Most barrels can be threaded to accept a suppressor. Just ensure that the thread patterns of the barrel and suppressor match. (Photo courtesy of Sabastian Mann)
November 18, 2024
By Richard Mann
Not all that long ago, suppressors were not very common. You likely didn’t know anyone who had one, and you rarely saw one at the range. That’s changed. Suppressors are now one of the most popular firearms accessories, and they’re frequently used for recreational shooting, competition and hunting. If you’re thinking about purchasing a suppressor for hunting, there are some things to consider: namely, legal concerns, your rifle’s characteristics and what you require from your suppressor.
LEGAL LOGISTICS Suppressors are legal to own in 42 U.S. states, and legal for hunting in 41. First things first: check your state’s regulations. If you purchase a suppressor in your name, only you can use it; others can only use it if they’re in your company. However, if you purchase through a trust, you can add others—like family members or friends—to the trust. Then they can use the suppressor just like it was theirs.
Purchasing a suppressor is a bit more complicated than buying a gun. It involves fingerprint cards, photos and the completion of various forms. Some think it’s too involved and expensive, the latter coming from the $200 tax you’re charged for every suppressor you purchase.
Silencer Central has simplified all this, though. You can go through the process over the phone or online, and the company will ship your suppressor to your door once your application is approved. Silencer Central will also let you make payments while you wait. Approval can happen in as little as a few weeks, or it may take months. You’re at the mercy of the federal government.
Advertisement
RIFLE REGARDS A threaded muzzle is all a rifle truly needs to work with a suppressor. Most modern rifles come with threaded muzzles, but if yours isn’t, Silencer Central has a program where it will thread—and even shorten—your rifle’s barrel. Everything included, it costs about $200. Also, while the most common thread pattern is 5/8x24, different suppressors do have different threads, so take that into account. However, attaching a suppressor to your rifle is just the beginning.
Most hunting rifle barrels are between 20 and 24 inches long. About the shortest suppressor you can find will be 5 to 6 inches long. Adding a suppressor to a standard-length barrel can make your rifle unwieldy, especially if you often hunt from a blind or shoot house. If having a handy rifle is important, a 16-inch barrel is about ideal for use with a suppressor. Also, for offhand shooting, you’ll want your rifle to balance—with the riflescope and suppressor attached—ideally right between your hands. This balance can be hard to achieve with a suppressor attached.
For all these reasons, your current rifle might not be the best option. Some modern rifles come better configured for suppressors. They have short barrels and are a bit butt heavy out of the box so when you attach a suppressor your rifle isn’t too long or unbalanced. The new Ruger American Gen II rifle even has an optional weight kit you can add inside the rifle’s butt to offset the weight of a suppressor.
Advertisement
SUPPRESSOR SPECS Most American-made suppressors are quality shooting accessories, and for the most part, they’ll offer similar sound reduction. Still, there are some very important considerations, such as size, weight, serviceability and versatility.
Suppressor size matters because it affects the length, weight and balance of your rifle. Most hunters choose the smallest and lightest suppressor they can find, like the Silencer Central Banish Backcountry at only 5 1/2 inches long and 7.8 ounces. However, this is a .30-caliber suppressor, so it will only work with .30-caliber or smaller rifles. The Banish 46 suppressor will work with calibers as large as .460, but it’s a big suppressor and adds more than a pound to your rifle.
You can disassemble some suppressors for servicing and cleaning, but it’s not mandatory, especially for those used only with centerfire rifle cartridges. However, rimfire ammunition is very dirty, and it’s a good idea for a rimfire suppressor to be serviceable. Some suppressors, like the Banish 30 and Banish 46, are modular, allowing you to reduce their length for compactness or when using them with less powerful cartridges. For example, the Banish 46 will work with the .338 Lapua, but if you’re using it on a .338 Federal, it’s just fine in its compact format.
Some shooters like to have a heat-resistant cloth wrap that covers the suppressor. These covers prevent you from getting burned by a hot suppressor, and they reduce heat waves that obscure your target through the scope. However, for hunting—if you’re only going to fire one or two shots—a wrap isn’t necessary. In fact, I rarely use one when hunting.
If you can only afford a single suppressor or want to keep things simple with just one, consider a size that’ll work with most of your rifles. Most .30-caliber suppressors can be used on any rifle .30 caliber or smaller. If you use a cartridge with a larger-caliber bullet, you’ll need a larger suppressor, like the .460-caliber Banish 46.
HUNTING CONCERNS The most obvious advantage suppressors offer hunters is noise reduction, and most cans make the blast from hunting rifles safe for ears. Because of auditory exclusion when you shoot at a game animal, the blast may not initially bother you, but it can still damage your hearing. The other great benefit of a suppressor is recoil reduction. This is especially helpful with hard-kicking rifles, and it’s a great aid to young or recoil-sensitive shooters. Recoil anticipation is one of the things most detrimental to good shooting, and good shooting is something every hunter needs for success.
A suppressed shot also seems to reduce the disturbance to game animals, and lessen how startled they are, compared to an unsuppressed shot. Because the animals you shoot at are less spooked, you might get a second shot if needed. And, if you’re shooting at multiple animals—like when calling predators or hunting feral hogs—you may get a better chance at more than one target.
Any guide will very much appreciate your suppressed rifle. Guides and professional hunters love suppressors as much as they hate muzzle brakes. Geoffrey Wayland, my professional hunter in Africa, is fond of saying that “with the modern advancements in rifles and silencers, it can be ungentlemanly and even rude to shoot an unsuppressed rifle around others.”
In recent years, I’ve started hunting with suppressors most of the time, and my wife and daughters won’t hunt without one. However, there are occasions when I think suppressors are not a good idea, like when I’m expecting that I might need to shoot quickly and offhand at an animal that might be moving. The weight a suppressor adds to the muzzle makes snap-shooting and shots at running game more difficult. Still, I urge you to contemplate using a suppressor for hunting, though not without paying heed to the considerations I mentioned here.
This article was featured in the November 2024 issue of Game & Fish magazine. Click to subscribe .
