Suppressed Rifle Hunting

[7X57]

Who here is hunting with a full power/super sonic suppressed rifle? Was it worth the investment for those few shots each season? Do you really consider it hearing safe? Looking forward to hearing from y'all.

 

[Bucket]

I set up a suppressed AR in 6.8 mm for my kids to hunt with and I find myself using it most of the time. It quietens the round to roughly a .22 lr. I didn't protect my hearing like I should have when I was younger and I'm paying for it now. I don't want the same mistake for my kids, so it's a must have for me.

 

[Cold Tree]

In the process. Hopefully my kids ears last longer than mine.
Guy near TriCities airport (Gorilla Arms) does demonstration with sub vs supersonic before paperwork. Was impressed to say the least.

 

[Smoke]

I've got a SilencerCo Omega. So far I've run it on my 308 and 6mm creedmoor. I love mine. Some places I hunt have nearby house or subdivisions. Used to have law called every time I fired a shot. Doesn't happen anymore. Last year I missed a buck that was chasing a doe at 50 yards( it was thick). Both just looked around. Buck went on by me where I couldn't shoot for houses. Called him over to where I could shoot. Earlier this year I missed a coyote in a field. Less than 2 minutes later he came back out for another shot. No loud boom is a big plus for my ears too.

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[Andy S.]

I totally see the benefits from a sound perspective (privacy) and hearing protection (ears), but I'm too much of a cheapskate to make the investment for the few shots I fire each year, just as you mentioned. YMMV

 

[7X57]

It's definitely hard to make the decision when looking at it purely for deer hunting. I mostly fill the freezer during bow season and only make maybe one rifle shot during the rut. I don't much care for filling tags during gun season unless it's on a mature buck. My little boy always rifle hunts with me and sometimes it's challenging to get muffs on him. I most often end up whispering "cover your ears." Thanks for all the replies.

 

[Ahuntin1]

I hunt suppressed all the time now. I love it. My main reason was preserving hearing but the other benefits are awesom. I've got a thunderbeast ultra 7. Supersonic bullets sound like a 22LR. I didn't get any of my old rifles threaded due to the fact that the barrels were a little too thin for the 5/8 thread. I did pick up a used 260 from K45 that was threaded with an adapter up to 5/8. I don't think the 30 cal barrels don't have enough meat to do that. I shot a nice buck in some hard woods this season and the other buck and doe acted like it didn't happen even though they were all close together. Being able to hear the bullet whack is pretty cool and could be helpful.

 

[TNlandowner]

I hunt with a 308 Win, REM 700, & AAC SR-7 suppressor using a subsonic load firing 180 grain REX bullets (Maker Bullets). Their is absolutely no boom, more of a Psssst, similar to a pellet rifle. I hunt in a rural area, but still hate when neighbor land owners text me asking what I just shot. These texts stopped after I started hunting suppressed with subsonic loads. Now I've shot deer from food plots and watched them run away while other deer continued feeding. No one hears the shot and I am left alone. Granted, this heavy subsonic load reduces my hunting range to 100 yards or less. I am zeroed for 50 yards and have a 5.5" drop at 100 yards. While this is an expensive set up, I am totally thrilled.

 

[7X57]

I was looking at the Thunder Beast Ultra 7 6.5. I just can't make up my mind if it's worth $1200.00.

 

[Ahuntin1]

I was looking at the Thunder Beast Ultra 7 6.5. I just can't make up my mind if it's worth $1200.00.

My current ultra 7 is in 30 cal. I've ordered a 6.5 ultra 7. You are paying light weight and for accuracy with the Thunderbeast. They are so light compared to others. My TB tightens the group up on every gun I use with it. I don't own any others, so I don't have a good comparison.

 

[7X57]

Thanks for sharing. It may be worth the investment in the long run. I would like to get things down to hearing safe for the kids. I could probably later use it on their .243 when they're ready.

 

[Roost 1]

Google..... the worlds largest silencer test. Very informative.

 

[rtaylor]

I went to get fitted for hearing aids and they wanted $4000. My suppressor was much cheaper. It's nice for the kids too. Hard to put a price on being able to hear.

 

[thirdwilliam]

hunting buddy hunts with a 300 weatherby magun suppressed. sounds like a 17 hmr when he shoots

 

[7X57]

Well, I ended up buying a Thunder Beast Ultra 7. It should be here well before next season. The deciding factor was my kids hearing. I don't want them to have to deal with tinnitus as I do. Thanks for all of the replies.

 

[spinal tap]

Congrats - you won't regret it. If you're planning to have a sporting type of barrel profile cut and threaded, I would think twice before modifying a rifle you love. I've found they heat up quickly and are difficult to zero. Heavier threaded barrels are far more forgiving.

 

[infoman jr.]

Good choice. I, too, deal with tinnitus. I have a lot of guns that sit in the safe because they don't have a threaded muzzle.

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[7X57]

Thanks for sharing. I appreciate all the advice given by the members on here.