Suppressor vs muzzle break

Robiland · Mar 5, 2018

So I just bought a Remington 700, Long Range 300 win mag. I have a Browning now with a muzzle break and like it. I'm looking to see what everyone thinks. Should I go with the break or Suppressor? Pros vs cons? Will a suppressor affect distance? Accuracy?

Thanks!

Darkcloud · Mar 5, 2018

I would think the real question is, is it worth the extra money and hassle for a suppressor?

Generally the break is going to be a lot cheaper. You can buy breaks and have installed for less then $250.

Suppressors are around $400-$2000 plus machine work, and the extra forms to fill out

Homer · Mar 5, 2018

uh....one makes them really noisy and one makes them really quiet.....

seems like an odd dilemna

foundation · Mar 5, 2018

I'm a suppressor dealer in the Salt Lake area. I have access to a private range and I regularly take clients out to let them try and hear with their own ears.

For a bolt action hunting rifle there is only one suppressor manufacturer I use. Thunder Beast Arms or TBAC. Made of titanium so they are super lightweight. Still adds length to the rifle, so it just depends on the hunt for me. Antelope or coyote hunting where I'm not going to be hiking a lot, suppressor all the way. A elk hunt where I'm hiking ten miles a day, nope I'm not packing that extra length.

Something to keep in mind while looking at suppressors. Some manufacturers and their models will have significant POI shift, but with the Thunder Beast I haven't experienced that. They are a company with deep roots in the hunting and long range community.

If your around Salt Lake, hit me up and you can try one of my demo suppressors

Wapitiwilly · Mar 5, 2018

Suppressor without question. We had a friend 100 yds from us this year. He didn't hear the shot but heard us hollering. Very little recoil as well.??

Jerry · Mar 5, 2018

I've used a very effective muzzle brake for 25 years on a 7 MM Rem Mag Rem 700, great weapon & tamed the kick & muzzle jump about 90 %--, but you must wear ear plugs. Noise is the only drawback. I have never used a Suppressor.
Jerry Gold--Ft Collins, Co

DBG3285 · Mar 5, 2018

They both have benefits.

Suppressors, are very quiet, reduce kick and usually slightly increase velocity.

But they are heavy, and long.

Muzzle breaks in my experience, reduce recoil more than suppressors. They are much lighter.

But they are in most cases very loud.

As foundation had stated, depending on what you are hunting or terrain and the distance you will be traveling with it. As well as personal preference.

WesternSky · Mar 6, 2018

I have 4 suppressors and prior to that used brakes on all of my hunting rifles.

Suppressors
Pros, I slightly gain velocity (about 30 fps on my 300 WSM)
They improve my accuracy (7mm Dakota went from about .33 to .25" grouping)
Reduce recoil (My SiCo Harvester reduces felt recoil better than the brakes did)
Reduce sound, Don't expect a suppressed rifle to be like in the movies. A 300 win mag will still be about 140 db which is still loud compared to about 160db normally. That gun with a brake will be pushing 170db. I wear ear plugs at the range but in the field don't and I wont end up with ringing in my ears. Shooting suppressed sounds like removing a air hose from a compressor as opposed to a short, sharp impulse without a can.

Cons, it adds weight and length to your gun.
Cost and time to get NFA stamps (I think wait is around 9-12 months currently)
You will have a point of impact change compared to shooting without a can on it. Might be small or could be big. You will have to sight in with the can and make sure it on there before taking a hunting shoot. I have to disagree with foundation that any can wont have this. POI is all due to barrel harmonics and adding weight & length to the barrel is going to influence barrel harmonics and subsequently POI.

I recommend the SICO harvester for hunting. It is relatively light weight and has a "brake" on the end to further reduce recoil.

These days I don't hunt without a can on the end of my rifle. The pros far outweigh the cons for me personally.

stinky · Mar 7, 2018

How about a "Fire-Pig."

They are under 100 bucks. They screw on like a suppressor.

They channel the blast forward and away from the ears.

The machine work should be the same, but no tax.stamp is required.

There are a few dif brands.

Look where you go to see how most anything works, or is done....youtube
John 14:6

BIGJOHNT · Mar 7, 2018

Suppressor are cool right now. But the the one year wait can be tough. For shooting a lot like competitive shooting. Perfect for that but hunting you shoot one time maybe two. That's a lot of hassle for one shot. Muzzle breaks are loud even louder for the poor guy next to you. But they really do make recoil manageable. Carry plugs on your neck when your ready to shoot put them in. I do have a couple sets of electronic hearing protection. But usually only wear them while target shooting. One good thing about suppressors is they take the concussion away which my be tough on lady shooters or young people. But really how often do you fire your high powered rifle while hunting ? Would I like to get a suppression for one on my rifles. Probably some day. But for right now my muzzle breaked big rifles do just fine. ?

foundation · Mar 7, 2018

On the note of wait times for suppressors. They are dropping fast. The average for filing on a trust is a year, but I'm getting back a lot of approved Form 4's on trusts now at 8 months. The individual filing has averaged 6 months, but I'm now seeing 4 months. There is a new barcode system that dealers are using that is reducing wait times.

BIGJOHNT · Mar 7, 2018

>On the note of wait times
>for suppressors. They are
>dropping fast. The average
>for filing on a trust
>is a year, but I'm
>getting back a lot of
>approved Form 4's on trusts
>now at 8 months.
>The individual filing has averaged
>6 months, but I'm now
>seeing 4 months. There
>is a new barcode system
>that dealers are using that
>is reducing wait times.

What company are you with ? I think I saw you are in Utah.

bullskin · Mar 7, 2018

I cannot imagine using ear plugs while hunting under any circumstances besides from a blind (in other words, "never"). And I would never shoot a braked 300 Win again without hearing protection. I destroyed my hearing with just one shot shooting that same combo--it felt as though someone poked a needle in my ear. I sold that rifle as quickly as I could. I even warned the man I sold it to that only a fool would buy it, but he did.

foundation · Mar 7, 2018

>>On the note of wait times
>>for suppressors. They are
>>dropping fast. The average
>>for filing on a trust
>>is a year, but I'm
>>getting back a lot of
>>approved Form 4's on trusts
>>now at 8 months.
>>The individual filing has averaged
>>6 months, but I'm now
>>seeing 4 months. There
>>is a new barcode system
>>that dealers are using that
>>is reducing wait times.
>
>
>What company are you with ?
>I think I saw you
>are in Utah.

I'm a small home based dealer, so no overhead and pass the savings on. Gold Star Guns, Riverton, http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2018/71462image.jpeg

Gator · Mar 9, 2018

LAST EDITED ON Mar-09-18 AT 09:25AM (MST)[p]I carry a set of ear plugs on a string around my neck well hunting if I got time I put them in if it's a quick shot WELL my ear might ring for a minute.
Suppressor is the ticket. IMO

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>the MM green signature club.[font/]

bogey · Mar 9, 2018

By choice a suppressor with out question. But times when I would prefer to not have the added length or weight.

txhunter58 · Mar 9, 2018

LAST EDITED ON Mar-09-18 AT 03:30PM (MST)[p]Another thought:

muzzle brake: Legal in all 50 states for hunting
suppressor: Not legal in many states for hunting

As far as shooting the brake without ear protection. My brother has permanent damage to his hearing from shooting 5 times at a deer using a brake. I would NEVER shoot without hearing protection when I use my brake. I was never able to find the ear bud on a string around my neck quickly, so I went to this:

https://www.cabelas.com/product/Quiet-Band-Hearing-Protection/1195408.uts?slotId=2

Very fast to put into your ears without fumbling around. I just keep it around my neck when I am hunting

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

BIGJOHNT · Mar 9, 2018

>LAST EDITED ON Mar-09-18
>AT 03:30?PM (MST)
>
>Another thought:
>
>muzzle brake: Legal in all
>50 states for hunting
>suppressor: Not legal in many
>states for hunting
>
>As far as shooting the brake
>without ear protection. My
>brother has permanent damage to
>his hearing from shooting 5
>times at a deer using
>a brake. I would
>NEVER shoot without hearing protection
>when I use my brake.
>I was never able to
>find the ear bud on
>a string around my neck
>quickly, so I went to
>this:
>
>https://www.cabelas.com/product/Quiet-Band-Hearing-Protection/1195408.uts?slotId=2
>
>Very fast to put into your
>ears without fumbling around. I
>just keep it around my
>neck when I am hunting
>
>
>txhunter58
>
>venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore
>I am)
That is also the one I use. Gets a little dirty around my neck. But it spends more time there then in my ears. I have at least two now. I try to use them in any noise situation. Such as shooting or jack hammering.

Robiland · Mar 12, 2018

Thanks guys for all the responses. I have leaned one way, then a valid point made and now I lean another way. Then, now I am on the fence. Ill keep looking. However, I guess for me, money does play a roll also, into my choice since I dont have a money tree in my yard.

Keep the comments coming.

THANKS!!!

BeanMan · Mar 12, 2018

It is interesting to note that in New Zealand you can't own a handgun but nearly everyone shooting rifles have suppressors.

Hasbean

foundation · Mar 12, 2018

>Thanks guys for all the responses.
> I have leaned one
>way, then a valid point
>made and now I lean
>another way. Then, now
>I am on the fence.
> Ill keep looking.
>However, I guess for me,
>money does play a roll
>also, into my choice since
>I dont have a money
>tree in my yard.
>
>Keep the comments coming.
>
>THANKS!!!

I haven't found that money tree either, but I do know you can't put a price on hearing. Being a retired police officer after 26 years I have some major hearing loss. Mine was mostly from handguns. Worked a area where I was putting down 2-3 wounded deer a week. Jump out of the truck and one shot from a .45. Doesn't seem like a big deal but after 12 years and countless one shots, it takes a toll. Workers comp provided hearing aids thank goodness because for quality it's about 5 grand.

One other thing to consider on a suppressor is if you buy a good multi caliber option, you can cover most of your rifles. As long as you don't abuse it, it's going to last your life and be handed down. Our heirs won't pay the $200 tax again because it's an inheritance item.

ORIONTHEHUNTER · Mar 12, 2018

suppressed rifles are legal in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, new mexico, and Texas just to name a few

txhunter58 · Mar 13, 2018

>suppressed rifles are legal in Colorado,
>Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, new
>mexico, and Texas just to
>name a few

Definitely legal in more states than I thought:

https://www.arsenalattorneys.com/firearms-blog/hunting-with-suppressors-now-legal-in-34-states

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

MURF06 · Mar 21, 2018

LAST EDITED ON Mar-21-18 AT 02:25PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Mar-21-18 AT 02:15?PM (MST)

Heres what I did to my 700 and I'm shooting better than ever:
True up the action - A good gunsmith can do this pretty easy.

Harrell muzzle brake clocked to the lanes and grooves. It has no holes on the top or bottom, and will not deafen you. Have the gunsmith provide a thread protector too incase your guide does not allow a brake.

Cryogenic treatment for all metal (400% wear increase, American cryo charges about $65.}

Ceracoat will give you a great finish that is really tough.

I am shooting a Jewel Trigger, cost 250, worth every dime.

DONE.

In my opinion, this set of improvements makes me the best shooter I can be and I never have to do another thing to my rifle.

Find what you like in life and reload it.

txhunter58 · Mar 21, 2018

LAST EDITED ON Mar-21-18 AT 04:08PM (MST)[p]You know there really isn't any reason you can't do both. Get the gun threaded so both will work and buying the brake is not that expensive. Prob less than $100 Shoot the brake at the range and the suppressor in the field

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

UtyoteKiller · Mar 21, 2018

>Shoot the brake at the
>range and the suppressor in
>the field
>

Shoot the Suppressor at the range and shoot whatever you choose in the field. Nothing worse than someone at the range with a brake! I have a SAS can in .223 and a TBAC ultra 7 .30 Cal. Best decision I ever made.

txhunter58 · Mar 21, 2018

I realize why you say that, because of all the other people around. However, the range is where the brake shines. I get recoil shy at the range, and my neck can't take the pounding any more. But I can go shoot 30-40 times at the range with a brake and never have a problem.

Guess I am spoiled because "at the range" means a friends caliche pit or my ranch. Rarely go shoot around other people.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)