Suppressor Question - NUBE

nomad636 · July 19, 2016, 02:44 PM

I was wondering what kind of performance reduction can be expected when using a big bore suppressor (AWC Thor PSR .338lm) on a 5.56 rifle. I'm new to suppressors and am looking for one that will cover all of my rifles. I didn't know if the performance would be drastically reduced when using it on a smaller caliber... even though the blast chamber is substantially larger for gas capacity over standard 5.56 suppressors.

Thanks for the help!

Sharkbite · July 19, 2016, 08:28 PM

I shoot 556 thru my 308 can ALL the time. It works fine.

9mm thru a 45 can as well. The extra volume makes up for the increased bore size.

Im sure there is a point where that is no longer the case. 17hmr thru a .50cal can, for example

Poodleshooter · July 19, 2016, 08:32 PM

That's really going to be can specific I suspect.
In general, an overbore suppressor will have larger volume, be just a bit louder, and will usually weigh more if the materials are the same.

It's also $200+ another suppressor cheaper.

End cap diameter at least doesn't matter much on subsonic pistol suppressors. Unlike with rifle suppressors, end caps can often be swapped out for subcaliber end caps, creating a situation where the gas volume of a can is kept constant so as to evaluate only the changed end cap. Reports I've heard online and locally are that the difference is not discernible to the ear and was deemed immaterial by most.

Mobuck · July 19, 2016, 08:37 PM

If you're just playing, maybe it's OK. If you hunt with your suppressed rifle, you may find the big, bulky can has disadvantages.
We bought into the "one size fits all" and got .30 cal cans. I decided a dedicated .22 center fire can was worthwhile and have one on the way. Approx 3" shorter length makes a diff for me since I'm not tall. I'm hoping baffles being closer to bullet diameter offsets the reduced length(the ads say it will).

Crunchy Frog · July 19, 2016, 09:51 PM

As Poodleshooter said, some .30 caliber cans have removable endcaps so that you can put on a 5.56 endcap when shooting the smaller caliber.

I've seen some videos where they show (and even measure) the sound differences with the larger and smaller endcaps. There seems to be some sound reduction with the smaller endcap but it does not seem to be a huge difference.

Hard to give an opinion without firsthand experience.

July 19, 2016, 02:44 PM	#1
nomad636 Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2015 Location: Arlington Texas Posts: 126	Suppressor Question - NUBE I was wondering what kind of performance reduction can be expected when using a big bore suppressor (AWC Thor PSR .338lm) on a 5.56 rifle. I'm new to suppressors and am looking for one that will cover all of my rifles. I didn't know if the performance would be drastically reduced when using it on a smaller caliber... even though the blast chamber is substantially larger for gas capacity over standard 5.56 suppressors. Thanks for the help! __________________ Never go to war with a man who can end you from another zip code. Remember that just because you are out of sight... doesn't mean you are out of range. Unless of course.... you can end him from a further distance.

July 19, 2016, 08:28 PM	#2
Sharkbite Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2013 Location: Western slope of Colorado Posts: 3,679	I shoot 556 thru my 308 can ALL the time. It works fine. 9mm thru a 45 can as well. The extra volume makes up for the increased bore size. Im sure there is a point where that is no longer the case. 17hmr thru a .50cal can, for example

July 19, 2016, 08:32 PM	#3
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,599	That's really going to be can specific I suspect. In general, an overbore suppressor will have larger volume, be just a bit louder, and will usually weigh more if the materials are the same. It's also $200+ another suppressor cheaper. End cap diameter at least doesn't matter much on subsonic pistol suppressors. Unlike with rifle suppressors, end caps can often be swapped out for subcaliber end caps, creating a situation where the gas volume of a can is kept constant so as to evaluate only the changed end cap. Reports I've heard online and locally are that the difference is not discernible to the ear and was deemed immaterial by most.

July 19, 2016, 08:37 PM	#4
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	If you're just playing, maybe it's OK. If you hunt with your suppressed rifle, you may find the big, bulky can has disadvantages. We bought into the "one size fits all" and got .30 cal cans. I decided a dedicated .22 center fire can was worthwhile and have one on the way. Approx 3" shorter length makes a diff for me since I'm not tall. I'm hoping baffles being closer to bullet diameter offsets the reduced length(the ads say it will).

July 19, 2016, 09:51 PM	#5
Crunchy Frog Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2008 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 591	As Poodleshooter said, some .30 caliber cans have removable endcaps so that you can put on a 5.56 endcap when shooting the smaller caliber. I've seen some videos where they show (and even measure) the sound differences with the larger and smaller endcaps. There seems to be some sound reduction with the smaller endcap but it does not seem to be a huge difference. Hard to give an opinion without firsthand experience.