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MO, USA
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Posted: 5/9/2024 10:46:54 PM EDT
So I picked up my first suppressor a week ago for my .22lr pistols/rifles. It's great....nice and quiet, works great with "standard velocity" and "subsonic" CCI ammo. I think my BB rifle is louder.
So....I figured since I've gotten this ball rolling, and the approval times are so short now (2 days to get my individual Form4 approved), I might as well get another suppressor while the wait times are so short. So, besides a .22lr....what's the next best caliber to suppress? I've got 9mm pistons, .45acp pistols, .223/556 AR rifles, and .308 bolt rifles. From everything I've seen online....it sounds like a unless you run subsonic ammo (which is worthless in a rifle cartridge), a .223 or .308 is still loud as hell. So that gets me back to my 9mm or .45acp pistols. What would be quietest with a suppressor? The big and slow .45acp? The 9mm? Or should I just enjoy my .22lr can and not worry about getting one for a different caliber? Any info/suggestions would be great. Thanks! |
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Posted: 5/9/2024 10:58:32 PM EDT
[#1]
I suppress whatever I can. I have 30 cal, 9 mm, 223, and a dedicated 22LR rimfire can. 22LR is hearing safe and a lot of fun. I try to protect my hearing to whatever extent I can. Nothing worse than shooting next to someone with a muzzle brake.
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MI, USA
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Posted: 5/9/2024 10:59:12 PM EDT
[#2]
Suppress everything. Doesn’t need to be movie quiet to be waaay quieter and more pleasant than unsuppressed. Having said that, a 300blk with subs will be the best rifle caliber (as well as the new 8.6blk I suppose). In PCC land, both 9mm and .45 suppress well, with most .45 being subsonic by default, whereas typically only your higher grain 9mm (147+) will be. Buying something like a Rex MG7K in .458 will let you suppress everything you own. Be advised that do-all cans typically aren’t great on handguns, but do much better on PCCs. Handguns are, for me at least, a novelty to suppress though, and not something I do regularly.
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AZ, USA
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Posted: 5/9/2024 11:11:16 PM EDT
[#3]
300 Blackout.
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OR, USA
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Posted: 5/9/2024 11:18:00 PM EDT
[#4]
You're going to get a lot of responses OP. My .02, grab a good 9mm can and shoot subsonic. I enjoy it as much as shooting my .22 can.
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TX, USA
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Posted: 5/9/2024 11:21:37 PM EDT
[#5]
My efforts of suppressing have been focused on trying to do true quite, hearing safe guns. The best for that are 22LR, 9mm with heavy bullets, and 300BO. You get a big bump with bolt actions and roller delayed guns.
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SD, USA
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Posted: 5/9/2024 11:34:53 PM EDT
[#6]
To hell with what works well.
My 12.3" and 17.7" 5.56 AR's are just much more pleasant to shoot with cans. Next up is my 24" .224 Valkyrie, and then I plan on tearing apart and rebuilding bolt action .270 Win and .338-06 rifles. Supress all the rifles. |
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MI, USA
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Posted: 5/9/2024 11:57:19 PM EDT
[#7]
I'm suppressing everything. 300blk and 22 would probably be the quieter ones. I'm told 8.6blk is also good, I'm going to try it. Already have the suppressor and getting a bolt action for the 8.6. I hear 5.7 is ok, I'll look at that after I get my current projects done.
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Posted: 5/10/2024 12:06:41 AM EDT
[#8]
300blk, 8.6blk, heavy slow 9mm, 38spl, etc.
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USA
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Posted: 5/10/2024 4:13:36 AM EDT
[#9]
38 Specials out of a bolt/lever action is about as quiet as suppressed 22 depending on which can you’re using. 9mm and 300 BO are my next fav to suppress.
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USA
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Posted: 5/10/2024 6:44:14 AM EDT
[#10]
Manual action 300 blk or 38 special is the best I’ve observed
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Posted: 5/10/2024 6:50:14 AM EDT
[Last Edit: M-60]
[#11]
.44 with big bullets loaded subsonic.
Think Silent Destroyer. 
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GA, USA
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Posted: 5/10/2024 7:35:20 AM EDT
[#12]
Something like .38 or .44 Special or .45 Colt out of a threaded rifle would be nice. I’d personally like to get a threaded .45-70 to shoot subs through.
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FL, USA
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Posted: 5/10/2024 7:45:11 AM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By nomad221: You're going to get a lot of responses OP. My .02, grab a good 9mm can and shoot subsonic. I enjoy it as much as shooting my .22 can. |
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Posted: 5/10/2024 8:15:17 AM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By LnWlf: Manual action 300 blk or 38 special is the best I’ve observed This. |
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Posted: 5/10/2024 8:43:07 AM EDT
[#15]
.300bo. Quite
I'd like tk get another upper 9mm with 147gr or 158 out of ap5 or sp5 |
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NC, USA
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Posted: 5/10/2024 8:52:21 AM EDT
[Last Edit: dmk0210]
[#16]
9mm can be very quiet, but not just any gun works well. For best results, you have to delay the action so the back pressure doesn't make the more noise from the ejection port. For 9mm PCCs, roller locked, roller delayed, of other delayed actions are much, much better than straight blowback actions.
With pistols, hammer fired seems to delay the slide more than striker fired, though some striker fired guns appear to also be quiet (not Glocks though), maybe due to heavier slides or a different cam path on the barrel. Shorter barrel lengths can also keep subsonic ammo going slower so you won't get the occasional round going supersonic. I like sub 4" barrels for 9mm and 22LR. 38 Special in a lever action is very, very quiet, and 300BO in a bolt action, both due to no blowback through the ejection port. Ammo selection is also important. You want heavy bullets for the caliber and slow velocities. (for example, 158gr 9mm, 158gr 38 Special). 45ACP is louder than 9mm with all other variables the same. |
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Posted: 5/10/2024 8:52:34 AM EDT
[#17]
I have an F1 can on an 11.5" 7.62x39mm AR15.
Everyone I shoot with is surprised on how quiet it is. |
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Posted: 5/10/2024 8:56:02 AM EDT
[Last Edit: 1168RGR]
[#18]
You’re going to be chasing this dragon until you die or go to rehab. More seriously, listed from quietest to loudest:
Subsonic manual action guns can be very quiet, then MP5s. Pistols can also be quiet, but the silencer removes much of the practicalness of a pistol. PCC/SMGs can be fairly quiet, but often require a bit of tinkering, unless its a MP5. The next step up in loudness is a big one…long, manually operated supersonic centerfire rifles. Then shorter semiauto ones. To experience all of the above, I’d buy in the following order: a rifle-suitable, pistol-caliber silencer, like a Bushwhacker, Hybrid, Rex, etc., if you have or are thinking about getting a PCC or levergun. Then a true pistol can, like a Lunar, Resistance, etc. By then, you’ll have an idea of what 5.56 or 7.62 cans you want, of which there will likely be more than one. |
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MO, USA
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Posted: 5/10/2024 8:57:45 AM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By dmk0210: 9mm can be very quiet, but not just any gun works well. For best results, you have to delay the action so the back pressure doesn't make the more noise from the ejection port. For 9mm PCCs, roller locked, roller delayed, of other delayed actions are much, much better than straight blowback actions. With pistols, hammer fired seems to delay the slide more than striker fired, though some striker fired guns appear to also be quiet (not Glocks though). Shorter barrel lengths can also keep subsonic ammo going slower so you won't get the occasional round going supersonic. I like sub 4" barrels for 9mm and 22LR. 38 Special in a lever action is very, very quiet, and 300BO in a bolt action, both due to no blowback through the ejection port. 45ACP is louder than 9mm with all other variables the same. Ammo selection is also important. You want heavy bullets for the caliber and slow velocities. (for example, 158gr 9mm, 158gr 38 Special) Thanks for the detailed info! So would something like a Commander sized 9mm 1911 work well? |
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NC, USA
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Posted: 5/10/2024 9:03:33 AM EDT
[Last Edit: dmk0210]
[#20]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By imq707s: Thanks for the detailed info! So would something like a Commander sized 9mm 1911 work well? Generally 9mm 1911 should be a good suppressor host. I have a Tisas Commander that works well. Theoretically, a full size Govt model might be quieter and have less blowback due to the heavier slide, but I've never tried that. OTOH, the longer 5" barrel might push some cheaper bulk 147gr supersonic, but with 158gr and 165gr ammo that probably isn't likely. Pistol hosts can be kind of hit or miss. I have a 1st Gen S&W Shield with a Holosun red dot mounted that is a great suppressors host. Very quiet and very reliable. The short 3" barrel even keeps 124gr subsonic. I'd have never thought a subcompact striker fired handgun would work so well. |
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Posted: 5/10/2024 9:10:22 AM EDT
[#21]
The MP5SDs we shot in the mil were pretty quiet.
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MN, USA
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Posted: 5/10/2024 9:21:18 AM EDT
[#22]
My quietest (and most fun) guns are:
Q Mini Fix w/ 220gr subs using W231 MP5 w/ 147gr subs Savage B22 FV-SR w/ CCI Standard or Gemtech subs |
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Posted: 5/10/2024 10:50:39 AM EDT
[#23]
Agree on anything manual action and subsonic is going to be very pleasant. After that 9mm is usually solid but ammo makes a big difference. If you’re interested in reloading at all it pairs very nicely with suppressor ownership as the powder you use can make a very noticeable difference in sound getting a bullet moving to the same speed.
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Posted: 5/10/2024 11:09:44 AM EDT
[#24]
The first part of answering this post (for me ) is I have to ask for what use is this caliber/can going to be used?
Pest control? Hunting? what animal and what type of distance? Messing about at the range? Taking it easy on the neighbors while using a backyard range? Pistol caliber can be downloaded a bit and still hit that useful/quiet level. Heavy bullet 38spl ,44spl and 45 colt all are good and 45acp with anything but the lightest bullets is also good. 300BO is really designed for suppressor hunting and between the different sub sonic/ supersonic available loads covers lots of uses . A 30 cal rifle can is going to cover lots of other calibers also . With the cost for the stamp ,can and paperwork it only makes sense to get a can that can be used on more than one gun so you get more use from it. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 5/10/2024 11:14:32 AM EDT
[Last Edit: John-in-austin]
[#25]
You are going to have to stick to subsonics regardless of cartridge if you want maximum suppression, however there is still a benefit to suppressing calibers such as .223 or .308. Less muzzle blast for one, much more pleasant for people around you for another.
At the moment good luck finding a can in stock. I've been looking for a .300 BO can myself. |
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OR, USA
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Posted: 5/10/2024 11:28:49 AM EDT
[#26]
I think you are going at it the wrong way.
You’ve already got the best when it comes to shooting as quietly as possible. Nothing is as quiet, fun or cheap to shoot as 22lr. Now I’d look to suppress as much stuff as possible, with the guns you currently own a 30cal can makes the most sense. You have a 308 bolt rifle, a 30cal can is plug and play. It won’t be “quiet” but it work very well and will be a much, much, better shooting experience. No need to tune the gas system or swap parts. You can use the same can on your ARs and then decide if you want to get more rifle silencers or go a different direction and get more rimfire stuff or a pistol silencer or get into subsonic rifle stuff like 300blk and 8.6blk. |
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Posted: 5/10/2024 12:14:50 PM EDT
[#27]
44 mag. Think of a rimfire that hits like a freight train.
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VA, USA
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Posted: 5/10/2024 3:22:56 PM EDT
[Last Edit: VaFish]
[#28]
Subsonic rifle calibers work just fine, as long as you realize their trajectory and select proper bullets.
Each was a one shot drop. .300 BLK Subsonic.  And suppressing supersonic is still great. one shot .450 Bushmaster supersonic  one shot 7.62x39 supersonic. 
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TN, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 6:50:10 AM EDT
[#29]
MP5 with 158-165 gr ammo
Bolt action 300 BLK Lever gun in 357/44 shooting specials Lever 45/70 shooting subs |
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USA
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Posted: 5/13/2024 3:58:14 PM EDT
[#30]
If quiet is what you really want the MP 5SD is the quietest thing in my safe and it’s not even close. Best part is you can achieve the Hollywood quiet even while using 124 grain 9mm. The downside is the effect on terminal ballistics. My SD is a pure range toy so that isn’t really one of my considerations and the MP5KSD is probably my favorite gun of all time.
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Posted: 5/13/2024 10:04:53 PM EDT
[#31]
.22, 9mm sub pcc, 300bo in fun order.
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Posted: 5/14/2024 10:30:42 PM EDT
[#32]
All else being equal, the smaller diameter bullets are quieter, and the smaller cases with small charges of fast-burning powder are quieter.
A subsonic .22 is quieter than a subsonic 9mm, which is quieter than a subsonic .45, all traveling at 800 fps, for example. This is true, even if shooting all of them through the same .45 caliber silencer. I bought a .32 H&R barrel for the T/C Contender. Being a single shot, I can load longer than normal cartridges with heavier than standard bullets. And yes, at the same velocity, it sounds a bit quieter than a .300 Whisper loaded with the same bullets, shot through the same suppressor.  |
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Posted: 5/15/2024 8:36:58 PM EDT
[#33]
All of them deserve to be suppressed.
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Posted: 5/15/2024 9:08:08 PM EDT
[#34]
My favorite is 300 blk subs in a bolt action. Hand roll with subxs and RL7. Soooooo quiet.
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Posted: 5/17/2024 10:56:05 AM EDT
[#35]
One somewhat oddball response I would add is 6.5 Creedmoor. For a supersonic round I find that is suppresses really well compared to similar rifle cartridges particularly with a 6.5mm specific silencer like our Lux 6.5mm.
Anyone else have this same impression of suppressed 6.5 or do I need to find a higher quality of crack to smoke? Karl Edminster Oddball Response Team Energetic Armament |
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PA, USA
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Posted: 5/17/2024 11:06:38 AM EDT
[#36]
Dunno how quiet it really is, but Kentucky Ballistics just did a suppressed Deagle video. But, with 450 grain hardcast at 1050 FPS, that's still 1100 ft-lbs of energy. A stubby barreled bolt gun with that giant suppressor and the right powder might be fairly quiet, all things considered.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhfrHdY5ZtM |
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Posted: 5/17/2024 6:06:38 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By EDL: Dunno how quiet it really is, but Kentucky Ballistics just did a suppressed Deagle video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhfrHdY5ZtM I have one. And it’s still loud. Just not as loud. It’s kind of like suppressing an AK47. A lot of gas gets dumped when the gas piston opens up, creating a “bang”. Just not as much bang as what you get from the end of the barrel. Check out the slow-mo on the video at about 3:30. You see all the gas coming out between the barrel and the slide. The gas piston is located between the barrel and dust cover, and this is where all the unsuppressed gas is dumping out. |
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TN, USA
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Posted: Yesterday 10:24:49 AM EDT
[#38]
Like said above, a 458 can on 45/70-9mm with same can-300blk with a 30 cal can- and 22 are the quietest I have.
This is just an opinion but I believe 45/70 is as quiet as 300blk YMMV |
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Posted: Yesterday 3:17:16 PM EDT
[#39]
Most anything with a manual action (bolt gun, lever, etc), excluding revolvers. A bolt action 300 Blackout would scratch that itch. That said, even my 300 Win Mag brings a smile to my face with the Nomad LT on it and those are super duper NOT subsonic.
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WV, USA
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Posted: Yesterday 3:24:51 PM EDT
[#40]
.22 /.45 / 30 cal
These three sizes cover alot of ground. |
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TN, USA
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Posted: Yesterday 7:57:26 PM EDT
[#41]
5.56 for me is the most important to fire suppressed. Unsuppressed 5.56 is really painful to shoot, but bearable with a can.
I pretty much hate shooting around unsuppressed 5.56 now. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: Yesterday 8:35:17 PM EDT
[#42]
Hearing safe? Literally anything subsonic suppressed will be good to go. However obviously subsonic 22lr is the best. 9mm subs and 300blk subs are probably second best. 45acp are always subsonic with 230 grain bullets suppress well, but not as well as 9mm subs. My standard 380acp ammo is always subsonic, but a tad louder than 9mm subs, but it's awful close. Not much difference between 5.56/223 subs and 22lr subs, except lot of wasted space in the casing. Same with 308 vs 300blk, gotta fill that larger casing. I don't really mess with 5.56 or 308 suppressed much. Just shoot 22lr and 300blk.
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