Suppressor Problem, Dead Air - Advice requested

[DurangoAl]

I bought a Dead Air nomad TI XC to put on a new Seekins Precision Havak in 6.8 Western. Before getting through a box of ammo, the bolt lift on an expected round became impossibly heavy. I went back-and-forth with Seekins on this, including sending the rifle back to them twice. One thing that was noticed, was a heavy carbon ring inside the chamber. But I was hesitant to believe that this brand new suppressor was the problem, but ultimately stuck my AB Raptor find the rifle and the problem disappeared.

Then today, I mounted the Dead Air on my Tikka TX3 in .308 Winchester and the exact same problem occurred, even though the 308 obviously has far less pressure. I have shot the Tikka they ton, always suppressed, and used the same ammo today that I've always used.

I can't come up with any other explanation than it is the fault of the suppressor. Somehow it must be causing too much back pressure and pushing back into the chamber.

Does anyone else have any other thoughts on what it could be and why?
I spoke with Dead Air today and their initial response was that this was not something they are seeing.

 

[Long Range 338]

Hand loads or factory loads? Did you clean the rifle between changing suppressors? Possibly developing a carbon ring in the throat?

 

[DurangoAl]

Hand loads or factory loads? Did you clean the rifle between changing suppressors? Possibly developing a carbon ring in the throat?

Factory loads, four different types. Cleaned very well.

Definitely a carbon ring in the throat, but develops after less than 10 rounds in both guns, bolt gets so sticky you have to stop shooting

 

[Baron23]

develops after less than 10 rounds in both guns

 

[Long Range 338]

Factory loads, four different types. Cleaned very well.

Definitely a carbon ring in the throat, but develops after less than 10 rounds in both guns, bolt gets so sticky you have to stop shooting

Very strange. I know a TON of guys shooting the Nomad and Nomad XCs and haven't heard of this issue at all.

I know it sounds crazy but entertain me if you will. What can you tell us about the atmospherics that day or days? Elevation, temperature, and humidity levels?

The Nomad isn't known to be a high back pressure can. Maybe you got a Monday can or something...

 

[Supersubes]

Ive had about half a dozen of those cans through the shop now. Ive not experienced anything, and no customer reports of issues.

 

[DurangoAl]

Very strange. I know a TON of guys shooting the Nomad and Nomad XCs and haven't heard of this issue at all.

I know it sounds crazy but entertain me if you will. What can you tell us about the atmospherics that day or days? Elevation, temperature, and humidity levels?

The Nomad isn't known to be a high back pressure can. Maybe you got a Monday can or something...

I definitely read plenty of good reviews of the can before I bought it, but in googling around since having a problem, I’ve seen plenty of horror stories too. Like you suggest, maybe there’s some inconsistency.

The problem persists, occurred over several different shooting sessions, but conditions were around 50°F, pressure 29, humidity 20%, elevation 6500 feet.
Since posting this, I went over to a friend’s house with the 308, used his borescope and confirmed that it had developed a substantial carbon ring around the throat of the chamber after only about eight rounds. Dead Air agreed to let me send the can for them to have a look. Given that it’s two different guns and two different cans, I still can’t come up with any explanation other than the Nomad is the problem.

 

[TM451]

I bought a Dead Air nomad TI XC to put on a new Seekins Precision Havak in 6.8 Western. Before getting through a box of ammo, the bolt lift on an expected round became impossibly heavy. I went back-and-forth with Seekins on this, including sending the rifle back to them twice. One thing that was noticed, was a heavy carbon ring inside the chamber. But I was hesitant to believe that this brand new suppressor was the problem, but ultimately stuck my AB Raptor find the rifle and the problem disappeared.

Then today, I mounted the Dead Air on my Tikka TX3 in .308 Winchester and the exact same problem occurred, even though the 308 obviously has far less pressure. I have shot the Tikka they ton, always suppressed, and used the same ammo today that I've always used.

I can't come up with any other explanation than it is the fault of the suppressor. Somehow it must be causing too much back pressure and pushing back into the chamber.

Does anyone else have any other thoughts on what it could be and why?
I spoke with Dead Air today and their initial response was that this was not something they are seeing.

Sorry to hear about the headache with your Nomad TI XC, DurangoAl—sounds like a frustrating one, especially after swapping hosts and confirming the carbon ring buildup via borescope. I've run a Nomad TI XC on a couple .30 cal bolts (including a 6.5 PRC Tikka and a 300WSM Seekins similar to yours) without any backpressure woes like that, even at higher elevations (~7000ft in CO summers), but your atmospherics (50°F, low humidity) shouldn't spike it that bad on factory loads. Definitely points to a potential outlier defect, as others noted—Nomads aren't typically high-backpressure cans...

On the bright side, Dead Air's customer service is top-tier in my book; they've swapped out a mount for me no questions asked within a week, and their warranty process is straightforward and user-friendly compared to some brands. If it's a manufacturing glitch (like a misaligned baffle or something subtle), they'll likely make it right quick—I've seen them go above and beyond on forums for edge cases, turning skeptics into fans. Before shipping, maybe double-check the mount torque (per DA's spec: 20-30 ft-lbs) and ensure no thread debris, but yeah, sending it in seems spot-on.

What's the round count on the can total? Anyone else here hit a similar snag with a Nomad on Western/Win mags? Hang in there—DA's ecosystem is worth it once sorted.

 

[wind gypsy]

Did the can get to a certain level of carbon fouling to where it’s dropping carbon into the action when barrel up by chance?

Had a match today that I’m pretty sure I had 3 fail to feeds because there were big carbon chunks that fell down on the bolt face from the muzzle end to where I couldn’t get the bolt closed. Wasn’t a Xc but that is not a can specific issue.

 

[D1rtyHobo]

I bought a Dead Air nomad TI XC to put on a new Seekins Precision Havak in 6.8 Western. Before getting through a box of ammo, the bolt lift on an expected round became impossibly heavy. I went back-and-forth with Seekins on this, including sending the rifle back to them twice. One thing that was noticed, was a heavy carbon ring inside the chamber. But I was hesitant to believe that this brand new suppressor was the problem, but ultimately stuck my AB Raptor find the rifle and the problem disappeared.

Then today, I mounted the Dead Air on my Tikka TX3 in .308 Winchester and the exact same problem occurred, even though the 308 obviously has far less pressure. I have shot the Tikka they ton, always suppressed, and used the same ammo today that I've always used.

I can't come up with any other explanation than it is the fault of the suppressor. Somehow it must be causing too much back pressure and pushing back into the chamber.

Does anyone else have any other thoughts on what it could be and why?
I spoke with Dead Air today and their initial response was that this was not something they are seeing.

Hi DurangoAI,

Have you considered different types of ammunition for the rifle? While back pressure from a suppressor is a known issue, it generally does not contribute to a ring of carbon in a single, centralized location. Often enough, the culprit is the relationship to the cut of the chamber, the ammunition powder, and the cartridge itself. I have experienced a carbon ring on a PVA .308 prefit within the first 100 rounds, but after cleaning has consistently worked problem-free for several thousand rounds with regular, 300-500rd, cleanings. I would suggest cleaning out the carbon ring and shooting another box or two to see if the problem replicates.

 

[Baron23]

Did the can get to a certain level of carbon fouling to where it’s dropping carbon into the action when barrel up by chance?

Had a match today that I’m pretty sure I had 3 fail to feeds because there were big carbon chunks that fell down on the bolt face from the muzzle end to where I couldn’t get the bolt closed. Wasn’t a Xc but that is not a can specific issue.

They can actually be cleaned every once in a while, ya know. lol

 

[TheOE800]

They can actually be cleaned every once in a while, ya know. lol

Some good products have come to market in the last year to facilitate easier cleaning, I might add.

 

[wind gypsy]

Some good products have come to market in the last year to facilitate easier cleaning, I might add.

They can actually be cleaned every once in a while, ya know. lol

Yes, I’ve never cleaned any of my cans and that needs to happen.. was just going to plug and fill with CLR, flush, repeat (at least the ti cans) but I’m open to recommendations for cleaning products if they are notably better.

 

[loveha]

Suppressor Cleaner - Solvents & Cleaners

Breakthrough Clean Technologies' suppressor cleaner offers multifaceted advantages for firearm enthusiasts. Primarily, it ensures consistent performance by eliminating carbon buildup, preserving the suppressor's efficiency, and extending its lifespan. The cleaner effectively removes fouling...

www.breakthroughclean.com

This stuff just plain works.

 

[TheOE800]

Yes, I’ve never cleaned any of my cans and that needs to happen.. was just going to plug and fill with CLR, flush, repeat (at least the ti cans) but I’m open to recommendations for cleaning products if they are notably better.

Shop around, but this comes to mind: https://a.co/d/80nx9eL

 

[TahoeDust]

Yes, I’ve never cleaned any of my cans and that needs to happen.. was just going to plug and fill with CLR, flush, repeat (at least the ti cans) but I’m open to recommendations for cleaning products if they are notably better.

The breakthrough stuff worked well on my Nomad...

Suppressors - My Suppressor lost .6oz...

I tried the Breakthrough Suppressor cleaner kit on my Nomad-30. I'm pretty damn impressed. Soaked it for 24hrs and it got pretty clean, soaked it for another 20hrs and it got even cleaner. Required minimal cleaning with a brass brush. Weighed 17 grams less after cleaning. Before...

www.snipershide.com

 

[Baron23]

Yes, I’ve never cleaned any of my cans and that needs to happen.. was just going to plug and fill with CLR, flush, repeat (at least the ti cans) but I’m open to recommendations for cleaning products if they are notably better.

I know TBAC recommends weighing your suppressor new then cleaning when it gets 3 oz heavier. Take it for what its worth.

I do not use CLR on my ultra-7 because I use Area 419 mounts and adapters and they say that CLR will turn them pink! lol And yes, I can remove the mount and just use CLR on the can but there are other products available.

I have used BoreTech Carbon Remover a number of times. Small silicon plug on the muzzle end, stand it up in a pickle jar, fill with C4 and I just let it sit for 2-3 days (probably not required to soak that long). Then I flush out with a hose or a power washer. Worked fine.

I did buy the Break Through kit but haven't used it yet. My very good friend, @GBMaryland , has used it and said it worked wonderfully and better/easier than the C4 we both used in the past.

What did surprise me about the C4 is how blue it came out....copper. I'm guessing gaseous copper precipitating on the baffles....but yeah, very blue.

Cheers

 

[wind gypsy]

Does that breakthrough stuff come with a BJ? premium price there.

Kind of tempted to get it just for the brushes and tubes and use CLR for the carbon removal after the fluid is gone.

Hate to clean 4 cans at those prices.

 

[GBMaryland]

No, you can reuse the stuff….. it comes with a container to put your suppressor in, and you just soak the suppressor in the cleaner and let it sit there. You can easily reuse the stuff and you can let the solution sit in the soaking container until the carbon precipitates to the bottom. Then you just pour it back off into the original bottle and wash the carbon out with some water.

You can easily clean four cans doing that.

I went ahead and cleaned every suppressor I had, with the exception of my 338 ultra SR… since that one doesn’t fit in the cleaning container. (Well to be fair. I did clean it, but I stoppered the end and let it soak in my vice with the rubber jaws holding it in place.

No problems reusing the stuff it’s pretty pokey and continues to used to work.

I did buy a gallon container of the stuff because it works that much better than C4 and is a shit less expensive… it also works better than just about anything I’ve ever seen.

 

[lash]

but I stoppered the end and let it soak in my face with the rubber jaws holding it in place.

I’m guessing that you meant vice?

 

[seascout]

I am having a similar problem running a dead air nomad 30l on my new 7mmbc, i wonder if it is the shorter barrel?

 

[GBMaryland]

Nope, it's so good I also use it as a safe and effective mouthwash! Stuff is amazing!!

fixed.

 

[TM451]

I've run mine on a couple .30 cal setups without that kind of rapid buildup, but yes elevation and cold temps could factor in (and also check ammo, we're not all running covid reloads anymore but try swapping for something premium for a day). I did notice a bit more fouling once, running a new bolt (idk if that had anything to do with it), but soaking it in C4 for a couple days loosened all I could see—with no blue residue issues for me, and a quick flush got it back to new. Kept my breakthrough in a small tub, rotated some cans in there, and might be worth trying before sending it in and being without your unit for two weeks. Dead Air's support is usually quick, but that's still relying on UPS...

 

[TM451]

Pink is a feature not a bug. Just embrace it and get a matching sling

 

[SoundFx]

OP, since you’re experiencing rare symptoms on multiple guns, what chemicals are you cleaning your barrel with? Could it be whatever you’re using in the barrel is making the buildup occur sooner or to a greater extent than some other choice?