Suppressors on DG Rifles?

[Sarg]

I put one on my 9.3x62 Tikka, it was a mean little shit before & now useable.

Not really a DG rifle but will do the job in a pinch !

 

[DWB]

This thread makes me sick to my stomach.....

I have refrained from posting on it......

But I guess the art and commitment of learning how to shoot a big bore (bigger than 375 rifle) has again been replaced by getting things the easy way....

I firmly believe buffaloes or anything bigger does not pay attention when the chips are down and what ever spits fire at them does not do so loudly.

But hey.... I also believe DG rifles need open sights as back up to any other sight albeit a red dot or scope....

Highjack off....

 

[Hyde Hunter]

Absolutely. My 375 is at the smith right now getting chopped/threaded. Doing some pre/post chrono data to see just how much velocity I’m losing. My guess is that it’s not as much as folks want to believe.

when I had the barrel cut off 6 inches I only lost about 120 fps using 404 grain Hammer bullets

 

[Datchew]

Absolutely. My 375 is at the smith right now getting chopped/threaded. Doing some pre/post chrono data to see just how much velocity I’m losing. My guess is that it’s not as much as folks want to believe.

Pm me if you want load development on the same caliber before and after cutting the barrel and adding a suppressor.

 

[Raven]

I saw years ago a double rifle caliber 577 Nitro Express with a muzzle brake on each barrel. It want not be long before suppressors for double rifles are also manufactured.

Just recently, I went bear hunting with a .470 NE double rifle. One of the hunters who hosted me asked me why I didn’t install a suppressor on this weapon? I didn't know what to answer.

I have suppressors for my other guns of smaller calibers and single-barreled ones. But I've never even considered doing such a trick with a double rifle. I haven't even looked into it. I think it is not so simple technically or even impossible in our time.

But I have no doubt that double rifle with suppressors will appear one day. If this type of gun is still in demand.

 

[Frederik]

I'm not a fan of a Supressor on a DG gun I'm stuck in an era in my mind where if you want to hunt DG to use equipment that you can handle and have adequalty trained with.
For respect of the animal and the crew you want a clean kill.
Most people can learn to handle a 375 H&H

If the sound is an issue I have seen many hunters wear ear protection or plug in ear protection just before the shot.

 

[Daisy]

I'm not a fan of a Supressor on a DG gun I'm stuck in an era in my mind where if you want to hunt DG to use equipment that you can handle and have adequalty trained with.
For respect of the animal and the crew you want a clean kill.
Most people can learn to handle a 375 H&H

If the sound is an issue I have seen many hunters wear ear protection or plug in ear protection just before the shot.

I would argue you respect the animal more using a suppressor. You definitely respect your PH more.

 

[samson7x]

I would argue you respect the animal more using a suppressor. You definitely respect your PH more.

Yep. I was recently watching two separate videos of hunts with D&Y and Buzz in which the client popped off unexpected shots too close to the PH's head rendering them obviously disoriented. This could go south quick on DG hunt.

 

[Rumrunner]

Why not thread any barrel?
Thread protector, muzzle brake, suppressor, Christmas lights, etc.
More options.

DB

I agree. Thread the barrel. You can decide if you want to suppress or what ever.
However; it’s your rifle and your dollars do what you want.

 

[Mother Plucker]

Only disadvantage i see is a suppressor makes the gun longer and thus harder to get through dense bush.

Otherwise i think its a great idea. Ive often dreamed of a shorter barreled 458 Lott with a suppressor. Something like a 16-18 inch barrel would reduce problems caused by length.

I am wanting to build a Tikka action 375 Ruger with an 18" barrel for that reason. I have a couple builds right now that are just perfect with a Carbon stock and a Proof Research barrel. I picture a 375 with a Nightforce 1-8 and an 18" Proof barrel. My Tikka 223 that I just finished weighed in at 8.75lbs with a NF2.5-20 on it. I have been thinking of the 375 Ruger since i don't want the belted case...

 

[Datchew]

there's lots of naysayers. Don't get discouraged with people that got stuck with their biases. Se la vie.

I'm out there to hunt, not dress up like Robert Redford for the romance of it.
Not disparaging the romantic stuff... it's super cool. It's just not my priority when hunting DG. Hunting and hunting effectiveness is.

I have a few guns i refer to as "fair weather" guns. Like a stainless and walnut full mannlicher stock ruger no 1 in 308. It's gorgeous. But I don't take it on rough hunts. More for hunting blinds where i have my coffee with me watching the sunrise. I will not put suppressors on them.

One of my older bikes is a 1964 bmw r50/2 motorcycle. points, condenser, kick-start only, slide carbs, magneto ignition. Drum brakes front and rear. Built it over 3 years from 15 boxes of parts.
I don't go around disparaging people on the new "push the button and everything works" bikes with wheelie and stoppie controls or tell them they have to "earn it" by building their own bike, lacing their own wheels, or grinding their own valves.

I crawled on hands and knees through thorns for 11 days with my suppressed R8. Had no more trouble than the PH with his CZ 550. The myth about throwing off the balance is a myth. Same with "ya can't turn in tight quarters." I recommend situational awareness and planning ahead and being ready so you don't have to worry about that. The sight picture being obscured is also a silly notion. Not interested in arguing over it. People have preferences. I get it.

I can shoot the 375 just fine unsuppressed. I shot the PH's 458 rem mag just fine unsuppressed.
But I shoot mine BETTER and with faster follow-up with a can and if I don't want to mess around with clunky, sweaty, or uncomfortable electronic ear protection when I'm covering 14 miles on foot, I don't have to.

To the OP. If you hate the suppressor setup, you can easily get another barrel for the R8.
Good to have options.

 

[matt85]

I am wanting to build a Tikka action 375 Ruger with an 18" barrel for that reason. I have a couple builds right now that are just perfect with a Carbon stock and a Proof Research barrel. I picture a 375 with a Nightforce 1-8 and an 18" Proof barrel. My Tikka 223 that I just finished weighed in at 8.75lbs with a NF2.5-20 on it. I have been thinking of the 375 Ruger since i don't want the belted case...

I would go with a 375 h&h over the 375 Ruger. The H&H brass is easier to get and ammo is easier to find in a pinch. You will find having belted cases is a non-issue.

I would also consider a smaller/lighter scope. You will never need more than 4x magnification on a gun like this. Your practical maximum range will be 200 yards with this rifle.

Otherwise i think you gave a solid plan and i lookforward to pics of the rifle.

 

[375Fox]

there's lots of naysayers. Don't get discouraged with people that got stuck with their biases. Se la vie.

I'm out there to hunt, not dress up like Robert Redford for the romance of it.
Not disparaging the romantic stuff... it's super cool. It's just not my priority when hunting DG. Hunting and hunting effectiveness is.

I have a few guns i refer to as "fair weather" guns. Like a stainless and walnut full mannlicher stock ruger no 1 in 308. It's gorgeous. But I don't take it on rough hunts. More for hunting blinds where i have my coffee with me watching the sunrise. I will not put suppressors on them.

One of my older bikes is a 1964 bmw r50/2 motorcycle. points, condenser, kick-start only, slide carbs, magneto ignition. Drum brakes front and rear. Built it over 3 years from 15 boxes of parts.
I don't go around disparaging people on the new "push the button and everything works" bikes with wheelie and stoppie controls or tell them they have to "earn it" by building their own bike, lacing their own wheels, or grinding their own valves.

I crawled on hands and knees through thorns for 11 days with my suppressed R8. Had no more trouble than the PH with his CZ 550. The myth about throwing off the balance is a myth. Same with "ya can't turn in tight quarters." I recommend situational awareness and planning ahead and being ready so you don't have to worry about that. The sight picture being obscured is also a silly notion. Not interested in arguing over it. People have preferences. I get it.

I can shoot the 375 just fine unsuppressed. I shot the PH's 458 rem mag just fine unsuppressed.
But I shoot mine BETTER and with faster follow-up with a can and if I don't want to mess around with clunky, sweaty, or uncomfortable electronic ear protection when I'm covering 14 miles on foot, I don't have to.

To the OP. If you hate the suppressor setup, you can easily get another barrel for the R8.
Good to have options.

What bothers me about this type of post and many other supporting suppressors for hunting DG is it typically ignores legality in exchange for what they’d like to be true. If someone wants to thread the barrel of an R8 go for it. It won’t hurt the resale of the rifle at all. The rifle is already short so shouldn’t be overly unbalanced. Maybe you don’t go around discouraging others from doing what they want, but if they ask a question and you fail to tell them important facts to help support their decision it’s disingenuous maybe self serving just the same. I’ve never taken a suppressor outside my state. I’d go to certain states but don’t view traveling internationally as worth the risk or certain US airports I may have to fly through. It seems unclear if a 4457 is all that’s required or more is necessary. They are only legal in South Africa and Namibia. It’s very illegal in Zimbabwe and Tanzania, but photos of successfully bringing them in gets used as proof. They have an unclear status in Mozambique. If I bought an unofficial suppressor with no tax stamp, I think I could likely use it my entire lifetime without getting caught? Does that make it worth the risk? I think most would advise that’s a bad idea. I’d have more respect for the pro-suppressor crowd if they acknowledged there are some uncertainties that could lead to issues.

 

[Datchew]

What bothers me about this type of post and many other supporting suppressors for hunting DG is it typically ignores legality in exchange for what they’d like to be true. If someone wants to thread the barrel of an R8 go for it. It won’t hurt the resale of the rifle at all. The rifle is already short so shouldn’t be overly unbalanced. Maybe you don’t go around discouraging others from doing what they want, but if they ask a question and you fail to tell them important facts to help support their decision it’s disingenuous maybe self serving just the same. I’ve never taken a suppressor outside my state. I’d go to certain states but don’t view traveling internationally as worth the risk or certain US airports I may have to fly through. It seems unclear if a 4457 is all that’s required or more is necessary. They are only legal in South Africa and Namibia. It’s very illegal in Zimbabwe and Tanzania, but photos of successfully bringing them in gets used as proof. They have an unclear status in Mozambique. If I bought an unofficial suppressor with no tax stamp, I think I could likely use it my entire lifetime without getting caught? Does that make it worth the risk? I think most would advise that’s a bad idea. I’d have more respect for the pro-suppressor crowd if they acknowledged there are some uncertainties that could lead to issues.

You seem to be saying that people supporting suppressor use have some responsibility to be legal experts on international usage and that you expect them to publish and teach everyone the guidance of such issues before promoting suppressor usage
otherwise they " fail to tell them important facts to help support their decision it’s disingenuous maybe self serving just the same"

I can't get on that train

 

[375Fox]

You seem to be saying that people supporting suppressor use have some responsibility to be legal experts on international usage and that you expect them to publish and teach everyone the guidance of such issues before promoting suppressor usage
otherwise they " fail to tell them important facts to help support their decision it’s disingenuous maybe self serving just the same"

I can't get on that train

It seems very difficult for some to even acknowledge as your post illiterates.

 

[Hunting Hitman]

First you can thread the barrel(easiest option).
Second Blaser is now releasing the integrally suppressed R8 in 375 H&Hand 416 Rigby for OUS. It will be another 1-2 years for them to arrive in the USA.

HH

 

[Datchew]

It seems very difficult for some to even acknowledge as your post illiterates.

Incoherent

 

[grand veneur]

There's lots of naysayers. Don't get discouraged with people that got stuck with their biases. C'est la vie.

I'm out there to hunt, not dress up like Robert Redford for the romance of it.
Not disparaging the romantic stuff... it's super cool. It's just not my priority when hunting DG. Hunting and hunting effectiveness is.

I have a few guns i refer to as "fair weather" guns. Like a stainless and walnut full mannlicher stock ruger no 1 in 308. It's gorgeous. But I don't take it on rough hunts. More for hunting blinds where i have my coffee with me watching the sunrise. I will not put suppressors on them.

One of my older bikes is a 1964 bmw r50/2 motorcycle. points, condenser, kick-start only, slide carbs, magneto ignition. Drum brakes front and rear. Built it over 3 years from 15 boxes of parts.
I don't go around disparaging people on the new "push the button and everything works" bikes with wheelie and stoppie controls or tell them they have to "earn it" by building their own bike, lacing their own wheels, or grinding their own valves.

I crawled on hands and knees through thorns for 11 days with my suppressed R8. Had no more trouble than the PH with his CZ 550. The myth about throwing off the balance is a myth. Same with "ya can't turn in tight quarters." I recommend situational awareness and planning ahead and being ready so you don't have to worry about that. The sight picture being obscured is also a silly notion. Not interested in arguing over it. People have preferences. I get it.

I can shoot the 375 just fine unsuppressed. I shot the PH's 458 rem mag just fine unsuppressed.
But I shoot mine BETTER and with faster follow-up with a can and if I don't want to mess around with clunky, sweaty, or uncomfortable electronic ear protection when I'm covering 14 miles on foot, I don't have to.

To the OP. If you hate the suppressor setup, you can easily get another barrel for the R8.
Good to have options.

We say no to the use of suppressors by hunting DG for various reasons and many of its are very well-founded. Anyone who has shot more than one buffalo for example, knows that not everything always goes as planned. In many situations, you would be in great difficulty with a rifle without the ability to quickly switch to open sights. The use of many tools by hunting DG in Africa are nowadays possible because almost everyone hunts with a PH for backup. This does not convey to the client the true, dangerous situation they are actually in, especially also by using a rifle with a suppressor.

 

[Datchew]

Right.

Once you hunt a 2nd buffalo you achieve awareness that not everything goes as planned. Got it.

I worked with a lot of spec war navy guys and Marines that used suppressors for dangerous "game".
I'll make sure to tell the guys I still keep in contact with that they don't know what they're doing and they need a good double rifle and iron sites.

 

[Daisy]

Most buffalo get a 2nd or 3rd shot put in them. A suppressor helps with that 100%

Has any hunter here ever had a scope fail during a dangerous game hunt and switch to open sights? Curious to know.