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Is that a 3-12x50? or 42? Good eye box/lowlight/turrets/rugged?
So in the process of playing musical gun parts to make room for the new CDG I have the 18” 6.5 PRC now in an EH1 with the Forged Bloodshot finish and an m5 Mini Chassis. Rifle as pictured comes out to 9.75 pounds.
On the fence about whether to keep this stock on the hunting gun or swap it to the target rifle and pick up a pro hunter stock for the hunting gun.
On the fence about whether to keep this stock on the hunting gun or swap it to the target rifle and pick up a pro hunter stock for the hunting gun.
Not completely in line with thread title, but pretty relevant.
I'm going on a moose hunt coming fall, and looking at getting a handy 17-18" barreled rifle in either 6.5x55 (Tikka), 7-08 or 308 (Howa).
The heart wants 7-08, but factory ammo is pretty rare for it here in Norway, 6.5 is the most common and training ammo is really cheap compared to all other cartridges here, while .308 is pretty much the most failsafe option for a short action.
Long term I'll probably be swapping barrel for 7-08AI or SAW if I go for a short action, or .284 win in case of the Tikka.
Main sticking points are, is it worth spending twice as much for the Tikka?
Should I betray my heart and go .308, although I shoot almost exclusively handloads?
I want a short and light rifle, as I only hunt suppressed, and I don't want something that snags on every bush and tree in the region, ranges are moderate in my area, and according to my calculations, all should easily be capable out to 400 yards.
I'm somewhat leaning towards the Howa in 7-08, as I already have one Howa, and I really like it, it's also a lot cheaper than the Tikka, leaving more in the budget for a good stock and scope.
I'm going on a moose hunt coming fall, and looking at getting a handy 17-18" barreled rifle in either 6.5x55 (Tikka), 7-08 or 308 (Howa).
The heart wants 7-08, but factory ammo is pretty rare for it here in Norway, 6.5 is the most common and training ammo is really cheap compared to all other cartridges here, while .308 is pretty much the most failsafe option for a short action.
Long term I'll probably be swapping barrel for 7-08AI or SAW if I go for a short action, or .284 win in case of the Tikka.
Main sticking points are, is it worth spending twice as much for the Tikka?
Should I betray my heart and go .308, although I shoot almost exclusively handloads?
I want a short and light rifle, as I only hunt suppressed, and I don't want something that snags on every bush and tree in the region, ranges are moderate in my area, and according to my calculations, all should easily be capable out to 400 yards.
I'm somewhat leaning towards the Howa in 7-08, as I already have one Howa, and I really like it, it's also a lot cheaper than the Tikka, leaving more in the budget for a good stock and scope.
I find nothing wrong with your thinking. 7-08 is kind of a .308 lite. Good terminal performance and should be good for the ranges you expect.
That one is a 50mm. From EuroOptic and I got a different turret from S&B that is in 0.1 mil clicks.
Great eye box, bright and clear, and the P3L reticle works great for hunting. Brand new so can’t speak to ruggedness but I trust it will be rugged like my 3-12x42’s
I get the impression that you only have access to really heavy cans on your side of the Atlantic, is this due to the AR platform dominating the market there, or am I just plain wrong?
We have quite good access to suppressors in the 2-400 gram (~7-14 oz) range here, do you have those there at all?
I know the legal framework is completely different when it comes to suppressors in Norway vs USA.
Here they are considered as natural a part of health and safety pretty much, while in 'murica they seem to be considered dangerous assassin tools or something.
Why?
The takeaway ive seen from people that actually measured deflection on steel vs carbon barrels suggested a thin steel barrel of the same weight of a carbon barrel is likely to have about the same stiffness if not being stiffer. Carbon marketing seems to be BS. Give me a steel barrel of the same weight every time. Only reason Id buy a carbon (and have) is to get adequate muzzle diameter for threads at a certain weight point without getting a custom steel contour that bells at muzzle for threads.
Don’t care to argue with you. My experience differs. Not all carbon barrels are equal. One brand is crap. Two others are superb.
I'm open minded enough to be corrected, educate me.
As you say, a light steel barrel can have issues with threading to correct diameter. The smaller threads seem to distort internal barrel dimensions more. I got larger shifts but my cans might be heavy.
I’m going to be specific here. Proof and Bartlien CF barrels are really top notch for me. The “other brand” is crap.
YMMV.
I’m going to be specific here. Proof and Bartlien CF barrels are really top notch for me. The “other brand” is crap.
YMMV.
Somewhat on topic with the last few post: what contour do people prefer for a 16-18" weight conscious build but with a heavy suppressor?
My TBAC 338 is going to clear well before I get around to purchasing something lighter for dedicated rifle use. I would prefer all steel, but not against going carbon to help with deflection if its the best route.
My TBAC 338 is going to clear well before I get around to purchasing something lighter for dedicated rifle use. I would prefer all steel, but not against going carbon to help with deflection if its the best route.
I run suppressors on a lot of rifles with short steel sporter barrels. 16-20” 243win,30-06, 6.5creed, 7.62x39, 6.5grendel,223Rem, 308win. They all shoot better with the can on. Don’t be scared to thread and suppress steel sporter barrels with a competent smith doing the threading.
The most extreme example I’ve seen of a suppressor helping accuracy was with the ruger ranch 7.62x39 shooting factory ammo with 150gr soft points. At 100 yards with the can off it shot 4.5-5.5” 5 shot groups at 100 yards, put the can on and it dropped to 1-2” 5 shot groups. Tried the process again with a different suppressor and got the the same result. This is a rare occurrence though from what I’ve seen.
The tbac 338 should do fine on a shorter sporter Bbl. I’m waiting on my tbac 338 ultra to come in also but I have another can that is a few oz heavier than the tbac 338 and it does well on sporter barrels.
Carbon is nice and has a much larger mating surface at the muzzle but if your doing a custom steel barrel you can have them bell the muzzle up to .750 like the ruger ranch barrels. I run thread adapters on some of the sporter barrels also. I don’t like to but I have not noticed any ill effect on accuracy as long as you use a well made adapter.
The most extreme example I’ve seen of a suppressor helping accuracy was with the ruger ranch 7.62x39 shooting factory ammo with 150gr soft points. At 100 yards with the can off it shot 4.5-5.5” 5 shot groups at 100 yards, put the can on and it dropped to 1-2” 5 shot groups. Tried the process again with a different suppressor and got the the same result. This is a rare occurrence though from what I’ve seen.
The tbac 338 should do fine on a shorter sporter Bbl. I’m waiting on my tbac 338 ultra to come in also but I have another can that is a few oz heavier than the tbac 338 and it does well on sporter barrels.
Carbon is nice and has a much larger mating surface at the muzzle but if your doing a custom steel barrel you can have them bell the muzzle up to .750 like the ruger ranch barrels. I run thread adapters on some of the sporter barrels also. I don’t like to but I have not noticed any ill effect on accuracy as long as you use a well made adapter.
we have a fair bit of options in that weight range.
Thunderbeast
Ultra 5 (5" hunting can) at 6oz and Magnus (9" crazy suppression) at 14oz
there are 4 cans in between these
i'd be interested to see the suppression level between TBAC and what you use
Tried a few different setups this past year to fill this role for me, and with what I had in the stable I couldn't check all of the boxes.
Light and Short - Check
No can, and it had a loud bark.
Tried this setup, did ok.
Added a different stock and it feels MUCH better, but I'm still wanting to chop it down from 20 to 17.5" or 18"
Light and Short - Check
Tried this setup, did ok.
Added a different stock and it feels MUCH better, but I'm still wanting to chop it down from 20 to 17.5" or 18"
Read through most of this thread and was curious what suppressor y’all would recommend for a 16.5” CF Bartlein 6.5 creed?
Leaning toward either a TBAC ultra 7 or Dilligent Defense Enticer STI. Thoughts?
Whidden Gunworks is building me a whitetail hunting rig off a Tikka action that won’t be ready till the end of the year.
Leaning toward either a TBAC ultra 7 or Dilligent Defense Enticer STI. Thoughts?
Whidden Gunworks is building me a whitetail hunting rig off a Tikka action that won’t be ready till the end of the year.
Picked up a Sig cross 16" yesterday and I think its hard to beat.
Im picking up a ruger gunsite this coming weekend, may run iron sights on it. Its around 6#'s also.
Im picking up a ruger gunsite this coming weekend, may run iron sights on it. Its around 6#'s also.
TBAC U7 would do well. Dominus CB if you think you'll want to use the suppressor later on an AR.
I hardly ever shoot my AR. Any reason an ultra 7 couldn’t be made to fit an AR?
The pew science is what makes me want to get the Enticer L TI since it’s got the best 30 cal rating. Or should I not put so much stock into what pew says?
I can get the ultra 7 for $900. Just not sure of what gen. Should I make sure to get Gen. 2?
You can shoot an U7 on an AR. I used to use my U5 for team matches. 15 to 20rds in a 2 minute stage. But the Dominus is made for higher rates of fire. The Dominus SR is rated for the SOCOM Surge cycle. The CB version will also handle the high heat, it just lacks the retention collar. https://thunderbeastarms.com/products/dominus-sr
The Dominus is shorter, quieter and only weighs about 2 oz more than the u7. Girth vs length.
I'm not going to opine on the Pew Science ratings except to say what looks like a massive sound difference in numbers on a chart sound very similar in reality. For a light hunting rifle, super quiet is at the bottom of the list. I use a U5 on a 20" 6.5 CM and it's very barky and still has a bit of a boom sound. But I only have to hear it once, but I carry it all day weaving the barrel through brush. I just use the suppressor to take the edge off for that one shot without ear pro.
You’re right. I’ll check out the Dominus. Doubt I’ll be shooting more than 30 rounds quickly with my AR.
I also really like how the Fly 45 looks since I may get an 8.6 blackout down the road.
I also really like how the Fly 45 looks since I may get an 8.6 blackout down the road.
That would be an interesting idea. I handled a Fly 45 last week. They're pretty cool. And I'm sure that could work but it would definitely be on the low end of performance with both cartridges. A 338 Ultra would have to be the best 8.6 suppressor out there. Not sure what you would do with an 8.6 but it would be really disappointing to go through all that expense building an 8.6 just to shoot loud subsonic rounds.
Probably wouldn’t ever end up building one. Went to the gunsmith with the intention of building the 8.6 blk, but decided against it after talking to the owner and Bartlein. Just so much extra trouble to build one. Could get a carbon fiber 6.5 for half the cost of what they wanted for a SS blank. Only wanted a lightweight whitetail hunting rig as short as possible. I’m happy with my decision to build a 16.5” 6.5 creed.
Don’t want to go to all the trouble of having a nice rifle built just to throw a cheap suppressor on it and end up regretting not spending a little more.
Don’t want to go to all the trouble of having a nice rifle built just to throw a cheap suppressor on it and end up regretting not spending a little more.
I was just checking out the enticer product pages. The STI looks on point for a hunting suppressor. Same weighr, 1/4" shorter, $250 cheaper. I would expect it to be at least the same performance of an ultra 7. They also have 338 cans.....
Got a local shop that has the Enticer STI for $635, but they said they’d have to order one for me. For that price, it’s hard to beat.
TBAC Ultra 7, Otter Creek Labs Hydrogen-S 6.5mm, Dead Air Nomad-Ti are all good options. 👍🏼
Thanks for all of the suggestions, this is where I ended up.
Bergara Wilderness Ridge SP 18" 308. Vortex Razor HD LHT 3-15x50 in Talley Modern Sporting Rings 30mm Medium on a Talley Picatinny rail and a TBAC Ultra 7 Gen2 CB. It comes in at 8lbs 9oz with the glass, TBAC CB brake and no ammo and 9lbs 1oz with the can.
I plan to run it as is for the rest of this season and see what I think. I am considering a different stock with a detachable AICS mag setup and possibly sending the bolt off for fluting. Hopefully the Vortex doesn't let me down.
While the Vortex didn't let me down in any way, it actually bagged some pigs and 'yotes, I have decided to send it on its way. For the money I like the gun for the hunting blind so I plan to keep it around and mount something else on it for the fall. I am considering a Leupold VX-5HD 3-15 and the Mark 5HD 3.6-18. I like that the Mark 5HD is FFP but it isn't needed for the type of hunting and distances this rifle will see regularly.
Otter creek Hydrogen S, DD Enticer S or STI, and TBAC Ultra 7 is what I’ve narrowed down to. Really like how lightweight the Hydrogen S is though.
Honestly wasn’t sure if I could tell the extra .3 pound difference between the Enticer S and Enticer S TI on the end of the rifle. I know it won’t matter for my Tikka CTR 308, but was unsure about the 16.5” Tikka I’m having built.
Honestly wasn’t sure if I could tell the extra .3 pound difference between the Enticer S and Enticer S TI on the end of the rifle. I know it won’t matter for my Tikka CTR 308, but was unsure about the 16.5” Tikka I’m having built.
I'm currently up to 4 OCL cans... A Hydrogen-S 6.5, Hydrogen-S 7.62, Hydrogen-L 7.62, and Polonium 5.56. You will not regret the Hydrogen-S purchase. Especially if you pair it with their ZR0-DTA mount that adds no length to the end of your can, by recessing the threads into the blast chamber. It's awesome for hunting rigs and guns you want to keep light and compact.
Didn’t know about the ZRO-DTA mount but that looks promising. So the Enticer STI and OCL Hydrogen S seem to be very similar and I could use that mount on either.
Almost identical weight between the two, but the Enticer STI is $100 cheaper and the Enticer S would be $300 cheaper than the STI but 4 more ounces. Could I really tell the difference between 4 ounces? I’m not sure either way.
Almost identical weight between the two, but the Enticer STI is $100 cheaper and the Enticer S would be $300 cheaper than the STI but 4 more ounces. Could I really tell the difference between 4 ounces? I’m not sure either way.
Yes. Do the Ti(or something light) for a short light hunting rifle
I’ll be sure to get the TI then.
Narrowed things down to the DD Enticer LTI for $700 or STI for $635. The LTI is 8.25" and STI is 6.75" and the LTI weighs about an ounce more. Planning on using the ZRO-DTA mount that you reccomended. I'm thinking the extra 1.5" would be worth it for more suppression. Thoughts?
1.5”-2” of extra suppressor length can include quite a few more baffles, so, if it’s a well-designed can, it will make a noticeable difference. Especially the larger you start to go in the case capacity of your cartridges.
I’m one of those people that wants max suppression, so I don’t care if it’s an 8.5”-9” can on the end. Some folks want short and compact, and are not so much worried about max suppression…So they use short(er) cans in the 5”-7” range. If you can live with an 8.5” to 9” suppressor on your hunting rigs, then I’d say go that direction.
WUT?
Why cut down a Ruger American, when you can already buy a threaded 16.5” version in .308 Win and 18” 6.5 CM?
Also, the gunsmith has as much to do with it as the barrel. If your smith doesn’t know what he’s doing, and half-asses the job, you’re expensive new barrel blank is going to be trash, and your gun probably won’t shoot very good.
Just put glass on my gun site. Also picked up my nomad 30 today from jail! Excited to take this in the woods this year.
I'm filling out my form 1 here soon and I'll be using a bolt action SBR 300blk for whitetail here next season if approved in time.
Here is one on my short and light rifles.
It started life as a 223 Rem. but never shot great. Had it rebarreled and it's now good to go.
Browning A Bolt 2 micro action (SSA).
16.25" Rock Creek barrel chambered in 300BLK.
It shoots handloded 125 SST's over CFE BLK at 2450ish. Taken several white tail inside of 100 yards.
It started life as a 223 Rem. but never shot great. Had it rebarreled and it's now good to go.
Browning A Bolt 2 micro action (SSA).
16.25" Rock Creek barrel chambered in 300BLK.
It shoots handloded 125 SST's over CFE BLK at 2450ish. Taken several white tail inside of 100 yards.
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@D Mac nice to see another custom A-Bolt shooter. Not too many of us around. Bought mine pretty well-used many years ago, and I finished burning the tube out, and now it has a stainless 22.5” magnum sporter barrel chambered in 7mm RemMag. Shoots pretty good… 😏
Next rebarrel it will probably become a 7mm PRC, since I’ve already modded the magazine to accept really long seating depths.
Next rebarrel it will probably become a 7mm PRC, since I’ve already modded the magazine to accept really long seating depths.
Interesting the Diligent cans have been coming up a lot lately. Youre right, the Sti is on par with the U7. Every hunter I demo the Lti and Sti to chooses the L. Thats skewed a bit because usually its their first suppressor. Theyre still trying to determine if the hassle and money is worth it, and max the quiet L seems to check the box. The L is ridiculously quiet, like 338U quiet.
You and I would choose the S for a hunting gun.
Are you sure those prices are for the Ti versions? Both those cans come in steel, and would be priced that way.
I’m certain those prices were for Titanium. Bought the Enticer L-TI for that price and double checked with the dealer that it was titanium before buying. Stainless was $200 cheaper give or take.
Sometimes it’s better to go through the smaller independent guys.
How many deer hunters choose a really light mountain rifle for the 20 minute walk to their deer stand where they sit and ambush hunt?
I get it if you're hunting the Continental Divide, but you're probably not, and probably not hiking and camping on a multi-day in unknown terrain either. Bring the right tool that you can shoot the straightest, and don't stress about weight. Unless, that is, you're one of the few who goes to the most inaccessible places on public land and plans to stay out for days or weeks. I can count on one hand the guys who I know who do that, and they don't do it all the time, because it's usually a draw.
I go bow hunting in The Rockies every year, and as I age I watch the weight of all my gear more and more, because I'm not 20 anymore and packing 1lb cans of Dinty Moore up to 12,000'.
I'm lucky if I'm fully sobered up at legal shooting time on opening day of deer.
I get it if you're hunting the Continental Divide, but you're probably not, and probably not hiking and camping on a multi-day in unknown terrain either. Bring the right tool that you can shoot the straightest, and don't stress about weight. Unless, that is, you're one of the few who goes to the most inaccessible places on public land and plans to stay out for days or weeks. I can count on one hand the guys who I know who do that, and they don't do it all the time, because it's usually a draw.
I go bow hunting in The Rockies every year, and as I age I watch the weight of all my gear more and more, because I'm not 20 anymore and packing 1lb cans of Dinty Moore up to 12,000'.
I'm lucky if I'm fully sobered up at legal shooting time on opening day of deer.
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