Re: suppressor for 6.8 SPC ?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RollingThunder51</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Mr. Melick, happy to. As you are well aware, the .223 itself is difficult to suppress with a 16" barrel. If one shortens that barrel, then one has an increase in blast immediately. There are issues when even the gas' ability to dwell in the barrel (before and as a result of the can) goes from the "normal" 14"/16" to shorter. The barrel's own volume capacity plays a role, as does "stock" powder charge, as does the baffle/chamber design. There is more: whereas a majority of powders are fully ignited long before the can, some propellant can actually still be in combustion when it hits the can on SBRs. All this contributes to the obvious fact that the blast signature on SBRs is much louder. Now if we complicate matters by increasing the charge from .223 to 6.8 and then open up the baffles for the larger bullet diameter (larger = more gas directly following the tail of the projectile through the baffles), then it is more challenging to strip the gas off efficiently. The secret to approaching the 6.8 is a tight path (no megaphone, and therefore, by default, no QD) with additional phased chamber capacity, and most importantly, the gas diverter design on the face of the baffle itself.
Look at the face of an AWC baffle circa 1999 and then look at all the others during that same period. AWC is different and complex. Then look at the face of an AWC baffle today and then the better cans today, simularity. What one sees is the realization that gases don't just need to be stripped and delayed through disruption, but rather, stripped through purposeful gas redirection. Purposeful in timing, phasing, direction and into chambers that are designed to manage those very same jets. That is the essence of frequency management. Only then can you create the turbulences, manage the resulting heat and still allow for front purging of the wastes while maximizing suppression. Lastly, capacity/volume on a 6.8 is of particular importance; unless you want a large can, then using any of that precious resource to support monocore has consequences.</div></div>
Thank you for the detailed and informative reply.
So what I have gathered is that for the 6.8 SPC caliber, particularly as it relates to an SBR, the barrel length, suppressor and ammunition/powder type must be balanced and function synergistically for the best overall performance. Therefore, proper selection of both ammunition/propellent in unison with a suppressor having appropriate baffle and chamber design is critical (along with the proper barrel/length).
I see I have more research to do...