Re: Sniper suppressors?
Mo,
That is a big question and the answer takes some time. There are a number of primary variables, some secondary variables and a great number of either of those can "stack" making accuracy through/with a can range from an improvement to real deterioration. Interestingly the host itself can play an important role, as can ammunition. Accuracy is not the goal of some can designs, and purposefully so. Some cans are designed to provide maximum throughput, some with an intended range of less than 10 meters. At 1,300 rounds a minute, suppression, not accuracy is the goal as rate of fire takes care of accuracy.
You mentioned some important considerations. Heat and symmetric design. It is not unusual for others here to remind us that suppressors are essentially heat machines and managing that process can be important to some applications. We hear of this with discussions of "hot spots," "capture cans," "secondary core cans," etc. There is a very real correlation between managing the resulting gases and heat that comes from effectively stripping the chase gas jet from behind the projectile and sound suppression and accuracy. The real implications of asymmetrical armature stacks, monocores or even fashioned baffles exists, though we are to be reminded that "timing" asymmetrical designs has radically improved their outcomes.
What I can tell you is the two cans listed by Frank in the precision thread-ons share some important foundation similarities. Similarities that are not shared by a majority of other current providers. Having said that, not everyone needs nor should afford the effort that is entailed in those designs. Precision cans are no different than precision rifles. The concept behind much of precision suppression is to eliminate the variables that when taken individually are small, but taken collectively represent the majority of accuracy issues on any precision platform. Suppressors, with components of different materials, must be designed, machined, mated, attached with a single goal in mind. The chances for inaccuracy, instability and deterioration are the same as those experienced by gunsmiths. Remove as many of these same variables as possible, rule them out by experienced design, material selection and skillful manufacturing and what remains is a coherently, ultimately precise core that aligns to the barrel perfectly. And only then if the barrel is properly prepared.
There is a whole lot more. Purge of propellant debris, purge of water or other environmental issues, quick detach, the requirement to be able to be upgraded, change out Neilsons, go static, etc.
Perhaps a thread all by itself on this topic is in order? I can promise you it would be well received by some, but not everybody.
Happy 4th.