Suppressed Subsonic 300 Blackout

Hi guys!

I'm looking at making a suppressed, subsonic only 300 Blackout. I want it to be reasonably quiet (if someone else is shooting, my shots are invisible) or whisper quiet while balancing good barrel length and can length. I don't see this gun being used past 50 yards, 75 is stretching it for what the gun's intended purpose is.

I was thinking a 5.5 inch barrel with a Surefire SOCOM300 SPS or something similar, full barrel length with can going to 14.5 inches max, aiming for 12 or so.

Has anyone got specifically decibel counts from down range as opposed to shooter's position with different lengths of barrel or cans? Any issues with dwell time, or is that a myth? I don't mind issues with sound at my position so long as down range is quieter.

Thanks for the help!
 
I have a 10 inch and it is louder than my 16 inch with the same can. To my ears anyway. Might be different on a meter.

On gas guns I have settled on 9-10 inch barrels and 16 on bolt guns.
What can do you got on?

Nah, I've seen the same. More time for stuff to burn. Bolt 300s are quiet. I just want a stupid little plinker for a woods-y self defense thing that makes people go "ooooo" when I whip it out. Shoot cans at a campfire type thing.
 
The real question is do your reload your own ammo, because not all powder is created equal. Some are just flat quieter than others. I went 10" because I wanted my suppers to have decent velocity. With that not being an issue for you go as short as the suppressor you intend to run will let you.
 
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The real question is do your reload your own ammo, because not all powder is created equal. Some are just flat quieter than others. I went 10" because I wanted my suppers to have decent velocity. With that not being an issue for you go as short as the suppressor you intend to run will let you.
To answer your question, I would not be for this gun. Just factory Ammo Inc STELTH ammo, 220 grain subs.

Is there really much of a difference from, say, a 5.5 to a 7.5 or up with something like the SOCOM 300?
 
@shimatsuken
You need to learn how to use the search function and research.
Best thing you can do on this site is read and educate yourself.
Your posts so far sound very uneducated. Nothing wrong with that. That’s how every single one of us here started out.
But read. Then read some more. Don’t ask for ideas or opinions, cuz they’ll range from A-Z

Read so much that you can see a clear, proven choice by the majority on what’s used.
Based on your name and pic, I’m going to assume you’re pretty young. Nothing wrong with that, I wish I was still young lol
So as with any subject in school or college, the more you educate yourself, the better off you’ll be. Same with this.
Usually asking questions is a good way to learn. That’s not usually the case here unless you know the experience of the person answering.
Use the search.
Go to google, type snipers hide, and then your question. It’ll guide you to the most applicable answers.
Good luck, and be safe.
 
If this is going to be a dedicated subsonic/suppressed setup, I'd go for something in the 8" range. This will leave you with enough rail space to mount a light or other accessory.

With subsonic ammo, barrel length vs velocity isn't much of an issue. There isn't much difference in velocity between a 7" and a 16" barrel with subsonic ammo.

Think 9 is the sweet spot. Could be mistaken. You want a full powder burn. Longer is most likely quietest
This barrel length getting you a "full powder burn" is a myth. With super sonic ammo, there are appreciable velocity gains up to 16".
 
I should have added that I have a 5" AR in 9mm that is a dedicated suppressor host. With a 6" suppressor direct threaded to the barrel, it is a very handy package, BUT not very comfortable to shoot with a handguard typical of that barrel length. I wound up having to tuck the suppressor under a longer handguard to get any sort of usable rail length.

Tucking the suppressor comes with its own issues, the big ones being heat and choice of mount.
 
@shimatsuken
You need to learn how to use the search function and research.
Best thing you can do on this site is read and educate yourself.
Your posts so far sound very uneducated. Nothing wrong with that. That’s how every single one of us here started out.
But read. Then read some more. Don’t ask for ideas or opinions, cuz they’ll range from A-Z

Read so much that you can see a clear, proven choice by the majority on what’s used.
Based on your name and pic, I’m going to assume you’re pretty young. Nothing wrong with that, I wish I was still young lol
So as with any subject in school or college, the more you educate yourself, the better off you’ll be. Same with this.
Usually asking questions is a good way to learn. That’s not usually the case here unless you know the experience of the person answering.
Use the search.
Go to google, type snipers hide, and then your question. It’ll guide you to the most applicable answers.
Good luck, and be safe.
Good way to get dead forums
 
I should have added that I have a 5" AR in 9mm that is a dedicated suppressor host. With a 6" suppressor direct threaded to the barrel, it is a very handy package, BUT not very comfortable to shoot with a handguard typical of that barrel length. I wound up having to tuck the suppressor under a longer handguard to get any sort of usable rail length.

Tucking the suppressor comes with its own issues, the big ones being heat and choice of mount.
I was actually looking into suppressing an 8 inch MPX, but was unsure which would be quieter. I've been looking online and asking people that have similar setups but no one has a clear answer (which is why I thought to pose the question myself).

Since my goal is to be quiet and not really go to 50 yards and beyond, I guess my question for you is how quiet is your subsonic 9mm compared to your subsonic 300 Black?

Some people tell me 300 Black is comparable to a subsonic 22, other people tell me since 9mm has less powder it's by definition quieter.
 
I was actually looking into suppressing an 8 inch MPX, but was unsure which would be quieter. I've been looking online and asking people that have similar setups but no one has a clear answer (which is why I thought to pose the question myself).

Since my goal is to be quiet and not really go to 50 yards and beyond, I guess my question for you is how quiet is your subsonic 9mm compared to your subsonic 300 Black?

Some people tell me 300 Black is comparable to a subsonic 22, other people tell me since 9mm has less powder it's by definition quieter.
My 9mm suppressed with subs is WAY quieter than my 300BO.
Like pellet gun sound vs cap gun sound.
Down range it still only sounds like PewPew.
Both are good to 100 yds without acting like a mortar shot.
 
My 9mm suppressed with subs is WAY quieter than my 300BO.
Like pellet gun sound vs cap gun sound.
Down range it still only sounds like PewPew.
Both are good to 100 yds without acting like a mortar shot.
What are your specs??? What can do you run and how long is your setup? What grain do you run?

Any issues suppressing a short stroke piston like the MPX compared to a direct impingement?

Tangential question I also cannot find answers to online: Do hollow points cause issues in cans or PCCs? Or am I stuck running ball ammo?
 
I was actually looking into suppressing an 8 inch MPX, but was unsure which would be quieter. I've been looking online and asking people that have similar setups but no one has a clear answer (which is why I thought to pose the question myself).

Since my goal is to be quiet and not really go to 50 yards and beyond, I guess my question for you is how quiet is your subsonic 9mm compared to your subsonic 300 Black?

Some people tell me 300 Black is comparable to a subsonic 22, other people tell me since 9mm has less powder it's by definition quieter.
Well, it sounds like you have a good bit of money to throw at this project. I don't know anything about the inner workings of the MPX platform. I'm an AR guy. I assemble all of my own ARs and assemble each for a specific purpose with a specific goal.

My 9mm, as mentioned, is a 5" radial delayed system that I run a with a YHM R9. My 300 BO is an 8" that I run with a YHM R45.

The 9mm, when shooting 150gr subsonic with the R9 sounds like a pellet gun, albeit a loud pellet gun. To my ear, behind the gun, the loudest noise I hear is the cycling of the action. One of the ranges I go to does not allow rapid fire. 1 shot per second. When the range officer is about 25 yards away (in that setting) he doesn't notice my rapid firing. People have told me that it is very quiet. When I put the R45 on the 9mm, it is even more quiet.

The sound suppression is about the with the 300BO. Quiet with the R9 and moreso with the R45.

You're not going to get a straight answer to a question like the one you posed because much of it is subjective and there are many combinations that will get the job done.

I will say that chasing db ratings is a waste of time. I've found that what is more important is the tone of the report. Suppressors with deeper tones (although technically louder) are much more pleasant to the ear than suppressors with more high pitched tones (although technically less loud).

On my 11.5" 5.56 rigs, I run YHM Fat Cats. The Fat Cat is a very short can, but has a 2" diameter. It doesn't rate very well and doesn't get a lot of attention, but due to its design, it has a very low tone, as compared to other similar cans. Although it isn't rated as being hearing safe due to db level, it isn't at all uncomfortable in non enclosed spaces without hearing protection.

Equally as important is mounting options. Is the suppressor you're looking at HUB compatible? If not, will the mounting system accommodate your needs? If you're going to tuck your suppressor, you're likely going to want a mounting system without secondary retention.

My 9mm suppressor is tucked into a tubular handguard that I drilled and tapped to accommodate a light and switch. I run a taper mount with no secondary retention. This way, when the need to remove the suppressor arises, I can just use a strap wrench to remove it, if needed.

On the 300BO, the suppressor isn't tucked. I just run a direct thread mount, since I can just put a wrench on it, if I need to.

My perspective on silencers is that they are just another piece of equipment. I know that at some point in time they will wear out, get blown up or otherwise damaged. I stick to bang for the buck. I'm not looking for anything exotic. Just something that gets the job done. The R45 has been a real surprise. It performs very well, within its limitations and is very flexible. I was , at first, apprehensive about going with a can with such a big bore for 300BO, but do not regret it.
 
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What are your specs??? What can do you run and how long is your setup? What grain do you run?

Any issues suppressing a short stroke piston like the MPX compared to a direct impingement?

Tangential question I also cannot find answers to online: Do hollow points cause issues in cans or PCCs? Or am I stuck running ball ammo?
The 9mm is a 16" Scorpion, and I shoot my 147gr fmjs and factory loaded Federal 147gr hollow points through it.
Those are just barely subsonic according to the chrono.

The 300BO is a 7.5" PSA gas gun, and I shoot 220gr Factory Loaded Remington hollow points through it.

I have no experience with any of the short stroke piston guns.
 
I was actually looking into suppressing an 8 inch MPX, but was unsure which would be quieter. I've been looking online and asking people that have similar setups but no one has a clear answer (which is why I thought to pose the question myself).

Since my goal is to be quiet and not really go to 50 yards and beyond, I guess my question for you is how quiet is your subsonic 9mm compared to your subsonic 300 Black?

Some people tell me 300 Black is comparable to a subsonic 22, other people tell me since 9mm has less powder it's by definition quieter.


I have all 3... AR22 suppressed, AR9 suppressed and 300blk suppressed..

My 300blk is a 10" Rainier Ultramatch. Its stupid accurate outbto 500yd with 125 TMK supers and 22lr stupid quite wjth my 220smk subs...

Its so quiet, this old lady and her husband were shooting at the range next to me and she turned to me and asked if I was shooting a nail gun. Its that quiet..

10" barrel, Rugged Surge 7.62, 220smk sub handloads with cfeblack
 
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Well, it sounds like you have a good bit of money to throw at this project. I don't know anything about the inner workings of the MPX platform. I'm an AR guy. I assemble all of my own ARs and assemble each for a specific purpose with a specific goal.

My 9mm, as mentioned, is a 5" radial delayed system that I run a with a YHM R9. My 300 BO is an 8" that I run with a YHM R45.

The 9mm, when shooting 150gr subsonic with the R9 sounds like a pellet gun, albeit a loud pellet gun. To my ear, behind the gun, the loudest noise I hear is the cycling of the action. One of the ranges I go to does not allow rapid fire. 1 shot per second. When the range officer is about 25 yards away (in that setting) he doesn't notice my rapid firing. People have told me that it is very quiet. When I put the R45 on the 9mm, it is even more quiet.

The sound suppression is about the with the 300BO. Quiet with the R9 and moreso with the R45.

You're not going to get a straight answer to a question like the one you posed because much of it is subjective and there are many combinations that will get the job done.

I will say that chasing db ratings is a waste of time. I've found that what is more important is the tone of the report. Suppressors with deeper tones (although technically louder) are much more pleasant to the ear than suppressors with more high pitched tones (although technically less loud).

On my 11.5" 5.56 rigs, I run YHM Fat Cats. The Fat Cat is a very short can, but has a 2" diameter. It doesn't rate very well and doesn't get a lot of attention, but due to its design, it has a very low tone, as compared to other similar cans. Although it isn't rated as being hearing safe due to db level, it isn't at all uncomfortable in non enclosed spaces without hearing protection.

Equally as important is mounting options. Is the suppressor you're looking at HUB compatible? If not, will the mounting system accommodate your needs? If you're going to tuck your suppressor, you're likely going to want a mounting system without secondary retention.

My 9mm suppressor is tucked into a tubular handguard that I drilled and tapped to accommodate a light and switch. I run a taper mount with no secondary retention. This way, when the need to remove the suppressor arises, I can just use a strap wrench to remove it, if needed.

On the 300BO, the suppressor isn't tucked. I just run a direct thread mount, since I can just put a wrench on it, if I need to.
I currently do not have the money, but this was sort of a dream gun to get later in life. I want to understand what I'm getting and why I'm getting it before really committing to swiping the card.

I've heard more about the tones. That would also explain why some guns and calibers sound louder than other configurations. I've been told that when shooting 556 through a 30 cal can, it would be louder since there's more gas exiting the can, but your experience with the R45 would contrast that, but tones would explain that.

Would tones also affect loudness at the shooter versus down range? Since I want my gun to be "invisible" compared to my friends shooting next to me (lots of them have short suppressed 556s or AR 10s), would I be a bit "louder" at my position compared to down range with certain cans?

I saw a video and a lot of reports that the SOCOM 300 SPS, for example, is louder at shooter's position than other cans, and has more back pressure, but is super quiet in the direction you're shooting. I assumed that the extra back pressure was the gas not leaving the muzzle, therefore less sound leaving the can in the first place and ending up at your ejection port instead. Which is fine for me since I want it to be quiet down range. Is there any truth to this specific line of thinking, or is it just bogus? Cause if decibels don't matted and tones do, do I even need a full sized can compared to a K to get my desired result?
 
I have all 3... AR22 suppressed, AR9 suppressed and 300blk suppressed..

My 300blk is a 10" Rainier Ultramatch. Its stupid accurate outbto 500yd with 125 TMK supers and 22lr stupid quite wjth my 220smk subs...

Its so quiet, this old lady and her husband were shooting at the range next to me and she turned to me and asked if I was shooting a nail gun. Its that quiet..

10" barrel, Rugged Surge 7.62, 220smk sub handloads with cfeblack
Ooohhhhh!!!!

Yeah 45 is right, I am young, I get super excited over stuff like this that I haven't experienced.

In your case, does the hand load matter more, or the can? I'd be fine with a 10 inch barrel and a K size can to still be under 14.5 inches of length if it's that quiet.

What can do you run for your 9?

I feel like I'm learning more every day 😁
 
A proper delayed 9mm will always be quieter than a 300blk. You’re simply moving less weight, volume and less propellant and you’ll be using a faster burning powder. It’s not a massive difference but it’s certainly noticeable.
Also 9mm will have a 100% burn in a short barrel meanwhile a 8in 300blk with N120/AA1680 will have an incomplete burn.
 
I love the SF 300 SPS, I have 2 of them. It makes a subsonic 9" BCM 300 BO laughably quiet. I didn't like how hunched up I had to shoot it with a traditional rail and an IR laser. So I switched to a direct thread YHM Resonator 2 tucked into a 15" rail. I am using a dbal i2 direct mounted to Unity Tactical mount. I put the magpul mlok covers on it and it honestly it's not too bad heat wise unless I just go stupid on the trigger.

To my ears, the Resonator 2 sounds better than the 300 SPS and my assumption is that is from the direct thread vs the SF mount. It's not that it is quieter per se, just sounds better. Using 220 subs.

I have a ruger American 16" bolt gun in 300 black that I put one of my 300 SPS cans on, it honestly sounds better than the AR, even with the longer barrel, because of no port noise. I've been seriously debating SBR'ing that stupid thing and seeing what I can do with it.

Honestly, if you are shooting ONLY subs, just about any suppressor is going to sound good.
 
A proper delayed 9mm will always be quieter than a 300blk. You’re simply moving less weight, volume and less propellant and you’ll be using a faster burning powder. It’s not a massive difference but it’s certainly noticeable.
Also 9mm will have a 100% burn in a short barrel meanwhile a 8in 300blk with N120/AA1680 will have an incomplete burn.
By properly delayed, are you referencing dwell time?

I am on the path of suppressing a 9mm now instead of a 300 😂
 
I love the SF 300 SPS, I have 2 of them. It makes a subsonic 9" BCM 300 BO laughably quiet. I didn't like how hunched up I had to shoot it with a traditional rail and an IR laser. So I switched to a direct thread YHM Resonator 2 tucked into a 15" rail. I am using a dbal i2 direct mounted to Unity Tactical mount. I put the magpul mlok covers on it and it honestly it's not too bad heat wise unless I just go stupid on the trigger.

To my ears, the Resonator 2 sounds better than the 300 SPS and my assumption is that is from the direct thread vs the SF mount. It's not that it is quieter per se, just sounds better. Using 220 subs.

I have a ruger American 16" bolt gun in 300 black that I put one of my 300 SPS cans on, it honestly sounds better than the AR, even with the longer barrel, because of no port noise. I've been seriously debating SBR'ing that stupid thing and seeing what I can do with it.

Honestly, if you are shooting ONLY subs, just about any suppressor is going to sound good.
I'm looking for only subs through the 300. The 9... haven't had the most time to debate it in my noggin. I was thinking 115 supers for common range ammo and subs otherwise, since I assume at 25 yards there won't be too much of a POI.

Would something like a Dead Air Wolfman or a YHM R9, with subs, make my shots "vanish" when next to my friends?
 
I currently do not have the money, but this was sort of a dream gun to get later in life. I want to understand what I'm getting and why I'm getting it before really committing to swiping the card.

I've heard more about the tones. That would also explain why some guns and calibers sound louder than other configurations. I've been told that when shooting 556 through a 30 cal can, it would be louder since there's more gas exiting the can, but your experience with the R45 would contrast that, but tones would explain that.

Would tones also affect loudness at the shooter versus down range? Since I want my gun to be "invisible" compared to my friends shooting next to me (lots of them have short suppressed 556s or AR 10s), would I be a bit "louder" at my position compared to down range with certain cans?

I saw a video and a lot of reports that the SOCOM 300 SPS, for example, is louder at shooter's position than other cans, and has more back pressure, but is super quiet in the direction you're shooting. I assumed that the extra back pressure was the gas not leaving the muzzle, therefore less sound leaving the can in the first place and ending up at your ejection port instead. Which is fine for me since I want it to be quiet down range. Is there any truth to this specific line of thinking, or is it just bogus? Cause if decibels don't matted and tones do, do I even need a full sized can compared to a K to get my desired result?
If your concern is being more quiet than your friends who shoot 5.56 and .308, I'd say that just about any 300BO shooting subs through any suppressor is going to be more quiet than your friends. Although some suppressors are "better" than others, differences are usually subtle, rather than night and day when comparing similar suppressors.
 
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115 out of a 9mm is always going to be supersonic unless you get an SD style barrel. Which is actually my current project. I am building up an AR9 with an Angstadt Vanquish integrated suppressed barrel. It's going to be an AR version of an MP5 SD, in that because the barrel is ported inside of the suppressor, it will drop supersonic rounds down to subsonic speed. Just got the approval from the ATF on it this morning, so I'll be building this up over the next couple of weeks.

An R9 or a Wolfman with 220 subs will be fairly quiet and should vanish next to your friends, especially if they are shooting a 5.56. Like I said above, the 300 SPS is an amazing suppressor, but the secondary locking vs a direct thread or even a 3 lug, makes tucking it under a handguard impossible.
 
I'm looking for only subs through the 300. The 9... haven't had the most time to debate it in my noggin. I was thinking 115 supers for common range ammo and subs otherwise, since I assume at 25 yards there won't be too much of a POI.

Would something like a Dead Air Wolfman or a YHM R9, with subs, make my shots "vanish" when next to my friends?
Man, you're all over the place. If cost is a concern and you're just looking to get into the experience of shooting suppressed, .22 is a good option. The next best option would be 9mm. 115gr can be had for around $200 per 1000, and subs can be had for around $300 per 1000.

I do not have intimate knowledge of all 9mm pcc platforms out there, but a safe bet would be to go with some sort of low back pressure suppressor so you wont have to deal with tuning anything very much. Just screw it on and go. With a high back pressure can, you'll likely have to do some tuning to alleviate, or at lest mitigate, issues with gas from the ejection port.

Low back pressure cans are all the rage right now, but I stick to conventional, baffle stack cans. They generally offer better sound suppression and visible signature reduction. I am fairly proficient at tuning ARs, so the back pressure is a non issue to me.
 
Well dusted this off for some feral hog removal.
AAC 9 inch upper AAC 762 d can.

1000002869.jpg


Bullets Hornady 190g sub-x
Over 12.3g cfe blk 2.050 coal.
IMG_20250712_221318~2.jpg

Behind one shoulder in front of other, heart turned into jelly. My favorite placement.

IMG_20250714_122419.jpg

Bullet far side stuck under skin.
1062 fps in a 16 inch barrel .


IMG_20250714_122443.jpg

Bullet measured 0.820 at widest point. Unfired bullet weight was 190.3g random out of box. This recovered round was 191.7g .
I can't explain that and no chunks stuck in the petals that I can see.

Movie quiet except for bcg slapping into battery. You can hear impact of round.
 
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Well dusted this off for some feral hog removal.
AAC 9 inch upper AAC 762 d can.

View attachment 8729535

Bullets Hornady 190g sub-x
Over 12.3g cfe blk 2.050 coal.
View attachment 8729539
Behind one shoulder in front of other, heart turned into jelly. My favorite placement.

View attachment 8729541
Bullet far side stuck under skin.
1062 fps in a 16 inch barrel .


View attachment 8729549
Bullet measured 0.820 at widest point. Unfired bullet weight was 190.3g random out of box. This recovered round was 191.7g .
I can't explain that and no chunks stuck in the petals that I can see.

Movie quiet except for bcg slapping into battery.
@TheHorta post your recovered bullets
Maybe there’s different batches some harder than others
 
4.5 inch AR9
5.5 inch bolt action 45acp
10.5 inch 300 BO(ar)
5 inch 7.62x25(ar) supers only so far
A few different lengths of 22lr and 22wmr

They all makes some noise OP, pick whats acceptable and make forward progress. Things can always be adjusted/improved down the road as you go.

As a few have said here already, sound is objective and everyone seems to have an idea of what “quiet” is, especially to them
 
1150 - 1172 ?
Those are going to pop in 90+ degree heat I think .
That’s factory loads and 16” barrel. I’m just reporting what I found. Hornady quotes 1050 from 20” barrel so there’s that.

I’ve resized from .310 to .308 and loaded in .300 Blk and also left the way the come (.310) and loaded in my 16” 7.62 x 39 upper. Better results.
 
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I toyed with this for several years, had everything from 8" to 16" barreled ARs, some with pistol gas, some with no gas and side charge bolt. In the end, I wanted smallest package and quietest shot, so ended up settling on a breach-load single-shot H&R handi in 300BLK. It is single shot, the trigger sucks, but it is quiet and it is compact. And a 5-8" barrel won't be whisper quiet, I tried everything up to a 338 and a 50-cal can, hoping the volume would soak up the sound. It helps... but barrel length helps more (in a non-scientific observation-only way.) Figure out what is "need" and what is "want" and these issues become easier to solve.
 
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Well I'm not much of a Hornady fan in the first place.
138 fps variance at 67 degrees.

Question was ammo and or gun stored at a colder temperature than 67 and warming up quickly?

I have had that happen with subs and groups sucked then settled in after I got everything up to 70 ish.

@db2000

I'd be upset with Hornady for things like that and my 2.0 + grain varience on weight till you figure it's a 1% problem on a 50 - 100 yard hunting round.

Now if the pigs would hold still for half a second. Lol
 
The real question is do your reload your own ammo, because not all powder is created equal. Some are just flat quieter than others. I went 10" because I wanted my suppers to have decent velocity. With that not being an issue for you go as short as the suppressor you intend to run will let you.
This.

Same gun with multiple different rounds of 'subsonic' ammo (from different manufacturers) can have completely different sound signatures. Some could be vastly louder than others even though all are subsonic. I've had my ears rung more than once with some ammo but with others it was gold standard quiet.

My 300BLK is 9". I would not suggest going too much Short than that for two reasons.

With an ultra short barrel you run the risk of bullet stability, especially with big long and heavy bullets.

The second reason is it will be harder to make the rifle run reliably with those extremely short barrels.