Practical Suppressed Rifle for Roe deer through Whitetail

[Red Leg]

I own several suppressed rifles. They range from .22 lr through .308. All are on AR platforms and work fine for their intended purpose which is dealing with squirrels and armadillos at one end of the spectrum and feral hogs at the other (we have pecans). One is equipped with a thermal and one is thermal capable with a Leica clip-on.

However, I have never fully appreciated the value of a suppressor on a true hunting rifle that would be used for any sort of spot and stalk application. A recent roe deer hunt in Hungary where I lugged around a suppressed Mauser in .300 Win Mag with the field balance and maneuverability of a surf rod merely reinforced those impressions.

Thread 'HUNGARY: Roe Deer On The Hungarian Plain And Mouflon Of The Bakony Mountains - Or, How I Came To Despise A Bolt Action Equipped With A Suppressor'

Apr 24, 2025

Not wishing to drive off any Gen X, Z, or tacticool readers immediately, I’ll withhold my rifle evaluation until later.

I had visited Budapest twice before over the last twenty-five years, but I never had the opportunity to see anything of the country. However, thanks to the Cold War, I at least was very familiar with its terrain from map studies and exercises. We had concluded back in those days that it represented excellent tank country once our formations moved east of the Danube. It was to this area, the Great Hungarian Plain (lföld or Nagy Alföld), that a local friend, Rick, and I...

• Red Leg
• Replies: 49
• Forum: Hunting reports Europe

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But theoretically, I could envision the advantages of a more ergonomically useful version of such a rifle particularly stand hunting whitetail or hunting much European game. So, I decided to create one. Fortunately, the R8 makes that a very easy process. I am a great fan of the 6.5 - not the Creedmoor - but the its century old ancestors the 6.5x55 and 6.5x57 which have been doing the same thing only a little better for a century.

I had a sporter weight 6.5x55 barrel without sights that looked like an ideal candidate. After threading, a Nomad Dead Air suppressor was fitted which added six inches and only 14 ounces to the front of the rifle. Thanks to the short action of an R9, even with a full length barrel (which the 6.5x55 appreciates), I was left with a rifle of 46 total inches. That is a bit longer than I normally prefer, but exactly the same length as one of my pre-war .318's. In other words, usable. Oh yes, it shoots 6.5x55 140 gr Hornaday Superformance loads into a single ragged hole.

I have great hopes for it this season out back.

 

[K-man]

Beautiful. I equipped my r8 with a titanium Banish onto a 6.5x284 norma. I have gained a lot of confidence in how it shoots out to 400 yds. Expecting to take a few whitetail and coyotes. Good luck hunting with yours!

 

[jbirdwell]

I have almost the exact setup and was using the SilencerCo Omega and just recently bought the new Scythe titanium from SilencerCo and that weight reduction made a world of difference in balance

 

[roklok]

That concept is how I arrived at this rifle. A Rem 600 action which allows for a shorter OAL as compared to standard bolt actions. 17 inch Douglas barrel chambered in .308. With suppressor mounted it is almost exactly the same length (actually a bit shorter ) as a short action Rem 700 with 22 inch barrel.

 

[RR 314]

Wrap that pad in leather and go kill something.

Seriously, looked like it will hunt.

 

[Tra3]

I also have added suppressors to my R8 barrels. Not as convenient with a .300 win mag length. But, with the shorter barrels and a 6-7” very light suppressor, it is awesome. With youth or new hunters, it is even better, since they don’t fear the muzzle blast.

@Red Leg You have a very nice setup.

I’ve threaded a 9.3x62 barrel as well. Since it is short, I suspect I’ll really enjoy it.

 

[mark-hunter]

@Red Leg
Interesting post. I'm looking forward to reading the hunting report with this set up!

One question: How do you see an integrated suppressor on a rifle, which makes a thicker barrel, but without an extension, as an option? Is it worth looking at it?

 

[Sideshow]

Here’s mine a BSA CF2 in 7x57 with an over the barrel DPT suppressor. It’s a modular one which is great you can’t take them apart to clean also has a stainless baffle at the front to help stop baffle pitting. Lite too. I carry muzzle down which is imo easier to get on the sticks.

Here’s my NZ BLR wearing the same brand suppressor

Great for your ears. Also found some animals have trouble figuring where the shot has come from.

 

[R eight]

Here’s mine a BSA CF2 in 7x57 with an over the barrel DPT suppressor. It’s a modular one which is great you can’t take them apart to clean also has a stainless baffle at the front to help stop baffle pitting. Lite too. I carry muzzle down which is imo easier to get on the sticks.
View attachment 714651
Here’s my NZ BLR wearing the same brand suppressor
View attachment 714652
Great for your ears. Also found some animals have trouble figuring where the shot has come from.

Stewart Island whitetail. Very nice…..any whitetail on SI is a trophy. Well done.

I reckon a T3 bush pig in 308 or 7/08 is close to perfect for SI.

 

[BeeMaa]

I also have two suppressors, one for varmints (22lr) and the other is a .30 cal Dead Air Sandman.

My R8 300WM barrel is threaded to accept the Sandman. I haven't shot with it yet, but it would likely be useful in a stand or some fixed hunting position. I wouldn't plan on using it on any kind of stalking or walking hunt because of the added length and it does throw the balance off IMO.

 

[CBH Australia]

Well, it ticks all the boxes for you. I see no reason to doubt the combination or the cartridge.

I expect the 6.5x55 is suitable for all small deer species with suitable projectiles.

 

[Altitude sickness]

I had the perfect candidate for sale here a month ago. Heym 7x57
Suppressed 5 shot group with factory ammo.
Sold to a lucky new owner.

 

[Challer]

I have all the R8 barrels threaded. It makes a big difference in the field and at the range. I had one 308 barrel cut back to 16.5” and it wears a Q Ti suppressor.

The R8 Silence seems to be ideal but have only seem on YT. If someone stocked them in the US I’d buy it in 06

 

[UpNorthMI]

I have my UK rifles fitted with Stalon X108 moderators, they are over the barrel models that have about 4" (108mm) forward of the barrel, weight is about .7 lb. Fitted on my Blaser R8 in .308 it creates a fairly short overall rifle length and feels well balanced.

I wish I could buy similar moderators in the US, I'm starting to look at the limited number of over the barrel models that are available. In Europe the cost of a quality moderator is a fraction of the cost of a moderator here in the US, why?

 

[gillettehunter]

Very nice. Looks deadly effective.
Bruce

 

[Goose Cracker]

Both of my R8 barrels are threaded and I shoot them suppressed. 300WM and 375 H&H. This is the 375. Perfect rifle platform to shoot suppressed.

 

[Red Leg]

I have my UK rifles fitted with Stalon X108 moderators, they are over the barrel models that have about 4" (108mm) forward of the barrel, weight is about .7 lb. Fitted on my Blaser R8 in .308 it creates a fairly short overall rifle length and feels well balanced.

I wish I could buy similar moderators in the US, I'm starting to look at the limited number of over the barrel models that are available. In Europe the cost of a quality moderator is a fraction of the cost of a moderator here in the US, why?

They are difficult to buy because of the paperwork - though much much quicker in recent months. The industry logic is that anyone willing to go to that much effort, plus pay a $200 Federal Tax fee (stamp) is also willing to pay a premium for a suppressor. With the shortened processing and end of the $200 fee in January, perhaps demand and competition will increase driving down costs.

 

[Muskox]

I am over packing what ends up being a 10-13 pound Blaser R8 over hill and dale. Maybe just dale, but damn sure not hill.

I traded rifles with my guide in Slovenia in September. His was a Mauser M12 in 308 with a 6 series Swarovski. Shot my stag with it.

I am going to build a sub 7 pound gun when I get back silenced. I don't know what that will be or anything about the components. I am done packing heavy rifles in the mountains.

 

[analog_peninsula]

I’ve got a Steyr THB with a 16” factory barrel that’s a joy to use in a tight box blind. It’s not light, but there’s not much recoil or noise either.

 

[Red Leg]

I am over packing what ends up being a 10-13 pound Blaser R8 over hill and dale. Maybe just dale, but damn sure not hill.

I traded rifles with my guide in Slovenia in September. His was a Mauser M12 in 308 with a 6 series Swarovski. Shot my stag with it.

I am going to build a sub 7 pound gun when I get back silenced. I don't know what that will be or anything about the components. I am done packing heavy rifles in the mountains.

Good lord, what R8 do you have?!? This little 6.5 with scope and suppressor weighs 8.2. My 375 R8 which does not and will not carry a suppressor weighs 9.2 with scope.