Checks before using a suppressor??

[mstarling]

Gentlemen,

What checks would you do before running a suppressor on a 300 BLK rifle?

1) Visual inspection of bore of rifle with mounted suppressor
2) Check for stabilization of projectile at short range without suppressor
3) Check for stabilization of projectile at mid range
4) ???

Will be running a Paladin Machine Services 16" barrel and a .308 cal rifle can.

Thank you!

[Rancid Coolaid]

Absolutely!


With the can attached, look down the bore. You will probably see some can, just be sure you see it evenly all around.

Fire several rounds at 25 or 50 yards WITHOUT the can, looking for perfectly round bullet holes. It doesn't matter what the holes look like at 200 yards, the close holes tell you how stable the bullet is at initial flight.

When you go hot with live ammo, fire one round, remove the can, inspect thoroughly. Odds of a baffle strike are low, but there is a non-zero probability.

What is you twist rate?

With a 16" barrel, it'd be tough to not stabilize the round. I've gone as short as 10 and as long as 16, all were stable up to 240-gr projectiles.

[mstarling]

Rancid,

Bbl is 1:8. Thus far have not seen stability issues, but I seem to remember one want to check at short range without the can to be sure.

Have 200s and 220s to play with at the moment.

M

[Rancid Coolaid]

On a 1:8 with 200s and 220s, with a 16" barrel, you should be more than good. If you have a stability issue, you have a bad barrel (or crown.)

Check first without the can, then carry on.