Time to quiet the Prairie Dog rig

[DeadElephant]

I have a real great shooting Savage 12 BVSS 204 that is my go to for pd's. I primarily run the 32gr Hornady Vmax at about 4100 ft per sec velocity. On a really good day it'll shoot in the 3's. I'd like to quiet it down so all the guys that I shoot with that have suppressors will quit complaining. Don't see much info on this specific setup. Not sure of the impact of a can for a 32gr bullet at these velocities on accuracy. We virtually never shoot inside of 300 yds and reach out farther than most would believe so I'm really concerned about accuracy impacts.

Priorities:
Accuracy
POI shift - Not overly concerned because well they're PD's. I'll adjust as needed (if I miss the first one there's always more).
Weight - I shoot from a bench so doesn't matter much.
Sound - They all still make noise. All the major cans I've looked at seem close enough.
Cost - i don't really want to make this a factor in selection.
mount type - QD or thread I don't really know which would be best.
Multi-cal - some have recommended going with a 7.62 can. Don't really have a 30 cal to suppress today but i'd consider it.

I do have an 11.5 SBR. Don't really shoot it, guess I got it for the CDI factor. Would like to be able to mount it on this, to increase CDI at times. It really may turn into my house gun and if so I'd probably keep the can on it when not out PD'ing.

Ideas - anyone using a can on a 204? Anything unique about it?

[newracer]

This interests me as well.

[Tim K]

The Thunderbeast line has an excellent reputation for accuracy. I run my 30P-1 on 6 different rifles. None exhibit any poi shift from removal and re-installation. I run it on rifles from .22LR up to .260 rem.

Direct attach (screw on) has the advantage of being less expensive since you're not buying a separate brake. On the other hand, on the brake attach models the brake itself acts like the first baffle taking much of the wear and tear. This, at least, is how it was explained to me. If I had it to do over, I'd start with a brake attach can. Better to wear out an inexpensive brake than the can itself.

The only advantage of a .223 can is lighter weight. Myself, I like the flexibility of a .308 can.

[J]

I have the SAS Arbiter in the brake attach (TOMB) configuration. Like thunderbeast, they are break attach, not quick detach. There is still full length threading on the outside of the brake.

For me the big advantage of the brake attach is that I can get brakes to fit my 1/2x28, 5/8x24 and 3/4x24 threaded barrels. No need to re-thread barrels, or to get a thread adapter.

Like the thunderbeast, zero POI shift, a negligible increase in velocity (couple fps), and still deadly accurate. I really only chose the SAS because the I like Mile High Shooting (SAS retailer) as a retailer better than my closest stocking Thunderbeast retailer.

Either brand is a good choice, and both make a 223 only can if that is what you decide on. But the 308 can is nice and versatile.

For a precision rifle, these are the two that I would personally consider.

[XC700116]

If you have no current or perceived future need for a 30 cal can I'd go with a 223 can simply because it's a tighter bore and will give slightly better suppression on the 204. But a 30 cal can is by far more versatile.

I'd also recommend the TBAC cans, been around a LOT of them and they are top tier. However I wouldn't put one of their titanium cans on the SBR, for that I'd opt for the 223A or something else designed to be used on an SBR.

I also really like the brake attach, since you don't loose anything but gain some versatility, and you essentially get a replaceable first baffle and the can should therefore last longer and maintain performance longer.

I've got a 30BA and a 22L in NFA jail right now and am currently looking into a 223 can for use on my carbines and my 204, still up in the air a bit on which way I'm going to go with that one though.

[ray1970]

You might be surprised how well some of the 30 cal cans work on the smaller calibers. Especially the ones rated for the big magnum 30 calibers or full auto use. Gives you a lot of flexibility down the road if you do decide you want to throw it on something else.

[J]

Yep. My arbiter is quiter on my 223 than my buddies 223 YHM can on the same rifle. Not much, but a little quieter.

The 223 cans are on average 2" shorter though.

[DeadElephant]

Zak said his 7.62 cans are only rated for 14.5 and longer.

[Tim K]

For an SBR, I think the Surefire cans are the ticket. I'm thinking my 3rd can may be exactly that. For me, the first can should be versatile. Once you start shooting suppressed, you're going to want to shut all your guns up.

[DeadElephant]

I'm getting from many folks that the .204 may actually perform better (accuracy) with the 7.62 can. The SBR throws a twist. Probably end up with two, oh well. Thunderbeast and SAS both seem to get good marks from accuracy perspective.

[Tim K]

Unrelated to your actual question, I'll offer some unsolicited advice about buying a can in general. It might affect your decision.

Find one in-stock at a local dealer you are willing to drive to. It will save you months of screwing around waiting for serial numbers or form 3's. I'm watching a friend suffer right now through ordering a can from an out of state dealer who had to order it from TBAC. He's been waiting 3 months, and his Form 4 has still not been submitted. He will end up waiting almost 8 months. If he'd bought local it'd be 5 - 6.

[ray1970]

If he'd bought local it'd be 5 - 6.

Maybe even less. I've heard some are coming back quicker than that.

[Lars]

I run a Thunder Beast 30p-1 on a few of my rigs. I'm running it on my .223, .243 and two 6.5 Creedmoors. All but one of the 6.5's are AR platform rifles. The can as Tighted all my groups and increased the velocity in both 6.5's by about 50 fps.

[DeadElephant]

Thanks everyone for the feedback.
I ended up getting 3 suppressors [Beer]

SAS Resistor 30 cal.
SAS M-455 5.56
Sparrow 22lr

The 204 was a popular cartridge up a Mile High so they had a lot of experience with it.
Also turns out that the owner of SAS (Tim Humston) and I share the same last name.
I'll try both the Resistor and M-455 on the 204. The M-455 will primarily live on my SBR.