Thread: Suppressors - POI Change and Sound Reduction.

The suppressor on my Anschutz .22 rimfire does not seem to change the point of impact much at all.

By fitting the suppressor on my .223, the point of impact changes about two inches at 25 yards.... mostly in elevation, but maybe half an inch in windage. I can't recall whether the point of impact is lower or higher with the suppressor now, but I have sighted the rifle with the suppressor on and I regard it as the most accurate centrefire rifle I've owned.

I have a well-made, compact Waitaki Engineering suppressor I use on my Bergara BA13 .357 magnum. These rifles have sturdy little barrels and I was surprised to find that the small suppressor changes the point of impact so much. I handload all my ammo for this rifle. When I shoot 200 grain projectiles going 960fps, I find that these hit about three inches lower (at 25 yards) with the suppressor fitted. Oddly, when I shoot 158 grain bullets at 1520fps, the point of impact at 25 yards can be 1.5 inches higher compared to when I shoot with no suppressor.

Although I've been using rifles for years, I have only just started to contemplate things like barrel harmonics since I've recently started experimenting with the .357. I realise how much I don't know.

I now have two Bergara .357 magnum rifles. I want to dedicate one to shooting with open sights, and the muzzle-forward Waitaki suppressor allows me to do this. The other one is intended to be a 'quiet' rifle shooting subsonics and I want to eventually get a large, effective suppressor for it. Because subsonic cast bullets generally don't expand much, accuracy is of prime importance so I have fitted a scope to this rifle.

I'd really appreciate hearing recommendations as to what brand or type of suppressor is likely to to be the quietest for this new rifle. I'd also be interested in any comments about point of impact shift due to a suppressor being fitted. Thanks in advance.