Author Topic: Suppressors and Ballistics? (Read 730 times)

Bowhunter57 · « **on:** September 09, 2004, 05:53:09 PM »

Do suppressors have an effect on the ballistics of a rifle?

Your opinions and experience is appreciated.
Good huntinig, Bowhunter57

jh45gun · « **Reply #1 on:** September 09, 2004, 09:04:14 PM »

I have no Idea I would not think so as flash suppressors, Boss, and other recoil reducers do not affect anything I think, But I really have no idea as most do not fool with them because of the expense or paper work involved. I would not mind haveing one but cannot justify the cost as it would be a plaything for me. Jim

Bowhunter57 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 10, 2004, 01:20:02 AM »

Cost? Paper work? As far as I know, here in Ohio, suppressors are totally legal, but not silencers. Silencers require a Federal permit and can not be used for hunting purposes.

What I had "up my sleeve" was to put a suppressor on a .17HMR to make it a little more quiet. However, if it's going to decrease the ballistics, I'm not interested. :roll:

Good hunting, Bowhunter57

PeterF. · « **Reply #3 on:** September 10, 2004, 04:41:42 AM »

There's "legal" and there's "legal". It may be legal to own one in Ohio, IF you've done all the Federal paperwork, fees/taxes/etc. In many states, even if you've satisfied the Feds, it's still illegal under STATE law. Check the law closely before you get into a world of trouble. No regular/reputable dealer will sell you one without the right paperwork. In the eyes of the law, suppressors and silencers are the same thing ... not to be confused with flash hiders, porting or and recoil reducers. If the purpose is to reduce the noise, it's a silencer (even if it isn't truly silent) ... and you need (at least) a Federal permit (actually a tax stamp).

jh45gun · « **Reply #4 on:** September 11, 2004, 06:10:08 PM »

Quote from: Bowhunter57

Cost? Paper work? As far as I know, here in Ohio, suppressors are totally legal, but not silencers. Silencers require a Federal permit and can not be used for hunting purposes.

What I had "up my sleeve" was to put a suppressor on a .17HMR to make it a little more quiet. However, if it's going to decrease the ballistics, I'm not interested. :roll:

Good hunting, Bowhunter57

As far as I know a suppressor and a silencer is the same thing. Just different terminology for the same object. Illegal in every state unless you have the Federal paper work and permits. If you are thinking of a Muzzle break you would not gain anything from it and it would make it louder.

Lawdog · « **Reply #5 on:** September 12, 2004, 10:00:17 AM »

Bowhunter57,

Quote

What I had "up my sleeve" was to put a suppressor on a .17HMR to make it a little more quiet.

As far as the ATF is concerned a suppressor and a silencer are the same thing. Also Federal law comes before state law. I think you had better invest a few dollars in the advice of a good lawyer before adding a suppressor to your firearm. Up to you though. Lawdog

The Cast Bullet Kid · « **Reply #6 on:** September 12, 2004, 04:07:51 PM »

Hi
I have 2 suppressors in service as they are allowable in New Zealand.
The first is on my .223 Rem. It is mostly sleeved over the outside of the barrel with only 6 inches in front of the muzzle. With full house loads the noise is reduced to that of a .22 rimfire with no effects to the ballistics.
The second is on a Martini .32-20 I had built up. It has a .303 British barrel so I can shoot heavy cast bullets at subsonic speeds VERY quietly. Set up is similar to the .223. Again, no adverse effects on ballistics.
The suppressor is only a resevior to collect and slow the rapidly expanding gas. It catches the "bang" so all that is left in supersonic loads is the "crack" of the sound barrier. Of course with the subsonic loads both the "crack" and "bang" are gone so often only the noise of the bullet travelling through the air and the impact at target may be heard.
Actually the suppressors frequently improve accuracy as they dampen vibration in the barrel.