it and more fuel. Pure O2 will cause metal parts in the engine to become fuel.
I will jump back in my lane and read more, but I am a car guy and this is the first thread I have read that had high performance car stuff in it.
But yes, this would allow most of the rest of the unburned powder to offer more FRP.
What about getting the small CO2 cylinders for BB guns and one of those motorcycle/bicycle tire inflators? Seems like they would be small, portable and reusable. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00278XO0Q
It’d be interesting if somebody could find the time to do a real study on this. Better yet, if they could find the study that has almost certainly already been done.
As a study in theory it’s technically interesting but in actual practice, I see it as a bit of a stretch, a guy purging barrel and suppressor, then capping the suppressor and chambering a round… much less carrying the stuff in the field to do it with.
I was away from the computer for a few days, came back to some good reading for sure!
There’s a chance this rifle will be used to control the population of some 4 legged sometimes antlered mammals that like to eat thousands of dollars worth of corn and soybeans out of fields. Just trying to keep it neighbor friendly. ALL shots would be safe distances etc, not looking to squeeze off rounds between two houses or anything of that nature!
However… One may also want to consider 9mm depending on the shooter’s true requirements. Everyone wants the capability to go a little farther and retain more lethality over a greater range, but I’m not completely convinced it’s worth the added cost. After a morning of short range marksmanship next to a .300 BLK shooter, I’ve spent a lot less money and even made less noise with an MP5 type.
Still digging through a lot of info. I picked up a .300blk handi rifle to try the round out. I could only find remington “premier match” ammo for it around here. I need to try some subsonic ammo through it, possibly order a can. It definitely has a healthy pop with the 125g ammo and no can!
Interestingly enough my handi rifle is LOUDER than my AR with an AAC 16" upper… Considering they have the same barrel length I would have thought the handi rifle would be quiter due to the bolt cycling on the AR releasing gas.
Still waiting for my suppressor to get released from the ATF to see which one is quieter suppressed.
