Hunting with a Suppressor
What do Suppressors Do?
Despite their common name of silencers, suppressors do not silence a firearm. It would also be impossible to silence the sound of a shot completely. However, suppressors lessen or suppress the sound of the firearm. Depending on the specific design, this is done via baffles and chambers. Much like a muffler on a car, the baffles and chambers cool the gases expelled, reducing the report made.
Benefits of Hunting with a Suppressor
Although some owners purchase suppressors because they look cool in their collection, hunters need real benefits from their gear. Thankfully, a suppressor can add several advantages that make you a more successful hunter.
Noise Reduction—The most significant advantage of suppressors is the reduction in reports. For example, the average suppressor can reduce the report of a large caliber hunting round, such as the .308, to that of a .22.
The obvious benefit of this noise reduction is the ability to protect the user’s hearing, a real concern for those who shoot a lot. Another often unrealized benefit is lessening what other nonhunters hear. This can go a long way towards avoiding conflict with nearby property owners or those sharing public lands.
Reduced Recoil—Due to their designs, many suppressors have a secondary effect on the firearm: reducing felt Recoil. In an age of renewed popularity of larger caliber firearms such as the .45-70 and .450 BM, adding a suppressor may be the only way an owner can effectively hunt with larger, more physically abusive platforms.
Improved Stealth – just like the movie hitman who strikes their target undetected, hunters can shoot a target without alerting all nearby game of their presence. This can be especially useful when hunting in a party or when attempting to fill multiple tags.
Legal Considerations
Before you can even consider adding a suppressor to your hunting arsenal, it is important to know the laws and regulations surrounding its use and ownership. Because these regulations vary by jurisdiction and change over time, it is important to check with local authorities before heading to the field.
Obtaining a Suppressor
Despite what many firearms owners believe, it is not especially difficult to obtain a suppressor. Many firearms retailers and websites openly offer them to any qualified customer. The difficulty comes in terms of obtaining the necessary tax stamp.
The National Firearms Act regulates the sale and ownership of certain classes of firearms, including short-barreled rifles, machine guns, and suppressors. The NFA does not prohibit the ownership of suppressors, but it requires potential owners to obtain permission by way of a tax stamp before taking possession.
For many years, the process of obtaining this tax stamp was more straightforward, but it was time-consuming and confusing. Thankfully, due in part to recent court victories by gun owners, the process has been somewhat streamlined and can even be completed online. Plus, pressure from sportsmen and legislatures has resulted in a drastic reduction in the wait time. Some purchasers have reported receiving approval in weeks or even days versus the previous month. One would expect to wait.
Once you have your tax stamp, you can obtain your suppressor and use it legally, including for hunting.
Use While Hunting
While the NFA regulates ownership at the federal level, there are still state regulations that you will need to comply with. There are currently 42 states that permit private ownership of suppressors. Of these states, 41 allow the use of suppressors while hunting.
You must comply with all other applicable hunting regulations, but a suppressor is permitted when hunting with an approved firearm during an approved season.
Choosing a Suppressor
When choosing a suppressor, especially if it is your first purchase, it is best to go to a dealer familiar with its use. This will ensure that you purchase a model best suited to your firearm and its intended use.
Some of the considerations you will need to take into account are:
Caliber – not every suppressor will work with every caliber firearm. Some will have a range of caliber it is suitable for, such as .22 through .45. Others will be more limited and only suitable for a specific caliber or even firearm.
Weight—The weight of the suppressor is especially important when it comes to hunting. A suppressor can add more than a pound to the overall weight of your firearm and place all that additional weight at the front of the barrel. This can not only affect handling but also make your favorite rifle more challenging to carry for long periods.
Length—Like weight, a suppressor’s added length impacts handling and comfort in the field. Thankfully, many manufacturers recognize this and offer many of their most popular models in shorter configurations, perfect for adding a suppressor.
How to Use a Suppressor Effectively
Adding a suppressor does not change much about the basics of hunting, but it will change how your firearm functions. Make sure you consider these potential changes and even hit the range before your first hunt.
The first concern is a change in the point of impact. Once a suppressor is added, a slight change is expected, and it is important to know if this happens and what that change is so you can correct it.
Second, how will your ammunition perform with a suppressor? Like firearms manufacturers, many ammunition companies recognize the growing use of suppressors and make many of their most popular offerings suppressor-suitable. Nonetheless, you will need to make sure before hunting.
Finally, is the suppressor compatible with other accessories and tools? The addition of a suppressor can impact bipods, optics, gun cases, and even how your sling is attached. Again, the easiest way to avoid a problem in the field is to identify and correct it before the season.
