Light Silence – The Best Lightweight Suppressors For Hunting
1. Dead Air Nomad Ti
The Author's, Writer's, and TFB's Pick
The Dead Air Nomad Ti is this week’s top pick by myself, Outdoorhub.com Editor Rusty, and also comes highly suggested by TFB Editor in Chief Pete. Why? While the Nomad Ti is a little pricey it is a very well-made suppressor and has a phenomenal sound reduction for everything ranging from 5.56 all the way up to 300 WSM – this means that no matter what rifle you’re putting it on it will keep your ears safe, sound profile low, and best of all it only weighs 9.6-ounces. This is by far one of the lightest 30-caliber suppressors in its class and is made from grade 5 titanium for extreme durability. Even if you do manage to break it comes standard with a lifetime warranty from Dead Air silencers.
2. SilencerCo Harvester 300
SilencerCo Harvester 300
The Harvester™ 300 is the smaller cousin of the Harvester™ 338, weighing in at 11 oz. and built for use with .300 Win Mag. Specifically designed for hunting and long range precision shooting applications, the Harvester™ 300 features a recoil-reducing Anchor Brake to facilitate quick target reacquisition and follow-up shots. Using modular thread adapters, the Harvester™ is compatible with a wide range of threaded barrels.
*We do not recommend shooting lead projectiles out of any of our sealed suppressors.
3. YHM Resonator K
Enter YHM’s .30 caliber “K-Can”, the Resonator® K. Care, the blast chamber is threaded to the popular 1-3/8”-24 thread which allows it to utilize many available mounting options currently on the market. The new end cap design helps greatly reduce flash signature. The Resonator® K can be used on rifle calibers ranging from .17 HMR through 300 RUM.
The Resonator® K uses a tubeless design that consists of heat-treated 17-4 stainless steel and heat treated 718 Inconel blast baffle which allows the suppressor to be full auto-rated and designed for rigorous use. Comes with the Phantom® Q.D. Adapter, 2 suppressor wrenches, and your choice of a Phantom® Muzzle Brake or Flash Hider.
4. Rugged Obsidian 45
The Obsidian45 is the quietest 45 suppressor on the market and is rated for practically all center-fire pistol calibers, along with common lever action calibers. Rugged’s ADAPT™ Module gives you 2 lengths in one suppressor, for ultimate versatility. The Obsidian45 is machined from top-of-the-line materials to not only last a lifetime but withstand any rate of fire. Obsidian45 baffles are machined from 17-4 Stainless Steel bar stock, with two indexing tabs for proper alignment. With serviceability in mind, the Obsidian baffles create a gas seal that virtually eliminates carbon build-up between the baffles and tube.
5. CGS Hyperion-K
The CGS Hyperion K is a suppressor designed for precision rifle shooting. Only weighing 10.5 ounces, with a length of 6.4-inches, the Hyperion K is both compact and maneuverable. This CGS suppressor is also modular in that it has two alternate front end cap options: their vented end cap (not included) and their traditional low profile end cap. Even with its light weight and shorter stature, the Hyperion K’s 1.75-inch diameter still allows this silencer to be incredibly quiet.
Constructed of grade 5 titanium, the Hyperion K provides optimal durability, without adding on any extra weight. Speaking of durability, this CGS silencer has a proprietary coating that protects your suppressor from build up that could otherwise naturally occur. The Hyperion K also boasts shallow taper joints, which provides exceptional retention and maintains concentricity when threaded on to your host firearm. CGS Group outdid themselves with this incredible suppressor.
6. Silencer Central Banish 30
The Banish series is Silencer Centrals original multi-caliber suppressor that features unmatched sound suppression, high-quality all-titanium alloy construction, and is available in a wide variety of calibers including 30 calibers in the Banish 30. This 100% user-serviceable suppressor is very lightweight and can handle calibers ranging from .17 all the way up to 30 caliber magnum rounds like 300 Weatherby.
The BANISH 30 comes as a 9-inch suppressor holding eight baffles, but if you’ll be shooting suppressed in tighter, confined spaces or hunting blinds, it can easily break down and assemble into a 7-inch configuration with six baffles.
This suppressor also weighs considerably less than most suppressors of similar size. This is because the BANISH 30 – like all of the other BANISH suppressors in the lineup – is made from a strong titanium alloy for unmatched durability at an extremely lightweight. In the full configuration, it weighs 13 ounces; in the short configuration, it weighs just 10 ounces. You’ll be hard-pressed to even feel it on your gun!
Do you still need ear protection with a suppressor?
Attaching a suppressor to the end of the barrel can reduce damaging noise, but may not lower it to hearing-safe levels. This means that to effectively protect your hearing, you should always wear proper hearing protection devices on their ears, even when firearms are equipped with suppressors. However, I’m not your mom and I’m not going to tell you what’s best for you. I regularly hunt and shoot with suppressors and without hearing protection. Generally, I limit my exposure to rimfire or pistol calibers only when not donning ear protection. Your mileage and sensitivity may vary so use your best judgment. However, as a general rule, always wear hearing and eye protection when shooting suppressed.
What does "User-Serviceable" mean when talking about suppressors?
Early suppressors were welded together both on the inside and on the outside. This was done in order to ensure that the baffles (interior pieces that trap expanding gas) would not move around while the rifle and suppressor were being shot. This meant that in order to clean your suppressor you had to use an ultrasonic cleaner. A user-serviceable suppressor on the other hand can be taken apart with simple tools that are often either in generic toolboxes or included with the suppressor and this allows you to get to the interior parts for an easier cleaning process. The downside with user-serviceable suppressors is that they tend to be a bit more expensive to manufacture due to all the individual parts.
I've never bought a suppressor before. How do I buy one?
purchasing a silencer requires the applicant to mail or Fax a photo and fingerprints to the ATF and to pay a $200 tax. The approval process for most guns takes about 20 minutes, but for a silencer or suppressor, it can take several months and sometimes up to a year or more depending on how backed up the ATF is.
For a full detailed description of how to purchase a suppressor without screwing things up, you can check out this great article by The Firearm Blog where they walk you through every step of the process.
SILENCER SATURDAY #96: NFA Process 101 – How To Buy A Silencer
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