Reloading to improve accuracy with suppressor - what can I expect?

[bovie]

Hey all - first post here. I recently picked up a YHM Resonator for my Sako TRG in 6.5 Creedmoor. Group sizes have blown up with factory ammo. I've tried 4 different Hornady cartridges and haven't been able to produce groups below 1 MOA at 100 yards - no bueno. Unsuppressed, with the muzzle brake, I can consistently shoot 0.3-0.4 with American Gunner 140 BTHP.

Suppressor is QD type and ratcheted on "gorilla tight." No obvious evidence of a baffle strike.

I'm thinking about starting this journey into hand loading but want to have the right expectations. As I understand Hornady factory ammo in 6.5 CM is pretty good overall so I don't know if that's the limiting factor, or is it the suppressor? The Resonator gets generally very good reviews so it seemed like a good purchase, but doesn't seem as proven as some of the others.

For about the same cost as a decent precision reloading setup I could get a top drawer suppressor... thoughts?

(I know - get both)

Thanks all for the input - lots of great info on this site.

 

[Supersubes]

Probably not the suppressor itself. Could be the mount, or the barrel threads. May be worthwhile to have it evaluated by a gunsmith to check installed alignment of the suppressor.

 

[Snuby642]

Hanging a 1/2 lb weight on the end of a barrel will change harmonics.

I have a thin 223 barrel that groups get tighter with can, a 300 blk and 308 same. My 6.5g hates the can and adapter.

I think load development can correct any of it except actual misalignment.
Still fooling with my 6.5g non suppressed loads first.

If alignment checks out, handload.

 

[bovie]

Thanks guys. I didn't mention that I had the barrel overthreaded from the factory M18 to 5/28 x 24 to accommodate the suppressor. Work was done by a well-respected local gunsmith. I will take it back to him.

For my own curiosity, what's the metric by which we should judge alignment? Thread concentricity? Range rod clearance? Seems like I should have a little wiggle room because its a 30 cal suppressor on a 6.5 barrel.

 

[Supersubes]

Sounds like the thread is probably. Have him check the mount and suppressor now. You should have wiggle room as far as bore size, but having the whole arrangement bore concentric all the way out is a plus, and of course the can beads to go to the exact same place every time you reinstall it.