Suppressor Myth Busting — Do Silencers Degrade Accuracy?
Are sound suppressors useful in competition shooting? In some disciplines, and in venues where sound “moderators” are permitted, the answer is “yes”. Some years ago Shooting Sports USA (SSUSA), published an interesting article about the use of sound suppressors (aka “cans”). The article explores the use of suppressors in Europe and in tactical matches in North America. You’ll also find an explanation of the rules and regulations governing suppressor ownership and use in the United States.
Former SSUSA Editor Chip Lohman tested three rifles from the bench and found that suppressors did not harm accuracy (at least with these rigs). In fact, all three test rifles (.223 Rem, .308 Win, and .338 Lapua Magnum), shot slightly better 5-shot groups at 200 yards with a suppressor than without. However, the suppressors did alter point of impact. Interestingly, velocity standard deviation (SD) values were lower with suppressors in place for all three test rifles. This observation calls for further study.*
So the use of suppressors in competition could be a good thing. However, in the United States, current NRA High Power rules prohibit the use of sound suppressors. NRA Rule 3.16.1 subsection (a) states: “Sound Suppressors are not authorized for use in High Power competition.” In addition, there are some practical problems with suppressors — the heat rising off of a naked suppressor can create mirage problems (that’s why some shooters wrap their cans with a cover).
Despite such issues, it is now common to see moderators on rifles used in non-NRA-sanctioned tactical matches such as the Precision Rifle Series. For example, many competitors in the popular Steel Safari field challenge match use suppressors. The photo below shows our friend Zak Smith competing in the Steel Safari with his suppressed Accuracy International rifle.
*The article cautions that one should not extrapolate too much from the SD numbers, given the low number of test shots. Chronograph-maker Ken Oehler, when asked to comment on the SD values stated: “[You should] report the observed SDs, but draw no conclusions until… you can do more testing with larger sample sizes.”Commentary — What Can We Conclude?
Obviously, this three-rifle SSUSA test was not definitive. One well might observe different results with different types of suppressors, fitted to different kinds of rifles. Mounting a suppressor to any barrel will certainly affect harmonics and “tune”. But this SSUSA study does suggest that tactical shooters, who are allowed to use suppressors in competition, may find that the benefits of suppressors (significantly reduced recoil and less noise) outweigh any meaningful accuracy loss, at least in PRS-type matches.
Similar Posts:
- Do Suppressors Degrade Accuracy? Silencer Myth-Busting
- How Do Suppressors Affect Accuracy — Surprising Test Results
- Sound Suppressors Tested in Shooting Sports USA Article
- Modern Rifle Suppressors — What You Need to Know
- Intro to Suppressors — How Silencers Work
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Tags: Can, Chip Lohman, Noise Reduction, PRS, Shooting Sports, Silencer, Sound Moderator, Sound Suppressor, SSUSA, Suppressed, Suppressor Accuracy, Tuner Brake, Zak Smith
All my rifles have shot smaller with suppressors on board. A win win in my book.
Too bad the NRA hates suppressors and wont let people use them in competitions.
Huge fail on JetJocks part.
Illegal in eight states and NRA competition.
Suppressor use is very large in the UK and many suppressed rifles are seen in club F-Class shoots and similar. I can confirm from hard experience having been soundly beaten in matches by the users of rifles – in a large range of calibres – so equipped many times that a well built rifle will shoot very well indeed with these on. The argument against allowing adoption in national / international level competition is as Guy says above that they aren’t legal everywhere. If you set equipment regulations for this level as both UK and US NRAs do, then it has to be available to all competitors in all jurisdictions. In the UK, a small and heavily populated country, noise complaints about rifle ranges from nearby residents is one of the biggest threats to our sport and range use at club level is becoming increasingly common.
I still dont understand why it’s illegal to make LESS noise in some states.
AR-15s arent legal everywhere, but competitions still allow their use…