velocities when fired on the .17 Mach 2 rifle, I thought we might see similar results on the .17 HMR rifle. In our .22 LR tests we compared
three types of ammo (subsonic, match, and high velocity) with three different suppressors. This extensive testing generated an enormous amount of data. The results that I obtained did not seem to favor any type of ammo. Neither velocity nor bullet nose shape seemed to have any influence on the outcome. I can unequivocally state that suppressors, in most instances, caused only minor elevation deviations (aver- aged less than ¼") from the POI. In addition, when each suppressed (three suppressors tested) .22 rimfire rifle was compared with the unsuppressed rifle, the average suppressed rifle shot ap- proximately 0.10" higher than the POI. When the suppressors were compared with each other, the elevation averaged about 0.40" higher than the POI. This overwhelming sea of data shows that although POI differences are signifi- cantly statistically different, in the real world if a raccoon is hit a fraction high or low and a fraction to the left or right, it is still going to be dead. When you look at the .22 Win-
chester Magnum data it is very difficult to get a handle on what is going on. Although Gemtech now has a suppres- sor specifically designed for the .22 Winchester Magnum, when I began this experiment I had only the Gemtech G5 suppressor. The .22 rimfire suppressors that I had on hand were not designed to handle the higher velocities and pres- sures generated by the .22 Winchester Magnum. Several manufacturers now produce rimfire suppressors that can handle any rimfire up to and includ- ing the .22 Winchester Magnum. Since the .22 Winchester Magnum fires jack- eted bullets, Gemtech advised me that I could use a .223 suppressor. The G5 suppressor fired to the left of the POI for both brands of .22 Winchester Mag- num ammo tested, but elevation results were inconsistent. The perplexing point is that the G5 suppressor doubled the average group width for one brand of ammo, but had no significant effect on the other. In the future, I would like to reexamine the .22 Winchester Magnum by including at least two .223 sup- pressors, at least two .22 Winchester Magnum suppressors, and at least three
different types of ammunition. I am not sure if we will ever com-
pletely learn or understand how or why a suppressor affects the performance and accuracy characteristics of various firearms. There appears to be too many factors that we either aren’t aware of, don’t know, nor understand how it can affect some and not others. Although it may appear to be a random occurrence on what affects a suppressor and what doesn’t, I think that there is a valid and scientific reason for each and every action and reaction. We may never be able to fully grasp these concepts be- cause of the complexity of the chemical and physical actions and reactions that take place when a bullet is fired from a rifle barrel and enters into the com- plex world of a suppressor. It probably would take a lifetime of experimenta- tion to unravel the mysteries of what is happening within the confines of a suppressor. Since the internal design of each suppressor is different from the next — some subtle, some radical — we are faced with an insurmountable mountain of variation. In the end, all one cares is that the
use of a suppressor will preserve one of your most valuable and vulnerable resources — your hearing. I have far too many friends whose hearing loss has made the joyful sound of a chirping bird a distant memory. A suppressor offers you more protection than the best hearing protection devices without any added discomfort or awkwardness when shooting. How can we put a price on the “fun factor” that a suppressor bestows upon us? There is nothing as rewarding or as exhilarating as hearing a bullet strike its intended target. As our society continues to grow, our hunting lands will continue to dwindle in both size and number. The silence offered by suppressors may be the salvation and solace that hunters are seeking in order to preserve one of our most cherished heritages.
CONTACTS BOGgear LLC
110 N. Milam, No. 149 Fredericksburg, TX 78624 877-264-7637
www.boggear.com
Boyds’ Gunstock Industries, Inc. 25376 403rd Ave.
Mitchell, SD 57301 605-996-5011
www.boydsgunstocks.com Brownells Inc.
200 South Front Street Montezuma, IA 50171 800-741-0015
www.brownells.com
Burris Company 331 East 8th St. Greeley, CO 80631 970-356-1670
www.burrisoptics.com CCI
2299 Snake River Ave. Lewiston, ID 83501 800-256-8685
www.cci-ammunition.com CZ-USA
P.O. Box 171073
Kansas City, KS 66117-0073 800-955-4486
www.cz-usa.com
GAP
BmOT Software 709 N. Arkansas St. Spring Hill, LA 71075
www.Bmotsoft.com
Gemtech
P.O. Box 140618 Boise, ID 83714-0618 208-939-7222
www.gem-tech.com
Hawke Optics LLC
6015-2 HighView Dr., Suite G Fort Wayne, IN 46818 877-429-5347
www.hawkeoptics.com
Hornady Manufacturing Co. 3625 West Old Potash Hwy. Grand Island, NE 68802-1848 800-338-3220
www.hornady.com
Leupold & Stevens, Inc. 14400 NW Greenbrier Parkway Beaverton, OR 97006-5790 800-538-7653
www.leupold.com
Magnum Research, Inc. 7110 University Ave. N.E. Minneapolis, MN 55432 800-772-6168
www.magnumresearch.com MidwayUSA
5875 West Van Horn Tavern Rd. Columbia, MO 65203 800-243-3220
www.midwayusa.com
Nielsen-Kellerman 21 Creek Circle
www.varminthunter.org Page 167
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