What is the leading cause of the dreaded baffle strike?

I've seen several threads and the latest pic thread got me thinking...

- Misaligned threads
- Ammo not stabilized
- Carbon buildup
- ?
- ?

usually its misaligned threads but like you stated other things can cause it as well.

Quoted: What is the leading cause of the dreaded baffle strike? I've seen several threads and the latest pic thread got me thinking... - Misaligned threads Probably #1 - Ammo not stabilized As a byproduct of too short of barrel... or wrong ammo for a given barrel twist rate - Carbon buildup Doesn't make my Top 5 - ? - ?

1. Misaligned Threads (poor manufacturing or improper threading)
2. Too short of barrel, causing poor stability
3. Incorrect ammo selection such as heavy bullets in slow twist barrels, light bullets in fast twist rate barrels, or use of unjacketed frangible.
4. User error and/or failure to read the manual or ask the manufacturer
5. Abuse. Exceeding the design limitations of the suppressor, host firearm, ammo, or all three parts of the system.

I've had one baffle strike, which led me to send my suppressor and upper to the mfg. Measurements are in spec on all parts, according to both the suppressor mfg and upper mfg.

Ammo used was wolf 55 grain polymer.

Strike occurred within the first 30 rounds being fired thru the can.

I either did not have the can on tight (i did) or it's the ammo. I'm guessing ammo.

In addition to DarkHelmet's suggestions:

6. Use of either a crush washer or lockwasher, neither of which have parallel sides and both of which will cock the suppressor (or mount) to one side. Further, the crush washer is soft (that is why you can crush it) and the suppressor can loosen.

7. Suppressor loosens from alignment surface.

Interestingly, although the Nordlock washer pair has some theoretical degree of merit in keeping a suppressor from unscrewing, our experience is that the sides of the Nordlock pair are not necessarily parallel. This is because they are stamped. Parallelism of the sides of any washer used is of utmost importance, as a minute variance here can be dramatic at the end of the suppressor.

Philip H. Dater/GEMTECH

Pertaining to the misaligned threads comments, remember that it is the shoulder that indexes the suppressor. As long as the shoulder is concentric and the threads keep the suppressor tightly indexed upon the shoulder, in theory you are ok.

The problem with threading can be a) bad threads that don't keep the suppressor tightly affixed b) a shoulder/indexing surface that is not concentric to the bore c) both

In all, bad mounts/user error in mounting the suppressor accounts for a LOT of baffle strikes. But there's always gonna be the rare "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?" situation where a strike occurs and no explanation is apparent.

"Ammo used was wolf 55 grain polymer. "

Oddly enough I was at the range firing my 10.5 Pac Nor/Vortex FH with wolf 62 grain polymer, (brand new barrel 1/7 twist) and at 25 yards one round f 60 went through the target COMPLETELY SIDEWAYS.  

I wonder what the hell would cause that.  I wonder if the bullet was like only half filled with lead or something -????  I mean it fired, it ejected, so it must have been cooking along-- I was confused.